June 17, 2005

Kids getting bored yet?

Try these local summer camps

- San Jose Safari Summer Day Camp
Children explore the world in San Jose’s own backyard in this summer day camp for ages 7 to 10, based at the Guadalupe Gardens Visitor Center in San Jose. Small groups of 15 children foster new friendships as they set out on a new adventure each day. The Safari is a weeklong “trek” of discovery through several of San Jose’s premier cultural institutions.

Swimming, rock climbing and bonding with camp counselors and new friends are just some of the activities that the local YMCA offers.

The Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens are collaborating with History San Jose, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium, San Jose Museum of Art, Don Edward’s San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and the Winchester Mystery House to present a full week of unique educational experiences right here in their own city.

Contact Education Coordinator Kary Wilson at education@grpg.org or (408) 298-7657, or visit www.grpg.org, for more information or to sign up for a San Jose Safari Summer Camp. Camps are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the weeks of June 27, July 18, Aug. 1 and Aug. 15. The cost is $225 per child, per week.

- Camp Galileo comes to Evergreen
Three leading educational organizations teamed up with Galileo Educational Services to bring a rich summer day camp experience to kids in Evergreen for the first time this year.

Camp Galileo, combining programming from The Tech Museum of Innovation, Art in Action, and Klutz, will be hosted at James F. Smith Elementary from June 20 to July 22. An art, science and outdoor summer day camp, Camp Galileo started in 2002 in Palo Alto and now operates in 10 cities throughout the Bay Area, including Evergreen.

Part of Camp Galileo’s winning formula is using a very hands-on method of learning. The Tech Museum’s “Design in Mind” approach requires in science, for example, that kids spend most of the time solving engineering challenges with restrictions on time and materials.

Over 200 kindergarten through fifth graders in Evergreen will attend Camp Galileo this summer. “Our goal is to bring museum-quality programming straight to people’s backyards. We’re thrilled James F. Smith has given us the opportunity to offer this program in Evergreen this year,” remarks Tripp.

To ensure wide participation, Camp Galileo is granting 600 scholarships over its 10 locations this summer, more than double the number offered last year. Each scholarship provides the recipient a full week of camp. For more information, visit www.galileoed.com, www.campgalileo.com, or call (800) 854-3684.

- East Valley Family YMCA Summer Camp
East Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Steve Cardinale and his staff look forward to offering enriching and memory making activities this summer.

“Every experience our summer participants have is intended to provide an opportunity to explore new adventures and create lasting friendships. We are offering diverse, age-appropriate programs that are challenging and fun for children in grades one through nine with new camps beginning weekly through Aug.15,” he says.

East Valley’s traditional day camps are divided into two groups for campers entering grades one through three and entering four through six. Both camps are held at East Valley Family YMCA at 1975 S. White Road.

Campers will meet new friends and express their growing independence under the supervision of qualified and caring YMCA camp staff. Activities include games, sports, filed trips, nature activities, arts and crafts and swimming.

Teen Camps for grades seven through nine include team building, swimming, sports and a highlight trip each week.
Sports Day Camps offer campers the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new friends and learn teamwork. Y’s World of Sports exposes campers to basketball, soccer, wall climbing and flag football and helps them build skills in each area.

East Valley has five new specialty camps including Scrapbooking Camp, Tae Kwon Do Camp for beginners and an Art Odyssey Camp where campers will work on various projects to express their creativity.

The East Valley YMCA program is accredited by the American Camp Association and offers children positive developmental experiences that surround them with support, empowerment, boundaries, expectations and constructive use of time.

YMCA membership and programs are open to everyone, and financial assistance is available to those who need it through confidential arrangements. For more information call (408) 715-6500 or check online at www.scvymca.org/eastvalley.