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Is your kid ready for overnight camp? (And are
you?)
Earth-based education at nature
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Plus a list of summer camps in Boulder and beyond
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Camp! 6 years in a row by th e Boulder We ekly
JUMP IN TO SUMMER FUN! CAMPS, SPORTS AND SWIMMING AT THE Y • Overnight Camps at YMCA Camp Santa Maria • Traditional Day and Sports Camps • Fun in the Sun Day Camps at BVSD Elementary Schools • Skateboarding Camps • Y Riders Cycling Camps • Specialty Tween and Teen Camps • Fine Arts Camps
Register now. Space is limited. YMCA OF BOUlDER VAllEY Arapahoe Center
2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette 303-664-5455
Mapleton Center
2850 Mapleton Ave., Boulder 303-442-2778
www.ymcabv.org
Healthy Family Fun!
• We Teach Confidence & Safety Skills
• Phenomenal Kids Coaches! • Day Camps For Kids Ages 5 To 15 • Camps Any Day School Is Out (Except Snow Days)
•O ur Kids Learn to Handle Bumps in the Road • Ask Our Parents!
• Learn Track Cycling • Sharpen Trail Skills on the Mountain Bike Course • Velodrome Racing & Training • Enhance ALL Your Cycling Skills • Check Us Out Today!
3550 Frontier Avenue, Suite A • Boulder, CO 80301 303-CYCLING (292.5464) www.boulderindoorcycling.com Check out our events calendar online!
On Southwest Corner of Pearl & Foothills
CAMP INFO:
Dates: June 4 - August 10, 2012 **No camp on July 4th** Camp Hours: 8:00am - 3:30pm Extended Day Hours: 7:00 - 8:00am & 3:30 - 6:00pm Registration Fee: $175 (Includes: camp materials, field trips, camp t-shirt, daily snacks, and sunscreen) Each summer camp session runs two weeks long, however enrollment is on a weekly basis. Students may attend for any number of weeks.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
We are now accepting registration for 2012 Summer Camp at AML. Please turn in registration forms at the front desk or email them, along with any questions, to: info@adventuremontessori.com. Students who are not currently enrolled in the Elementary program at AML will need to fill out the Elementary student profile form to register for camp. This can be found on our school website: www.adventuremontessori.com
SUMMER CAMP SESSIONS July 30 - August 10: The Art Experience During this two-week session students will get their creative July 2 - July 13: Construction juices flowing as they explore The intent of this summer camp is to give their artistic abilities and discover various the students a chance to work on building forms of art. Children will bring home many projects in a cooperative learning environdisplays of their own art to show off to their ment. There will be a wide families and proudly display at home. range of options from which to We will also take a trip to a local art choose, and the students may museum to better experience, understand, freely move from one hands-on and appreciate art. Students will end this project to another. camp session with an Art Show complete with The camp will feature, by popular request, crackers, cheese, and sparkling cider! a wood working room. This will be a room entirely devoted to a number of large, expert- Instructional Activities & Academic level building sets. There will also be an arts Skill-Building and crafts table to make projects ranging from Along with great summer fun, our students origami to animal noise makers. will experience academic enrichment opportunities in each of our July 1 6- July 27: Theater/Imagination camp sessions. Educational June 18 - June 29: Sports & Fitness Calling all actors and actresses! Join us for concepts related to math, Being active is the focus of this two-week language, science, and session of full-tilt fun! Students will participate this exciting two-week session as we adapt classic children’s stories into plays. Students will social studies will be in many athletic activities including soccer, integrated into the themes of each session basketball, and baseball to work on develop- discover the joy and energy of creative play and imagination through instructional lessons, games, and ing their athletic skills, as well while becoming instant stars other engaging activities. There will also be as the important concept of in this fun-filled camp session. individualized instruction and tutoring options teamwork by practicing with Through the use of costumes, props, and acto help students better grasp core curricular friends. cessories, children will create their own play or concepts and build their academic skills. Along with getting plenty of exercise out on puppet show, including writing their own script. the field, students will also learn about good nutrition and athletic preparation such as stretching. There will be a field trip during For more info on rates and schedules visit our website. June 4 - June 15: Nature Studies Let’s get outside and enjoy the beautiful world around us! We will plant and take care of our flower gardens and our organic vegetable garden, observe the local animal life, and experience water play. Children connecting with nature fosters a great sense of caring. This sensitivity will come alive very naturally as we explore the wonders of nature. At AML we have the perfect setting and back drop to reconnect with the natural world. From the orchards to the gardens, to our miniature barn yard, we have created an exciting program for our outdoor classrooms. The children will also take an all day adventure trip to beautiful Estes park during this camp session.
this session to a Rockies game to observe the overall skills and strategies they have learned on the field while having fun at the ballpark!
250 S. Cherrywood Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026 • phone: 303.665.6789 • fax: 303.604.6653
www.adventuremontessori.com
2 March 1, 2012
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Susan France
staff
Ingrid Bell enjoys fishing from a pond in the Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Publisher, Stewart Sallo Editor, Joel Dyer Director of Sales & Marketing, Dave Grimsland Director of Operations/Controller, Benecia Beyer Circulation Manager, Cal Winn
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor, Jefferson Dodge Special Editions Editor, Elizabeth Miller Associate Editors, David Accomazzo, Quibian Salazar-Moreno
SALES
Retail Sales Manager, Allen Carmichael Inside Sales Manager, Jason Wing Account Executives, David Hasson, Amber Hayes, Brooke Sunness, Amaru Ward, Jim Williams
Kids Camp 2012 by Boulder
PRODUCTION
Production Manager, Dave Kirby Art Director, Susan France Graphic Designer, Mark Goodman
GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE Marketing Manager & Heiress, Julia Sallo Office Manager/Advertising Assistant, Francie Swidler Circulation Team Dave Hastie, Dan Hill, George LaRoe, Jeffrey Lohrius, Elizabeth Ouslie, Rick Slama 12-Year-Old, Mia Rose Sallo cover photo: Susan France Elisé Beaupré enjoys watching butterflies at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. To foster the health of butterflies, the Butterfly Pavilion strongly discourages handling butterflies. The cover photo was the result of a chance circumstance, rather than due to the intentional handling of a butterfly.
Boulder Weekly
Kids Camp Directory
Weekly Staff
S
omething out there sets off sparks for your child. Something out there makes him or her just a little extra excited, a little more focused, a little more willing to work hard. Something makes him or her bounce up and down. Whatever it is, the summer and the multitude of camp offerings in Boulder County offer your child a chance to indulge in that passion — whether it’s mountain biking or being a rock star, growing plants or hiking into the woods, studying chess moves or chasing frogs. And just because school’s out for summer doesn’t mean your child’s learning and growth
should let up. The many summer camps in Boulder County provide plenty of options for keeping your kids active, entertained and engaged throughout the summer months. If only you could send your kid to outdoor space dinosaur baseball chess camp. But you can’t. So you have to choose. To aid in that, we’ve provided a comprehensive listing of those camps for you to peruse, divided by camp theme, and we’ve filled this year’s Kids Camp with stories of transformation and growth spurred on by camps. So gear up and get ready for another stunning summer. March 1, 2012 3
Ro c k yo u r s u m m e r Write Original Music, Play Live & Record a CD!
Rock & Roll Camp for Teens A ge s 1 1 - 1 7 | F u l l - d ay
Junior Rocker Camp for Kids A ge s 6 - 1 0 | H a l f - d ay + Beginner to advanced, all instruments, original songwriting & lessons + Learn from seasoned band coaches on pro gear, for a real gig in a real venue + Programs available for ages 6-17 + Colorado’s number one rock & roll camp for teens! “It was definitely one of the most fun camps I went to this summer (believe me, I went to a lot) and I came back for seconds. It taught me how to make music with other musicians and that will be very useful for the future. And I learned how to take a better solo.” Student “The ability of the instructors to help these kids find their creativity, create songs, maximize their musical ability, and get up on stage and be stars is always impressive. Participating with his band at Dog House has improved not only his musical ability, but also his confidence, creativity, sense of responsibility, and his ability to work with a group.” - Parent
Rock Out With A Friend Refer a friend who registers for camp & you will each receive a $100 discount!
Dog House Music 5 2 5 C o u r t n ey Way L a faye t t e, C O 8 0 0 2 6
3 0 3 . 6 6 4 . 1 6 0 0 doghousemusic.com
Locally Owned & Operated Since 2004
The great stay-away debate
YMCA of Boulder Valley Summer Camp
Overnight camp for first-time campers by Jessie Lucier
T
he recent 2012 camp enrollment kick-off got my partner and me thinking about signing up our kindergartener for an overnight camp session. Cooper, who will turn 6 years old this summer, would be one of the youngest campers, which felt a little scary to me. But after talking to a couple of camp directors and a child psychotherapist, I started to believe that Cooper, with his outgoing personality, his ability to make friends and settle into new environments fairly easily, and his aptitude to follow directions, was in a pretty good position to start his camp career. Once I was sure that I was also in a good position — this is a pretty big deal for moms and dads, too — I asked Cooper what he thought about spending a few days and nights at a really cool camp without Mom and Dad. His answer surprised me. While I had readily assumed that he’d be superexcited and jump at the chance to go on a cool, big kid adventure, he responded very seriously by saying, “No, Momma. That sounds cool, but I don’t think I’m ready.” While our kindergartener has decided he is not ready for overnight camp, that doesn’t mean that yours isn’t. And, your kindergartener may be ready while an older child with a different personality could benefit from waiting another year. “It’s so individual,” says Sanam Pejuhesh, a Boulder-based child psychotherapist. “If a child tends toward acting out or has separation issues, you might want to wait until they are older. But if your child is really self-sufficient, camp can be a really positive and empowering experience.”
How to determine if your child is ready
Children are all so different and ready to tackle different milestones at different times. Sometimes trying to determine readiness for big events, like overnight camp, can be challenging for parents. If you’re on the fence about your child’s readiness, answering a few questions posed by camp experts could help. Has your child asked to go? Has he had numerous sleepovers at a friend’s Boulder Weekly
house and handled them well? Does he make friends easily? Does he like challenges and new experiences? Is he a good sleeper and free of nighttime anxieties? Does he follow directions well? If you answered yes to most of these questions, chances are your child is ready for overnight camp — or at least ready to start having a conversation about the possibility. And, if the conversation gets everyone excited about overnight camp and you decide to go for it, here are some tips to help you prepare your little camper (and yourself) for his or her first overnight camp adventure.
Try a first-timers camp
Many camps offer mini camps — an overnight camp experience that lasts just a couple of days rather than a full week. Chris Coker, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Boulder Valley and father of three, explains that the shorter time structure of “first-timer camps” gives kids a good taste of overnight camp without a long-time commitment. The shorter session helps them to be successful, have fun, and prove to themselves that they can do it, he says. Mini camps also tend to increase the staff-to-child ratio, and camps like YMCA Camp Santa Maria post pictures on their Facebook page every evening so parents can see what their kids are experiencing, which can ease parental anxiety.
camps in August, at the end of the camp season, which gives prospective first-time campers an opportunity to tour the camp and see what it’s like in full swing. “Seeing the cabins and the dining hall and other kids having a great time is sometimes all that these kids and their parents need to get excited and feel comfortable,” Moriarty says. If you’re unable to take a tour, he suggests sitting down with your child and flipping through a camp brochure, touring its website, looking at the pictures and videos and reading the testimonials of seasoned campers.
Talk about homesickness
If you feel like your child is almost ready and he or she is just begging to try, Shawn Moriarty, camp director for Camp Santa Maria, suggests having a younger child attend the same camp during the same session as an older sibling. If your child is a first-born, Moriarty suggests teaming up with a friend. “A shy or nervous camper can benefit a lot from attending camp with someone that they already know,” Moriarty says. “It’s a great security blanket for the younger kids.”
Almost all campers, regardless of age, experience some form of homesickness during their camp experience, Moriarty says. He suggests talking with your child about homesickness and what it might mean for them. What will they miss? What can they do or who might they talk to if they really miss home? Child psychotherapist Pejuhesh also stresses the importance of talking with your child about what to expect from camp and about the feelings that could come up. She explains that predictability is vital for young children, and suggests having a conversation about what could be great at camp, as well as what could go wrong. She also explains that a child’s ability to participate in this type of a dialogue is a great indicator for camp readiness.
Take a tour
Take some practice runs
Use the buddy system
Many overnight camps run their mini
Kids Camp Directory
In the weeks and months leading up
to camp, schedule some overnight play dates for your child with his or her friends. Spending a successful night or two away from home before camp will help your child build the confidence needed to make it through a longer stretch.
Curb your own separation anxiety
“If Mom is anxious, the child will be anxious,” Pejuhesh says. Kids pick up on their parents’ anxieties, she says, suggesting that Mom and Dad separate their camp stress from their child’s. Moriarty agrees, and has learned through his experience as a camp director that sending a child away to camp for the first time can be just as hard — if not harder — for Mom and Dad. “Acknowledge your feelings,” he suggests. “Acknowledge that I am feeling bad about leaving my kid at camp and that’s OK.” Cooper made our decision an easy one by declaring his apprehension about leaving us for overnight camp, but next year we might be faced with making this big decision. Cooper’s dad and I loved camp as kids and want him to derive the same joy from crackling campfires, making new friends and learning cool new skills. “Going away from home is a big step, and it helps kids to learn how to express who they are,” Moriarty says. “Once they’re ready, camp is a big step in helping them do that. But they need to be ready.” March 1, 2012 5
v e Fun a H s ’ t ! Le
Now we have TWO LOCATIONS in Boulder and Superior (Casey Middle School and Eldorado K-8 School)
5/29/12 through 7/27/12
Boys and Girls ages 4 - 14 Welcome! (Campers must turn 5 by October 1st)
Music camps, classes, workshops and concerts for all ages, abilities, and musical styles!
Experience the JOY of music-making this summer at the Colorado Music Festival & Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts - we have something for everyone—Music Together®, Jump Start to Middle School Band, C’s Jazz in Summer, Suzuki Guitar Camp, String Camps, Meet the Instruments, Classically Kids, Broadway Kids, Princess Music Camp, Young People’s Concerts, Guest Artist workshops and more! We also offer lessons for all
ages, all instruments, voice, theory & composition.
For information and to register go to
NOW ENROLLING!
or call 303-495-5204
www.comusic.org
www. rockymtndaycamp. com
Summer term starts June 18
Summer of
Legend! Best. Summer. Ever. Incredible Summer Camp Experiences for ages 5-17 Overnight Camps. Day Camps. Teen Adventure Programs. Hands-On Science. Wilderness Adventure. Campfires! Whitewater Rafting. Sailing. Horseback Riding. New Friends. Unforgettable Memories. Science, Adventure, & Fun since 1976.
* Campers on their sunrise summit approach of Mt. Quandary, 14,265ft.
Call us at (800) 215-5585 or Register Online at www.keystonescienceschool.org 6 March 1, 2012
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Mutually inspiring
Art camps let kids learn skills and infuse art with originality by Elizabeth Miller
I
Art Le
ague
nspiration abounds at art camps — and that’s no surprise. But what adds to the fun is how the adults who work with kids at arts camp find themselves drawing inspiration from the kids’ free expression, and how getting involved with art leads students to grow in ways that involve far more than fingerpainting. “For me, I like being around kids because I get inspired by their work,” says Sarah Kinn, an artist who has worked with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art’s Young Artists at Work program since its inception. “Sometimes they’ll draw a cat and it’s so cute because it doesn’t look like a real cat. I love their doodles; I love the way they’re not self-conscious yet with the way they’ll put color on the page. It’s just inspiring for me to watch them work so freely.” The BMoCA program this summer will enroll kids in week-long interdisciplinary art programs to work with paper or Sharpies or recycled products. At POSH, kids come in to paint with acrylics on canvas — serious materials for kids who want to get serious about doing adult painting. Classes focus on building skills and developing an understanding of the technicalities of art-making. But Lloyd Burch, co-founder of POSH, says there are lessons the kids teach that POSH instructors get to take home. “We get a lot of inspiration from the kids. They’re fun. They’re exciting. They will try things, and once in a while you see things that are just awe inspiring or you see a kid that is just doing really, really well and it’s like, wow, this is a great thing to be doing,” Burch says. Kids impress with their skills and sometimes with their determination, too. “I had a 3-year-old in here, and typically it’s pretty hard to teach 3-yearolds, but the mom said, ‘Oh, this one, I Boulder Weekly
of Den
ver
think you’ll find this one a little bit different,’” he says. “When you get down to [age] 3, you tend to get circles and scribbles and ‘OK, I’m done.’” But this little girl sat down, painted a cheetah when the rest of her class was taking on lions and dogs, and drew in each spot with extreme care. “She just was a very focused little kid,” he says. “I’ve got to admit, she should be an inspiration for a lot of our adults.” This summer, Kinn will lead a class that’s a crash course in hipster art for kids — they’ll use vinyl signs to make bags, duct tape wallets and guerilla street art. The experience will go well beyond lessons in urban grunge, though. “There was one week it was all boys and one little girl that came and she was really shy the first day — and I don’t blame her because there were no girls in the class,” Kinn says. “By the end of the week, because they all had this passion for art, she made friends with the boys and was comfortable and confident by the end of the week. Their love of art overrode their gender differences.” When Lee Stayton signed up for the BMoCA Young Artists at Work summer workshop to create art on bike helmets, he didn’t yet know how to ride a bike. The kindergartener practiced every day before the camp started so when the camp finished he could ride in a parade wearing his newly decorated helmet. “I just wanted to and thought it was a good time,” Lee says. “It was the longest bike ride he’d taken and he just was super, super excited to participate in the camp,” says Karin Stayton, Lee’s mother. He’s been to seven BMoCa workshops, she says. He likes them, he says, because a real artist is there to help them make art.
Kids Camp Directory
Works of clay utilize artistic vision. Art League of Denver
Arts & Crafts Day Camps
n Shepherd Valley Waldorf School 6500 W. Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot 303-652-0130 www.shepherdvalley.org For ages 3-12. A rural, 38-acre school site offers part- and full-day activities Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. They offer daily rhythm for younger children of outside/ inside games, crafts, water play, baking, storytelling, nature walks, picnics and song. Week-long theme camps for older children include woodworking, wild crafting, backyard naturalism and beekeeping. The camp is centrally located minutes from both Longmont and Boulder, east of Diagonal Highway. Camp Morning Glory is for children ages 3-7 and Camp Cotton Wood is for children ages 8-12. Camp Morning Glory offers two- and three-week sessions throughout the summer. Camp Cotton Wood offers week-long themed camps including making go-karts and circus camps. Please see our website for current classes and registration forms.
n Art Students League of Denver 200 Grant St., Denver 303-778-6990 ext.100 www.ASLD.org Visual art day camps. Explore the line between reality and fantasy this summer with your imagination as muse! Join our professional, friendly art instructors for a summer of art FUNdamentals. One- and two-week, morning and afternoon camps, with additional supervised care available. Grades K-11. Scholarships available. n Arvada Center Summer Camps 720-898-7200 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada www.arvadacenter.org Ages 1½-18. Mon.-Fri. These inspiring and creative camps offer experiences in ceramics, dance, drama, humanities, music, photography and visual arts. Programs are designed for kids ages 1½ to 18 to learn new skills, discover new interests, and most importantly, have fun! Camps start June 4 and fill fast. Registration begins March 7. March 1, 2012 7
Arts & crafts day camps
Art League of Denver
n Colorado Academy Summer Arts Academy 3800 S. Pierce St., Denver 303-914-2531 www.coloradoacademysummer.org This program offers exciting, handson experience for young studio artists to learn various art techniques in areas including photography, sculpture, studio art, stained glass, woodworking, cooking, music and more. n Crackpots Creativity Camp 505 Main St., Longmont 303-776-2211 www.ecrackpots.com Crackpots is proud to announce its 12th season of summer creativity camps. Kids will have fun in a cool environment while they learn and play. This summer’s camps include the multimedia art camp, where kids experiment with a different medium each day, including hand-building with clay, mosaics, ceramic painting, glass fusing and more. Kids finish the week with great pride and experience in an array of art media. Several ceramic painting and themed courses are also available. Prices and dates vary. Details and registration available at www. ecrackpots.com. n MACC Art Academy 350 S. Dahlia St., Art League of Denver Denver 303-316-6360 www.maccjcc.org MACC’s Summer Art Academy offers an extensive range of arts program for kids grades one through 12. The visual arts are vital to the development of your child’s imagination, self-esteem and interaction with the world. At MACC’s Art Academy, skilled artists, who are also experienced educators, nurture the creativity in every child. Students will have an intensive art experience using quality materials in a studio environment. Whether creating a life mask, drawing with quality materials, working in an actual clay studio or creating an environmental artwork, students will enjoy being immersed in art. Students can acquire essential skills in traditional forms like drawing, painting, pottery and sculpture. They are also free to explore everything from masks and mosaics to cartoons and collage. Whether they’re creating useable objects or works 8 March 1, 2012
Kids display their fine art creations.
of pure imagination, young artists will enjoy expressing their inner visions. n POSH 1468 Pearl St. #120, Boulder 303-442-POSH (7674) www.poshsplat.com/kids POSH art classes are designed for children 5-14 years old. Your children will have fun and learn something new about painting each day as they develop knowledge about color, composition and brush techniques using acrylics on canvas. All POSH classes are taught by professional artists dedicated to fun art education. Our certified instructors teach through encouragement and develop painting skills in a nurturing environment. Classes change subject themes weekly and each picture will emphasize an artistic concept. Classes include all painting materials: a 16-by-20-inch canvas, a snack and one hour and 45 minutes of instruction. Your child will leave with a completed painting after every class. Visit our website at poshsplat.com/kids and sign up for just one class or a whole series by calling POSH at 303-442-POSH (7674). n Spring Break and Summer Camps at the Bob Burger Recreation Center 111 W. Baseline Road, Boulder 303-665-0469 www.cityoflafayette.com/recreation
Keep your 3- to 12-year-olds busy and engaged with spring break camps at the Bob Burger Recreation Center! Choose from a variety of options for all ages! Register for one day or all five. Camps include Bloomin’ Into Spring Break Camp (3-5 years) and Leap Into Spring Break Camp (5-11 years) run from March 26-30. School's Out Full Days program available for 5-11-yearolds April 2-3. Summer camps activities include swimming, games, arts and crafts, sports, cooking, weekly field trips, guest presentations and more! Fees include camp T-shirt and all field trips. Sign up for a one-week session or all 10. This is a co-ed camp designed for children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. Day camp runs daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with extended camp hours (7 a.m.-9 a.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. ) available. Pay in full by April 23 and get 10 percent off! Must register for a minimum of six weeks in order to receive discount. Preschool Summer Fun Camp for ages 3 to 5 years. 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., M-F. Sign up for one session or all 10. Activities include arts and crafts, storytelling, games and more! n Young Artists at Work Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art 1750 13th St., Boulder 303-443-2122 www.bmoca.org Half and full-day art-making workshops offered during the weeks of June 4 - Aug. 3. For ages 5-8 and 9-12. 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Join the Lunch Bunch from noon-1p.m.
for a fun-filled break with art-making and games. Get ready for an exciting summer filled with art! Young Artists at Work is BMoCA’s hands-on art-making camp featuring workshops designed by visiting artists around inspired themes and the museum’s exhibitions. Here are just a few of this summer’s workshops: Paper Passion: Discover your passion for paper. Make animals and clothing and design a miniature tree house with artist Heather Cherry. From Sumi to Sharpie: Inspired by contemporary and traditional Japanese art, make Kanjii characters, anime selfportraits, and more with artist Angela Beloian. Art Adventurer: Join artist Julia Lunk and create a storybook world full of fairies, boats, castles, and moats. Wearable, Shareable: Join artist Sarah Kinn for a week of making upcycled, wearable art for you and your friends! You will make hats, capes, bracelets, and bags–all with re-purposed materials. Artists will guide children as they explore new methods and incorporate unique materials. Workshops are intentionally kept small in order to provide children with plenty of individualized attention. Each week culminates in a student exhibition and reception for families in the museum. Cost and registration: $140 per workshop / $120 Members / $25 Lunch Bunch Receive a 5 percent discount when you enroll more than one child in the same family in camp together. n YMCA of Boulder Valley Fine Arts Day Camp Boulder 303-664-5455 www.ymcabv.org (Entering third through sixth grades) Each week will offer an art theme that will inspire and challenge our campers. They will be exposed to a wide variety of artists' work and be encouraged to create their own creative impressions. New games will be implemented into this year’s program to engage children in active play and “reset” their creative minds. In addition to creative art experiences, campers will enjoy an afternoon at a local pool and a field trip to explore the art that surrounds us. Come to our art gallery show and admire our accomplishments every Friday afternoon from 4-5:30 p.m.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Denver Zoo
A natural education
Camps offer kids lessons learned in nature by Jessie Lucier
W
hether your child is a promising garden steward who can’t keep her hands out of the dirt, a bookworm who squeals when she sees a live worm, or a gaming wizard who thrives on solving puzzles, he or she can benefit from the hands-on lessons of the earth. “Nature is a such rich venue for experience for kids,” says Erin Saunders, the education program director at Thorne Nature Experience. “Being in nature stimulates learning with a kid’s whole body. It gives a venue to engage all types of learners.” The rich ecosystems of the Front Range are home to many summer camps that focus on just that — giving kids a chance to learn and play in nature. While some focus on growing food and community, others on ecology, and still others on discovery and understanding nature through integrating art, music and theater, all stress the importance of giving kids the gift of exploring and learning about their Colorado environment. Camps like Growing Gardens Peace Garden Summer Camp give budding foodies and kids with little green thumbs a place where they can literally get dirty and participate in a hands-on program in an urban garden environment. At Peace Garden’s theme-based, week-long sessions, kids plant seeds to take home, make pizza with toppings picked from the gardens and bake them in solar ovens, learn about insects, like the honeybees they have on site, and make candles from beeswax. Program Director Annie Sweeney says that Peace Garden Camp teaches kids about what they can do to help cultivate and prepare food and how they can make their community a healthier place to live. Participating in the gardening process helps kids develop a new respect for their environment, she says, and gives them a greater framework for understanding the natural world around them. The more science-minded child Boulder Weekly
might benefit from Thorne Nature Ecology Experience, where they employ their 55 years of nature education experience to shape the 145 camp classes that they’ll offer to kids ages 3-15 this summer. Each day campers and staff meet at Boulder High and then set off to explore a new ecosystem, Saunders says. At Thorne, the environment is the classroom. One day they might be in a forest, the next in a wetland. “We want to guide students,” Saunders says. “But we also want them to have unstructured exploration and help them discover that they don’t have to travel to a rainforest to be in the environment. The environment is right here.” If you’re west of Boulder or feel like heading into the mountains, Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center, located in Nederland, offers kids the chance to have a blast in the natural world that is their backyard, says Jill Dreves, Wild Bear’s executive director. The center provides age-specific programs for children ages 5 and up to learn about ecosystems, hike trails in Roosevelt National Park, fly fish, learn about mines, work with botanists, and reflect on their experiences in nature with journaling, art, music and theater. Aside from their thoughtful programs, a great benefit of Wild Bear is that families can set their own schedule — kids can go just one or two days a week if desired — rather than being locked into a week-long session. Whether you choose one of these great nature-based camps or seek out another that appeals to your child’s nature interests, getting your kids outdoors and in their natural environment will help them develop a life-long love of the natural world and obtain the skills to protect it. “Nature-based camps give students a sense of place. They help them learn that their actions make a difference,” Saunders says. “They see that the environment is all around them and it’s their world and they can make a difference in it.”
Kids Camp Directory
Educational camps Day Camps
n Adventure Montessori Learning Center 250 S. Cherrywood Dr., Lafayette 303-665-6789 www.adventuremontessori.com Adventure Montessori Learning Center offers two-week camps for primary and elementary from June 1 through Aug. 14. Each day will revolve around the basic Primary Schedule of morning activity, lunch and afternoon rest time. Every Friday throughout summer camp will be “swim day,” when the children will run through the sprinklers, splash on the “slip and slide” and enjoy lots of water, water, water! Once each week children will be invited to bring their trike or bike from home, along with a helmet to ride in our trike-a-thon! Our Primary Summer Camps include: Garden Green Thumbs June 1-15, Farm Animals-Daily Care June 18-29, Celebrate America July 2-13, Sports Camp July 16-27 and Water Weather Fun July 30-Aug. 10. n Animation Creation Camp St. Mary’s Academy, Englewood 1-888-65-CHESS www.chesscamp.com Using Scratch software developed by MIT, participants are guided step by step through the basics while creating their own 3-D animated story, with a focus on fun. Campers will select from a gallery of animated characters called sprites. They will teach them to walk, run, dance, turn around and respond to keyboard input.
Students will learn to change backgrounds, add music, play catch and other cool features. After the end of camp they can install the software and story from our custom download site for further development, or to simply show off. n Biz Girls Camp 4000 Greenbriar Blvd., Boulder 720-353-9350 info@bizgirlscamp.org www.bizgirlscamp.org Summer entrepreneurship and leadership program for girls. Mini-MBA camp where high schoolage girls turn their interests and passions into a real e-commerce business. Cost: $395 (includes camp, domain registration, Google advertising, e-commerce setup). n Broomfield Academy 2012 Summer Academic Preparation Classes and Summer Enrichment Camp 7203 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield 303-469-6449 www.broomfieldacademy.com Co-ed educational and fun enrichment prep classes and day camp for children ages 3-12: “The Journey to Other Worlds.” June 4 - Aug. 3. Days and weeks flexible. Open to all area children! Sibling discounts. Two- and three-week camp sessions include World of Sports Camp, Geology and Paleontology Science Camp, Robotics/Tech Camp and a Performing Arts, Theatre & Music Camp. March 1, 2012 9
Educational camps
Camp Sunrise gives children ages 8-17 the opportunity to experience their joy, creativity and unique gifts in a positive, safe and nourishing environment.
970-679-4318 100 Sunrise Ranch Rd. Loveland CO
Sunriseranch.org/arts/campsunrise
Crow Canyon
Strong girls. Strong women. Better world. Fun, creative, inspiring wilderness adventures...just for girls!
Summer Courses Enrolling Now! * 1 to 12 day courses for ages 8-18 * Generous financial aid available * Professional Staff * Excellent Safety Record Informational Slideshow at REI Boulder 6:30-7:30pm April 5, April 30 May 17, June 7 ad sponsored by: Boulder Weekly
303-938-9191 * womenswilderness.org
2012
Summer Horsemanship Camps INTRODUCTION TO HORSES AND RIDING for riders age 7 and up with little or no riding experience. June 11-15, July 9-13 HORSE SHOW CAMP for all level of riders age 7 and up. Campers will participate in a real horse show on Saturday. June 4-9, July 23-28, August 6-11 DRESSAGE CAMP Minimum riding requirement of walk and trot. Guest instruction from Dressage trainer, Hallie Calliham. June 25-29 PONIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS PONY CAMP Ages 3-6 years June 18-20, July 30-August 1, and August 13-15
Camps run Monday through Friday and Horse Show Camp runs Monday through Saturday from 9am to 2pm, for children ages 7 and up. Cost is $400 for the week ($400 + show fees for Show Camp) Pony camps run Monday through Wednesday from 10am-1pm, for children ages 3 to 6. Cost is $250 Year-round riding lessons available as well.
Contact Jen Shannon 303-828-9040 Jen@cornerstonefarmllc.com Triple Creek Ranch 4255 Nelson Rd., Longmont
www.cornerstonefarmllc.com 10 March 1, 2012
Swim every day in our onsite saltwater pool and enjoy weekly fun and educational field trips, including Heritage Square and the Carson Nature Center. Academic Preschool for children ages 3-4. Kindergarten Prep, Elementary Prep and Intermediate Prep program for children ages 4-12 will focus on enriching and sharpening academic skills for the fall. Summer camp for children ages 5-12, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. To request registration materials or for more information, please call 303-4696449 or email principal@ broomfieldacademy.com. n Butterfly Pavilion Summer Nature and Science Camps and Classes Butterfly Pavilion 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster 720-974-1861 www.butterflies.org/education/camplistings.php The Butterfly Pavilion offers kids a unique opportunity for mixing summer fun and hands-on learning in our nature and science camps and classes! Kids explore the tropics inside and the gardens outside, digging into the wacky
world of bugs, spiders and other creepy crawlies. All programs include live animal encounters, outdoor explorations, games and activities and are offered throughout June, July and August. Find the perfect camp or class for your kids! Enroll in one-time (one to three hours long) classes as well as a variety of half- and full-day camps for kids ages 5-10. Check the website or email education@ butterflies.org for a full listing of classes, dates and times. n BVSD Lifelong Learning Program 805 Gillaspie Dr., Boulder 720-561-3768 www.bvsd.org/LLL Ages 6-12. June through August. BVSD Lifelong Learning offers half- and full-day camps Monday through Thursday, morning and/or afternoon. Visual arts, science, horse play, theater, cooking, theater, rock climbing, literacy, math, fencing, theme camps and more. n Camp Invention 800-968-4332 www.campinvention.org
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Educational camps
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Summer Sword Camps, AEC Summer Day Camps at Chautauqua Park Starting Monday, June 4th and running weekly all summer. “Join us for our 15th year of amazing summer fun.”
720-934-6890
Led by local educators, the week-long Camp Invention program immerses elementary school children in hands-on learning disguised as fun, summer activities. Children spend their time navigating an island via upcycled ships, designing inventions and exploring connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. Discounts available. n Chess Academy of Denver Chess Camps Englewood and Denver 303-770-6696 www.ColoradoMasterChess.com June 11-15 (Englewood) full- and halfday options, and July 9-11 (Denver). All abilities and ages. Eight-to-one studentstaff ratio. Five two-day chess camps are also offered throughout the summer in Englewood for specific ability levels. Participants will be taught scorekeeping, etiquette, tournament preparation, logical thinking and strategic planning for all the phases of the game. Learn from nationally recognized Denver Chess Master and author of Teaching Chess in the 21st Century, Chess Workbook for Children, and Chess Strategy Workbook, Todd Bardwick. n Children’s Peace Garden Summer Program Growing Gardens of Boulder County 1630 Hawthorn St., Boulder 303-443-9952 www.growinggardens.org At the Children’s Peace Garden, students learn about local food, organic gardening practices, the importance of biodiversity and community, and connecting with the Earth. We have fun and get our hands in the dirt! This summer, the Children’s Peace Garden will be offering several half- and full-day summer day camps with the following themes: Art in the Garden, Bugs, Butterflies and Bees, and A Taste of All the Garden Has to Offer. For complete schedules and descriptions and to register, visit our website or call Annie Sweeney at 303-443-9952. n Colorado Academy Summer Academic Institute 3800 S. Pierce St., Denver 303-914-2531 www.coloradoacademysummer.org Programs provide opportunities for elementary- and middle-school students who want to enhance academics during the summer. Camps include emphasis in writing, vocabulary, reporting, outdoor adventure, science, math and reading. n Crow Canyon Middle and High School Archaeology Boulder Weekly
Summer Camps and Field Study 23390 Road K, Cortez 800-422-8975 www.crowcanyon.org Join Crow Canyon for adventures in the exclusive hands-on introduction to archaeology. Middle and high school students will help our team of professional archaeologists at a working excavation site and learn to sort and identify artifacts in our laboratory. Dates for the camps are: Middle school archaeology program June 17-23; High school field school June 24 through July14; High school archaeology camp July 15-21. Prices vary depending on camp. n Cure Organic Farm Kids’ Camp 7416 Valmont Rd., Boulder 303-666-6397 www.cureorganicfarm.com cureorganicfarm@yahoo.com Life on a working farm helps to open children’s eyes to the wonders and possibilities of the natural world and their own potential. Our mission is to expose 6- to 9-year-old children to where their food comes from and to educate them about the ecology of a diversified small farm. Kids are taught the basics of caring for farm animals and organic gardening, and experience the satisfaction of working together to produce good food. For ages 6-9. $260/ week. Weekly sessions run Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., June 4 through Aug. 9. n CU Science Discovery Summer Class Program University of Colorado Boulder 303-492-7188 SciDisc@colorado.edu www.colorado.edu/sciencediscovery We offer more than 230 classes in Boulder and Denver. Unique, hands-on, activity-based classes covering current and exciting topics related to science, technology, engineering, math and art that are sure to ignite a passion for learning and exploration. Instructors include CU faculty and graduate and undergraduate scientists that are enthusiastic and knowledgeable. From Muggle Magic to space science to digital media arts — we have something for everyone! Ages 5 to 18. n Denver Chess Camp St. Mary’s Academy Englewood 1-888-65-CHESS www.chesscamp.com Campers experience chess instruction
Kids Camp Directory
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Dance CampsReverence at Academy of Dance
11th Annual Age Appropriate Levels from Pre-School to High School
June 4 - Aug 3
Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Character, Musical Theatre and a trip the Pool! $100 - 200 per week. 1370 Miners Dr. #103, Lafayette, 303-661-0719 register on-line @ www.reverenceweb.com
A variety of one-week camps for children ages 4 to 12
Summer Camps May 29-August 10
We have something for everyone! Camps include: • Amusement Park Science • Art • Gardening • Girls’ Leadership Institute • Lego® • Music • Theater • Sports ...and more! To find out more and to register, visit:
www.boulderjcc.org March 1, 2012 11
Educational camps
and play in a fun-filled environment designed to improve their skills, whether they are interested in casual or competitive chess. Program includes a mix of classroom instruction and practice sessions. Instructors use a variety of teaching tools, including demo boards, worksheets, stories and historic games to keep class time interesting. During snack/ practice time campers play each other and practice the concepts learned in class. Camp runs June 18-22. Ages 6-15. n Denver Museum of Nature & Science 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver 303-370-6000 www.dmns.org The Denver Museum of Nature & Science offers fun, exciting and educational week-long summer camps on dinosaurs, space science, health science and much, much more. Camps are offered June 4Aug. 10. Camps are available for ages 4-5 through sixth grade. n Denver Zoo Summer Safari: Animals around the World 2300 Steele St., Denver 303-376-4888 www.DenverZoo.org Spend a week with Denver’s wildest residents! A fun-filled educational experience where campers participate in hands-on activities, zoo exploration, animal visits and observations, crafts, games, stories, projects and zoo tours. June 6-Aug. 12. From $145-$275. Registration is online only, at www. denverzoo.org, under “Education” and “Child and Family Programs.” Grades pre-K through eighth. n Friends’ School Summer Programs 5465 Pennsylvania Ave., Boulder 303-499-1999, ext. 223 www.friendsschoolboulder.org For preschool, elementary, middle school, ages 3-14, week-long morning and afternoon sessions. June 11 to July 27. Programs include backyard camp, creative cooking, circus camp, Boulder on Bikes, comedy theater, fashion art and new kids’ technology classes from Bits, Bytes & Bots. Program descriptions and registration at friendsschoolboulder.org. n Game Builder Video Game Creation Camp St. Mary’s Academy, Englewood 1-888-65-CHESS www.chesscamp.com 12 March 1, 2012
At Game Builder Creation Camps we combine learning and fun and bring it to a whole new level. At this camp your child will actually design, develop and create "one of a kind" computer games. These courses were developed to teach introductory programming skills and also encourage creative thinking. n iD Tech Camps DU, Colorado State University, and 60+ universities in 27 states 888-709-TECH www.internalDrive.com Gain a competitive edge! Create iPhone apps, video games, movies and more at week-long, day and overnight programs held at the University of Denver, CSU-Fort Collins, Stanford, Princeton and other universities. Small classes for ages 7-17 in a fun and challenging setting. Also two-week, teenonly programs held at DU, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and others: iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy and iD Visual Arts Academy. n Kids and Critters Longmont Humane Society 9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont 303-772-1232, ext.264 www.longmonthumane.org Enjoy a PAWS-itive summer experience at the Longmont Humane Society learning about animals. Perform a pet-related job every day and learn proper dog walking skills, animal body language, cat handling, interactive animal themed games and activities. Grades 4-6 will view a feline neuter surgery in our clinic, talk with our veterinarian and vettechs and apply CSI techniques to solve a fictional pet theft. Please visit our website for application forms and schedules at www.longmonthumane.org under "Education," or contact Heather Ponce at 303-772-1232, ext. 286, or Heather@ longmonthumane.org. n KTEC presents Bits, Bytes and Bots Computer Adventures Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield and Westminster 303-494-2687 www.kidstec.com We make technology education fun for kids. Explore LEGO® Robotics, Advanced Robotic Challenges, Movie Making and Video Game Creation in small classes with highly educated instructors. Our classes engage kids in age-appropriate, project-based activities
that are fun, creative and imaginative. We teach critical thinking, communication and foundational STEM skills to kids ages 6-14 at all ability levels. Register by April 15 and get 5 percent off your registration. n LEGO KidsFest Denver April 27 - 29 Colorado Convention Center 700 14th St., Denver www.legokidsfest.com/denver/ The LEGO KidsFest is a giant traveling LEGO expo coming to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver April 27 29. This hands-on, educational, all-ages LEGO extravaganza features millions of LEGO bricks, not to mention lots of construction zones, dozens of life-sized LEGO models and displays, LEGO Ninjago and LEGO Games, group builds such as Creation Nation, live LEGO Master Builders, and so much more, covering three acres of space. For more information on the LEGO KidsFest, visit www.LEGOkidsfest.com. n Mathnasium Boulder 2770 Arapahoe Rd., #114; Lafayette 720-890-9000 boulder@mathnasium.com www.mathnasium.com/boulder Mathnasium Boulder will be holding several certified, instructor-led camps this summer. Math Maniac Fun Camp will meet three times per week for two weeks (kids in grades 1-3). It’s a fun and effective way for young children to learn problem-solving skills through math activities, puzzles and crafts, as well as build/strengthen arithmetic skills. The Money Counts & Time Flies Camp meets three times per week for two weeks (kids in grades 2-5), and explores the fun ways for children to learn money and time problem-solving skills through activities and crafts designed to emphasize strengthening skills and abilities to understand time and money mathematically. Summer Math Programs & Summer Math Intensives are offered for students in grades 2-12. All summer programs will start the first week in June and run through mid-August. n Mountain Arts Outdoor Ed. Camp Boulder History Museum 1206 Euclid Ave., Boulder 303-449-3464 www.boulderhistory.org June 18- 22, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. $225 per student. Ages: 9-12 years old
Using a variety of natural resources, students will get creative and scientific in the same week in this new outdoor education camp at the Boulder History Museum! Hands-on art, science and nature experiences your student will enjoy are: sun prints, identifying cloud formations and weather patterns, stamping and printmaking, tie-dying with natural pigments, identifying natural plants, gardening, leather tooling and historic reenactment. Special guests from the community will be a part of the week’s activities, and ability-appropriate hikes will take place throughout the week, directly immersing your child in the wonders of nature right here in our own backyard! n Perspectives – Youth Radio Temple Grandin School / KGNU / CU 6446 Jay Road, Boulder 303-554-7363 info@templegrandinschool.org www.templegrandinschool.org PERSPECTIVES is a three-week program for two hours a day, 1-3 p.m., four days a week, Monday-Thursday, June 11-28. This joint venture brings in public radio station KGNU as a partner to offer youth (grades 6-12) with Asperger’s or similar learning profiles a summer program that introduces students to a variety of experiences associated with radio broadcasting. n September High School 1902 Walnut St., Boulder 303-443-9933 www.septemberschool.org September High School is the longest-running independent school in Boulder. We offer an innovative five-week summer school program designed to reawaken the love of learning. Students can earn transferable school credits in a wide array of academic, art and music courses. Call or visit our website for more information about September High School. n Shining Mountain Waldorf School 999 Violet Ave., Boulder 303-444-7697 www.smwaldorf.org Wholesome summertime fun for your child. Pre-K to grade 8. A variety of summer camps explore education through art, sports, nature and music. Sessions start June 13. E-mail mbfifer@ comcast.net for more information. n Stir It Up Cooking School
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Educational camps
1140 Lashley Ln., Boulder 303-494-2665 www.stiritupcooking.com Weekly summer cooking camps for ages 5-16. Cooking, baking and fun in the kitchen. Menus will include American, Asian, Caribbean, European, Mexican or Mediterranean, or with fresh herbs and vegetables from our backyard garden. Guest chefs will teach each week. You eat what you make, so bring your appetite! Half-day and full-day camps available. Dates are June through August. $79-$228. n Summer Fantasy Writing and Gaming Camp Twin Peaks Charter Academy, Longmont 217-419-5474 www.creative-writing-solutions.com, www.druidawn.org Druidawn Creations offers advanced writing techniques and publishing opportunities, writing motivation and overcoming writer’s block, creating original characters and plots, swordmaking and action scene demonstrations, adventure questing outdoors, fantasy art technique, castle-building and more. Camp runs June 18-22 and June 25-29 at Twin Peaks Academy. n SuperCamp and Quantum U Colorado College, Colorado Springs 800-285-3276 info@supercamp.com www.SuperCamp.com SuperCamp is the summer enrichment program that parents and kids love! Now in our 31st year and with more than 60,000 graduates worldwide, we’ll give your son or daughter the skills, added confidence, motivation and character direction to flourish in our exciting seven- to 10-day academic summer programs held on university campuses. n Thorne Nature Experience Summer Camp 303-499-3647 www.thorne-eco.org Spend the summer outdoors catching frogs, getting muddy and exploring Colorado’s wild places with Thorne Summer Camp, offering fun, hands-on environmental camps for children aged 3-15 in two stunning locations; Boulder and Waterton Canyon in Littleton. n Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center Nederland Boulder Weekly
303-258-0495 www.WildBear.org Summer Camp at altitude for ages 5-15. Enjoy a safe and fun ride on the RTD bus with our staff up to the mountains for exploration of invertebrates, birds, mammals and plants! Arts-integrated fun in the high peaks of Boulder County. Full days with flexible scheduling, age-appropriate, low ratios, highly qualified staff, reasonable rates, top quality fun for your child out of the heat and into the mountains this summer! Or enjoy full days every Friday for 5- to 9-year-olds at Chautauqua. Contact us or stop by Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center, 303-258-0495, www.wildbear.org. These programs run from June 4 to Aug. 3. n WOW! Children’s Museum Summer Science Camps 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette 303-604-2424 www.wowchildrensmuseum.org Play! Learn! Imagine! Offering interactive, hands-on science classes for children ages 3-9 years in July and August. Class topics include: Science of Ice Cream, bubbles, dinosaurs, SunSational and more! Class size is limited — advanced registration required! n YMCA Camp Chief Niwot (entering first-eighth grade) Our traditional day camp helps kids develop independence, self-confidence and leadership skills while having fun and creating lasting memories. n YMCA of Boulder Valley CATCH Camp (Cultural Awareness through Creative Horizons) Boulder 303-664-5455 www.ymcabv.org (Entering first-seventh grade) CATCH camp was developed through a 21st Century Grant collaboration between YMCA of Boulder Valley and Boulder Valley School District to support students from Uni Hill, Columbine and Casey in building English language skills. These students attend summer school to focus on their language skills MondayThursday and join us for camp after classes and for a full day each Friday. Limited spaces are available to children who speak English as their first language. English-speaking children provide language role-modeling for English Language Learners and get the benefit of
Kids Camp Directory
a culturally enriching experience for all participants. Children will be immersed in daily activities including: arts and crafts, sports and games, cooking, dance and much more. n YMCA of Boulder Valley Lego Robotics Day Camp Boulder 303-664-5455 www.ymcabv.org (Entering third-seventh grade) Campers explore, investigate, and build with Legos™ while engaging in hands-on science activities. When campers are not building or learning how to use the Power Functions and NXT program, they will have a chance to swim and enjoy a field trip. Activities and projects change weekly! Join us on Fridays for our Lego™ demonstration, 4-5:30 p.m. Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes.
Educational camps Overnight Camps n CU Science Discovery Wilderness Camp 303-735-6628 Debra.kulcsar@colorado.edu www.colorado.edu/ScienceDiscovery Multi-day adventures to study wildlife, geology, archaeology, marine biology, cultural history, whitewater rafting, camping and wilderness skills. Grades 4-10. n iD Tech Camps DU, Colorado State University, and 60+ universities in 27 states 888-709-TECH www.internalDrive.com Gain a competitive edge! Create iPhone apps, video games, movies and more at week-long, day and overnight programs held at the University of Denver, CSU-Fort Collins, Stanford, Princeton and other universities. Small classes for ages 7-17 in a fun and challenging setting. Also two-week, teenonly programs held at DU, Stanford, Yale, Harvard and others: iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy, and iD Visual Arts Academy. n Keystone Discovery Camp 1628 Sts. John Rd., Keystone 970-468-2098 www.keystone.org Time to get geared up for Keystone Science School’s 2012 Summer of
Legend! Discovery Camp combines science, adventure and fun to create an epic experience for campers. Choose from adventure options like horseback riding, sailing and whitewater rafting! Each session incorporates lessons and activities centered on a themed curriculum. Campers stay in one of our two log-style dormitories. Full week sessions for ages 7 to 13. Introduce children as young as 5 years old to our three- or four-night sessions. n Sanborn Western Camps Florissant 719-748-3341 www.sanbornwesterncamps.com Since 1948, Sanborn Western Camps have been creating outdoor experiences of exceptional quality and depth. Sanborn’s fun, relaxed atmosphere and caring staff provide a supportive environment for individual growth in selfconfidence, independence and awareness of others. Each child’s contributions are valued in a community based on mutual respect and shared adventures. Surrounded by spectacular wilderness areas and stunning peaks, Big Spring Ranch for Boys and High Trails Ranch for Girls lie at an elevation of 8,700 feet in the center of Colorado, 35 miles west of Colorado Springs. n Summer Study Programs CU campus, Boulder 800-666-2556 www.summerstudy.com/colorado Summer Study Programs offer students a unique three- or five-week summer opportunity. Summer Study Programs offer the “total pre-collegiate experience.” Activities include college credit and enrichment classes, SAT prep, sports, recreation, exciting nightlife and weekend travel adventures. n SuperCamp and Quantum U Colorado College, Colorado Springs 800-285-3276 info@supercamp.com www.SuperCamp.com SuperCamp is the summer enrichment program that parents and kids love! Now in our 31st year and with more than 60,000 graduates worldwide, we’ll give your son or daughter the skills, added confidence, motivation and character direction to flourish in our exciting 7-10 day academic summer programs held on university campuses. March 1, 2012 13
Play. Stay. Sleep. Eat. Repeat.
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7275 Valmont Rd - Boulder – 303.442.2602 7:30am - 6pm Everyday www.cottonwoodkennels.com
ALL WEATHER FUN Make
Bowling paRt of yoUR Camp PROGRAM THE CONNECTION
CAMP RATES: $3.50
UMC, 1st floor, CU-Boulder 1669 Euclid Avenue Boulder, CO 80309
per camper for 2 hours of bowling and: • shoe rental • automatic scoring
• quick-set bumpers • special needs
theconnection@colorado.edu 303.492.6338
PUBLIC WELCOME!
(Camp rates offered year-round) Reservations are necessary for these prices to apply.
http://umc.colorado.edu/connection UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL CENTER
Batting Cages
Arcade
Go-Karts
Golf Range
Kiddie Train Mini Golf
Snack Bar
303-442-4FUN (4386) 14 March 1, 2012
Kiddie Train
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Human Maze
OUTSTANDING BIRTHDAY PARTIES
GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
4800 N. 28th St, Boulder Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
JCC Ranch Camp
A well-forested faith
Outdoors camps connect kids to Judaism and wilderness by Jessie Lucier
I
t’s quite possible that God tried to talk to Moses in the city,” Rabbi Jamie Korngold, author of God in the Wilderness and founder of Boulder-based Adventure Rabbi, said in a 2010 interview with Reform Judaism Online. “But with all the distractions of everyday life — the noise of the marketplace, the dust from the caravans, and his friends saying hello JCC Ranch Camp as he passed by — Moses didn’t notice God’s call.” So every summer, Adventure Rabbi and other organizations combine Judaism and outdoors camps to take kids into the wilderness to learn more about their faith, their world and themselves. This summer Rabbi Evon Yakar and Adventure Rabbi staff will lead 10 teens into the wilderness for a twoweek expedition that aims to help teens develop stewardship, learn backcountry skills and explore what it means to be a Jewish teenager. “This expedition will give teens the opportunity to have a deep wilderness experience in areas that are not well traveled,” Korngold tells Boulder Weekly. “Teens will study what Judaism teaches them about the environment and what it means to be a good steward while honing their wilderness, camping and leadership skills.” The expedition also seeks to help make Judaism applicable to young adults during the turmoil that often accompanies the teenage years and help them apply lessons learned through Judaism and time in the woods to the decisions they will need to make in their daily lives. These dual connections, to the woods and to their faith, helps keep kids afloat through their teen years. “If every kid had the chance to go backpacking for a couple of weeks — even once — it would be doing us all a great service,” Yakar says. Many adults of the Jewish faith say that the weeks they spent at a Jewish camp every summer as kids were Boulder Weekly
where they enjoyed some of the most profound experiences of their childhood, says Rabbi Eliav Bock, camp director of Ramah Outdoor Adventure. Bock explains that these individuals attribute their strong connection to Judaism to their camp experiences, where they made lifelong friends and developed a true sense of community. “There are so many great options for camp, but a camp like ours, where a rabbi is running the place, provides a valuable form of Jewish education,” Bock says. “We build a community, and campers come back year after year, so we are able to push beyond many boundaries.” Ramah Outdoor Adventure campers learn skills like climbing and horseback riding, while the highly trained and passionate staff infuses Jewish values, texts and traditions into everything they do, Bock says. For example, Bock explains that while learning to climb, campers not only develop technical skills, but also study the Jewish texts that relate to climbing. And their equestrian program teaches campers not only how to ride and care for horses, but also that animals have a Shabbat too. Campers rotate getting up early to care for the horses on Shabbat before they begin their own. “We introduce values that are important to everyone. We just do it Judaically,” says Miriam Shwartz, camp director of JCC Ranch Camp, a Jewish camp known nationally for its equestrian program. “We essentially are a valuebased camp, here to serve the community and connect kids to nature while they enjoy time on a ranch.” And that sense of responsibility, community and place will be key in grounding their sense of self — and, because the camps are open to kids of any faith, are available to anyone who chooses to pursue them in that setting.
Kids Camp Directory
n Boulder JCC Preschool Day Camp 3800 Kalmia Ave., Boulder 303-448-9939 susie@boulderjcc.org www.boulderjcc.org Summer camp at the JCC preschool is an enriching and playful experience for children ages 18 months to 5 years old (entering kindergarten). They offer four two-week sessions and a oneweek bonus camp beginning June 4 running through Aug. 3. Children will explore and engage in their natural world through sand, water and gardening.
Faith-Based Camps Day Camps
n Boulder JCC Summer Specialty Camps 3800 Kalmia Ave., Boulder 303-998-1900 www.boulderjcc.org Week-long specialty camps for ages 4-14. Camps include Lego Camps, Growing Gardens Gardening Camp, Science Matters, Boulder Indoor Soccer, School of Rock, Kidz Art and many more. n High Peak Camp Estes Park 970-586-3311 www.highpeakcamp.info Camps for children ages 7-16. Activities include hiking, arts and crafts, fishing, paddle boats, discovery center and Bible study in Rocky Mountain National Park. n JCC Ranch Camp Elbert 303-316-6384 www.ranchcamp.org At JCC Ranch Camp you can spend your summer horseback riding, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, mountain biking, and having fun in a Western, Jewish setting. It is a place where life-long friendships are born, Jewish identities are discovered and nourished, and children are challenged to grow in mind, body and spirit. Ranch camp has nearly 60 years of residential camping tradition and is open to children entering grades 2-11. Sessions begin June 10. n Keitanat Har HaShem Congregation Har HaShem, Boulder 303-499-7077, ext.14 www.harhashemschool.org Keitanat Har HaShem is Boulder's only Jewish day camp for kids entering first through fifth grades. Activities include swimming and water play, sports, storytelling, art, field trips and Judaics. Every week includes time with the rabbis, challah baking and a mitzvah project. Six one-week sessions run from June 4 through July 13.
Open to the community. n Mizel Museum’s Camp M! Summer Enrichment Programs 303-394-9993, ext. 3 www.mizelmuseum.org Mizel Museum offers camps on assorted themes throughout the summer. Check the website for details and dates.
Faith-Based Camps Overnight Camps n Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center P.O. Box 66, Allenspark 303-747-2888 www.highlandscamp.org For more than 65 years, Highlands has provided thousands of children, youth and adults the opportunity to come away to a gorgeous mountain setting for recreation, reflection and renewal. Our summer programs are enhanced by participants being able to explore the natural beauty of the creation that surrounds us. We challenge participants to grow in community, environmental well-being and Christian faith. Highlands continues to make a renewed commitment to offering fun, quality programs, in a safe environment, for all of God's people. In the spirit of Christian camping and hospitality, we invite you to join the adventure of summer 2012. n JCC Ranch Camp Elbert 303-316-6384 www.ranchcamp.org At JCC Ranch Camp you can spend your summer horseback riding, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, mountain biking and having fun in a Western, Jewish setting. Ranch Camp is open to kids entering grades 2-11. Summer sessions begin June 10; seven-, 12-, 14-, 19-, and 28-day sessions are available. March 1, 2012 15
HE’S RESPECTFUL
SHE’S CONFIDENT, Summer 2012 BMoCA’s series of creative art-making workshops for youth ages 5–8 and 9–12 Workshops for ages 5–8 June 4–8 Art Adventurer: 9am–12pm Paper Passion: 1–4pm July 30–August 3 Wearable, Shareable: 9am–12pm Red Fish, Blue Fish: 1–4pm
Cost & Registration $140 per workshop / $120 Members Scholarships are available for Latino youth in need. Sponsored by Ready Foods / Marco’s Mexican Foods.
& STRONG.
THEY ARE
ITSERA KIDS.
ay kboxing and Mu ness offers kic stom Itsera Family Fit ildren. Our cu ch d an s ult ad deThai classes for n by Kru Scott Meier and is itte iscipline curriculum is wr l fitness, self-d ica ys ph ize xim veloped to ma of Muay Thai. utilizing the art and self defense
For more information and registration, visit bmoca.org, call 303.443.2122, or stop by BMoCA.
KIDS SUMMER CAMPS
Workshops for ages 9–12 June 11–15 Drawing FUNdamentals: 9am–12pm Airbrush Painting: 1–4pm June 25–29 Modern Masters & Me: 9am–12pm From Sumi to Sharpie: 1–4pm
Ages 5-8, 9-12. 13-17 Registration begins March 1st and space is limited. One week long summer camp from June 25th to June 29th. This is an all day camp, drop off is 8:45 to 4:00
View more camps online at bmoca.org.
1750 13th Street Boulder, Colorado 80302 p: 303 443 2122 bmoca.org
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Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
YMCA of Boulder Valley Summer Camp
Transitioning to adulthood How camp helps teens prepare for their futures by Jessie Lucier
C
amp is beneficial for kids of all ages, but for teens, who are refining their sense of who they are and acquiring skills they’ll need for adulthood, camp comes at a particularly critical time. While most parents want to help their children during every step of the transition from child to adult, sometimes the best thing Mom and Dad can do is to push their kids out the door for a couple weeks a year. “Teens need somebody besides Mom or Dad to safely challenge them,” says Stuart Marshall, a Boulder-based licensed psychotherapist and family counselor who specializes in youth rite of passage and experiential and wilderness therapies. “Camp is a great place to help them through their rite of passage. It’s a place where they can get out of their comfy zones, build new relationships and deal will all sorts of different personalities, which will help them get along better in the world.” Betsy Thamert, the executive director of the American Camp Association’s (ACA) Rocky Mountain field office, says she also believes that camp can help teens prepare for adulthood in ways that most teens won’t experience elsewhere. According to Thamert and data collected by the ACA in their Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience study, which surveyed 3,395 families about their camp experience, camp is an important venue for teens to get a taste of the world outside of their homes, schools and immediate communities. Camp helps teens gain positive selfidentity, self-esteem and independence, Thamert explains. The experience helps them enhance their leadership and social skills and build strong peer relationships. It also leads to improved physical and Boulder Weekly
thinking skills, and helps teens develop constructive life skills like planning, organizing and decision-making. Teens who attend camp tend to be less influenced by their peers, she says, and, most importantly, learn responsibility, resourcefulness and resilience. “Camp’s community living is also great preparation for college living,” says Thamert. “To have the experience of living in a community setting that is not family is incredibly valuable preparation for living in a dorm setting or with peers after high school.” Another benefit of camps for teens is that they, by design, put teens on equal footing with their peers no matter who they are at school, says Chris Coker, president and CEO of the YMCA of Boulder Valley, who has 14 years of experience as a camp director and is a father to three kids. “There are no cliques at camp,” Coker says. “The staff — these slightly older, college-aged people who teens look up to — just rip cliques apart. This gives teens a chance to be less judgmental and to become great leaders.” Coker also explains that just being in the camp environment is a great growth experience for teens. For many, camp is the first place where they have a chance to be on their own — to make new friends, pick camp classes and choose what food they want to eat — all activities that they’ll be doing all the time soon, without any supervision, at college or on their own as adults. In this way, Coker says that camp serves as a great transition space between home and adulthood. “And, the best part of camp — for parents, too — is that their kids come home better people,” continues Coker. “They’re more independent, they succumb less to peer pressure, and they’re just plain happier kids.”
Kids Camp Directory
General Day Camps
n ABC Kids Climbing 1960 32nd St., Boulder 303-443-KIDS www.abckid.net ABC Kids Climbing is a unique athletic facility focused on developing agility, balance and coordination in youth ages 4-18. We are the only climbing/athletic facility in the world that focuses only on youth! ABC kids are encouraged to learn new skills and independence through climbing, games, activities and an adventure course. ABC offers half-day camps, and our full-day camps offer an arts & crafts component. Email info@abckidsclimbing or check out our website at www. abckidsclimbing.com. n Adventure Education Company Summer Sword Camp Chautauqua Park 720-934-6890 Www.adventureeducation.org Our camp experiences are designed to give kids the opportunity to think of themselves as heroes while building teamwork and problem-solving skills as well as physical, social and mental confidence. In our unique programs, the kids take on the roles of the heroes in custom made fantasy adventure stories involving a combination of problem solving, team building, cooperation, and swashbuckling fun. We use a game of soft sword tag, costumes, props, riddles,
improvisational theater, humor and our own Realm of Shards rules to play out each adventure. Our 2012 Summer Day Camp Programs are located at Chautauqua park and begin Monday, June 4 and run weekly through Friday, Aug. 10. Normal camp hours are from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with an extended afternoon program that runs until 4:30 p.m. n The Art Underground 901 Front St., Lower Level, Louisville 303-229-1127 This summer, the Art Underground will be featuring many creative camps for kids, ages 2-14. We are offering several theater class/camp production options, art technique and craft camps, LEGO camps, and dance class opportunities for several age groupings (preschool, K-second grade, second-fifth grades, fifth-ninth grades and grades 10+). Please visit www.theartunderground.org for more details. n Boulder Parks and Recreation Kids Camp 303-413-7270 www.ci.boulder.co.us/parksrecreation/ Offering a wide variety of classes for children of all ages from June through August. Includes sailing, art, dance, tennis, drama, swimming and more. Check the website or brochure for information. March 1, 2012 17
General camps
Eldorado Yoga Camp
n Bright Horizons 1818 Centennial Drive, Louisville 720-413-0794 http://child-care-preschool. brighthorizons.com/CO/Louisville/ louisville The Bright Horizons Family Solutions mission is to provide innovative programs that help children, families and employers work together to be their very best. We are committed to providing the highest-quality child care, early education, and work/life solutions in the world. We strive to nurture each child’s unique qualities and potential; support families through strong partnerships; collaborate with employers to build family-friendly workplaces; create a work environment that encourages professionalism, growth and diversity; and grow a financially strong organization. We aspire to do this so successfully that we make a difference in the lives of children and families and in the communities where we live and work. n Camp Comfort Near Georgetown on I-70 303-674-6400 www.campcomfort.org Mt. Evans Hospice offers summer weekend camp for grieving children. Registration is underway for both the June 22-24 and July 27-29 sessions of Mt. Evans Hospice’s annual Camp Comfort, located in the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver. This unique bereavement camp is a way for children ages 6 to 12 to explore their feelings of grief and share memories of their loved ones. More than a thousand children have attended Camp Comfort
a.m.-6 p.m. Presented by: Boulder Center for Conscious Community. Do you want a life together that is vibrant, trusting and positive? If so, join us for a hybrid indoor/outdoor adventure designed to help teens and their parent(s) discover new possibilities for their relationship. You will build connections with each other as you explore and discover your conscious and creative potential. Our goal is to foster healthy family connections by creating a safe space for teens and parents to explore issues and to have fun. Come prepared to build on your strengths and face your challenges! Call Betty Quigley at 303-443-0780. Cost is $100/person (second teen $75) n The Cottage Excursion Day since its establishment in 1995. During this extraordinary weekend, children learn ways to cope with their grief through workshops led by licensed social workers and trained bereavement professionals. A volunteer “buddy” system (with no more than two children to one adult) ensures that children receive plenty of personal, one-on-one attention. And, while children are encouraged to share memories and express their grief, Camp Comfort offers fun, too. The daily itinerary includes plenty of opportunities for recreation, including swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, fishing and hiking. n Children’s Museum of Denver Summer Programs 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver 303-433-7444 www.cmdenver.org Join the museum this summer for
18 March 1, 2012
n Connection Teen & Parent Camp 1637 28th St., Boulder 303-443-0780 Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30. Time: Friday 5:30-9 p.m., Saturday 9
n Eldorado Yoga Camp 2875 County Road 67, Boulder 303-249-1671 www.EldoradoYoga.org Kids will have a blast at fun-filled, five-day camps in Eldorado Springs. This
n Colorado Academy Summer Day Camp 3800 S. Pierce St., Denver 303-914-2531 www.coloradoacademysummer.org Colorado Academy offers summer day camps that provide fun-filled activities for children ages 5-12, including instruction and participation in tennis, arts and crafts, organized games, archery, swimming, performance arts and special activities. For more information, download or request a complete catalogue from the website.
Camp Boulder/Longmont 303-449-4380 www.cottageschools.com A theme-based, activity-packed program with daily excursions to amusement parks, horseback riding, swimming, skating, mini golf, laser tag, bowling, museums and nature hikes, etc., in addition to the sports, games, cooking, crafts, science and other activities at the base camp. For ages 5-12, grouped by age. Regular (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and extended (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) camp hours available. Enroll by the week for two to five days a week. Summer fun program available for children ages 3-5. Infant and toddler care also available.
hands-on, interactive and often messy activities. Call for more information.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
General camps
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camp integrates the mind/body/spirit benefits of yoga with traditional camp activities. Multiple sessions available at $250 per child per week, with a 50 percent discount for siblings. Sessions start June 4. n Kiddie Academy of Broomfield Broomfield 303-466-3635 ftp.kiddieacademy.com/broomfield/ This summer camp offers children life lessons the old-fashioned way. Kiddie Academy is a program that combines the right balance of fun and learning that helps keep kids stimulated and physically fit all summer. Children today are the first generation to grow up in an interactive world with access to just about anything they need or want through the Internet. With this new wealth of knowledge and available tools, parents are challenged to keep kids physically active and mentally stimulated during the summer months. Resident and day camps are available to children 6-12. Camps begin June 1. n Rocky Mountain Day Camp Boulder and Superior 303-495-5204 www.rockymtndaycamp.com The program at Rocky Mountain Day Camp is built for fun! Campers build confidence and self-esteem through a wide variety of activities. Every activity offered is conducted by an expert staff in an age- and ability-appropriate manner. Rocky Mountain Day Camp understands that all children have a wide array of interests. This program is designed so that every camper has a rewarding experience every day. All-day programs available. Boys and girls ages 4-14 welcome. Sessions run from May 31 to Aug. 5. n Sunflower Farm Summer Camps 11150 Prospect, Longmont 303-774-8001 www.sunflowerfarminfo.com Farm life in the country. Giant tree houses, pony rides, zipline, feed baby animals, groom horses, collect eggs, gardening and building projects. Also join us Friday night for farm fest. No reservations needed. Summer camps run May 28 to Aug. 17. n TEENS Inc. Summer Day Camp 151 East St., Nederland 303-258-3821 www.teensinc.org Boulder Weekly
TEENS, Inc. is offering many exciting summer camp opportunities! We kick off our summer with a week long Adventure Camp June 4-8. Our Multi-Sport Adventure week is for children ages 8-11. Activities include: two days of outdoor rock climbing, hiking/map and compass/orienteering, and culminates with a day of canoeing and picnicking at the Boulder Reservoir. Adventure Camp is led by our American Mountain Guides Association and Wilderness First Responder-certified outdoor leadership director. Songwriting camp: A week-long, halfday songwriting camp for ages 8-11 with local singer/songwriter Lara Ruggles. Participants will learn how to write a song like their favorite recording artists. Campers will put their own lyrics to music and everyone will have a chance to make a recording of their song and perform for their family and friends. July 23-27. n YMCA of Boulder Valley Tween and Teen Day Camps Boulder 303-664-5455 www.ymcabv.org Camps just for the Tween and Teen in mind! Leaders in training program — entering eighth-10th grade. Go the distance — entering seventh-10th grade. Tween escape — entering sixth-seventh grade. Teen escape — entering eighth10th grade. Girl power — girls entering sixth-eighth grade. Awesome aquatics — entering seventh-10th grade.
General Overnight Camps n YMCA of Boulder Valley Camp Santa Maria Overnight Camp 303-664-5455 www.ymcacampsantamaria.org (Ages 6-17) There is nothing better than spending the summer in the mountains kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, skateboarding, filmmaking, creating art and roasting marshmallows by the campfire. And don’t forget making amazing friends, the awesome counselors, evenings spent playing all camp games, and performing skits. Don’t miss your chance to live and play outdoors in the Rocky Mountains this summer at YMCA Camp Santa Maria. YMCA Camp Santa Maria is located 45 minutes west of Denver on U.S. Highway 285, just past Bailey, on 1,000 acres. Our camp is surrounded
Kids Camp Directory
comfortableshoes.com ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL at 1425 Pearl St. 303-449-5260 & IN THE VILLAGE next to McGuckin 303-449-7440
New Arrivals Daily
Peanut Butter Players SUMMER MUSICAL
NARNIA
SUMMER WORKSHOPS: June 4-8
Snoopy!!
June 11-15
Jungle Book July 23-27
Wizard of Oz July 30 - Aug 10
Kiss Me Kate
Musical version of The Lion,The Witch and the Wardrobe. Auditions: May 19th and 26th • 1:00-4:00pm Performances: July 19-22 at the Harlequin Center for the Performing Arts
303-786-8727
www.PeanutButterPlayers.com 990 S. Public Road, Lafayette, CO
Making It Possible.
Highlands offers traditional, one-week Christian summer camp experiences that focus on physical, social, spiritual and emotional growth in the beauty of Allenspark, CO.
WWW.HIGHLANDSCAMP.ORG 303-747-2888 March 1, 2012 19
White Rose Preschool
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CAL-WOOD SUMMER CAMPS
Wilderness Adventures Leadership Training High-Country Backpacking Celebrating 30 Years Teaching Kids in Wildlands Archery & Shooting Skills Low & High Ropes Reel & Fly Fishing Horseback Riding Check out our NEW 2012 offerings! Primitive Skills 8 Overnight camps on our 1,200-acre classroom Nature Awareness for Ages 9-18
REGISTER TODAY! www.calwood.org • 303.449.0603
Summer Camps for All Ages and Musical Interests Including: Private Lessons and Intro Classes for All Instruments Summer Music Safari for Young Children Piano/Keyboard Lessons and Classes CHECK OUT Voice and Theatrical Programs OUR VARIETY OF AND MORE! SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AT WWW.PARLANDO.ORG OR CALL
303.442.0006
20 March 1, 2012
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Triple Creek
The healing power of horses How riding can give your child more than mere exercise by Blair Madole
I
was 8 years old the first time I rode a horse. I was tall, skinny, awkward and unbelievably excited to start riding. Once I was on the horse, though, my excitement quickly turned to terror. I spent that first lesson holding on for dear life and praying I wouldn’t fall. My mom brought me back a few more times though, and during my third lesson something miraculous happened as I was trotting around the ring — I laughed. Just like that, I went from complete fear to feeling like I could conquer the world. I have been riding ever since. “Kids can immediately bond with horses and feel they have a creature who understands all their troubles in the world,” says Ginger Fedak, owner of Sun Pony Ranch. “Horses have something about them that is so intangible, you can’t even put a name on it. They have a very soulful understanding that people who don’t know horses don’t understand.” Riding horses certainly helps build muscle and coordination, but for kids, the emotional boost is particularly impactful, Fedak says. “With team sports you always have the stars of the team and then you have the benchwarmers,” Fedak says. “With horseback riding, you don’t have that. If you have a good instructor, it builds these kids’ confidence, and makes them feel good about themselves.” Kids learn to work with and trust the horse, which helps them form a bond and make a new friend, Fedak says, and builds a sense of responsibility, empathy for another living creature, and teamwork. “These days, unfortunately, there are so many kids who have problems at home, like parents going through divorce,” Fedak says. “The horse world is an oasis for them where they can forget all their troubles and hug on their horse friend and just get away from it. Horses are incredible that way. Boulder Weekly
That’s why they are used for therapeutic riding.” Penelope Powell, the program coordinator for the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, witnesses the therapeutic benefits of riding firsthand. The riding center uses horses to help kids and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, paraplegia and other physical and mental disabilities. The movement of riding horses helps build core muscles, which can help with speech challenges, and is similar to the way people move, which can help people with walking, Powell says. The horses at the center are also used to help people with social and emotional challenges. “For a lot of our population with challenges with social interaction, the interpersonal skills of opening up to someone or acknowledging that someone has feelings and a way of doing things in this world can often be easier to see in a horse and then transfer that to humans,” Powell says. “Horses help them start to see a world outside of their own because they are less demanding than people. Basically they aren’t in your face talking to you like people do, they are just present. That is a lot less intimidating for a child, which helps them step outside of their own view and see the view of another being.” Fedak and Powell agree that the change in a child that comes from riding horses is palpable. “I can see it the moment the kids start moving and realize, ‘Wow, this is really cool. I’m taller than everyone else!’ or when they feel the horse’s fur, or the horse turns its head to look at them,” Powell says. “It is all an almost indefinable experience, the way the kids just bond with them immediately. My favorite part of my job is seeing the smiling faces on these kids because they could not wait to see their horses.”
Kids Camp Directory
Horseback riding camps Day Camps
n A Rising Star Equestrian Summer Camp 9470 Indiana St., Arvada 303-431-4675 www.arisingstareqcenter.com Every day is an adventure in equine education, and fun is the emphasis! Starting with safety on the ground, students learn how to catch, halter, lead, groom and tack up their horses. Every day includes a group horseback riding lesson. Riding lessons are also available for hour-long and half-hour lessons. A Rising Star has experienced instructors on site who teach a variety of disciplines, and if you don’t have a horse of your own they have lesson horses and ponies. Camps are offered on a weekly basis, June through August. n C Bar T Trail Ranch P.O. Box 158, Idledale 303-674-6477 This summer youth camp specializes in wilderness camping and horsemanship. Camp sessions consist primarily of a continuous horseback pack trip in the national forests of Colorado. All ability ranges and experience levels are welcome. n Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center 11968 Mineral Rd., Longmont 303-652-9131 www.ctrcinc.org CTRC brings together special-needs and able-bodied campers to learn about horses and riding and enjoy equine activities and crafts. Our structured camps offer a safe and supportive environment to teach acceptance, understanding and cooperation — as well as have lots of fun. Camps run Monday to Thursday, 9 p.m. to 3 p.m., with 1.5 hours spent riding, grooming and tacking each
day. Choose from several different options. n Cornerstone Summer Horsemanship Camp 4255 Nelson Rd., Longmont 303-828-9040 www.cornerstonefarminc.com Camps include introduction to horses and riding, horse show camp, dressage camp and ponies for preschoolers pony camp. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Camps start June 4. n Drill Team Horse Camp Triple Creek Ranch 4255 Nelson Rd., Longmont Book online: www.triplecreek-ranch.com Triple Creek Ranch at 303-444-4291 or Tami Stockwell at 720-308-3113 tamarastockwell@comcast.net Drill team is a choreographed group ride set to music. Riders are challenged to ride in sync and complete moves as a group on horseback. This camp will focus on and sharpen riders’ control of the horses' speed and movement while working on performing for family and friends on July 27 at 6 p.m. Cost: $500 with a non-refundable deposit of $200. All materials for costumes provided, camp T-shirts made by campers. Campers bring sack lunches and water bottles. n Fantasy Horse Camp Triple Creek Ranch 4255 Nelson Rd., Longmont Book online: www.triplecreek-ranch.com Triple Creek Ranch at 303-444-4291 or Tami Stockwell at 720-308-3113 tamarastockwell@comcast.net Learn about each fantasy horse, their magic, enchantments and powers by riding real horses! Create stories on horseback as March 1, 2012 21
Horseback riding camps
CAMP CHIEF OURAY HAS SUMMER OPENINGS Granby, Colorado
Traditional Summer Camp Week-long overnight sessions for boys and girls ages 7-17. Starting June 10. Western Horse Camp Crazy about horses? This is definitely the right camp. Ages 8-17. Week-long sessions starting June 10. Wilderness Adventure Programs Great for teens—beginners and those more experienced in the outdoors. Try backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park, rafting the Colorado River, riding horseback through the Flat Tops Wilderness and even summiting Longs Peak! Mini Camp Provides caring guidance and introduction to exciting camp activities in a secure environment. First time campers ages 7-10. July 1-3. Teen Leadership Programs Teens learn leadership skills and self-confidence while they create friendships that will last a lifetime.
campchiefouray.org
970-887-2648
campers create new identities, transforming into enchanted riders on their assigned fantasy horses! Perform a beautiful riding demonstration for family and friends (on July 15 and 29) to show their riding skills, creative costumes and the magic they learned in the world of fantasy horses. Ride, design, learn and create during the magical week. Cost: $500 with a non-refundable deposit of $200. All materials for costumes provided, camp t-shirts made by campers. Campers bring sack lunches and water bottles. n Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp 18490 County Road 1, Berthoud 970-532-4040 www.SunPonyRanch.com www.facebook.com/SunPonyRanch Campers get their own horse for a week and learn responsibilities to care for it. Campers are focused on horses and ride twice each day. English or Western riding style is camper’s choice. A noncompetitive horse show is held each Friday to show off new skills. Bonding with a horse is important in learning to ride. Sun Pony Ranch teaches about horse behavior and personality to encourage this bonding and to promote safety. Activities in daily riding lessons include bareback riding sessions, feeding, grooming, tacking and general care of your horse. Shampoo day teaches how to bathe the horse, while horse show day is a non-competitive show for family and friends. Students have fun braiding and decorating their horses for the show. Sun Pony Ranch Horse Camp is co-ed and for ages 8-14. Sessions are one week each, from May 28 through Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. Cost is $365 per week. Register by April 30 for “Early Bird” rate of $335 per week. n Sun Pony Ranch "Little Buckaroos" Ranch Camp 18490 County Road 1, Berthoud 970-532-4040 www.SunPonyRanch.com www.facebook.com/SunPonyRanch Our “Little Buckaroo” campers will learn about cowboys, cowgirls, and life on a ranch. They will learn about horses, including grooming, care and feeding. They will ride horses each day of camp. Campers will learn and practice safety around horses and around the ranch. They will get to try out some ranch chores, and have special ranch fun. Activities are all age-appropriate for these younger kids. Little Buckaroos Ranch Camp is co-ed and for ages 5-7. Sessions are weekly, three days per week each, Tuesday through Thursday. The first session is June 5 through June 7, with seven additional weeks over the summer. Camp hours are 10:30 a.m. to 2
22 March 1, 2012
p.m. Cost is $130 for the first week and $115 for each additional week or for each additional camper from same family. n Unicorn Ranch Horse Camp 720-270-5553 unicornranchhorses.com Weekly during the summer, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horsemanship day camp in Longmont for children ages 9 and older. Beginner and continuing riders are welcome. Activities include horseback riding lessons, horse care and horsemanship skills.We provide excellent school horses, small groups, outstanding safety and professional instruction. This camp offers the entire horsemanship experience, from riding to horse care, including education on horse feed, first aid for horses, common illnesses, grooming skills for showing, and helping with the daily care of our horses. Each day includes a riding lesson, barn chores, horse fun such as painting or bathing, and educational classes. Riding lessons are taught in skillappropriate groups. Small group sizes, individual adult attention, our school horses, and professional instruction all help set our camp apart from others. Our program has an exceptional safety record. Our counselors and instructors have experience and work well with children. We have experience with children who have special needs. Call Pam at 720-270-5553, or email pam@ unicornranchhorses.com for more information. n “Wanna-be” a Cowgirl/ Cowboy Horse Camp Triple Creek Ranch 4255 Nelson Rd., Longmont Book online: www.triplecreek-ranch. com Triple Creek Ranch at 303-444-4291 or Tami Stockwell at 720-308-3113 tamarastockwell@comcast.net Day Camp ages 8-14. Monday through Friday. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Camp 1: July 9-13, Camp 2: July 16-20. Explore the history of the old West. Ride and learn Western riding skills, gymkhana games, trail riding, care for the horses and roping skills. Play group games on horseback, rodeo-style. Create personal brands with leather crafts. Hear storytelling about famous cowpokes and outlaws. Cook dinner on the campfire, sing songs, and enjoy a hayride with friends and family on Friday evening — the perfect way to end a week of camp and make lasting memories! So bring your boots and hat to get ready for a ropin’wrangling-rustlin’ good time! Yee-haw! Cost: $500 with a non-refundable deposit of $200. Campers bring sack lunches and water bottles.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Avid 4 Adventure
Summer camp unplugged
Outdoors camps engage kids in learning about themselves by Hadley Vandiver
S
ummer is a time to get outside and get dirty. It’s a time when kids can spend all day splashing in Boulder Creek, or venturing into the woods in search of the perfect tree to climb, or ripping their jeans playing soccer in the backyard. But with Xboxes, iPhones, 3-D movies and laptops, kids can also easily spend a summer day stuck in the basement, forgetting about the wild excitement of the outdoors. In a typical day, 8- to 18-year-olds spend an average of seven hours with electronic media, whether it be a television, computer, music device, video game or movie, according to the study “Generation M2, Media in the Lives of 8to 18-year-olds,” released in 2010 by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. That number does not include computer use for schoolwork or time spent using a cell phone. Though spending time on electronic devices is not an inherently bad thing, it cannot compare to the social interactions and creative playtime a child receives in an outdoor summer camp setting. “The outdoors offers an environment without the support and distractions of people’s normal home lives. They get away from video games and television,” says Andrew Rose, director of Boulder Emotional Wellness, which specializes in wilderness therapy for children and adults. “If you take it all away and go out into the wilderness, you’re left with yourself and the environment. Because the outside environment is new, the child gets to see how they work with stress in a fresh way.” Boulder Emotional Wellness leads four- to 21-day trips in which participants hike, camp, rock climb, sea kayak, canoe, ride horses and dog sled. On outdoor trips, children gain both confidence and competence by having to do things without the help of a parent or the distraction of a cell phone, Rose says. “You have to get outdoors to have balance,” Rose says. “The more kids get outdoors and experience the wilderness, the more they respect themselves, they respect other people and they respect the environment.” Boulder’s abundance of summer camps provides parents a way to give their children structured, active playtime. The Cal-Wood Education Center, Boulder Weekly
based in the foothills of Jamestown, offers programs based on a philosophy of outdoor education aimed at helping children learn about their connection with nature, according to Angela Borland, school program manager and summer camp director at Cal-Wood. “Especially nowadays with so much of their world being plugged into computers and cell phones, being in an outside camp gives kids a chance to disconnect and learn on a different level,” Borland says. “They strengthen their observations and their awareness of where they are right now, outside in nature, as opposed to thinking ahead to that phone call or that email or that text message.” David Hansburg, founder and director of Rocky Mountain Day Camp, has made separating children from technology a priority. The RMDC’s “unplugged” policy bans cell phones, iPods and other electronic devices while children are at camp. The RMDC offers nine-week day camps in which children rock climb, play lacrosse and practice archery, among other activities, always with a focus on staying outside. “We think that having a healthy body is a really important part of having a healthy mind,” Hansburg says. “A lot of that is about just getting kids outside and active, and then a lot of it is about socialization in a setting that is active, rather than the classroom setting or sitting in front of the TV.” Children benefit from all types of play, video games included, says Christie Gestal, founder and lead therapist of The Boulder Center for Play Therapy. However, playing on a computer or with a video game console does not generate the same self exploration as outdoor play. “When a child goes out into the world and is engaged with another human being or with a toy, they are actually using their own mind and their own process to learn about themselves,” Gestal says. Through play with peers, children are able to see themselves clearly, and able to understand themselves better,” Gestal says, “Any time that children are able to engage with peers on their level in an environment that’s not school, there’s a lot more freedom for them to explore themselves, which is what children really need to be doing.”
Kids Camp Directory
Outdoor camps Day Camps
n Adventure Experiences Almont 970-641-4708 www.aeibasecamp.com This camp is located 10,000 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, inflatable kayaking, fly fishing, climbing tower, orienteering, adventure racing, day hikes, peak ascents and leave-no-trace ethics. n Adventure Quest Day Camps 302 Pearl St., Boulder 303-786-9216 www.RenaissanceAdventures.com Ages 6-16. June through August. Be the hero of a mythic quest! Since 1995, Renaissance Adventures has offered summer quests, birthday parties, afterschool events and holiday programs in Adventure Quest. Solve mysteries and riddles, explore mythic lands, brainstorm creative solutions to puzzling dilemmas, meet interesting characters and monsters, swashbuckle with foes using our safe foam swords, and negotiate peace treaties. n Avid4 Adventure Day Camp P.O. Box 287, Boulder, 80306 720-249-2412 or info@Avid4.com www.avid4.com Each week kids will rock climb, mountain bike, hike, kayak and canoe! Avid4 Adventure day camps offer fun, diverse, age-appropriate and safety-focused outdoor pursuits for kids. Monday-Friday,
8:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages 5-12 ($365/ week) in Boulder June 4 to Aug. 17, meeting at High Peaks/BCSIS at 3995 East Aurora Ave. Save $15! Enter coupon code “bw” when registering online. American Camp Association accredited and Colorado licensed. n Avid4 Adventure Valmont Bike Park Skills Day Camp P.O. Box 287, Boulder, 80306 720-249-2412 or info@Avid4.com www.avid4.com Avid4 Adventure is the authorized adventure provider for the new Valmont Bike Park and offers week-long bike skills camps for kids at this nationally acclaimed area in northeast Boulder. Advance skills and knowledge in a safetyfocused, instruction-intensive environment. Valmont Bike Park Skills Camp May 28 – Aug. 17 for ages 7-14, ($395/week). n Alaya Summer Camp 3340 19th St., Boulder 303-449-5248 A warm, homey summer camp environment emphasizing creative arts, social play, exploration and self-discovery on an acre of yards and gardens. Ages 3-6. Part of Naropa University. n Altogether Outdoors 720-249-2997 www.aocamps.com For boys and girls, ages 4 1/2 to 15. AO Camps is entering its eighth summer March 1, 2012 23
Outdoor camps
of serving Boulder families, and focuses on authentic, nature-based experiences for children. Campers hike, climb, sing camp songs, make crafts, learn about the environment, fish and much more! AO’s Junior Program (ages 4 1/2 to 6) is based in town and spends each day outside in some of Boulder’s best natural spaces. The Eldorado Canyon program is for ages 7-11, and the Intro to Backpacking program is a combination day camp/ backpack trip for ages 11-15. AO Sleep Away Camp is a one- or two-week resident camp in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley. n Bold Earth Adventures www.boldearth.com Join us in Alaska, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Europe, Thailand, Fiji, Bali, California, China, Africa and beyond. If you are interested in fun, community service, cultural and language immersion, adventure and travel, then this is the camp for you. Ages 11-18. Phone interview and references are required. n Camp Sunrise 100 Sunrise Ranch Rd. Loveland stephanie@sunriseranch.org www.sunriseranch.org/arts/campsunrise, 970-679-4318 Children ages 4-7 enjoy the outdoors while learning about sustainable agriculture hands on through the following activities: hiking in the foothills of the Rockies, gardening, farming, visiting our cows and chickens, permaculture, water play, arts and crafts. July 2-6 (excluding July 4) $50 per day or $200 for the four days. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. n Colorado Mountain Ranch 10063 Gold Hill Rd., Gold Hill 303-442-4557 www.coloradomountainranch.com Boulder’s Original Day Camp, ages 7-16! Best of both tradition and innovation: horses, mountainboarding three-acre terrain park, team-building Challenge ropes course, 18-hole disc golf, archery, gymnastics, trampolines, crafts, Indian lore, outdoor skills, hiking, camping, swimming and outrips to streams and lakes for boating, optional overnight on Thursday! What makes us unique? Since 1947, CMR campers sing “You’re the Best in All the World!” for camp spirit and the winning place, people and programs! Connect with friends, community, nature! The Fourmile Fire took our old barn, so we put up a new one for our horses! Transportation included from 24 March 1, 2012
North Boulder Park. n Girls Wilderness Program Women’s Wilderness Institute, Boulder 303-938-9191 www.womenswilderness.org moreinfo@womenswilderness.org Since 1998, TWWI has offered wilderness-based courses created specifically for girls ages 8-18. Backpacking, rock climbing and learning outdoor skills and expressive arts in a fun, “girl-positive” program designed to build confidence, leadership skills and solid friendships. Courses include five- to 12-day wilderness expeditions and day-camp sessions, plus one-day family adventures. Mature, professional staff and an excellent safety record. Accredited by the Association for Experiential Education. Courses run June through August. Tuition ranges from $495 to $1,595; including food, gear and clothing. Generous scholarships available! Call, email, or visit the website for dates and details. n Feet on the Earth Boulder 303-642-0562 www.feetontheearth.org lorene@feetontheearth.org Nature arts camps designed to meet the unique developmental needs of girls and boys 7-15 years old. Through exploration of the natural world children discover their strengths and build confidence while nurturing friendships and deepening their relationship with nature. They learn teamwork, positive self-expression, and ancient skills for living close to the Earth: edible and medicinal plants, animal tracking, fire making, navigation, natural shelters, making instruments, drumming, etc. Staff members bring in-depth understanding of child development and extensive skills in nature-based mentoring to help kids grow more comfortable being in nature and being true to themselves. Programs include co-ed and all-girls day camps, skills classes for adults and children, after-school programs and weekend trainings for women. Contact camp Director Lorene Wapotich for more information. n Junior Kayak League and Summer Camp 303-809-8942 downstreamedge@gmail.com www.downstreamedge.com Juniorkayakleague.com Junior Kayak League is a great way for kids and teens to get into kayaking
and learn from excellent coaches in a safe environment. The development of paddling and safety skills mean that kids enrolled in JKL become solid kayakers who know how to run rivers safely and look out for their teammates.
frogs, getting muddy and exploring Colorado’s wild places with Thorne Summer Camp, offering fun, hands-on environmental camps for children aged 3-15 in two stunning locations; Boulder and Waterton Canyon in Littleton.
n Laughing Coyote Project Summer Camps 9760 Isabelle Road, Lafayette 303-325-5824 summercamp@laughingcoyoteproject. org www.laughingcoyoteproject.org Registration Deadline: June 1 Cost: $265 Dates: June 18-21, June 27-29, July 9-13, July 16-20, July 30- Aug 2. Ages: 8-17 depending on the camp Laughing Coyote Day Camps are dynamic nature-based camps where campers learn anything from primitive skills to nature-based arts and crafts to Bushcraft to active games, and practice invisibility and awareness. Co-ed.
n YMCA Fun In The Sun Excursion Camp 303-664-5455 Entering K-6th grade (Must be 5 years old by Sept. 30) Full-time: 4-5 days per week Part-time: 1-3 days per week Seven convenient locations (BVSD elementary school locations; see website for more details) If you want a wide variety of experiences for your child this summer, this is the camp for you! We will be out and about exploring the community on fun-filled field trips three times a week, one of which is a trip to the pool. Campers are divided into three groups to provide age-appropriate programming where staff will support them in building friendships with peers, develop problemsolving skills and be exposed to a wide variety of activities. Campers will benefit from a nurturing environment provided by full-time, year-round YMCA directors. Check the website for descriptions for each camp: www.ymcabv.org
n Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures (SMBA) 303-447-8014 Boulder www.ridesmba.org Founded in 1993, Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures (SMBA) is the longest-running, independent junior mountain bike program in Colorado. Our programs introduce young riders to the exhilaration of mountain biking in a safe and fun environment. SMBA provides an atmosphere where riders have the opportunity to develop a range of skills and interests, from a 7-year-old beginner to a mature racer. Our program supports youth in becoming champions on and off the trail. SMBA’s philosophy combines a healthy mix of challenge, camaraderie, adventure, mentoring and passion. SMBA has consistently maintained a maximum 1:6 coach-to-staff ratio that promotes safety, quality and individual attention. All of our SMBA Team programs include singletrack trail riding, community stewardship, mentoring, special events and much more. SMBA athletes dedicate time to drill mastery in early stages of the sport that further provides the element of success, safety, and of course fun! n Thorne Natural Science School 303-499-3647 www.thorne-eco.org Spend the summer outdoors catching
n YMCA of Boulder Valley Trailblazers Day Camp Boulder 303-664-5455 www.ymcabv.org (Entering first-seventh grade) Explore, create, educate! The art of questioning comes naturally to children when exploring the great outdoors. Campers will be encouraged to ask when, where, how and why. They will be divided into three age-appropriate groups and focus on a different subject each week: air, water, the earth, insects and creatures interacting with nature. Campers will develop skills and self confidence in a fun, hands-on, educationally rich environment while learning about nature in the world around us. A weekly swim trip and an age-appropriate hike will be included. Special guests from the community will be a part of each week’s activities. Wear clothes you can get grubby in and shoes that fit well and are well broken in. We will be moving and getting dirty every day! Shuttle drop-off and pick-up service from the Mapleton YMCA is available for no additional fee.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Outdoor camps
Outdoor camps Overnight Camps n Adventure Quest Overnight Quest with Renaissance Adventures Cal-Wood, Jamestown 303-786-9216 www.renaissanceadventures.com Be the Hero of a Mythic Quest! Since 1995, Renaissance Adventures has offered summer quests, birthday parties, afterschool events and holiday programs in Adventure Quest. Solve mysteries and riddles, explore mythic lands, brainstorm creative solutions to puzzling dilemmas, meet interesting characters and monsters, swashbuckle with foes using our safe foam swords, and negotiate peace treaties. For kids age 6-16. n Anderson Western Colorado Camps 7177 Colorado River Rd., Gypsum 970-524-7766 www.andersoncamps.com Campers choose morning and afternoon activities, including horseback riding, whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, rappelling, trap shooting, fishing, archery, climbing wall, ropes course and hiking. For ages 7-17. n Avid4 Adventure Sleep Away Camp P.O. Box 287, Boulder, 80306 720-249-2412 or info@Avid4.com www.avid4.com At our one- to two-week sleep away camp, kids will rock climb, mountain bike, hike, kayak, canoe, camp, zip-line, horseback ride and more! Avid4 Adventure camp provides fun, diverse, age-appropriate and safety-focused outdoor pursuits for kids. Sleep away camp runs July 15-28 for ages 7-14 ($9751950). Save $15! Enter coupon code “bw” when registering online. American Camp Association accredited and Colorado licensed. n Blue Mountain Ranch Youth Camp Florissant 719-748-3279 www.bluemountainranch.com In the mountains just west of Colorado Springs, in the morning shadow of Pikes Peak, lies a place so crisp, so clean, so quiet, so calm, so post-card picturesque ... until the kids show up! Blue Mountain Ranch is the place where your child can live the kind of Boulder Weekly
childhood you had. They can run and yell and laugh and run some more. It’s the kind of place that offers your child freedom and adventure. We offer activities for every kid, not just the athlete. We have more than 400 acres and are surrounded by Pike National Forest making this the ideal place to cut loose from all the rigors of academia. Here your child can try his or her hand at mountain climbing, archery, fishing or arts and crafts projects, just to name a few. How about riding seven miles through the National Forest or whooshing down a 3,000-foot alpine slide? We’ve got it all. n Cal-Wood Summer Camps Cal-Wood Education Center 303-449-0603 www.calwood.org Cal-Wood Residential Summer Camps Ages 9-18. Several overnight camps offered throughout the summer. Activities: wilderness adventures, nature awareness, wildland living skills, leadership training, backpacking, low and high ropes, horseback riding, fishing and much more. Campers stay in cabins or tents at CalWood. June 1-Aug. 5. $325-$625 (scholarships available). Cal-Wood’s Ultimate Nature Experience (T.U.N.E) Camp Ages 10-15. Four-day/three-night co-ed outdoorsmen skills camp presented by Pheasants Forever. Activities: shooting sports, dog training, fly-fishing, archery, forest ecology, primitive skills, low ropes and much more. All activities are taught by professional sportsmen and volunteers. Campers stay in cabins. July 19-22. $400 (scholarships available). Colorado Youth Program @ Cal-Wood Ages 11-18. Seven-day/six-night co-ed camps dedicated to connecting kids and teens to nature and their communities through service, recreation and education. Possible activities: mountain biking, alpine exploration, Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, backpacking basics, navigation and teambuilding. Campers stay in tents on-site or on the trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. June 9-15, July 7-13 and July 30-Aug 5. $595-$625 (scholarships available). Cal-Wood Education Center, 303-449-0603, calwood.org. n Camp Chief Ouray/YMCA of the Rockies Granby 970-887-2648 www.campchiefouray.org A traditional overnight camp for kids
Kids Camp Directory
ages 7-17. Campers live in cabins with two counselors and six to nine other children of their own gender and age. Each cabin is under the direct leadership of a college-aged counselor. Counselors receive extensive training at camp prior to the campers’ arrival. Staff-to-camper ratio is one-to-five or lower. For nearly a century, Camp Chief Ouray (CCO) has been the adventurous playground for boys and girls from around the world. Located on 5,100 acres of mountains, valleys, streams and meadows — boredom is simply not an option. n Camp Sunrise 100 Sunrise Ranch Rd. Loveland stephanie@sunriseranch.org www.sunriseranch.org/arts/campsunrise 970-679-4318 Session 1: July 9-13. Session 2: July 16-20 Ages 8-17 spend five days/four nights connecting with the natural world and learning about sustainable agriculture through the following activities: overnight camping; hiking; gardening, farming and permaculture; performing arts and talent show; team-building games and sports; swimming; arts/crafts; campfires; and stargazing. Cost: $400 Visit our website for more information. n Cheley Colorado Camps Estes Park 303-377-3616 www.cheley.com A summer at Cheley Colorado Camps means spending your summer hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, tech climbing and rafting and playing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Wake up each morning to fresh mountain air, views of peaks that soar to 14,000 feet and the laughter of your fellow campers. Since 1921, the Cheley Family has owned and operated the 800-acre Cheley Camps located in Estes Park. They welcome children ages 9-17. First session begins June 13. n Colorado Youth Program 1906 13th St., Suite 205, Boulder 303-402-9656 www.coloradoyouthprogram.org Programs for kids and teens focusing on experiencing outdoor activities from whitewater rafting and playing in alpine snowfields and building outdoor skills, including preparing their own meals and sleeping under the stars.
n Deer Hill Expeditions Inc. Mancos 1-800-533-7221 www.deerhillexpeditions.com info@deerhillexpeditions.com Deer Hill provides a safe yet challenging atmosphere in which people can grow as individuals and be an integral member of a small group. Students from the United States and the international community engage in activities, like whitewater rafting, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, surfing, service with native cultures, leadership development and conservation projects with the U.S. Forest Service. Spanish language immersion is central to our Costa Rica expeditions. You don’t need previous experience. As long as you are physically fit and eager to be part of a dynamic group, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime. Grades 7-12; ages 13-18. Dates: June 26 through Aug. 6. Locations: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Costa Rica. n Fountain Valley School 6155 Fountain Valley School Rd. Colorado Springs 719-391-5426 Fvs.edu/valleytovistas This eight-day overnight adventure starts at Fountain Valley School’s main campus in Colorado Springs before heading up to the school’s 40-acre mountain campus at the base of Mt. Princeton in Buena Vista. For boys and girls entering grades six to eight, July 22-29. n Gates Camp for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver Ward 303-892-9200 www.bgcmd.org Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver’s Gates Camp offers a week-long camp experience for inner-city youth. The camp offers Boys & Girls Club members, most from economically disadvantaged families, a chance to escape the sometimes stark realities of city life and gain new perspectives. n Girls Wilderness Program Women’s Wilderness Institute, Boulder 303-938-9191 www.womenswilderness.org moreinfo@womenswilderness.org Since 1998, TWWI has offered wilderness-based courses created specifically for girls ages 8-18. Backpacking, rock climbing and learning outdoor skills and expressive arts in a fun, “girl-positive” March 1, 2012 25
Outdoor camps
program designed to build confidence, leadership skills and solid friendships. Courses include five- to 12-day wilderness expeditions and day-camp sessions, plus one-day family adventures. Mature, professional staff and an excellent safety record. Accredited by the Association for Experiential Education. Courses run June through August. Tuition ranges from $495 to $1,595; including food, gear and clothing. Generous scholarships available! Call, email, or visit the website for dates and details. n Hero’s Academy: Teen
Overnight Experience
Cal-Wood, Jamestown 303-786-9216 www.renaissanceadventures.com Ages 14-18. June 12-15, June 26-29, July 17-20. A quest for teens, hosted by Renaissance Adventures. Academians must work together in a medieval-style roleplaying event, overcoming wilderness challenges, developing leadership skills, creating plans and missions for the success of the team, and dueling villains using foam swords. This four-day overnight is tailored to give teens the kind of lasting, transformative experience that empowers them toward responsible adulthood. n Horizon Adventures Inc. Denver 303-393-7297 www.horizonadventures.com Ages 13-18 Wilderness courses held in the Rocky Mountains. Each of our six-day, nine-day and 12-day courses may include a combination of backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, river rafting and 14,000-foot peak ascents. n Laughing Coyote Project Summer Camps 9760 Isabelle Road, Lafayette 303-325-5824 summercamp@laughingcoyoteproject. org www.laughingcoyoteproject.org Registration Deadline: June 1 Overnight Camps: $350-$550 sliding scale Dates: June 18-21, June 27-29, July 9-13, July 16-20, July 30 - Aug 2. Ages: 8-17 depending on the camp Overnight camps begin with learning camp craft, and from there we will dive into primitive skills. Topics will include: fire making, primitive containers, cordage, basketry, primitive cooking, shelter building, tracking, ancient scout skills and more. Co-ed. 26 March 1, 2012
n Magic Sky Ranch Northwest of Fort Collins 970-224-2028 www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org Program activities include horseback riding, challenge courses, indoor climbing wall, hikes, backpacking, arts and crafts, nature, science, archery, camping skills and world cultures. Open to girls 6-17. n Poulter Camps Steamboat Springs info@poultercamps.com 970-879-4816 Join Poulter Camps for an extraordinary summer camp experience while exploring the magnificent Rocky Mountains in northwest Colorado. Poulter Camps offers both residential and adventure travel programs for campers ages 9 to 17 years old. Sessions run from mid-June through mid-August. Day, two-week, and fourweek sessions available. Also, join us for family camp. Learn more at www. poultercamps.com n Sanborn Western Camps Florissant 719-748-3341 www.sanbornwesterncamps.com Sanborn’s fun, relaxed atmosphere and caring staff provide a supportive environment for individual growth in selfconfidence, independence and awareness of others. Big Spring Ranch for Boys and High Trails Ranch for Girls lie at an elevation of 8,700 feet. n Tomahawk Ranch Near Bailey 303-838-5311 www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org Located one hour southwest of Denver. Program activities include arts and crafts, backpacking, farm, dance/ drama, sports/archery, nature and science, horseback riding and outdoor skills. n YMCA Camp Shady Brook Sedalia 719-329-7266 www.campshadybrook.org Camp Shady brook’s value-based programming is the perfect way for children to make friends, develop self esteem and learn leadership skills in an environment of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Campers will have an opportunity to choose activities that they are interested in, at an age-appropriate level. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, archery, rock climbing, zip line, trip and travel camps, art programming and much more. June through August. One- to two-week sessions, ages 6-17 years.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Ballet Nouveau Colorado
Rocking summer camps teach kids music know-how
‘Guitar Hero’ comes to life for young musicians by Amanda Moutinho
W
hen Gary Lennox was 17 he discovered a passion for rock music. He picked up a bass and hasn’t put it down in 40 years. For Lennox, the only way to play his bass is to crank up the speakers to full blast — which doesn’t sit well with parents, neighbors or cops. “When I was a kid I would always play music loud, and I would always end up in the dog house,” he says. “I thought, why not build a place for musicians to come and play as loud as you want?” Lennox runs Dog House Music Rock & Roll Camp, where kids can learn how to play rock music without deafening their parents. Each summer, campers ages 11-17 choose among guitar, bass, drums or vocals and form a band. Over the course of one week, campers write three original songs and perform a concert at the end. Whether they’re strumming a guitar, slamming the drums or thrashing their hair back and forth, they get to crank up the volume and pour their energy into their passion. School of Rock, another rock camp option, focuses on simplifying the instruments for kids with any skill level, say Chris Shepard, music director for School of Rock. “Rock ’n’ roll is an awesome thing, but it doesn’t have to be that hard,” Shepard says. “You can go as easy as a Ramones song or as complicated as a Yes song. I’m always surprised and impressed at what these kids can do.” Rock is a natural choice for kids, says Jason Olson of Live Performance Rock Camp, especially Boulder Weekly
considering the craze of rock ’n’ roll video games like Rock Band or Guitar Hero. But when coming to rock camp, kids get a chance to learn an instrument instead of pressing buttons on a controller. Olson says other music camps might not cater to the electric guitar or drums, so rock camps are for those kids who want to, well, rock. “We’re playing music that is rock and is relevant to the kids,” Olson says. “Kids are becoming familiar with these classic rock songs [through the video games], and, with this camp, the kids can play songs that they know and like. Love it or hate it, kids know more rock as compared to classical music.” In writing their own music, kids get a chance to express the ideas that matter to them. Over the years, Shepard and Lennox have seen songs ranging from school problems to personal issues, and even silly songs about falafels. “They’re going to be writing original music — music that they own. They play their own music. It’s not a Beethoven song that’s been written already. The music takes on its own personality,” Lennox says. Kids walk away from the camp with more confidence, he says, and he sees kids coming back with their own bands and continuing their careers. He says allowing the kids to stretch their creative muscles adds in personal development. “It’s amazing to have kids be able to play their music and sing their feelings,” Lennox says. “You get see the kids bloom like a flower.”
Kids Camp Directory
Performing Arts Day Camps
n Arvada Center Summer Camps 720-898-7200 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. www.arvadacenter.org Monday to Friday. These inspiring and creative camps offer experiences in ceramics, dance, drama, humanities, music, photography and visual arts. Programs are designed for kids ages 1 1/2 to 18 to learn new skills, discover new interests and, most importantly, have fun! Camps start June 4 and fill fast. Registration begins March 7. n Ballet Nouveau Colorado’s Summer Programs 3001 Industrial Ln. #12 303-466-5685 www.schoolofbnc.com June 18 - July 28 (four- and six-week options available) The School of BNC offers summer programs for dancers of all ages, abilities and aspirations. The School of BNC has wonderful programs introducing our youngest dancers into the world of dance — including our ever-popular Fairytale Ballet Camp and Dance With Me for toddlers and their caregivers. The School of BNC also offers unique programs for older beginners, including adults. For intermediate and advanced dancers, we help them hone their
skills and rise to their highest artistic ability. Come try a free class before enrolling, offer expires May 7. n Boulder Dinner Theatre Academy 5501 Arapahoe Ave. Boulder 303-449-6000 www.bouldersdinnertheatre.com/ bdtacademy.html Drama Camp — Students entering grades six through 12 are invited to participate in an intensive training in the dramatic arts, with an emphasis on singing, dancing and acting. Academy students will learn the basics of producing their performance from beginning to end, including lighting, sound, set design and stage management. BDT Academy’s Summer Drama Camp sessions are held twice each summer for three weeks. City Drama Camps — BDT Academy also has summer drama camps for children ages 5-12, in cooperation with the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. We offer nine week-long drama camps, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The camps are held at Salberg Park at the corner of 19th Street and Elder Avenue. Each week is different and uses the technique of “playmaking,” which lets the March 1, 2012 27
WANTED: ANIMAL LOVERS!
Performing arts camps
Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to spend an exciting week learning about animals at the Longmont Humane Society!
Grade 2 thru Grade 6 Camp Hours: 9:00AM–5:00PM, Monday-Friday One Week Sessions: June 4th – July 30th, 2012 Check our website for Grade Level Dates $250.00 per child/ per week For More Info & online Applications go to
www.longmonthumane.org Longmont Humane Society 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO (303) 772-1232
children use their imagination to adapt a familiar story or write their own script. Each day consists of script writing or review, drama instruction, set and costume making, rehearsal and outdoor playtime. n Boulder Stars Show Choir Mountain View United Methodist, Boulder 303-507-2114 www.boulderstars.com Join the Boulder Stars Show Choir 2012 Summer Camp (ages 8-14) for a joyful adventure in singing, dancing and performing Broadway, pop and more! Monday-Friday, June 25-29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a Friday performance at 5 p.m. n Camp Oonie Koonie Cha Early Childhood Music Camp Boulder 303-413-1711. www.musicareboulder.com Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Session I June 4-8, Session II June 11-15 Registration fee: $45 Tuition: $195 Camp Oonie Koonie Cha is an action-packed, cross-curricular musical experience for young children ages 4 to 8. Join us this year for “Jungle Jive,” a magical, musical safari! Rumble through the jungle dancing like wild animals. Practice African drumming and make your own masks and instruments. Jeff Kagan joins us full-time this year to lead Science and Sound with his interactive explorations and even a live critter or two. Music integrated with art, science, dramatic play, storytelling and Orff xylphone orchestra. Your kids will be singing and playing along with their CD all year long! Low 8:1 student teacher ratio, and all teachers and guides are experienced early childhood educators. n CenterStage Theater Company Boulder County 303-673-0744 www.centerstagetheatercompany.org CenterStage Theatre Company provides a rich atmosphere that leads young people into excellence in the vast world of theatre arts, thus building confidence, self-esteem, community awareness and friendships that last a lifetime. These two-week, full-day camps are for kids entering fourth to ninth grade in the fall and will end with a complete musical production. Please visit www. centerstagetheatercompany.org for details.
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n Colorado Music Festival 900 Baseline Rd., Boulder 303-449-1397 www.COmusic.org Programs are designed to introduce kids ages 4-18 to the excitement of live classical music. In addition to the workshop, kids receive a free concert ticket and a 50 percent off voucher for an accompanying adult to attend a Colorado Music Festival Orchestra concert. n Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Camp Shakespeare University of Colorado, Boulder 303-492-1537 www.coloradoshakes.org/ campshakespeare csfedout@colorado.edu Ages 6-18. Unlock the magic of Shakespeare’s language with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s wildly popular summer acting programs. Camp Shakespeare is a three-week intensive for ages 10-18, in which campers rehearse and perform Shakespeare’s plays on the Mary Rippon stage! Camp Shakespeare runs July 16 to Aug. 3 from 1 to 5 pm. Shakespeare’s Sprites, now in its second year, is a week-long mini camp for 6- to 9-year-olds, held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 303-492-1973 or email csfedout@ colorado.edu to sign up. Visit our website at www.coloradoshakes.org/educationoutreach/camps for more information. n Curious Theatre Company Denver 303-565-1650 www.curioustheatre.org Curious New Voices is an intensive summer playwriting workshop for ages 15-21. This three-week program involves writing an original short play with the help of experienced instructors and nationally recognized playwrights. The camp culminates in a staged reading festival. n Dance Camps at Reverence! 11th Annual Dance Camps at Reverence Academy of Dance 1370 Miners Dr., #103, Lafayette 303-661-0719 www.reverenceweb.com Classes are specific to age range and class level so that you will have fun in all classes and be challenged in the dance classes: Ballet, Character, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and, of course, go to the pool and have a performance at the end of the week. Help yourself improve in all your dance technique, musicality and performance skills! Develop the triple threat in Lafayette! For juniors (3-4 years old and 5-6 years old), half-day camps are $100 week.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Performing arts camps
For those 7 and older, full-day camps are $200 week. See our website to register online and for details! Camps are held weekly from June 11 to Aug. 3. n Denver Center Theater Academy 1101 13th St., Denver 303-446-4892 www.denvercenter.org academy@dcpa.org Co-ed daytime drama programs. Ages 5-18. Learn to act, sing, dance and design sets. All classes taught by professional actors and directors from the DCPA. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 11 through Aug. 10. $200-$450. Scholarships available. n Dog House Music Rock & Roll Camp for teens & kids 303-664-1600 www.doghousemusic.com For beginners, advanced players and bands, our week-long teen camps focus on original songwriting and lessons to improve your technique. Learn from seasoned instructors and band coaches using professional gear, and prepare for your final show — a real gig in a real venue! Half-day kids’ program also available, focusing on basic technique and songwriting. Programs available for ages 6-17. We are locally owned and operated since we opened our doors in 2003. Referral bonus for new campers. n Flying High & Acting Up! Kids Summer Aerial Arts Camp 3022 E. Sterling Circle, #C, Boulder 303-245-8272 www.frequentflyers.org Has your child ever dreamed of flying — the amazing freedom, the weightlessness, the excitement? Join professional teachers of aerial arts, dance and physical theater for an exciting camp! Students ages 8-16 are invited to Frequent Flyers’ Aerial Dance Studio to have fun learning skills on trapeze, aerial fabric, hoop, juggling, acrobatics and so much more. Students will work to combine dance, theater and improvisation to cultivate the skills necessary to become a performing artist. We will adapt a myth or legend into a script that will become the basis of the culminating performance. Help us transform the equipment into a magical world of flying bodies and soaring spirits! Students will divide into groups based on age and ability. Six weeks to choose from! n Guitars Etc. “Rock” Camp 303-776-8388 jason@jasonolsonguitarist.com; sales@guitarsetc.net Boulder Weekly
Guitar Hero ... in real life! Have fun learning songs and performing them as a band and be coached by professional musicians. For ages 9-17. n Imagination! Circus Arts Camp 303-548-9340 www.imaginationcircusarts.com 4747 N. 26th St., Boulder Imagination! Circus Arts Camp is a chance for kids of any skill level to literally join the circus! The camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an entire week. Kids not only learn various circus skills, they also learn how to prepare a specialized act of their choice for presentation, as well as how to rehearse a full show that includes an allcamp finale! It is a jam-packed week with tons of fun and energy. Each child picks his or her act of focus as a “major.” They then follow a schedule that changes each day to fit the needs of that particular group of campers and their skills. The schedule includes “major” rehearsal times, as well as group finale rehearsals that include everything from acro-stunting and mini-tramp to Chinese pole and teeterboard. In between, we work on theatre and performance techniques through games and exercises that progress each day. The last day of the session, the campers rehearse the fulllength show, and then perform the onehour show for their friends and family! Sessions are July 16-20 and July 23-27. For ages 8-16, $300 per child, per session. n Kamp Kutandara 5401 Western Ave., Boulder 303-443-2969 www.kutandara.com Ages 4-14. June dates Monday through Friday. 9 to 11:30 a.m. for 4-5 years old; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for 6-14 years old. Summer camp with a crosscultural twist! Three one-week sessions. Give your child an experience to remember this summer! African drumming and dance, Zimbabwean marimba (ages 6-14), African crafts, new friends and great fun! Nonperishable snack, lunch (if staying until 1 p.m.) and water bottle needed. No prior musical experience necessary. Family discounts and scholarships available. Call Kutandara Center at 303-443-2969, email info@ kutandara.com or visit www.kutandara. com for more information or to register. n A Midsummer Day’s Dream String Camp 7100 South Boulder Rd., Boulder 303-908-2493 www.fsamusic.org fsamusic.contact@gmail.com
Kids Camp Directory
A Midsummer Day’s Dream String Camp. Ages 5-105. Monday, July 16, through Friday, July 20, with July 21 student concert at 2 p.m. and a Thursday faculty concert at 7 p.m. Violin, viola, cello and string quartet. Featuring renowned, award-winning teachers and guest artists from Boston's renowned A Far Cry string ensemble, www.afarcry.org. Come to AMSDD to expand your musicianship and have an awesome time doing it! We offer composition, music appreciation, theory, sight-reading, master classes, orchestral training, improvisation, conducting, fiddle, a beginning program and more. Advanced string quartet seminar for advanced quartet training. n Mojo’s Music ROCK BAND CAMP 1350 Ken Pratt Blvd., Suite 1, Longmont 303-776-3373 www.mojosmusicacademy.com Live music day camp. New sessions begin every Monday through Friday all summer long. 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. We choose music that is fun and intelligent. In the past, we’ve done Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, James Brown, B.B. King and more. Students learn a couple songs per day with professional music instructors all week long. By the end of the week we are ready to perform a concert for parents and friends to watch. The performance takes place during the last hour of camp on Friday afternoon, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Mojo’s Music. Students receive a T-shirt and DVD recording of their concert at the end of the week. n Parlando School for the Arts 303-442-0006 www.parlando.org Parlando School for the Arts offers summer camps and programs for all instruments, ages and abilities, including Summer Music Safari (for young children), Kids-n-Keys, intro classes for most instruments, musical theater and more. n Peanut Butter Players Sum Fun Musical Theater 990 Public Road, Lafayette 303-786-8727 www.peanutbutterplayers.com Four one-week workshops in which students will study a modern American musical, learn songs and dances and scenes, and perform them for parents on the last day. Ages 7-18. June 4-8 is Snoopy!!! June 11-15 is Jungle Book. July 23-27 is Wizard of Oz. July 30-Aug. 10 is Kiss Me, Kate (advanced). n Pegasus Groups (Girls Only!) Pegasus Programs are Adventure
Quests designed to specifically focus on the social, emotional and developmental needs of girls. It is an adventure with more social situations, fewer battles, more riddles and puzzles and, of course, more animal encounters. Join an all-girl group with an all-female staff. n Reel Kids Superior 303-530-7600 www.myreelkids.com Lights! Camera! Action! This fun, high-energy summer camp is packed with improv games, costumes, crazy characters and the very popular "Friday Super Soaker" water gun fight! Each student will rehearse a scene of their choice and discover how to use their own unique personalities to bring their character alive on film. They will also have the opportunity to work on a film crew and learn the basics of movie-making as well. All students will receive a professionally edited DVD of their film and are invited to an end of summer "Red Carpet Premiere Night" for friends and family. (Ages 8-16) New! Spring Break Camp! March 26-30, M-F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. June 11-15, M-F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. June 18-22, M-F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. June 25-29, M-F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Teen only camp! age 12-16) July 16-20, M-F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. July 23-27, M-F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. July 30- Aug. 3, M-F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. n Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts 200 E Baseline Rd., Lafayette 303-665-0599 www.COmusic.org Join us for our summer term June 18 – July 28. Music camps, classes and workshops for all ages and abilities during our six-week term include Music Together, a nationally-certified program featuring songs, movement and instrument play for kids up to 7; Jump Start to Middle School Band for rising sixth graders to build on the skills learned in fifth grade; C’s Jazz in Summer, jazz band and improv classes for all ages; Suzuki Guitar Camp for ages 5-7; String Camp for ages 6-9; Young Strings for ages 3-6; Meet the Instruments for ages 4-9 to explore woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings and keyboard instruments; Classically Kids for ages 9-13; Broadway Kids for ages 9-13; Princess Music Camp for ages 4-6 with singing, dancing, games; World Music Workshops with the Brubeck Brothers, Time for Three and La Clave Secreta and much more. We also offer individual and small group lessons for all ages, all instruments, voice, theory and March 1, 2012 29
Performing arts camps
composition. n Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids — Summer Performing Arts Camp Boulder and Denver 303-245-8150 www.theaterforkids.net May 29 - Aug. 12. Younger Company (ages 5-8): Beauty & The Beast, Wizard of Oz, Charlotte's Web and more! Comprehensive three-week performing arts curriculum for young performers. Combine camps for a full day and save $200. Older Company (ages 8-16): In our 17th summer! Narnia, Aladdin, Gleeful 2 and more! Curriculum includes dance technique, character study, voice training, and more. Actors Academy for the Performing Arts (formerly Rocky Mountain Theatre for Teens) (ages 14-22): Broadway Boot Camp is a unique 10-day theater training intensive where dedicated student performers choose a track in either musical theater or drama and study daily
30 March 1, 2012
with top theatre industry professionals. Our final Showcase will include material from Rent, West Side Story, The Producers, Spring Awakening, Spamalot and more. Students will attend approximately 60 hours of master classes in acting, dance, voice, and auditioning. n Rocky Ridge Music Center 465 Longs Peak Rd., Estes Park 970-586-4031 www.rockyridge.org rrmc@rockyridge.org Ages 10 and up. This summer music camp, located at the foot of Long's Peak near Estes Park, offers a variety of overnight camp sessions designed for music students who want to advance their musical skills in an intense, creative and nurturing environment. Now in its 71st year, Rocky Ridge seminars are designed to improve and broaden musical skills in the areas of strings, woodwinds, brass, piano and voice, through solo, chamber, orchestral and composition studies, all under the guidance of a world-class faculty and
guest artists. Every Sunday afternoon features Music in the Mountains Faculty Concerts. Junior Student Seminars (ages 10-15) June 12-24, July 31-Aug 12; Young Artist Seminar (ages 15-24) June 26-July 29; Adult Piano Seminar (ages 18 and up) June 6-10; Chamberre in the Rockies (ages 18 and up) Aug 15-19; Early Music Festival & Workshop (ages 18 and up) Aug 22-27. n School of Rock 3280 20th St., Boulder 303-532-1201 www.schoolofrockboulder.com Forget arts and crafts and morning swimming lessons. This summer, kids 7-18 will get the ultimate summer camp experience: a chance to be immersed in the fundamentals of rock and roll with School of Rock Summer Camps! There are two types of camps: Performance Camps and Recording/Engineering Camps. Students enrolled in the Rock and Roll Performance Camps will spend a full week working in a hands-on atmosphere learning performance techniques and the
art of being in a rock band. The Recording/Engineering Camp will enable students to learn the basic skills and techniques associated with recording and producing a song from the ground up. n Wolf Theatre Academy 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver 303-316-6360 www.maccjcc.org Grades pre-K to 12. At the Wolf Theatre Academy, our students work with seasoned theatrical professionals who are also versed in the art of theatre education. Our students grow through encouragement in an environment that supports their development as individuals and as artists. Ageappropriate programming allows younger children to focus on play, fun, creation and fantasy, while older students learn the skills that will enable them to approach demanding dramatic material. Our three-week mainstage production classes are fully mounted productions produced by professionals featuring students in grades 6-12.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Special deliveries
Easter Seals
Special needs camps encourage independence and exploration by Hadley Vandiver
W
ill Harmon is a 10-year-old boy who loves the Broncos, go-karts and playing on his Wii. He was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth and, at 2 years old, had not yet learned to walk. Will’s mother, Jodi Harmon, and her son’s physical therapist found a camp that could provide what Will needed to encourage him to walk on his own: the classic summer camp experience with the specialized care that children with disabilities require. With the training he received from Adam’s Camp, Will soon began walking. “We went to Adam’s Camp again the next year, when Will was 3, and it was the same thing — we just saw tremendous growth in him from that week,” Harmon says. Adam’s Camp offers both “therapy” and “adventure” camps, designed to spark development for children with special needs. Like other camps catering to special needs kids, it offers a chance to explore and play but also provides some extra support to help children build the practical skills necessary to be independent adults and develop the confidence to push their own boundaries. “The objective is to help each child have a breakthrough,” says Karel Horney, director and founder of the camp. “We want them to be able to be successful, to have a great sleep-away experience. For many of them, being away at camp is being away from home for the very first time, so it’s incredibly gratifying to see them be successful.” Most special needs summer camps employ counselors and staff members who have experience working with special needs children. Counselors and staff help the children become more independent by asking them to do things for themselves, like tie their own shoes and carry their own bags. The Colorado Center for the Blind offers day camps and overnight camps for people who are visually impaired from elementary to college age. All of their programs are geared toward showing participants that they have the ability to be independent. “Last year, one of our students was Boulder Weekly
saying that his older brother was in a photography class, and it was just one more thing that he would never get to do,” says Brent Batron, youth services coordinator at the Colorado Center for the Blind. “Well, then we held a photography class for our students, and gave him that opportunity. It’s those types of victories — they’re small but they’re huge. Now this kid believes that he can do anything in the world.” Both parents and children often surrender to the idea that children with disabilities, such as blindness or Down syndrome, are incapable of doing things on their own, Batron says. Sending the child to summer camp can help instill confidence in both parties. “As a parent, sometimes, it’s really when we’re in a hurry and trying to get out the door that I just rush to his rescue and do everything for him, but we’re not helping him at all by doing that,” Harmon says. “At Adam’s Camp, I see that really having the expectation for him to do things on his own is huge. A lot of people who have kids with special needs do that, I think, and you do have to be more helpful and watchful with them. But these times at camp let me be so much more confident with letting him go a little bit.” Special needs camps also offer children with disabilities the chance to get out into the world and explore new activities. “We want them to have the best time possible,” says James Pierie, director of the Colorado Lions Camp, where children go swimming, hiking, fishing and rock climbing, along with starring in talent shows and playing games on carnival nights. “The kids here do most anything that anyone else at summer camp would do, except we just run at a little slower pace.” This summer, Will Harmon will go into the “trailblazer” program at Adam’s Camp, which features more challenging activities and a night spent camping in tepees. “Will is 10 now and he wants to be more independent,” Harmon says. “It’s exciting and scary for me. But as we go into these next stages at camp, I know he will just love every second of it and he’ll just continue to grow.”
Kids Camp Directory
Special Needs Day Camps
n Adams Camp YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch 303-563-8290 www.adamscamp.org Children with special needs and their families will take part in intensive, personalized and integrated therapeutic and recreational programs. Our programs are open to children with all types of developmental disabilities beginning at age 1 and up. Programs are offered in the Rockies and in Metro Denver. n Camp Erin 11902 Camp Eden Road, Golden 303-604-5330 www.hospicecareonline.org HospiceCare is excited to sponsor Camp Erin, a free weekend bereavement camp for children and teens, ages 6-17, who have experienced the death of
someone close to them. It runs Aug. 10-12 and combines the fun of a traditional camp with bereavement education and emotional support to help kids cope with grief and loss. All of the activities are facilitated by HospiceCare grief counselors and specially trained volunteers. Camp Erin is free to all campers on a first-come, first-served basis. Activities include outdoor sports, canoe rides, fishing, a challenge course, arts and crafts, creative expression and remembrance activities.
Special Needs Overnight Camps n Colorado Center for the Blind 303-778-1130 March 1, 2012 31
Special needs camps
perspectives YOUTH RADIO ) ) ) ) ) )
Have an interest or passion you like to share?
Want to learn the behind-the-scenes workings of a radio station? Come join KGNU, CU Boulder & Temple Grandin School and learn PERSPECTIVES, the skill of perspectivetaking. Interview each other on topics of your own interest, learning skills for interviewers and interviewees. Monday - Thursday Weeks of June 11, June 18, June 25
for adolescents (grades 6 - 12) with Asperger’s or similar learning profiles. A joint venture of Temple Grandin School, KGNU and the Speech, Language, Hearing Center at CU Boulder
www.TempleGrandinSchool.org 6446 Jay Road, Boulder • 303-554-7363 email: info@templegrandinschool.org 32 March 1, 2012
Adams Camp
www.cocenter.org The Summer Youth Programs at the Colorado Center for the Blind are designated to enable blind students to obtain the skills needed to achieve success in school, interact with peers in a variety of social situations, gain a knowledge of the working world and build self-confidence and selfesteem. Colorado Center for the Blind offers two eight-week programs running from June 8 - Aug. 3. This is the Summer for Success College Prep Program for blind students who will be graduating from high school or attending college this spring, and the Earn and Learn High School Program, which is open to students 14 and older who will be attending high school in the fall. The Initiation to Independence Middle School Program is a three-week program and runs from July 16 - Aug. 3. The programs are residential and the students will share an apartment with roommates and a counselor. The Confidence Camp for Kids is a two-week day program for elementary aged kids, June 11-22. n Colorado Lions Camp Woodland Park 719-687-2087 www.coloradolionscamp.org Residential camp for persons with visual and/or hearing and/or speech impairments, mild cognitive and/or physical challenges. For ages 8-18, 19-30, and 30-plus. Separate week-long sessions for each age group throughout the summer. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, nature studies, storytelling, astronomy, high/low ropes, fishing, Western re-enactment and open campfire. Now wheelchair accessible. Financial sponsorship available. n Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center 11968 Mineral Rd., Longmont 303-652-9131 www.ctrcinc.org CTRC brings together special need and able-bodied campers to learn about horses, riding and enjoy equine activities and crafts. Our structured camps offer a safe and supportive environment to teach
acceptance, understanding, and cooperation — as well as have lots of fun. Camps run Mon-Thurs, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with one-and-a-half hours spent riding, grooming and tacking each day. Choose from several different options. n Easter Seals Colorado Rocky Mountain Village 303-569-2333 www.eastersealscolorado.org campinfo@eastersealscolorado.org Easter Seals is a residential camp offering recreational opportunities to people with disabilities. Their program focuses on promoting equality, dignity and independence in a safe and fun environment. Traditional camp activities, as well as horseback riding, swimming, photography, zip line/climbing wall and more are offered. Please visit the website for details on camps and dates. n First Descents Vail and Estes Park 303-945-2490 www.firstdescents.org First Descents is a non-profit organization based in Boulder that provides outdoor adventure experiences to promote emotional, psychological and physical healing for young adults with cancer, ages 18-39. Since its inception in 2001, First Descents has successfully influenced the lives of more than 600 young adults with cancer, by hosting one-week adventure therapy camps that are completely free for participants. First Descents will host kayaking camps in Vail and climbing camps in Estes Park throughout the summer.
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Biz Girls Camp
Summer Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program One Week Sessions for High School Age Girls e-commerce • Leadership • Marketing • Strategy
http://www.bizgirlscamp.org info@bizgirlscamp.org (720) 353-9350
GIANT LEGO® EXPO • A CAN’T MISS EVENT FOR ALL LEGO LOVERS!
APRIL 27 — 29
Colorado Convention Center, Denver The LEGO® KidsFest offers LEGO lovers an exciting, interactive experience — packed with activities and creative fun — for the entire family! Among the many entertaining attractions, families will find: The Big Brick Pile (more LEGO & DUPLO ® brick than you’ve ever seen in one place) Over 3 acres of family fun, games and challenges Large-scale models built entirely of LEGO bricks LEGO build, race and play tables Awesome photo opportunities Master Builder Academy Giant group builds And so much more…
SCAN THIS CODE TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT!
Visit LEGOkidsfest.com for tickets & more information! LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, the DUPLO logo, the Brick & Knob configurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. Produced by LIFE Marketing & Events. © 2012.
Boulder Weekly
Kids Camp Directory
March 1, 2012 33
ART OF
S CCER
2012 SUMMER PROGRAM Ages 7-16 June 4 - 8, June 11 - 15 in Boulder June 25 - 29 in Longmont
A Soccer Camp Known For: Excellence in Skill Development and Team Tactics Innovative and Challenging Training Sessions Emphasis on Flexibility, Style, and Variations! “We began taking our daughter to Layi and his unique “Art of Soccer” style of play at a very early age. Whether she needed a quick refresher or just some added confidence, Layi delivered. Layi understands how to keep the beautiful game intact while adding the needed hard edge required to reach the next level. It’s tough, aggressive and beautiful all at the same time! Every move he teaches has purpose as well as Rhythm. We would recommend him for any player who wants to play in college and beyond.” —W.R. Wagner
For more information on ART OF SOCCER Call Layi Olorunsola at
303-494-0264
Best Choice The TheBest BestChoice ChoiceIn InRocky RockyMountain Mountain Camping Camping 65 Campingfor for66 65years!! years!! Ride Rideaahorse horsethrough throughPike PikeNational NationalForest Foreston onthe theway wayto to our ourown ownoutpost, outpost,The TheMeadow! Meadow!Fish Fishfor fortrout troutor orcanoe canoeinin our ourlake, lake, zip zipthrough throughthe theforest foreston onour ournewly newlyredone redoneropes ropes course, course,or ormeet meetkids kidsfrom fromall allover overthe theUS USand andmany manyforeign foreign countries! countries!Our Ourmany manyretuming retumingstaff staffmembers membersand andcampers campers ensure ensureour ourspirit spiritand andfamily familyatmosphere! atmosphere!Coach CoachBill Billand and Dorothy DorothyAllen Allencre-ated cre-atedaachildren’s children’sworld worldwhere wherekids kidscan can grow growininall allways waysininthe thegreat greatoutdoors outdoorswith withthe thehelp helpof of excellent excellentcounselors. counselors. Ages Ages77--16 16 Staff Staffto toCamper CamperRatio: Ratio:11--66
Call Callor orwrite writeto: to:Suzie SuzieAllen AllenGraf Graf P.O. P.O.Box Box146, 146,Florissant, Florissant,CO CO80816 80816 (719) (719)748-3279 748-3279Fax: Fax:(719) (719)748-3472 748-3472 campbluemt@aol.com campbluemt@aol.com www.bluemountainranch.com www.bluemountainranch.com
Boulder County’s Premiere Private Aquatic Training Facility
• Internationally Accredited Swim Program • Professionally Trained Teachers • 88 Degree Pool! • Small Classes: Max 4:1 Student to Instructor Ratio • Classes Run Monday - Thursday • Private and By-Appointment Lessons
3015 Bluff St., Boulder 303.440.SWIM (7946) www.swimschoolboulder.com 34 March 1, 2012
Programs brought to you by
After you improve your swimming, there’s often a natural desire to transition into snorkeling and diving, two programs that are also taught at Ocean First Divers. Children as young as seven can begin the SSI SCUBA RANGERS program and snorkeling can be learned at any age. Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Competition in question
Single Track Adventure
Choosing the right sports camp by Travis Mannon
S
ports camps are designed to provide a fun and healthy environment for kids, but the competitive nature of sports is unavoidable. When choosing a sports camp, both parents and children should consider long-term goals: Do you want your child to become the next Tim Tebow, or do you just want to keep them away from the abysmal depths of Facebook and YouTube for the summer? Matching the right level of competitiveness for your kid with the right sports camp helps keep everyone happy — and hopefully off the bench. And it’s a choice that can have both immediate and long-term effects on your child’s mental health and development. “Depending on [children’s] perception of the importance of competitive outcomes, a losing outcome could have a negative effect on their self-concept and selfesteem,” says Brian D. Butki, a health and exercise science professor at Colorado State University and the director of the school’s summer sports camp. “If losing is kept in perspective, it can be a positive developmental feature, but we often have trouble keeping losing in perspective,” Butki says. “Losing builds character, sure — but only in moderation. No one wants to be a loser. That has very lasting and very negative lifetime consequences.” Most camp directors, including Butki, will tell you that competition should be the by-product, not the focus of the camps. By emphasizing skill development and a fun environment, Butki says that “we’re going to boost their self-esteem, we’re going to boost their confidence, and we’re going to make them a little bit healthier because they’re going to enjoy what they’re doing.” According to David Vaughan, director of FC Boulder Summer Camps, “kids are competitive by nature,” which enables camps to focus on improving players’ skills rather than trying to create a competitive environment. However, for kids who already think they’re the next Carmelo Anthony, Vaughan says well-managed competition can keep players’ egos in check. “If [competition] is not managed corBoulder Weekly
rectly, if you have a top player who is always winning and always succeeding, then they can become complacent and they expect to win all the time,” Vaughan explains. Whether you’re the dad who sends his kids off to camp with a Band-Aid-filled fanny pack or you’re the mom berating the refs from the bleachers, an important thing to keep in mind is what your kids want for themselves. Chris Coker, president and CEO of the Boulder Valley YMCA, says that kids should consider whether they want to maintain their skills over summer or improve them because they are going to be playing again on a team in the fall. That distinction determines whether a kid should attend a recreational, love-of-the-game style camp, where half the day is spent playing a sport and the other half doing fun activities and going on field trips, or a competitive, intensive camp that is going to advance skills to the next level, Coker says. Parents who are concerned about placing their children in a competitive environment should move beyond the brochures and ask some questions. How does the camp divide groups between skill level and age? What is the camp director’s philosophy on competition and fun? But most importantly, parents should ask themselves about how hard they want to push their kids, why, and in which direction. Five ways to help afford summer camp • Look around for scholarships – Many camps offer scholarships to kids with good grades and exemplary behavior in school. • Shop around for half-day or halfweek options. • Negotiate a payment plan – Many camps do not advertise but still provide a payment plan option. • Check for hidden costs – Is there any additional gear or equipment you need to buy? Does the price include the costs of lunches and field trips? • Avoid gimmicky and flashy advertisements – giveaways and special guest appearances can raise costs without adding much value.
Kids Camp Directory
Sports Camps Day Camps
n Arapahoe YMCA Sports Camp (entering first-sixth grade) Enjoy a day camp with a sports focus. Every week campers will experience sport clinics, scrimmages, a themed field trip and end the week with a final game and swimming! Weeks are scheduled to take advantage of the wonderful array of sports options available in the Denver/ Boulder area. Field trips to Coors Field and the Denver Broncos practice facility are just some of the fun trips campers will get to participate in. May 31 to August 12. $220 for YMCA members/$245 non-member n Art of Soccer 7750 Jade Ct., Boulder 303-494-0264 This camp is on skill development and team tactics, with an emphasis on flexibility, style and variations. The advanced student will participate in drills to improve ability to read the game and adjust quickly and effectively as it evolves. The camp is co-ed, for ages 7-16. n Boulder County Force Soccer Camps 1510 28th St., Suite 100, Boulder 303-443-8877 www.bcforce.com FC Boulder Soccer Camps provide an environment for soccer development for players of all abilities. Our camps maintain a focus on the FC Boulder club values of community, character, passion and achievement. Players will receive small-group training involving soccer
fundamentals, techniques and tactics. Activities will be designed to accommodate players of all skill levels and abilities. FC Boulder camps welcome recreational and competitive-based players who are looking not only to improve themselves as soccer players, but also to have fun playing the beautiful game of soccer. For ages 4-14. n Boulder Indoor Soccer Camp 2845 29th St., Boulder www.boulderindoorsoccer.com 303-440-0809 Boulder Indoor Soccer is currently starting its 10th year of summer camps. The Indoor Summer Soccer Camps will be offered for mornings, afternoons or full-day camps. Players can register for individual half days, full days or the entire week. We offer discounts for multiple days registered within one week. Under the direction of Coach Peter Ambrose, the indoor camps offer a wide variety of individual skill training, small sided games and optional swimming in the afternoons! The Boulder Rapids Outdoor Summer Soccer Camps are heading into their 14th year. The camps give players a full week of training. Under the direction of Peter Ambrose, BIS’s coaching staff will provide professional training sessions that are both educational and fun! Utilizing a 1:10 ratio of staff to campers at the Pleasant View Soccer Complex, each player will be taught the technical skills of soccer, match-related activities and small sided games. n Boulder Quest Center March 1, 2012 35
Sports camps
1501 Lee Hill Road, #18, Boulder 303-440-3647 www.boulderquest.com info@boulderquest.com Boulder Quest transforms your life with the magic of real martial arts. The Ninja of ancient Japan were martial arts wizards who unlocked the secrets of nature to protect their family and friends. Nine families through time have passed down these lessons to our generation. Imagine the wonder of visionary secrets that would allow campers to deal with dangerous personal security issues decisively, powerfully and successfully, while feeling safe to be heroically kind, benevolent and helpful. Boulder Quest teaches ways to increase the likelihood of your peace, security and well-being, while not encouraging violence. Join on the path of the warrior wizards of Japan. The path of the protector awaits! n Boulder Indoor Cycling 3550 Frontier Ave., Suite A, Boulder 303-292-5464 www.boulderindoorcycling.com Boulder Indoor Cycling offers camps and clinics throughout the year whenever kids are off school. Our coaches follow a specialized daily itinerary that will take your child to the next level in their cycling. While campers spend the day riding around our various trails, they perfect their balance, confidence and technique while having fun. All camps and clinics include both indoor and outdoor activities. For children ages 5 to 15 years old. Campers can register for any of our camps and clinics on a daily or weekly basis and even break down the days into morning or afternoon sessions.
n Boulder Rapids Youth Soccer Camp www.rapidsreserve.com 303-440-0809 Boulder and Longmont The Boulder Rapids Reserve Soccer Camp, under the direction of Head Coach Peter Ambrose, provides players with a competitive and enjoyable experience. Our guest staff features past professional coaches, United States National Under-23 Team Players and current college All-Americans from across the country are scheduled to attend. Campers will receive specialized competitive training on soccer fundamentals, techniques and tactics. This camp is designed for recreational and competitive based soccer players who desire quality coaching while having fun. Daily activities include warm up, stretching, shooting and finishing on goal, striking a driven ball with proper technique, passing and receiving, technical ball control, skill work, feints and the art of deception with the ball, foot speed with the ball, defensive shape and movement training.w n Boulder Rock Club Climbing Camps 2829 Mapleton Ave., Boulder 303-447-2804 www.totalclimbing.com Based out of Boulder, the Boulder Rock Club is offering week-long climbing camps that suit both beginners and expert climbers. Each day, students will climb at a different outdoor climbing location in and around Boulder, practicing climbing skills, focusing on outdoor leadership development and having fun! They’ll spend their afternoons riding bikes at Boulder Indoor Cycling
twice a week, and swimming on Fridays. Camps are broken up into three different age groups (6-8, 9-11, 12+). The camps run from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 or 4 p.m. (depending on age group). The Boulder Rock Club is also offering an indoor climbing camp option. Students ages 6-14 can take part in a half-day or full-day camp. They will be placed into smaller groups of similar-aged students. Our indoor camps focus on safety skills, climbing technique and having fun! The Boulder Rock Club has been awarded the “Best of Boulder” seven years running! Both camp options start in June and run weekly through August. Each day starts and ends at the Boulder Rock Club located at 2829 Mapleton Ave., Boulder. 303-447-2804, www.totalclimbing.com n City of Boulder Sports Camps 303-441-3410 www.boulderparks-rec.org Call or visit the website for schedules and locations. Ages vary by sport. n Colorado Academy Mustang Sports Camps 3800 S. Pierce St., Denver 303-914-2531 www.coloradoacademysummer.org Whether for a competitive player or an individual achiever, Mustang Sports Camps are a special experience for young people. Camps include team sports, adventure sports, taekwondo, horsemanship, fencing, yoga, bowling and more.
n Itsera Martial Arts & Family Fitness 7960 Niwot Road, B12, Niwot 303-652-0104 www.itserafitness.com At Itsera’s Martial Arts camp, kids will learn and build on the values of respect, courtesy, listening to our parents, selfconfidence, self-discipline as well as a great physical fitness outlet. During the week, kids will participate in a number of martial arts-based skills and drills, plus other great activities to keep them engaged throughout their week. This is an all-day camp. Drop-off is at 8:45 a.m. and pick up is at 4 p.m. Our week ends with a camp graduation where we invite all parents to attend so that you can see all the fun things your children learned with a week-ending show. n Junior Tennis Program at Millenium Harvest House 1345 28th St., Boulder 303-449-5033 www.harvesthousetennis.com Staffed by some of the area’s top teaching professionals, this program is modeled after the best player development programs in the country. The program encompasses ages 4 to 18 and all levels of aspiring tennis players. The program is structured and fun and focuses on helping players get a feel for the game through stroke development, shot placement, strategy and match play. You can sign up by the week. n N Zone Sports Boulder Area 303-832-7043 www.NZoneSports.com N Zone Sports provides what youth sports programs should: a fun, safe, and
N’ Counter The Ultimate Youth Sports Experience • Games played on Saturday mornings • Emphasis on having fun! • Every child plays, regardless of ability • No tryouts or fundraisers • Play on the same team with a friend
(3)832-7043 www.nzonesports.com
• Ages 3-14 • Boys & Girls • Flag Football • Basketball • Soccer • Cheer & More! 36 March 1, 2012
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
Sports camps
rewarding experience for all participants. N Zone offers the best elements and values sports teach, while eliminating typical downfalls associated with most leagues. Kids ages 3-14 may participate in sports programs and camps/clinics such as flag football, basketball, soccer, cheerleading and more. Emphasizing fun and healthy competition, there are no drafts or tryouts required. Teams practice one day a week learning the sport while focusing on the value of good sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork. Parents enjoy a trusted program with background checks for all coaches as well as the convenience of games scheduled one day a week on Saturday mornings. Get N the Zone with N Zone sports. More information on current sports offerings, camps and clinics can be found at www.NZoneSports.com or call us today at 303-832-7043. n Northern Colorado Fencers 1949 33rd St., Boulder 303-443-6557 www.ncfencers.org Exciting, fun and safe fencing camps for young beginners! For ages 7-13. Camps run half-days, either 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, most weeks throughout the summer. All fencing equipment provided for use. Participants should wear long, loose pants, T-shirts and non-marking athletic shoes. Please see our website (www.ncfencers.org) to register online and to find out more about our camps, our club and our sport! Camps cost $170/week (multiple weeks/ sibling discounts available). Call (303-4436557) or email (ncfboulder@gmail.com) us for more information. n The Spot Climbing School 3240 Prairie Ave., Boulder
303-379-8806 www.thespotgym.com This is a great outlet for kids this summer. The friendly, safe and experienced staff will guide your child through an incredible summer full of adventure in the Boulder foothills. Rock climbing outdoors provides a great engaging challenge in a cooperative team environment. Outdoor summer camps at the Spot are great for all abilities, from the first-time youth climber to the elite teen preparing for serious climbing competition. n Swim School of Boulder and Scuba Rangers Program 3051 Bluff St., Boulder 303.444.7234 www.oceanfirstdivers.com You're ready for your little ones to learn to swim, but how can you be sure the person that will teach them knows what they're doing? That's where The Swim School of Boulder steps in and shows the way using standards-based training systems that begin with ethical standards and move toward specifics of teaching. Our standardized lesson plan, known as the Gold Script, allows us to create an open enrollment program without impact to the progression of the swimmer. Classes are tailored to the individual swimmer based on ability, not on a timeframe for completion, allowing swimmers to move up on an individualized basis. Do you have kids over 7 years old? Check out our Scuba Rangers for kids between 7 and 12 years old who are looking for action-packed fun in Boulder County’s only heated dive pool. Scuba missions offer a variety of exciting pool dives with a chance to meet new friends. This is an excellent way to introduce kids
to scuba diving. The kids are taught the skills and knowledge they need to become safe and successful divers in a fun-yet-controlled environment. Contact us today to get your children swimming and exploring the magic of the underwater world! n Teens, Inc. British Soccer Camp 151 East St., Nederland 303-258-3821 www.teensinc.org Teens, Inc. hosts the popular weeklong British Soccer program where culture and sports meet. Talented young adults from England come to the U.S. to share their soccer skills with youth ages 3-16. Participants learn soccer skills, sportsmanship and have lots of fun. Also offering Athletic Adventures camp, a general summer camp with arts and crafts, gymnastics, music, field trips and more! British Soccer Camp is June 20-24. Athletic Adventure Camp is June 2 through Aug. 13. n University of Colorado Sports Camps CU campus, Boulder www.cubuffs.com/camps Day and overnight camps for all ages from May through July. This is the opportunity to learn your favorite sports from your team, the Colorado Buffaloes. CU Athletics offers summer sport camps for the following sports: football, basketball, tennis, golf, ski, volleyball and soccer. The camps provide a chance to work with CU coaches and athletes, experience life on campus, and play where the Buffaloes play. n YMCA of Boulder Valley Skateboarding Camps Boulder
303-664-5455 www.ymcabv.org (entering fourth-12th grade) The Y has been providing skateboarding programs for more than 10 years with a focus on balancing safety with skill development. Campers are introduced to a variety of challenging techniques such as long boarding, downhill, street and park skating. This provides plenty of opportunity for skaters to return year after year to explore the next level of skating. Safety is our highest priority, therefore, campers are required to have proper safety equipment. Classes and camps are very small due to individual attention given to skaters. Register early! n YMCA of Boulder Valley Y Riders Cycle Camps Boulder 303-664-5455 www.ymcabv.org Y-Riders biking camps have been teaching kids and teens to ride successfully and safely for more than 25 years. The unique progression of the Y-Riders camps allows riders to come back year after year and gain new skills and experiences, which grow their riding ability to new heights throughout their lifetime! Starting in first grade, children can learn how to ride a two-wheeler in “Learn to Bike” and build their skills at “Y-Riders Basic Skills.” Jr-Y-Riders and Local Adventures offer skills in path riding and mountain biking, and for those teens that want the ultimate experience, join us for “Colorado Excursions” to explore the mountains of Colorado in a week-long camping and bike trek. Small groups with low ratios provide the perfect environment for campers to learn safe biking and build their skills. Our staff
FLY WITH WITH FREQUENT FREQUENT FLYERS! FLYERS! Flying High and Acting Up! FLY Summer Aerial Aerial Camps Camps Summer for kids kids for
Have fun fun learning learning skills skills on on Have trapeze, aerial aerial fabric fabric and and hoop hoop trapeze, 8-116yrs, 6yrs, Mon-Fri, Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm 9am-3pm 8weeks available: available: 55 weeks Weeks Available: June 6th 6th6 -10th -10th June June June4th13th8th -17th June 25th-29th June 13th -17th June11th-15th 20th-24th -24th July 9th-13th June 20th July 11th 11th -15th July 16th-20th July -15th June 18th-22nd July 18th 18th-22nd -22nd July Info/Registration: Info/Registration: www.frequentflyers.org or or www.frequentflyers.org 303-245-8272 303-245-8272
Boulder Weekly
Kids Camp Directory
March 1, 2012 37
Eldorado Mountain Yoga Camp for Kids Summer 2012
Sports camps
Woodward at Copper
Offering 7 Week-Long Day Camps Monday through Friday - 9 am to 3 pm Session Session Session Session Session Session Session
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
June 4 - 8 June 11 - 15 June 18 - 22 June 25 - 29 July 9 - 13 July 16 - 20 July 23 - 27
Eldorado Mountain Yoga Camp
(303) 249-1671
www.EldoradoYoga.org
2875 County Road 67 • Boulder, CO 80303 BoulderWeekly-KidsCamp-1/4page.indd 1
2/24/12 1:21 PM
have extensive experience in biking and working with groups of campers. n YMCA of Boulder Valley Sports Day Camp Boulder 303-664-5455 (entering first-eighth grade) This camp is designed for the sports fan, with different sports offered throughout the summer! From the beginner to sports enthusiast, there is always something to learn at sports camp. Campers will learn “The Y Way to Play” through healthy competition during mini scrimmages. In order to give our active bodies the rest and relaxation they need, team building and board games will be offered during a break in the day to allow our active bodies to re-fuel. “Splash days” in our outdoor pool will be included each week, along with a field trip — related to the theme on most weeks. Basketball weeks offered at both Arapahoe and Mapleton Y facilities. Optional Swim Lessons: We are offering a MondayThursday swim lesson session from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. at our outdoor Arapahoe Y 38 March 1, 2012
facility pool for an additional fee. Shuttle drop-off and pick-up service from the Mapleton YMCA is available at no additional fee. Check the website for descriptions for each camp: www.ymcabv.org.
Sports camps Overnight Camps n Woodward at Copper 888-350-1544 Copper Mountain www.woodwardatcopper.com Woodward at Copper is a year round ski and snowboard program offering half and full week summer camps. Woodward at Copper offers the Barn, the first indoor snowboard and ski training facility with trampolines, foam pits and Snowflex jumps dedicated to terrain park and pipe progression. Campers develop their tricks in the Woodward at Copper Barn and progress them in Copper Mountain’s summer terrain parks. New this year: We are offering Freeride Mountain Bike and Digital Media Camp!
Kids Camp Directory Boulder Weekly
COTTAGE DAYCAMP
Horseback Riding • Amusement Parks Water Parks • Bowling • Mini-Golf Roller Skating • Waterslide Pools Laser Tag Museums and more! Base Camp Activities: Art, Pottery, Carpentry, Science, Cooking, Sports, Games and more!
COTTAGE SCHOOL
• Preschool & Kindergarten • Infant/Toddler Nursery • School Age Programs • Creative Curriculum in Boulder • Montessori in Longmont
Valley to Vistas OuTdOOr ExPEriEnCE July 22-29, 2012 This eight-day overnight adventure starts at Fountain Valley School’s main campus in Colorado Springs before heading up to the School’s 40-acre Mountain Campus at the base of Mt. Princeton in Buena Vista. Hike, Bike, Raft, ClimB, leaRn For boys and girls entering grades 6th-8th Find out more at fvs.edu/valleytovistas or call 719.391.5426
BOULDER 805 30th St. 1301 North St. 303-449-4380 303-546-6814 LONGMONT 1941 Terry St. 303-651-3780 Boulder Weekly
Kids Camp Directory
March 1, 2012 39
Community Camp Guide • All skills levels Beginner - Expert • 3 Age Groups (6-8, 9-11, 12+)
Join the fun! Aerial circus arts like trap, fabric, web, swings, Chinese pole, circus bike, mini tramp and more! Perform an act for the last day show, and a full camp acro finale!
• Climb a different outdoor location each day
The first and best circus arts camp in Boulder!
(In and around Boulder)
Session 1: July 16-20 Session 2: July 23-27
• We also ride bikes and swim We also offer indoor programs! See our website for information.
Check website for possible overflow session
Boulder Rock Club 2829 Mapleton Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301. 303-447-2804
Phone: 303.548.9340 Email: marcy@imaginationcircusarts.com Visit www.imaginationcircusarts.com for registration info Boulder Circus Center • 4747 N. 26th Street, Boulder
www.totalclimbing.com
TRIPLE CREEK RANCH in Longmont has amazing camps!
Presenting: A Mid-Summer Day’s Dream String Camp! Monday, July 16th through Saturday, July 21st 9am-4pm Featuring renowned award-winning teachers!
Drill Team Horse Camp • Wanna be a Cowgirl/ Cowboy Camp • Fantasy Horse Camp •
Classes offered: Music theory and history Orchestra Beginner Program Master class Quartet Seminar Fiddle Program Jazz & More!
Lessons, Birthday Parties & More!
For more info on our classes Call 303-908-6784, check out our website: www.FSAmusic.org, or email us at info@fsamusic.org
Learn more at triplecreek-ranch.com Or call 303-444-4291
at at
summer camps
First Rate
Studio, Projects, Instruction,
FUN!
Where flavors, friends at& fun happen!
Paint First Rate Create More Friendship. More Nature. More Camp. Paint Create Studio,First Rate Day Camps ages: 5 - 11
Leadership & Backpacking ages: 11 - 14
proJects,Studio, Paint pro ects,Create instruction, J
ages: 7 - 15
First Rate
Studio, • Spring Break Mini Camªps First Rate
aocamps.com s p r i n g b r e a k c a m p poshsplat.com/kids 303.442.7674 720.249.2997 hiking climbing teambuilding ecology crafts songs and more! sposhsplat.com/kids pring break camp spring break camp
SUMMER Cooking Camps
• No-School Day Classes
Paint Create instruction,
poshsplat.com/kids FUN ! s p r i nposhsplat.com/kids g break camp 303.442.7674 FUN ! Sleep Away Camp
•
at
proJects, Studio, • Birthday Parties proJinstruction, ects, instruction,
FUN !
Cooking for ages 5-16
1140 S. Lashley Lane, Boulder 303.494.2665 • www.stiritupcooking.com
FUN ! 303.442.7674
303.442.7674
The nation’s
#1
music educator
is now enrolling for our next season’s shows Bob Marley, Rolling Stones and Beastie Boys vs. Beck
Now accepting applications for this summer’s performance and recording camps. Call now or enroll online before they fill up!
Wanna learn more? Call 303-532-1201 or visit www.schoolofrock.com
INDOOR SOCCER SUMMER CAMP
All Summ Long er !
Full and Half Day Camps Weekly Rates
Ages 4-15 yrs
Keep It Cool This Summer!
Only Soccer Camp With Swimming 303.440.0809 BoulderIndoorSoccer.com
OUTDOOR SOCCER SUMMER CAMP s $129 / Week Age s Boulder - Longmont 4-15 yr Select Weeks Only
F U Ndamental
Soccer Training 303.440.0809 RapidsReserve.com