Don't Let Summer Catch You Off Guard

OK, Moms, we all know the grass is always greener somewhere else. Right now, in the midst of blustery days, early-morning routines and homework-laden nights, the thought of a free summer day seems pretty nice. But after two or three weeks of warm, summer freedom, you and your child will be ready for some stimulation and, possibly, some separation.

In between vacations, play dates and special days with grandparents, there is bound to be some leftover time for your child to enjoy a summer camp. Summer camp can be one of the most exciting and confidence-building experiences for a child. It is a time to expose kids to new things, to meet new friends, sharpen new skills and get some much-needed fresh air and exercise.

“Camps are super fun. It’s all about socializing and keeping kids outside and engaged,” according to Natasha Bissell, Campbell recreation supervisor. “We’re a glitter and glue-type of camp, we do arts and crafts, sports, take field trips and have a Friday sing-along at the end of each camp week.”

Broken up into age blocks beginning with the Teeter Totters at 3 years old and moving right up the pike to Ultimate and Adventure Teen camps for 11-12 and 13-15-year-olds, the camp experiences are endless. The Campbell summer camp program serves 300 kids a day with 55 staff leaders.

But you’d better act fast, as camp registration for residents begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Non-resident registration begins Thursday at 9 a.m.

Summer programs in Cupertino are also nearing registration, officially beginning on April 19 for residents and April 26 for non-residents. (Note: There are some summer offerings that are available for spring registration, which began Feb. 16.)

Whether you have a budding ballerina, a Harry Potter lover or a future engineer, the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department has cooked up some fun day camps for your little campers to enjoy.

New this year is Jedi engineering, a Lego-building camp, and back by popular demand is Hogwarts Camp for Harry Potter followers and Camp Cali Venture for California history buffs ages 9 to 12. But the fun doesn’t stop there. The range for Cupertino camps runs the gamut with rock climbing, ceramics, multi-sports, journalism, drawing and acting.

Cupertino’s extensive camp schedule includes day camps for kids ages 3 to 15 and also its popular aquatics lessons.

But how do you know when your child is old enough to benefit from the new experiences that camp presents?

“Parents need to look at a child’s temperament when determining a good age to send their child to camp, especially in the areas of trying new experiences, because some kids dive right in but others are slower to warm,” says Stephanie Agnew, parent education coordinator for Parents Place.

Agnew says that because all transitions are difficult for children, typically children under the age of 5 should remain in a familiar situation, such as the child’s normal preschool environment, rather than a short one- or two-week day camp setting.

Things to consider when choosing a camp:

• Would your child do better in a full-day or half-day camp? Would it be easier if your child had a friend going with him to camp?

• What type of things does your child enjoy? Does your child enjoy the outdoors, dinosaurs, soccer, ballet, fairy-tales, Legos or cooking?

• Do verbal checks on camps. Some of the best referrals are word-of-mouth.

• Check your local parks and recreation department, as well as the county’s recreation department and various museums, zoos and gyms for specific camps to find the right one for you child.

Reading about what’s to come can sometimes ease a child’s fears. Here are a few suggested titles that may help your child overcome any fears they may have about a new experience:

I Don't Want to Go to Camp by Eve Bunting

The Good-bye Book by Judith Viorst

The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp by Stan and Jan Berenstain

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Franklin Goes to Day Camp by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark

Arthur Goes to Camp by Marc Brown Little

Benjamin Comes Back by Amy Brandt

Princess Lulu Goes to Camp by Kathryn Cristaldi

Cupertino’s Parks and Recreation office is at the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Rd. Phone: 408-777-3120; e-mail: parks@cupertino.org.