Summer Camps for Kids in San Juan

With Memorial Day weekend over, corn and watermelon on farmers' market stands and sunshine in the forecast, the signs point toward summer. As the last day of school quickly approaches, it's time to reserve your kid a spot at a local summer camp:

WHEN: Varies

WHY GO:

• Ceramics Clay Camp: (June 27-July 8; July 11-22 and July 25-Aug. 5) Students will learn both ceramic hand-building techniques and how to throw clay on the wheel.
• Native American Summer Camp: (June 27-July 1 and July 4-8) Children will learn skills the local Indians used before the Spanish influx, like weaving a basket, making an arrowhead, drilling a shell with a pump drill, pounding yucca for string and making a gourd bowl.
• Adventure Sleepover: (July 15-16) The sleepover includes dinner, activities and breakfast the following morning. $65 non-members, $55 for members, and $50 per individual in groups of four or more.

LEARN MORE: All participants must be pre-registered using a summer camp form. For more information call 949-234-1306.

WHEN: 7:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. June 20-Aug. 19

WHY GO: All children ages 5 to 14 are welcome. The camp includes daily excursions to places such as Disneyland and the Newport Lagoon, in addition to offering science, sewing and knitting lessons. There are also sports clubs and daily devotions. Weekly tuition is $200; discounts are available for siblings.

LEARN MORE: Download an informational pamphlet here. 

WHEN: June 20-Sept. 2

WHY GO: Kids will learn to act during weeklong sessions with different themes each week, including iCarly, Wicked, Wizards of Waverly Place and more.The cost is $250 per week (discounts are available).

LEARN MORE: Call the playhouse at 949-489-8082

WHEN: Varies

WHY GO: The Ecology Center is offering two sessions, one for kids ages 6 to 9 and the other for kids ages 9 to 12. Both are centered on participatory learning, experimentation and observation. On the last day of camp, participants will harvest and prepare their own lunches.

• Elemental Awareness Camp: (11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 18-21) This camp is available for younger children, who will learn survival skills. Some activities include gourd canteen making, fire safety and construction, cooking with fire, harvesting wild edibles and shelter design and building. The cost is $160.
• Eco-Labs Camp: (11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 1-5) Participants will engage a series of outdoor learning stations that demonstrate human impact on the environment in five areas: water, food, waste, energy and shelter. The cost is $185.

LEARN MORE: Visit theecologycenter.org

OCEAN INSTITUTE

WHEN: Varies

WHY GO: The institute in Dana Point offers a plethora of weeklong and single-day camps—too many to name here! Here is a small selection of those camps being offered this summer:   

• Neptune's Mysteries Camp: (9 a.m.-4 p.m. for four consecutive day-sessions starting June 27, July 5, 11, 18 and 25, and Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) This camp is open to children ages 6 to 7, who will learn how scientists study the sea. Each day will introduce a new puzzle for participants to solve, as well as outdoor explorations in the protected marine area, as well as aboard the R/V Sea Explorer. Cost is $285.
  
• Island Bound Camp: (Aug. 15-18) Voyage to Catalina Island aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point. Kids will learn sail theory and boat building, as well as maritime history and rope, complemented with activities such as kayaking and snorkling. Price is $395.

LEARN MORE: Download an informational brochure.