Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Matthew Reed meets a California desert tortoise at the YSI Institute at Lake Vasona County Park.

Summer Splash

Kids in the know get into the swim of vacation time

By Michelle Gabriel

It's rather appropriate that the long, hot days of summertime are heralded by the summer solstice, the spot on the calendar with the longest day and shortest night of the entire year. Following this long--although not necessarily hot--day is what often seems an endless expanse of days ahead, which for many children is the equivalent of 212 months' worth of blank slates waiting to be filled.

With school letting out in less than two weeks, thousands of youngsters will be out and about enjoying the lazy days of summer. In the meantime, their less than euphoric parents are scrambling for wholesome activities to make at least some of those lazy days creatively and academically more productive.

To ensure fun-filled, jampacked opportunities for learning, growing and playing, check out the following list of possibilities available throughout the Santa Clara Valley area. From adventure camps to sports camps, college courses to computer classes, there's an abundance of activities for children of all ages. But start planning early--many camps, classes and activities are already filling up.

Arts and Crafts

Marvegos Fine Art School
12378 S. Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road
Saratoga, 255-0671

Offers summer classes in drawing, watercolor and acrylic painting as well as exploration with ceramics and design for ages 412 and older. Sessions run two to five days a week for two to three weeks. Action-figure animation is offered for ages 10 and older. Workshops in mixed media, watercolor or acrylic painting are conducted weekly. Costs range from $75 to $119, which includes all supplies.

Computers

ComEdDa Computer Services
274 E. Hamilton Ave.
Campbell, 379-9094

Offers summer classes in animation, games, robotics, Internet, Web page creation and computer programming for grades 2-12 beginning June 15. Cost is $95 per week for morning sessions and $125 per week for advanced, afternoon sessions.

Computer Adventures
21400 Shady Lane, Suite A
Los Gatos, 888/904-CAMP or 354-4744

Offers high-tech summer day and overnight programs at the University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Features individual computer use for beginners to advanced students, animated arts and multimedia, programming, robotics and virtual reality, as well as team-building activities, open lab time, guest speakers from high-tech corporations and corporate-sponsored technology tournaments. There are also recreational activities such as golf, basketball, volleyball clinics and swimming. Cost is $475 for day camp and $700 for overnight.

Day Camps

Los Gatos-Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation
354-8700

Saratoga Recreation Department
868-1248 or 868-1249

Combined, these two recreation departments offer dozens of day camps that cater to children of all ages, skill levels and interest groups. Whether they're interested in nature, sports, cooking, creative writing, art, drama, music, dancing or taking field trips, there is something for almost everyone. There is also a counselor-in-training camp for grades 6-10.

Kid's Camp Plus
San Jose, 248-2464/Saratoga, 370-0357.

Summer programs for ages 3 to 14, June 19 to Sept. 1. Includes academic review; weekly theme activities; sports camp; and classes in dance, swimming, karate, golf, art, computers and music.

Boy Scouts of Santa Clara County
280-5088

Offers a variety of camps including Camp Chesebrough in Saratoga, a one-week day camp for grades 2-5 featuring BB guns, archery, storytelling, crafts and natures activities. $100. A resident camp in Boulder Creek features outdoor activities for skill and endurance. $100. Other Cub Scout day camps locations include Vasona Park, Lake Cunningham and Hecker Pass.

Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County
287-4170

Offers one-week theme day camps for ages 6-15 June 22-Aug. 14 at Camp Metro West, located on the Blackford High School campus, and Camp Metro East, located in Berryessa at the Girl Scout Program Center. Cost is $165 per session. Resident camps for ages 6-17 are held at Hidden Falls and Skylark Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Fees for resident camps vary.

Campfire Boys and Girls of Santa Clara County
296-6969, ext. 16

Offers a variety of age-specific day and resident camps for youngsters in more than 20 different locations. Activities vary at each site and may include water activities, nature studies and environmental experiences as well as swimming, sports and arts and crafts.

Educational

DeAnza College Discovery Days
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, 864-8215

Offers sports, summer safari, space science, art and academics for ages 3-6.

Early Horizons Summer Camp
1510 Lewiston Ave.
Sunnyvale, 746-3020

Offers Summer Splash '98 for ages 5-12. Includes guest speakers, field trips, special events and overnights, June 22-Aug. 27. Cost is $650 per month.

Happy Hollow Zoo and Park
1300 Senter Road
San Jose, 295-8383 or 277-5120

Offers one-week sessions for ages 4-13. Zoo Camp includes games, crafts and zoo nature activities. Puppet camp explores animals and art. $80.

Jewish Community Center
14855 Oka Road
Los Gatos, 493-9400, ext. 243

Offers age-appropriate programs for age 21/2 to grade 7. Kindercamp, water play, carpentry, cooking, music and swimming. Fees vary.

West Valley College for Kids
14000 Fruitvale Ave.
Saratoga, 741-2096

For grades 6-9. Astronomy, biology, math, mind games, sports, speech and debate and swimming. Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. with optional afternoon programs 2-4 p.m. Session I: June 22-July 10, $288. Session II: July 13-31, $309.

Southwest YMCA
135 Quito Road
Saratoga, 370-1877

Offers classes in swimming, karate, sports, crafts, music and computers. Also offers camps for grades K-9, as well as sports camps and specialty camps.

Youth Science Institute

Vasona Park, 296 Garden Hill Drive
Los Gatos, 356-4945

Sanborn Park, 16055 Sanborn Road
Saratoga, 867-6940

Alum Rock Park, 16260 Alum Rock Ave.
San Jose, 258-4322

A nonprofit organization offering programs and exhibits designed to interpret science and to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment.

De Anza College for Kids
Extended Year Program
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, 864-8791

Offers classes in art, computers, drama, languages, math, science and journalism for grades K-6. Fees vary.

Institute of Computer Technology
589 West Fremont Ave.
Sunnyvale, 736-4291

Offers computer classes and workshops for grades 2-7 and 7-plus. Includes multimedia, Internet, robotics and electric story book. Cost ranges from $20 to $40.

The Tech Museum of Innovation
145 W. San Carlos St.
San Jose, 279-7138

Offers one- and two-week sessions for grades 5-9. Web page publishing and robotics exploration.

City of Cupertino Parks and Recreation
10185 N. Stelling Road
Cupertino, 777-3120

Offers a variety of summer programs including day camp for ages 6-10; Summer Tots for ages 312-5; overnights and excursions; nature, summer science fun, playground drop-in, teen drop-in.

Library Programs

Los Gatos Public Library
110 E. Main St., Los Gatos
354-6891 or 354-6893 (children's room)

Offers weekly activities for children each Thursday at 3:15 p.m. as part of its Summer Reading Program. Included are storytellers, puppet shows, clowns, and guest speakers on age-appropriate topics.

Saratoga Community Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, 867-6126

Summer Reading Fun begins June 15. Special events for school-age children begin June 23 and continue through the summer with story-time sessions offered at various times.

Sports

De Anza College All Sports Camp
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, 864-8791

Offers instruction and competition in a variety of sports for ages 7-13.

Hoop Edge Summer Basketball Camp
De Anza College
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, 864-8729

Offers one-week sessions with collegiate coaching staff for ages 8-17 beginning June 22. Cost is $115 and includes T-shirt and basketball.

Jewish Community Center
14855 Oka Road
Los Gatos, 358-3636

Offers Sports Camps for grades 1-6. Includes various sports plus off-site athletic activities. Tennis Camp for grade K-9. Extended care available.

Los Gatos-Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation
123 E. Main St.
Los Gatos, 354-8700, ext. 229

Offers camps and activities including basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, ice skating, gymnastics and movement.

Sid Williams Basketball Camp
Fisher Middle School
17000 Roberts Road
Los Gatos, 358-9323

A competitive-level basketball camp, July 13-17, for girls and boys entering grades 5-9. Individual instruction and evaluation. Includes ball handling and shooting techniques. Cost is $100-$110.

Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation
550 E. Remington
Sunnyvale, 730-7350

Offers soccer camps for ages 4-12, volleyball camps for ages 9-12 and basketball camps for ages 7-18. Fees vary.

Walden West Center
Four miles west of Saratoga on Sanborn Road, 867-5950

Offers four- and five-day programs to fifth- and sixth-grade classes on natural history, science and environmental concepts and group living skills. Includes hiking, swimming, ropes challenge course, archery, arts and crafts, singing, skits and a barbecue and overnight camp-out. Cost per session is $180.

Theater

Theatre in the Mountains
23800 Summit Road
Los Gatos, 353-9999

This summer marks the premiere season of TIMPACC--Theatre in the Mountains Performing Arts Children's Conservatory. The nonprofit theatrical group provides third- through 12th-graders with an all-day program including workshops in voice and characterization, how to audition, jazz vocal ensemble, ballet and tap dancing, acting and set design. Students will also rehearse for a community production of the musical Oklahoma! Cost varies.

San Jose Children's Musical Theatre
288-5437, ext. 22

Offers a summer performing arts conservatory for training in acting, dance, voice and variety arts from beginning to advanced levels for ages 6-18. San Jose: June 19-July 10; Saratoga: July 20-Aug. 7. Cost is $265.

KRON Bay Area Shakespeare Camps
(several locations including Cupertino and Los Gatos), 800/978-7529

Theater professionals teach campers to create sets, props and costumes and present a play. Ages 8-13, 14-18. Cost is $280 or $330 with extended care.

The Music School
728 W. Fremont Ave.
Sunnyvale, 739-9248

Offers a Music and Arts Camp for ages 4-10, and a choir camp for grades 2-6; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 10-14. A music theater workshop is offered for ages 7-12, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., June 29-Aug. 7, as well as a variety of instrumental-music classes for preschool to sixth-grade students. Fees vary.

Musical Theater Camp
550 E. Remington Drive
Sunnyvale, 730-7341

Offers a variety of music and theater camps for ages 7-10 and 11-14, as well as an advanced theater camp for 7- to 16-year-olds with two years' previous music camp experience. Includes singing, dancing and acting skills and audition and performance techniques. $99 resident/$125 nonresident.

American Musical Theatre of San Jose
1717 Technology Drive
San Jose, 453-7100

Offers summer classes in performing for children ages 8-18. Fees from $10 to $200.

Jewish Community Center
14855 Oka Road
Los Gatos, 358-3636, ext. 19

Offers a six-week Performing Arts Co. summer conservatory for ages 5-8; 9-11; and 12-15. Cost is $745 (JCC member).

Performing Arts Workshop at Villa Montalvo for the Arts
15400 Montalvo Road
Saratoga, 354-8700, ext. 2281

Offers theatrical art, dance, creative dance expressions, storytelling, arts and crafts, acting, drama and music for ages 7-12. $187.

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