The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

It's fun to frolic and play at Blackberry Farm, which is open to the public every day.

Summer Scene

Summer activities abound--from computer classes to campouts

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 are the equivalent of 2 1/2 months' worth of blank slates waiting to be filled.

With school letting out next week, 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, jam-packed opportunities for learning, growing and playing, check out the following list of possibilities. But start planning now--many camps, classes and activities are already filling up.

Arts and Crafts

City of Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department
Quinlan Community Center
10185 N. Stelling Rd.
777-3120

Offers drawing, cartoon, and watercolor classes beginning June 24. This year the city is offering a new Visual Arts Camp for kids ages 5 to 8 the week of July 27. Fees vary.

Rainbow Arts Studio
7337 Bollinger Rd.
255-4534

The studio is offering a summer arts camp to teach children from kindergarten to 12th grade painting, watercolors, drawing and sculpture. A one-week session of half days costs $155. Camps begin June 12 and end Aug. 14.

Young at Art
19701 Stevens Creek Blvd.
255-1414

The fine arts school is offering morning and afternoon camps throughout the summer beginning June 22. The camps focus on both fine art and crafts. The cost of a one-week session is $130.

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 beginning to advanced students, animated arts and multimedia, programming, robotics and virtual reality. Sports and other recreational activities are also available. Cost is $475 for day camp and $700 for overnight.

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

Offers computer classes and workshops for grades 2-7 and 7-plus. Includes multimedia, Internet, robotics and electric storybook. 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 in Web page publishing and robotics exploration for fifth through ninth grades.

Day Camps

City of Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department
777-3120

The city has a variety of day camps available throughout the summer that focus on different topics. Nature, science, dance, gymnastics, rock climbing, arts and crafts, games, and even something called "Icelandic Horseback Riding." Fees vary.

Northwest YMCA
20803 Alves Dr.
257-7160

Offers a variety of camps, including Splash Camp for swim lessons, Skateboarding Camp, sports camps, a performing arts camp and now for 4- and 5-year-olds, Frontier Camp. Fees vary.

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.

Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County
287-4170

Offers one-week themed day camps for ages 6-15 June 22 through Aug. 14. Cost is $165 per session. Resident camps for ages 6-17 are held in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Fees for resident camps vary.

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

Offers a variety of day and resident camps for youngsters in more than 20 different locations, including Stevens Creek County Park. Activities and fees vary at each site.

Educational

City of Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department
777-3120

There are music and reading-skills classes offered this summer. Fees vary.

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

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

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 through Aug. 27. Cost is $650 per month.

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.

Library Programs

Cupertino Library
10400 Torre Ave., Cupertino
446-1677

The library is once again sponsoring a Summer Reading Program. Children can sign up in the Children's Room between June 18 and July 30. Those who read or listen to nine or more books will receive a certificate and a free paperback. On Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. from June 18 to July 30 the library will have its Thursday Fun Program, with storytelling, crafts and more. Summer storytimes are from June 30 to Aug. 27. They include Bedtime Storytimes for ages 3 and up at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and Preschool Storytimes for ages 1 1/2 to 3 years old at 10:15 a.m. on Thursdays.

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.

Pacific Bell Community Camps
De Anza College
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
1-800-FUN-CAMP

The weeklong camp starts July 6 and will teach 7- to 14-year-olds football basics as well as health and nutrition. The camp lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. The cost is $165, which includes T-shirt and daily lunch.

Skyhawks Sports Academy
Cupertino
777-3120

This private organization offers a variety of sports day camps through the city. Sports include soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football and roller hockey for ages 6-12. Costs and requirements vary according to sport.

City of Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department
777-3120

The city has a wide variety of sports and dance classes available this summer.

Theater and Music

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 a variety of theater workshops. 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
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 to 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 classes for preschool to grade 6 students on a variety of musical instruments. Fees vary.

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

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

Performing Arts Workshop at Villa Montalvo Center 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.

City of Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Department
730-7350

There are several classes and three different camps related to the performing arts. Two musical theater camps, beginning and advanced, are available, as well as a "Scene Camp," to learn how to make scenery and props for performances.

Swimming

Cupertino High School
10100 Finch Ave.
Monta Vista High School
21840 McClellan Road

Cool off Monday through Friday afternoons this summer from 1 to 3 p.m., June 22 through Aug. 14 (except July 3). Children under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $1 for children 13 and under, $2 for those 14 and older, and $2 for a family of three or more people. Season passes are available; call 777-3120 for more information.

Blackberry Farm
21975 San Fernando Ave., Cupertino
777-3140

Not only do you get access to two pools and a wading pool, there are also playgrounds, sports fields, a snack bar, an arcade and picnic grounds. The grounds are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Mondays. The pools open at 10:30 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on weekdays, 6 p.m. on weekends. The cost on weekdays is $4 for people ages 13 and up, $3 for ages 6-12, 5 and under free. After 3 p.m. the cost is $1 per person. On weekends the cost is $6.50 for ages 13 and up, $4.50 for ages 6-12. Season passes and packages are available.

--Pam Marino contributed to this report.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, June 10, 1998.
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