Summer Camps: Experiences that last a lifetime
Summer Camps: Experiences that last a lifetime
Topics: summer camps, Bakersfield, Bakersfield Life Magazine
Posted by RaisingBakersfield Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands…” CLAP, CLAP! “Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree-ee…” If these nostalgic lyrics bring back fond memories of singing around a campfire or a busload of kids, you’ve probably been a happy camper. Each summer, thousands of Bakersfield youth get to know that feeling, too. Bakersfield is lucky to have access to numerous camps with activities to meet the needs and interests of every age group from 5-to-17 years old.
Both resident and day camps transform lazy summer days into expeditions. At resident camps, kids stay for one or two weeks and experience the traditional outdoor environment or a specialty camp that emphasizes a particular activity or sport. Day camps feature programs that run the gamut from art and drama to sports and science, and campers spend either full or half days.
The Bakersfield YMCA offers a Summer Fun Camp for youth entering kindergarten in the fall through sixth grade and one for teens 12-15 years old. Director, Mike Grover says, “We have many fun activities such as arts and crafts, games and sports and great counselors in a relaxed atmosphere with friends.” Swimming at McMurtrey Aquatic Center and field trips to CALM, the Kern County Museum and local businesses provide real life experiences and lessons that round out the YMCA’s program.
Amber Garza’s sons, ages six and nine, attended Summer Fun Camp four weeks last year and loved it. “It’s a good opportunity for my children to be involved in planned activities in a caring environment,” Garza says.
The YMCA teen program includes a community service project along with other enjoyable activities, such as fishing and field trips. Cindy Houchin, Administrative Supervisor at YMCA, works with the teens and seeks input from them about activities, offering a measure of flexibility. “It’s fun and a chance to be with their friends in a place that’s their own space,” Houchin says.
At California Living Museum’s ZooCamp, kids often get up close and personal with some of Kern County’s wild animals. Debby Kroeger, CALM’s Education and Volunteer Services Manager, believes this is why CALM attracts so many repeat campers. She says, “It’s the animals themselves. Kids love animals and here they get to meet the wild animals that are right around the area.”
Runa Lemminn, small business owner, would certainly agree. Her son, now 10, attended the CALM ZooCamp two summers ago, and she’s sure he’d like to live there. Lemminn says, “Being able to see the animals just an arm’s length away created quite a wow factor.”
This year, CALM and Kern County Museum will join forces for two weeks: once during National Pollinators Week in June to study flowers, bees, birds and bats at CALM; and in July they will convene at the Kern County Museum for a session called Eye Spy.
Kern County Museum’s Science Camp began in 2003, offering a hands-on curriculum. Jackie Brouillette, the Kern County Museum’s Education and Volunteer Services Manager says, “We do lots of science and the kids love it!” This year promises even more motivating sessions such as Superhero Science and Science Magic.
Single mom Susan Wright enthusiastically described her daughters’ experiences at several summer day camps. One camp that her daughters, ages seven and 13, enjoyed was the Kids’ Cooking Camp at Café Med last year. Led by the restaurant’s chefs, classes included instruction in nutrition and preparation, and campers were introduced to many cultures through ethnic foods. Their made-from-scratch, kid-friendly foods came from quality recipes. Wright remarks, “They even made their own ranch dressing.” At the end of the week, youngsters invited a friend or relative to come for lunch, which they proudly prepared.
Each year, Nike Tennis Camp operates at Bakersfield Racquet Club. Chandler, 13, says, “Tennis camp enabled me to try something new that I wasn’t sure about.” Upon completion of the session, she received an evaluation of her skill level.
Cal State Bakersfield’s athletics program offers a variety of sports-specific camps, as well as its popular All Sports Camp, which takes place this year form June 16-20. The CSUB All Sports Camp offers a variety of activities including soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field, swimming, badminton, Frisbee and more. The camp is fun and designed to provide basic instruction in every activity. The CSUB men’s soccer coaching staff and student-athletes run this very popular one-week camp.
The Girl Scouts of America, Joshua Tree Council, appeal to all interests with their fun-filled Summer Options program. Daily tours, lessons or service projects are scheduled, and instead of weeklong sessions, parents may register their daughters for whatever activities interest them. Autumn, a third-grade Junior Girl Scout says, “Camp is fun and helps kids experience new things. It’s exciting!”
Resident camps provide the ultimate in camp experiences as young people learn new skills and forge friendships in an atmosphere totally different than their homes. Most parents notice that their youngsters become more independent and confident after camp.
“We’re in the people-building business; we want kids to grow into the people they are,” said Debby Jameson, owner/director of Jameson Ranch Camp along with her husband Ross. In its 74th summer this year, JRC, located just above Glennville, is a real ranch where boys and girls ages 6-15 are exposed to positive values, gardening and animals, balanced by rich programs of choice in such areas as drama, adventure and water sports, and art. There is extensive horseback riding and training in the practical side of horsemanship with enough skill levels to help kids progress.
Jameson attributes the high number of returnees and second-generation campers to their offering kids “life-long learnables plus fun in a place that’s totally geared to them. And connectedness; they bond with friends, with the excellent staff, and with the ranch.” Fourteen-year-old August has been to JRC every year since he was eight. He shares, “Everyone is there to be your friend from the first. It’s a very happy environment; there’s nothing negative there.”
YMCA Camp Tulequoia, northeast of Visalia overlooking Sequoia Lake, presents another engaging, positive summer camp experience. Existing since 1914, Camp TQ aims to impart the values of living simply and close to nature, respecting the environment, and recommitting to family and friends. Campers participate in a combination of structured, age-appropriate, small group adventures and opportunities for buddy choice activities from an extensive list.
‘A skateboarder’s paradise,’ Element YMCA Skate Camp, at Millwood Campground on Sequoia Lake, is a place where skate campers learn from the pros, compete in weekly contests, and make their own mini-skateboards. The camp has facilities for all levels of skaters and is open to boys and girls ages 8-17. One of only a few residential skate camps in the U.S., it attracts international skateboarders. Alongside the many skate opportunities, campers can partake of waterfront events and a magazine making class.
Gymnastics rules the day at Tehachapi’s Camp Woodward West. Based on their skill level, beginners and competitive gymnasts work out in structured classes for exposure and lessons in each Olympic event. Afterward, instructors, many of whom are private coaches or collegiate or Olympic gymnasts, offer specialized training to perfect campers’ skills and help them progress safely to the next level of difficulty. Programs are tailored to meet each participant’s personal goals. In addition to gymnastics, Camp Woodward West offers skate and BMX sessions.
The Girl Scouts partner with Mountain and River Adventures for two sessions in Kernville at Camp High Adventure to introduce girls entering grades 5-12 to outdoor adventure opportunities and to help them become proficient outdoors. Rafting, lake kayaking, hiking and low rope elements add to the camping skills program. Ashley, a ninth-grade Cadette Girl Scout says, “Girl Scout summer camps…let you try things you’ve never done. Before I went to Camp High Adventure, I didn’t think that water sports were my thing. Now I wish I could do it again and again.”
Originally published in Bakersfield Life Magazine (a Bakersfield Californian publication) on April 19, 2008.
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