Valley Camps Offer Fun in the Summertime

It seems like summer only just started but in reality, we’re already midway through the season. Surprisingly, there are plenty of openings available in local summer camps and vacation Bible schools. Here is information provided by churches and synagogues about upcoming programs in our Patch.

Valley Village

"Come and share your summer with us. Make new friends and a lifetime of memories. We offer an array of fabulous activities including: sports, Krav Maga, cooking, karate, art, dance, and much more."

For more information contact Camp Director Debra Peterkofsky at (818)766-4992 x 283 or debrap@adatarieldayschool.org.

Kindercamp: Kindergarten only; $250 per week attending 5 days, $220 per week attending 4 days, $180 per week attending 3 days. 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Junior Camp:  Kindergarten - 5th grade; $350 per week attending 5 days, $300 attending 4 days, $240 attending 3 days. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, from June 27 – August 19.

CIT (Counselor in Training): grades 6-9; $175 per week, may attend any/or all days of the week. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

"Camp Gan Israel Campers will enjoy a wide range of age appropriate, exciting activities and field trips, in a warm and vivacious atmosphere.

"Our camp is located at Nestle Avenue School in Tarzana."

Gan Israel Day Camp consists of one 4-week and one 3-week session; your child may attend one or both sessions: 
June 27 – July 22 (4 weeks) and
 July 25 – August 12 (3 weeks).

To register online, click here. Or fill out the application and send it to the camp office along with a $200 deposit per child. This deposit is non-refundable. Balance must be paid in full, before camp begins. Camp office: 18181 Burbank Blvd. Tarzana, (818) 906-9540

Standard Program (girls & boys age 4.09-11),
daily $65 per day,
weekly $299 per week

7 Week Special: Attend 6 weeks, get the 7th week FREE!

Pioneer Program (girls & boys age 12-14), daily $90 per day, weekly $375 per week

7 Week Special: Attend 6 weeks, get the 7th week FREE!

There is a 5% discount for each additional child of the same family. Lunch is provided to all campers at no extra cost!

All trips and activities are provided at no additional cost with the exception of one major trip per session as well as optional extra curricular trips such as late-nights, overnights and weekends. Tuition fees are non refundable.

Extended Care: Camp Gan Israel offers Extended Care for the hours of 7:30 am to 9:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. This service is not provided in combination with transportation. The fees are $10 per day or $30 per week. Click here for an "Extended Care" application. For further information please call the office.

, Sherman Oaks

Vacation Bible School runs from August 8 – 12th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. "We are doing the Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street program where Jesus makes a difference every day!  It's based on five parables where the focus is on five main faith points: Gratitude, Compassion, Forgiveness, Grace and Faithfulness. We will have fabulous crafts, games, Bible time, singing, and great snacks during the week. Children of all faiths are welcome to join us and registration is not limited to church membership.  

"We have openings and registration forms can be obtained via e-mail at jane.churchchimes@sbcglobal.net or by calling the church office at (818) 789-7124."

Class levels: Pre-school/Pre-K, Early Elementary (Grades K-2) and Tween (Grades 3-5). Kids 6th grade and up are welcome to help for community service hours after an interview. "Cost for the whole week is only $50 and scholarships are available because if someone wants to be a part of God's world, we will be there for them."

EJM Armenian Evangelical Conference Center

Camp Arev " Summer camp sessions include awesome worship, Biblical teaching, culturally enriching experiences like Armenian Heritage and Kebab Night, adventures, games, team challenges, new friends, and a great time of learning away from home."

For more information contact info@camparev.org or (818) 507-0922.

High School (9th - 12th grade): July 17 – 23, $285

Juniors (4th - 6th grade: July 31 – August 6, $285

College (18 - 29 years old): August 11 – August 14, $135

Family discount 10% for additional siblings.

is hosting Upside Down and Inside Out on Main Street Vacation Bible School, August 1 – 5 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm for ages 3 years (and potty trained) through 6th grade.  Cost is $50 for the entire week. Scholarships available. "Come join us for a week of fun in the Son!" Registration forms are available in the church office 5000 Colfax Ave. from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Contact VBS Director Catie Franks or Director of Christian Education Shari Bates (818)

766-8103 for more information.

Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences

"Summer Camp offers a variety of fun and fantastic opportunities for campers in grades 1-12. Programs are hosted at four different sites (El Camino Pines, Yolijwa and two Beach Camp locations). There is also option for an off site Adventure Camp. All of our camps are weeklong experiences that include games, crafts, swimming, campfire, Bible studies, worship, hiking and more.  This year's theme Jesus Chooses U, based on John 15:16, focuses on how Jesus’ call protects, speaks, comes, and meets with each and everyone of us exactly where we are in life on a daily basis."

Arts and Music Camp -El Camino Pines: For campers in 1st grade - 8th grade, July 24 – 29, $365

Explorers, Pioneers, Discoverers

Explorers (grades 2 – 4): $365, mini week $275

Pioneers (grades 4 - 6): $365

Discoverers (grades 6 - 8): $365

Teen Camp

El Camino Pines for campers in grades 9–12, July 31 – August 5, $365

Beach Camp for campers in grade 6–12, $415

Staff in Training Program (SIT) for campers ages 16-17, July 9 – Aug.6, $250

Rising Star Musical Theatre Troupe Summer Camps, Studio City    

Run by Beth and Rob Meurer, members of Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City at the Church. For information call (818) 267-4839 or email risingstarcmtt@sbcglobal.net 

Session 1 has already begun!

Session 1, Annie Jr., Ages 7 – 14, July 11 – 30, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, $525 

Session 2, Guys & Dolls Jr., Ages 7 – 14, August 1 – 20, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, $525

Rising Star Master Class, She Loves Me (update: this teen session has been cancelled due to insufficient enrollment)

"Rising Star is expanding to offer a more sophisticated program for our teen performers. This production will be run in a professional manner so that our fabulous teen performers can begin to transition into a professional environment."

Ages 13  - 18 (unless approved by director), August 1 – 15, Monday to Friday 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, $200 

NEW! 

Musical Theatre Camp

 1 Week Intensive

August 22 – 26

Camp 1, ages 5 – 7, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Camp 2, ages 8 – 12, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Regular Price $300.  Email to request Special Discount of $100 on this class

Additional siblings are $25 off.

, North Hollywood

"St. Paul's Summer Program has been designed to assist St. Paul's School families to have a safe, fun, and educational summer in a Christian environment. The camp has been designed to give families one place where children can enjoy the summer at one low price - offering Bible Classes, music, arts & crafts, sports, trips, and a variety of fun activities." Camp ends August 5.

Sizzling Summer Camp, ages 6-12 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with extra care 7:00 am to 9:00 am and again 4:00pm to 6:00 pm.  

Choose from 2-5 days per week with prices from $80-$155. 

Vacation Bible School, FREE for ages 2 through 10, August 1– 5, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Activities include arts and crafts, music, games, Bible stories, food and refreshments. 

Register any day at 8:45 am. Parents are welcome to accompany children. 

Check our website for all extra details & forms: Sizzling Summer Camp or call Barbara Hartel (818) 763-2892 for more info. 

Salvation Army, San Fernando Valley Corps, Van Nuys

Vacation Bible School theme this year is Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus Was a Kid

"Our main focus is to reach our Spanish speaking community, but part of our program will be bilingual (English and Spanish). There will be bible lessons, arts and crafts, games, and snacks."

Bible school is for children 5 – 12 years old, July 25 – July 29, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Closing ceremony on July 31 at 10:00 am.

Bible school is free. Applications are still being accepted. VBS will take place at The Salvation Army - San Fernando Valley Corps, 14917 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. To apply please visit us or call (818) 781-5739 for more information.

Shaarey Zedek, Valley Village

Camp Shamayim Has Started! – Openings still available

"Overnights, ice skating lessons, karate lessons and more!"

Pre 1- 4th grade girls; 5th and 6th grade girls special program; 7th and 8th grade CIT program, June 27-to August 12.Please call Devora Pollak at (818) 414-6639 or Michelle Gurstein (818) 763-0560 for more information.

, Valley Village

Early Childhood summer programs started June 27.  The 8-week program for children of temple members is currently in its fifth week but still has openings. The Parent and Me program is open to all. Please call Marsha or Barbara in the Early Childhood Office at (818) 761-6983 for further information. 

Infant/Toddler/Transition (ages 3 months-3 years old), art, music, stories, age-appropriate manipulatives, outdoor play in our toddler yard and snacks are all a part of the warm, friendly and supportive environment of Temple Beth Hillel’s Parent & Me Program.

Nursery School and Pre-K (Mechina), children in these two fun 8-week summer programs will experience special themed activities, such as, ocean/beach, 4th of July, circus, nursery rhymes, farm animals and creative “messy art”.

Camp Simcha, a “joyful” 8-week summer experience for our Pre-K graduates and those children entering Kindergarten this Fall.  Camp Simcha will provide an environment filled with arts and crafts, water play, cooking, music, gardening, indoor and outdoor games and our traditional Shabbat celebration on Fridays.

Summer Mini-Camp, August 15th-August 26th (2 weeks), immediately following our Nursery School, Mechina, and Camp Simcha summer sessions, we will provide a two week mini-camp.  This mixed -aged group program will include arts and crafts, water play and indoor and outdoor activities.