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The city of Cupertino sponsors a day camp called Club 2003 for 11- to 15-year-old youngsters. On any given day, these teens and preteens go to movies, to the waterslides, to the beach, even to the mall. They play foosball, ping-pong, cards and board games.
The philosophy behind these camps is having fun. Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Frey says most of the campers come from high-achieving families who emphasize doing well in academics and other activities.
Frey says parents in Silicon Valley don't understand the benefits of recreation and being balanced.
"This camp is just for fun and has no academic focus," Frey says.
Tal Simchony sends her 13-year-old daughter, Yarden, to Club 2003. "This is so she does something active rather than just watch TV all day," Simchony says.
The campers assemble every day at 10:30 a.m. in Cupertino's Portal Park and spend the day there till 5:30 p.m., unless they are going for an outing.
"Once a week we make a big trip to a theme park, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the bowling alley or the skating rink," says camp counselor Anastasia Beaverhausen.
Campers follow a loose schedule that they can change if they want. However, the rule is that campers must watch their language and behavior. While the first and second sessions are already underway, the third one starts July 21.
The city organizes various other classes and programs for teens which include driver's education, middle school dances, clogging, hip-hop, street dance and yoga.
For more details about these day camps, call Kimberley Frey at 408.777.3120.
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Photograph by Dustin Cohen