Summer Camps for 5 & 6 Year Olds
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March 2012
I am looking around for summer camps for my 6 year old, she
is very smart and loves to learn. She told me she wants to
go to a camp where she will learn math and science. I did a
search and found Da Vinci center for gifted children summer
camp that sounds good for her. I was wondering if anyone has
sent their child here and what their experience was.
Hi, I can't say enough good things about
Camp Galileo. My children (6&10) have
attended multiple years. The approach is learning through innovation. The kids
collaborate to design, test and redesign their projects while learning all
sorts of scientific principles. This is with a bunch of fun and games and
great themes! The strongest aspect is the amazing staff who are educators, in
college, and college-grads. Their expertise, training, and enthusiasm make
Camp Galileo a truly unique experience.
Edie
Feb 2012
Hello - I'm looking for recommendations for camps that are good for
incoming kinders this summer. My kid can be slow to warm, but energetic.
Looking into Head Royce, but interested in some of the more affordable
camps. Looking for full day camps that pay extra attention to the needs
of the little ones and is good with transition issues.
Thanks - Camp Mom
For your incoming kindergartener, I would highly recommend
Camp Galileo.
Both my boys, now in 1st and 3rd grade, started their summer camp
experiences with Camp G and both absolutely loved it. My older one claims
he'll be going there until he can't and then he'll become a counselor.
They have a separate space dedicated to incoming kindergartners so that
they don't get lost amongst the bigger kids. The curriculum is age
appropriate, the staff to camper ratio is low and they really get to know
the personality of each child. The little ones are still involved in
overall camp activities but for most of the day and for their outdoor
playtime, they are given special attention and kept in their small group
so that they feel safe and comfortable. My little guys is extremely shy
and when asked each year what camp he wants to go back to, Camp G is
always the first on his list. The camp director is easily accessible and
if your child goes for more than one week, it seems that the entire camp
staff knows them by name. It's a warm, fun and educational environment
where kids come home with creative projects, make good friends and just
enjoy their summer vacation. Good luck with your search!
Kelly
My daughter is 41/2 years old and she is also slow to warm
up. Last year I sent her to
Roughing It Day Camp in Lafayette
and she had the best time! It did not take her long to become
comfortable. The camp directors and counselors are very
nurturing and allow the parents to watch and leave when they
are ready. However, as soon as she was greeted by her
counselor she told me to leave!
It is a family run camp with great activities (ex: horse
back riding, swimming, crafts and etc) and counselors. She
still talks about the camp so we are going to send her for a
whole month this year. I am very protective of my daughter
but I have full faith in the safety of the camp. It has been
around for many years and has a great reputation. They split
the campers into their own age groups and do age appropriate
activities and learn to socialize in a relaxed setting. I
think it would be a great fun transition to Kindergarten!
Stephanie
Feb 2012
My son, who is just finishing kindergarten, is shy and somewhat
timid, and while he loves one-on-one play dates with other kids, he
tends to shut down in big social groups and just watches the other
kids play.
This is the first year we'll be doing summer camps, and I'm looking
for something relatively small and nurturing. And I think he would do
best in a camp with a moderate amount of structure (though not
extremely rigid rules) -- I don't think he would thrive in a
free-for-all kind of environment.
I care more about finding a camp that's a good fit for him socially
and emotionally than in finding something that caters to particular
interests, but just for the record, he enjoys science, dramatic play,
and to a more moderate degree, arts and sports.
We'd like to find something in the Berkeley area. Any
recommendations?
Thank you!
my son was like yours after kindergarten -- camp was tough for
him socially when it was a free for all, but the highly
structured programs didn't feel like a break from the structure
of school. We found that Monkey Business
was the best fit for
him at that age. Although the environment was informal, there
was an excellent counselor to camper ratio and the counselors
included and engaged all of the campers. It was fun and silly.
After first grade, my son was much more capable of handling the
free-for-all city-run(more affordable)camps.
My boys (1st & 3rd grade) attended This Land is Your Land
summer day camp
(also called Sarah's Science Camp) last summer. This was the first summer camp
that my youngest had attended (his brother had been once before). It has
worked out wonderfully for us. Both my confident, older son and my shy,
younger son thoroughly enjoyed their experiences and we plan on returning for
several more weeks this summer. The camp does a great job of hand selecting
their counselors. When my wife and I dropped off the boys we met their
counselors and found them to be warm and nurturing. By the end of the first
day, my youngest son was already friends with the rest of the kids in his
group and by the end of the week, he asked us if his counselor could be the
new babysitter. While the camp isn't the smallest (100 kids?), they are split
up into different locations within Tilden Park (Berkeley) and Roberts Park
(Oakland) and further divided into groups based on age. So the experience for
each camper is much more intimate. The day is structured around a schedule but
there are periods of free time and choice time throughout the day. The kids
learn about different science topics and build great little contraptions and
toys each day. But they also get to spend time outside, being kids, going on
hikes, doing art projects, playing active games, and other traditional camp
activities. Their website is www.sarahscience.com and they are offering an
early bird summer camp discount right now.
Neil
April 2011
I am looking for a good summer camp in Berkeley for the first week that school
is out June 20. Alot of the more popular camps dont start until the following
week. I would love to hear your views on the Berkeley Downtown YMCA summer
camp? Or any other ideas that you may have -- I need a camp that has a 7:30am
drop off as I work in the city.
New Summer Camp Mum
Have you considered
Camp Edmo? My twins went just before they started
Kindergarten and are still campers, five years later. It's an Arts,
Science, Animation and Recreation camp. The activities are designed in
partnership with several of the Bay Area's top museums. Their
activities are varied and the kids have fun while learning. I don't
know if you're in the east bay or not but there are three east bay
locations; Alameda, Oakland and Moraga, as well as locations in the
Peninsula, South Bay, San Francisco and Marin. The camper to staff
ratio is 8:1 which is great and I know was a big consideration when my
children first started going to camp. The website is www.campedmo.org
I'd also be happy to answer any questions for you.
Margot
March 2011
Hi - I'm looking for a summer camp in Berkeley/Albany area for a
very sweet, very sensitive boy entering Kindergarten. I would like a
place that can teach him to be more self-reliant but is also
sensitive to the fact that he's really uncomfortable in typical
''rough boy'', competitive environments. For example, he loves
kicking a soccer ball around but hates playing in games. He's also
pretty rule bound and gets upset when other kids don't play by the
rules and sometimes take advantage of him. Since he's starting K in
the fall and will be facing these kind of situations, I'd love to
have him in a summer camp that can help him transition and deal with
this in a warm, friendly environment. Thanks for your suggestions.
Berkeley Mom
My son sounds similar to yours. Wasn't really into typical ''boy'' games
(sports, star wars, etc) the summer before entering kindergarten. Very
rule oriented. I sent him to
Monkey Business Day Camp in Tilden for 3
weeks last year and he LOVED it. He went with a friend, which I think
helped, but I'm sure he would have had fun without him. He learned new
songs, how to play tag, made crafts, made friends and really blossomed.
I actually think it helped to send him there before kindergarten. They
have some young counselors who seem to look after the ''little ones''.
Definitely mention this stuff to them when you sign up and again when
you drop him off on the first day. Good luck!
Rachel
My son, who sounds a lot like yours, went to
Glitter & Razz for a couple
weeks last summer and loved it. If your son has any interest in theater
arts you should check it out. The kids work together to make up their
own play, writing the plot, developing their own characters and lines.
They also have time for individual art projects and free play. The group
is small and the teachers are very creative and supportive. One day at
pickup there was a disagreement between two kids and I was really
impressed by how the teachers helped them resolve their conflict.
March 2010
Hi, I am looking for some recent reviews of some of the
summer camp programs I've read about here. I have an active
5 year old boy, and we're interested in the programs at
Footfire, Monkey Business in Tilden Park, Camp Galileo in El
Cerrito (at Prospect Sierra), Sarah's Science in Tilden,
Steve and Kate's in Berkeley, or any other place that offers
a great program. If you have recent experience with your
child in any of these summer camps, please let me know. I am
specifically wondering about the care for the little ones,
i.e. 4/5/6 year olds. Thanks for the help!
Berkeley Mom
I sent my then 4 1/2 year old son to
Sarah's Science camp in
Roberts park last summer. It was kind of last minute, and
they had space, and they came recommended on this board. And
he was so excited to be off to camp with the big kids!
But he had a blast and really enjoyed the week. He's been a
pretty independent kid, and he had a few pee accidents that
week, but the counselors said he did fine and there weren't
any issues with the other kids or the activities. As they
warn you on the website, he came home filthy and exhausted
every day!
We're going back for three non-consecutive weeks this summer
as well.
Bryan in oakland
I highly recommend Camp Galileo for your 5 year old. My
son's first ever camp experience 2 summers ago as an
entering kindergartener was at the El Cerrito campus of
Camp Galileo and he absolutely loved it. He insists that
he will be going every summer until he goes to college.
The 5 year old group uses the contained kindergarten
classroom and playground and so they have their own
special space to play and explore without the worry of
bigger kids running into them or over them. The
playground has plenty of space and with lower ratios and
teachers who are dedicated to just this group, they get
the perfect balance of small group activities mixed with
large group interaction. The kindergarteners also are
involved in overall group activities but build a close
relationship with their group and their teacher. They get
plenty of time to run around and burn off some energy and
the activities designed specifically for that age group
allow them to really be creative, engaged and excited.
Even drop off is fun with giant bubbles and streamers and
teachers who are literally smiling and full of energy
every day. My son is going back for the third straight
summer this year and with 4 themes instead of 3 as they
had in past years, he gets to enjoy Galileo even more than
before. Feel free to contact me if you have specific
questions or concerns.
Kelly
You have a pretty good list there. Both our kids went to
camp at age five (they're a bit older now), and the ones at
the top of our list would be:
+ Camp Kee Tov (www.campkeetov.org)
+ Steve and Kate's
+ Sarah's Science (Tilden)
Also, JCC of the East Bay (North Berkeley) has just started
some one-week specialty camps. They run very good programs,
and our kids have been doing great at the afterschool for
several years. JCCEB is really mostly a ''multicultural''
community, open and welcoming to all:
http://prod.jcceastbay.org/youth/tzofim.html
Good luck!
== Local Dad
We sent our 5 year old to Camp Galileo
in El Cerrito last year. The curriculum of
art/science was good, but the high energy cheerleader-ish
atmosphere was a bad match for our son. He was not happy,
and within the first week, someone on staff decided -
without getting to know him better or talking to us (we had
warned them he'd be slow to adapt)- that there must be a
problem at home. They reported us to CPS and we had to
undergo an evaluation by a social worker. The case was
dismissed (even the social worker couldn't figure out why
they had reported it), but it will remain on our record
forever. I understand the need for mandatory reporters, but
this just seemed like a case of bad judgment. We will not be
returning to the camp, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
NW
My 5 year old son absolutely loves
Monkey Business Camp.
He is a high maintenance kid requiring extra attention and
support and he always received that extra help at Monkey
Business. He needed a play-based type of camp and really
thrived and became more creative at MB. Creativity, fun,
and respect are all reinforced at MB and I was always
impressed by how much individual attention he received. We
actually dropped out of Galileo because it was too big and
busy and he wasn't getting the kind of support he needed.
a Monkey Business fan
March 2010
I'm looking for a camp to send my almost-5-year old this summer that is
reasonably priced and has a nice program, with time outdoors. It can be half
days. Thanks! NLI
new to berkeley
I recommend Sarah's Science camp at Tilden Park in Berkeley.
The camp is a great mix of science, play and exploring
nature outdoors. The kids make a science project every day
and go swimming once a week. They go on hikes, play on the
field, build forts and do other activities throughout the
day. They group the campers by age and they have a lot of
younger attendees so your son should fit right in. The staff
is wonderful and attentive also. Hope that helps.
Brian
Jan 2010
Hi there:
My daughter will be just turning six as school gets out,
and has never attended summer camp before. I'm lookign to
start her off slow, perhaps just for a week or two in a low-
key summer camp...ideally just a half day. It seems like
most camps run a full day, though, until 4pm or later.
Does anyone have recommendations for a less-than-full day
of summer camp that woudl be suitable for young kids?
We live in Oakland, so camps in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda,
or other areas nearby would be best.
Thanks!
Jennifer
My 7 y/o son really enjoyed his week at
Park Day summer
camp. It was his first experience with summer camp (and with
a longer day of structured activities, since we homeschool).
We were warmly welcomed the first day by junior counselors
and counselors-in-training. I was welcomed to stay as long
as I liked with my younger (3 y/o) child, enjoying the
playground, etc. Parents drop off kids during a fairly big
window of time in the morning so there wasn't a morning rush
to be there at x time exactly. They offer a shorter day
(3/4? time) that we did and again, there wasn't time
pressure; we were welcomed to stay and play and catch up on
what his day involved at our own pace. Kids of all ages
seemed well held both by teachers and fellow campers (and
their great counselor & CIT program). I recommend their
program & my son has asked to do camp there again.
a good experience
There are two terrific camps that have half day sessions - Aurora School (upper
Rockridge in Oakland) and Lawrence Hall of Science (the hills in Berkeley). LHS
does science oriented camps. Aurora does art, tennis, field trips, legos, etc.
They are very sweet with kids there and would be a great choice for a child new
to the camp experience.
Last summer I taught a half-day course for middle schoolers
at the
Head-Royce Summer Program,
while my three lower
school children (then 5,7, 9) attended the LS program. They
LOVED the camp so much that they begged to go all day. They
could swim, do science projects, play in the garden, read
and craft stories, among other academic and playful
activities. Most of all, they enjoyed making new friends
from all over the Bay Area. Come check it out!
Hilary
Oct 2009
Although it's early, I'm starting to think about summer camp
possibilities for my 5 year old son who has some mild special
needs. He has some sensory integration challenges and would
thrive best in a structured program that isn't too chaotic or
noisy. He is in kindergarten right now and loves science, art,
and imaginary play. Our geographic parameters are Berkeley,
Albany, El Cerrito, Kensington, or Richmond. Thanks for any
suggestions.
Concerned About Camp
Your kid sounds exactaly like my kid. I sent him to
Monkey
Business Camp in Tilden Park, recommended to me by a friend who
also had a kid with mild special needs issues. They were
great! Monkey Business was very reassuring and told me that
they discuss any campers who might be special needs ahead of
time. My son did great there for 3 weeks, right from the get
go. He'll probably go back this summer.
Good Luck
april
I would recommend Sarah's Science for your child. The children
have a structured day which includes music, science experiments,
swimming, hiking and outdoor activities. The counselors are
excellent and understanding of kids with special needs. Sarah
operates camps in Berkeley at Tilden park, Oakland at Robert's
Park and in San Ramon at Little Hills Ranch. The camp's age range
is 5-15. The staff and program are wonderful and I'm sure your
child will enjoy it. There are plenty of reviews of Sarah's
Science Summer camp in the BPN archives as well. Good luck!
Brian
April 2009
I'm starting to plan for my daughter's summer and was interested
in feedback on the Adventure Time summer program. She's
finishing Kindergarten and goes to a school with afterschool AT
that we don't use, and she's always asking when she'll get to do
AT. The price and 3-4 day per week options are appealing. But
how does it compare to the snazzier camps like Galileo and Monkey
Business in terms of keeping kids constructively occupied? I've
read the reviews and know the latter two are great but they're
also pricey, especially if we don't really need all 5 days.
summertime, and the livin' ain't easy
Right before kindergarten we sent our daughter to
Adventure
Time Camp for one month. The first week was rough because she
did not know anyone and the counselors were wonderful. The
second week she had a great time. But make no mistake about it,
Adventure Time is affordable child care. It is not enrichment
camp. It is not activity based camp. It is affordable child
care for working parents.
My daughter has attended the following camps - I am including
her ideas and ours: East Bay Dance Center, similarly priced as
Adventure Time about $50-$55 per day with before and after
care. Don't worry about tap, ballet or jazz shoes - your
daughter can borrow them. My daughter loves this camp, her
friend does not.
Steve and Kate's Camp - About $2,000 for the
entire summer. Kids have a great time - you need a self
motivated kid because there is a general assumption your child
will choose one or more of the activities if they're
interested. Great value, lots of fun. There is a dog, so if
you're kid is allergic this is not the camp for you.
Sarah
Science - one of the more expensive camps my daughter attends.
She thinks it is just so-so, I love the projects she brings
home and explains. Camp Galileo, another expensive choice, but
fun for one week. My daughter was bored with the rubber chicken
and the group time for the three weeks we sent her, but loved
the first week.
My daughter attends a camp for gifted kids that she loves,
loves, loves, but your kid must be highly motivated, able to
stick with a learning assignment for an hour and a half and be
prepared for homework.
Lots of Trial and Error and Success in Camp Decisions
Feb 2009
Hi, i am looking for updated information regarding summer camps
for my 5 year old boy. He is interested in arts and crafts and
music/dance type camps. Preferably an all day type setting. The
information in the archives is a bit dated.
Last year his pre-school offered a summer program so i didn't
have to worry about it. This year however, he is attending
public school and they don't have any summer program.
worried momma
The Contra Costa Preschool Directory has an AWESOME Summer Camp
page for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners! Here is the link:
http://www.contracostapreschools.com/summercamp.html. There is
a large list of camps available and all of them are suitable
for your 5-yr old!
joj
Nov 2003
what do parents (who work full-time) do for childcare during the
summer months? my child will be six. up until now, he's been
at year-round preschool, but now he is in public kindergarten.
are there full-time, full-summer ''schools'' for this age group?
or am i resigned to hiring a private nanny.
working mom
You don't need a nanny and you don't need school. Summer is for
play and the Bay Area offers many, many opportunties to suit
your child's need. Around February, the Parents' Press will have
pages and pages of wonderful summer day camps listed in the
back. With both our daughters (one now almost 15, the other 9),
we've had great success and fun at the Berkeley Richmond JCC and
East Bay School of the Arts for full day coverage. There are
arts camps, animal camps, sports camps. There are many other
places that offer full day and half day coverage. Summer is the
best time to let your kid find out what he or she likes and to
explore it! Have fun and relax. :-)
Karen
I'm sure you will get many, many responses about this one!
Welcome to the world of summer camp! The Bay Area has an
incredible number of choices for summer ''care'' (which is really
summer camp); many of them full-time. The ''hunt'' for summer
camp begins early, about Jan. - Feb., and many spots will be
full if you wait until you are really thinking about summer.
Different camps have sessions of one week, two weeks, all
summer, etc., and the hours vary. We always look for one that's
closest to an 8am - 6pm schedule to leave time for the commute
to work. NOTE: many of the full-time camps are 8:30 - 5, which
is, well, hard if you work 8:30 - 5. Check out the UCB parents
web page(s), and Tom Lent's web page for much more information.
Best of luck,
working mom
There are bunches of day camps that are all day with after camp
care for your 6year old. One in particular that my son went to
is called Berkeley J Summer Camp. It's at the Berkeley Richmond
JCC (Jewish Community Center) on Walnut St. between Rose and
Vine. The sessions are 4 weeks long from 9-4 each day with
before and after camp care. Lots of kids go for both sessions.
My now 8 year old went for 2 summers (I think they start at 5 or
6) and really liked it. The counselors are all young and REALLY
fun. It's a smallish camp going up to maybe 10 years old. The
kids are all together doing various activities.
My son is pretty shy and quiet and really liked it.
They have sport activities, swimming, field trips, art, and
always music at the end of the day. Though they celebrate
Shabbat every Friday and sing Jewish songs(among others too), it
is not a religious camp and plenty of non Jewish kids go there.
There must be other camps too with longer than 1 week
sessions...start checking Parents Press and maybe other papers
or web sites around February. Good luck.
anon
Welcome to the world of summer activities! When my kids were
six they adored Kee-Tov which is a wonderful summer day camp.
Since then, we've also liked the Cal Sports summer programs as
well as pottery camp at Brushstrokes and even sleepaway camp.
You'll want to sign up for activities in the very beginning of
2004.
Working mom
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