Berkeley Parents Network: Oakland Parks & Recreation

Berkeley Parents Network

Oakland Parks & Recreation Kids' Programs

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Summer Camps & School Breaks > Oakland Parks & Recreation Kids' Programs

Website for Oakland Parks & Recreation: www.oaklandnet.com/parks

General Questions about Camps
Ballet Monclair Recreation Center
Cubs Day Camp Monclair Recreation Center
Feather Hill Day Camp Monclair Recreation Center
Gymnastics Monclair Recreation Center
Oakland Fine Arts Summer School
Shake, Rattle & Roll Redwood Regional Park
Sheffield Village Recreation Center
Soccer Monclair Recreation Center
Special Needs Day Camp
Summer Arts Workshop Monclair Recreation Center

General Questions about Camps

March 2008

I'd like to hear from anyone with recent experience with the Oakland Parks and Rec day camps at Dimond Park, Montclair Park, Redwood Heights or Joaquin Miller. My son will be going into 1st grade and likes to be active and creative, but isn't into sports. Thanks Mom

Sheffield Village Rec Center has a great camp for young kids -- very ''camplike'' ie they learn camp songs with their youth counsellors and have lots of time to just run around the play area, some art, snacks, etc. MWF, 9-3.

My son also enjoys Cubs Camp at Montclair Rec Center and the Montclair Summer Arts Workshop is great. Performing and visual arts as well as some free time to run and be a kid.

I live near Dimond and, from what I've seen, their camp looks a lot like After Care at school. (Maybe because they host that during the school year & the structure seems similar?)

Don't know about Redwood (but their field trips seems like they're geared to older kids) nor Joaquin Miller. Anon, please.

Ballet

Re: Ballet for almost-3-year-old (Sept. 2003)
I'm sure you'll hear this from lots of parents: (Miss) Marilyn Patton at the Montclair Rec Center takes them young and does a great job with a combination of ballet and tap. You can register through Oakland Parks and Rec. Dana

Re: Ballet for 2-year-old (June 2002)
Dear mom of aspiring ballerina, I can really relate to the pushy stage mom anxiety. I even received a hand written note from one dance studio telling me to back off and let my child be herself. Well herself is that she dances constantly, wants to watch videos of ballets all the time, and has already outgrown what little I can teach her. The only place I've found that has classes for this age is Montclair Rec Center. You can find them and sign up on line at the Oakland Parks and Recreation site. I believe there is even an ''advanced level'' class for this age group. We start our class this Friday. Good luck! Dana

Re: Ballet for 2-year-old (June 2002)
My daughters have attended the following wonderful ballet classes at an early age: Montclair Rec Ctr in Oakland - Ms. Marilyn - starts at 2 yrs old

Re: Ballet for 2-year-old (June 2002)
Try Miss Marilyn at the Montclair Rec Center. They are starting up the summer session this week. She does beginning and returning classes for 2 and 3 year olds in Ballet/Tap. She is very easy going, and my daughter loves her. You don't need to live in Montclair or even in Oakland to sign up, and it's very reasonable. Phone: 482-7812 for more info. trusco

Cubs Day Camp

April 2005

I am considering sending my four and half year old son to the Cubs Day Camp at Montclair Park/Recc. Center this summer. What can anyone tell me about their childs experience with this summer program? Thanks for your imput. BRR

We did Cubs camp last summer -- my son had just turned 5 -- and he loved it. He came home each day dirty, happy, and exhausted, just as you want from summer camp. They played games, learned songs, did art projects, and had treasure hunts. The supervision seemed excellent to me, and the counselors seemed well organized and experienced. All in all, a very good experience, and affordable too! We'll be doing the next level up (feather hill) this summer. nelly

Feather Hill Day Camp

March 2007

I was wondering if anyone has any positive/negative experiences with Feather Hill day camp at the Montclair Rec. Center. Our daughter will be doing the summer camp ''thing'' for the first time this year (finishing Kindergarten) and we are looking for a fun and well run place. Feather Hill's price is great compared to other day camps, and so far very few people have signed up for the open slots, so it just got me thinking why more people haven't ''jumped'' on this option. Thanks. Kevin

Hi - Though our son hasn't gone to Feather Hill yet (he will this summer) he has attended the camp for younger kids at Montclair Rec for the past two summers (Cubs Camp) and loved it. That said, it's not for everyone. The camp is all day, loads of outdoor fun, lead by teen-aged counselors. There are games & activities but it's largely just playing outside. They go on a weekly field trip - which my son always loved. He also really liked the counselors. I guess cool and mildly aloof is a breath of fresh air to a guy who spends a lot of time with his stay-at-home mom. They are not as attentive as many counselors at more expensive camps, but they are responsible & are supervised by at least one adult who I believe is present all day long. If your child needs lots of attention or is slow to jump into the action, this camp may not be for them. If they can jump into a new situation without a lot of extra care and coddling, it just might be their cup of tea. And, like you said, the price is right. (Especially considering they have free pre and after care!) As to why they have so many openings, I think folks (like me) might still be formulating summer plans - Feather Hill & Cubs do fill up more later in the spring. They also usually have a few openings for last-minute sign ups. ~Maybe we'll see you there.

My kids (then 4 and 5) went there last summer and really loved it! I originally planned on sending them there for just a couple of weeks, and then doing a different, ''fancier'' camp, but they were so enthusiastic after the first week, I decided to keep them in for about 8 weeks total.

The counselors are all really dynamic--silly, fun, totally into the kids. They did a camp sing-a-long at the end of the summer and it was clear how much the counselors enjoy the kids. My son likes sports and running around, while my daughter likes art, dance, gymnastics and they were equally happy with the camp, although it definitely leans more toward the outdoor play. It's pretty basic--lots of outside games and playing in the playground, camp songs, inside art projects--but the kids definitely get a lot of nurturing and encouragement from the counselors. Another plus is that the camp (counselors and campers) is pretty ethnically diverse.

I think people may not have signed up yet because the impression is that it doesn't fill up quickly. Last summer, I was able to add sessions the week before, and it was never a problem. But the camp definitely had lots of kids. The price can't be beat, and I've been extremely impressed, overall, with the quality of the classes and activities that are offered through Oakland Parks and Rec. We've done ballet, soccer, t- ball, and swimming through Montclair and Dimond Park, and the coaches and instructors have been stellar.

I'm signing my kids up right now! Melissa

Gymnastics

Re: Low-cost tumbling class for 3-year-old (Aug 2004)
Montclair Rec Center (Oakland) has nice, low cost tumbling classes. My now teenaged kids took classes there (way back when) and it was great. I've talked to people whose children have been enrolled recently and they are pleased.

Oakland Fine Arts Summer School

Feb 2007

Re: Afternoon-only summer camps?
My children enjoyed (for several years now) the afternoon session of the Oakland Fine Arts Summer School (OFASS) offered as a collaboration b/w OUSD and Oakland Parks and Rec. MOCHA teachers teach the afternoon sessions, each afternoon consisting of 4 classes for each child (many classes overall but each child gets enrolled in 4), such as sculpture, pantomime, theater, drawing, instrumental music, movie production, dance, . . Some kids enroll for morning and afternoon session, making it a long day with about 7 classes, but many kids come for just afternoon. You can register for this camp on-line at www.oaklandnet.com (Parks and Rec), starting March 1. Maria

Shake, Rattle & Roll

Dec 2008

Re: Outdoorsy camp for athletic 13-year-old
If he's looking for local day camp activities and is really into archery, I recommend the Shake, Rattle & Roll camp (I have no idea why it has that name) offered by Oakland Parks & Rec. It's for ages 12-15. The kids make their own bows and arrows, and learn a lot about outdoor survival skills. Mom of Boys

Nov 2006

Re: Summer camp for awkward 11 year old boy
You son sounds a lot like mine, though mine is now older. One camp that my non- sports, non-arts & crafts kid loved is called Shake, Rattle & Roll, located in the Oakland hills at Redwood Regional Park, run by Oakland Parks & Rec. The camp has an odd name, but it focuses on nature, outdoor survival skills, archery and other fun stuff. He always came home filthy dirty but very happy. I would also recommend some of the Cal Adventures programs, like kayaking, rock climbing, etc. While my son doesn't like team sports, he really enjoys individual sports and outdoor experiences.

Sheffield Village Recreation Center

April 2007

Re: Only need camp for 2 days of the week
Sunbirds camp at Sheffield Village Rec Center is partial - M,W,F 10-2. And, it's only $55 a week. Check it out on the Oakland Parks and Recs website. My son goes every summer for a couple of weeks and has fun. ~Alison

Soccer

Re: Soccer for 3 yr old? (Dec 2006)
When he's 3.5, he can do the Tot Soccer class at the Montclair Rec Center - see the Oakland Park & Rec website at http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/programs/ or stop by their office in Montclair Park for more info. Our son (who actually was only 3 when the class started) just completed the fall session there in both soccer and t-ball and had a blast. They also periodically do an all-sports class where the kids try soccer, t-ball and other sports in a single class. Other options: Piedmont Park & Rec summer programs, Lil' Kickers at Bladium in Alameda JP

Re: Soccer class for 3.5 YOs in Oakland/Berkeley? (May 2006)
Check out the offerings from Oakland Park & Rec (http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/programs/). They have programs all over the city from age 3.5 on up. Our son did soccer and tball last summer at age 3.5 and loved both. They're enrolling now for classes starting in April onwards. soccer mom

Re: Soccer for 3 year old (April 2005)
The City of Oakland Parks and Rec offers pee wee soccer. http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/ Helena Re: Soccer for 4-year-old (Sept 2004)
My 4yo daughter just loved taking soccer at the Montclair Rec Center taught by a great teacher, Coach Lester. It's not a league...just a low-key fun class so if your child is a serious soccer plyer this may not be for her/him. Elizabeth

Re: Sports class for 4 1/2 yr. old (April 2000)
Montclair Recreation Center offers soccer classes for young children. The spring session just started but the summer session starts June 26th. Their phone number is 510-482-7812.

Special Needs Day Camp

May 2006

Oakland Parks and Rec has a ''Director of Inclusion'', Scott Means, whose job it is to make all OPR programs fully inclusive to children with special needs.

I was looking for camp options earlier this month for my high-functioning but multiply disabled kindergartener, dialed his number (it's listed on the Arroyo Viejo page in the OPR spring booklet) and was so impressed with the service.

He said - pick a rec center, pick a camp program, and we'll work with you and the director to accommodate your child. We talked about when and where my son might need an aide (he doesn't need one all the time, only for physically challenging things like a long hike, the swimming pool, etc.), and what my son's issues are. Scott recommended particular centers in my neighborhood whose directors have worked well with special needs before. I called Dimond on his recommendation, talked to Michelle, the director , and had a great conversation. I'll be enrolling my child in the regular camp there.

The OPR brochure doesn't make it clear that they'll accommodate all special needs. Be sure and call Scott Means at Arroyo Viejo center. Leila

Feb 2008

Re: Full day art camp for elementary aged child
Montclair Summer Arts Workshop -- offered through Oakland Parks and Rec. Takes place mid-to-late August each year. My 6 year old and several of his friends LOVE it. Check it out online at http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/programs/ Maybe we'll see you there?

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