Comments on: Where would you send a six-year old to camp?

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:31:05 +0000

Check out “Sees the Day” run by Kirk Cooper, who runs the afterschool at Prospect Sierra during the year. It’s set outside in Tilden, smallish group of kids, about nature and problem solving and conflict resolution. A huge favorite of all the kids I know who’ve gone. Email kirkseestheday@yahoo.com.

Sees the Day, A Classroom without Walls: A value based learning program committed to instilling in children a natural respect and reverence for each other and for all life on earth. Unique excursions, character education, self esteem games, beading, swimming, storytelling, earthworks, nature awareness, thankful circles, mystery guests, love, laughter and good old innocent fun. Takes place in Berkeley at Tilden Park/Lake Anza and Glendale La Loma Park including excursions to UC Berkeley science laboratories. Morning and afternoon snack provided.
Age: 6-11 (CIT 12+yrs), Dates: 1 wk sessions 6/28-8/13, Time, 8:45-3:45, Ext. Day 3:45-5:15, Ratio 6:1, 20-24 campers. Cost: $300/wk, inquire about scholarships, Deadline: FCFS
Info: 215-1313 or kirkseestheday@yahoo.com (10)

A second favorite is Shakespeare camp at John Hinkel Park, but you have to be 7 to do that one.

By: Michael Stein

Michael Stein — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:11:56 +0000

We like Footfire Soccer Camp.

By: Jenny Wenk

Jenny Wenk — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:13:06 +0000

The Downtown Berkeley YMCA runs day camps for children about to start kindergarten up through their Leader In Training Program for those entering grades 8 to 10. It’s the only camp that I know of that is open to accept children at 7:30 in the morning and stays open until 6 p.m. At no extra charge for the time. In addition to the six age group camps, and the one multi-age camp, it also runs 11 Specialty Day Camps covering cooking, science, arts and sports. Thanks to donations from members of the Y and the community at large about a third of all campers attend on a reduced fee “scholarship” so that every child experiences the full diversity of Berkeley. I’m writing this as both a grandparent and a member of the Y’s Branch Board. And as someone who has been helping raise the money for those scholarships for 15 years. Going to their annual Family Night is one of the highlights of my summer. The kids love the place and the counselors and the programs.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:00:32 +0000

Our son loved Monkey Business in Tilden Park at age 6. Subsequent summers have been sports focused. If your son likes soccer, check out Footfire.

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:23:34 +0000

Just want to second the motion re Berkeley Parents Network. This kind of question is BPN’s bread and butter.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:47:59 +0000

Check out Camp Galileo, http://www.galileo-learning.com, for an awesome K-5 camp experience. The counselors are amazing, and the curriculum is so fun, your 6-year-old won’t realize he is learning.

If your son is a baseball player, you might also look into East Bay Summer Ball camp, http://www.summerballcamp.com. It’s a sweet little camp run by a family, and counselors, who love kids and baseball.

My sons, who are very sporty, have also loved the Cal Camps, both the rec and the sports camps.

By: deirdre

deirdre — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:34:13 +0000

Sarah’s Science in Tilden is a great combination of traditional camp activities (being outside all day, running around in the dirt, learning songs and games, swimming in the lake) with some fun science. It’s not the cheapest but we’ve had excellent experiences there; my youngest started going when he was five. Our kids liked A World of Peace camp over the spring break, which involved trips to a different Bay Area location (by bus) each day; our (then-6-year-old) enjoyed himself greatly. Perhaps a bit less expensive than Sarah Science. Agreed that the Cal summer camps are a great intro to lots of activities, and it’s nice that they get swimming instruction every day.

Agreed that there are many, many wonderful camp experiences available in Berkeley. If only we could all go, all summer long.

By: Karen F.

Karen F. — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:14:46 +0000

Re Camp Kee Tov: Yes, they have a program for 6 year olds. They start with kids entering kindergarten and have a program for kids entering 1st and 2nd grades. See campkeetov.org.

By: lee

lee — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:28:16 +0000

Does anyone know if camp kee tov is for 6 yr olds???

By: Lance Knobel

Lance Knobel — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:15:23 +0000

Rachel, Berkeleyside loves Berkeley Parents Network. Irreplaceable.