The simple camps of summers past are still around, but campers now have a choice that goes beyond making make homemade jewelry or singing round the campfire. From Web designing to broadcasting, as well as every sport and outdoor activity under the sun, Malibuites may have a hard time choosing which camp to send junior to this summer.
By Pamela Wells/Special to The Malibu Times
Jaden Hunter, 14, sits on the steps of his Malibu home looking through a digital camcorder as he talks about his summer plans with his neighbor, Antwon Williams, who is setting up a tripod for the camera.
“I’m probably going to shoot some projects,” Hunter said. “I have some things that I want to photograph.”
The two boys talk about their desire to hone their camera skills and their yearning for an opportunity this summer to work on film projects that will allow them to make projects and learn at the same time.
Williams and Hunter’s wishes are coming true this summer. The two will be attending the US Performing Arts Camps, which offers campers a variety of performing arts-related activities, such as acting workshops, musical theater, playwriting/screenwriting, dance, broadcasting and sitcoms for children age 11-18. The camps are located at various universities in Southern California.
“These camps are for young people who are passionate about the entertainment arena,” Judith Patterson, president of US Performing Arts Camps, said. “It gives them an opportunity to build confidence through character development while enhancing their own skills in a focused and fun environment.”
“There is a great deal of individual attention that is given to each student,” Patterson said. “The kids are allowed to ask as many questions as they would like. The intent is to immerse the child into their chosen concentration.”
Sarah Zinsser is an actress who will be teaching the theater-acting workshop at Marymount High School.
“I’m excited about this camp,” Zinsser said. “It is enjoyable to help kids create characters. I love helping them build self-esteem in themselves.”
Zinsser’s face lights up as she reflects on a memorable teaching experience.
“I remember an eight-year-old girl who was very shy,” Zinsser said. “Her mother came up to me after the performance to thank me. She said she didn’t know that her daughter could speak that loud.”
Zinsser said it’s those moments that make the camps worthwhile and it is also the reason that she sees it as her mission to show children they can do anything that they set their minds to.
Since Williams and Hunter are aspiring directors, they are seriously considering the digital filmmaking camp.
“I’m going to talk to my parents about it,” Hunter said.
Williams agrees with Hunter.
Creation Station in Malibu also offers acting, singing and dancing. It is a brand new performing arts camp for children age 8-13. The camp boasts a 500-seat theater and a dance studio. Cheryl Jennings, the program director, was director of education for the Santa Monica Playhouse for 25 years. Also offered is surf camp for ages 12-18, which takes place at Paradise Cove.
Coming from New York is Piero Dusa, who studied under Standford Meisner and Stella Adler. Dusa is offering teen drama camp. The next session begins July 15.
Campers who prefer more physical action can also enjoy summer camps in sports.
The Elton Brand basketball camp is offered at Cal Lutheran University for children age 8-17, and the Lazy J Ranch offers children, 5-15 years of age, outdoor activities from horseback riding, tennis and swimming to archery, riflery, hiking, canoeing to arts and crafts, fencing and field sports.
For those with children of a culinary nature, local restaurant Granita is offering a cooking camp for children in Malibu, taught by chef Jennifer Naylor. Children can learn how to stretch pizza dough, fill ravioli and how to prepare breakfast in bed-sure to be a favorite among parents too tired to rise on a Sunday morning. The camp is offered to children of all ages, however, those under age 8 must be accompanied by a parent.
One camp that seems to offer everything under the sun is located in Agoura, Camp Keystone. Outdoor, indoor, you name it, they have it. The camp even offers door-to-door transportation.
Also in Agoura is Sunny Skies Day Camp, which offers team sports, horseback riding, fishing and Red Cross swim instruction, as well as other activities.
For a 120-acre experience, Camp Summertime at Calamigos Ranch offers plenty of outdoor activities on land that sports two ponds, four swimming pools and acres of sports fields for campers age 4-14.
The Summer Games at Camp Bloomfield for Foundation for the Junior Blind takes place June 30 in Malibu. Olympic-style events and food are part of the all day camp, which supports children who are blind and visually impaired.
And, for children who are interested in the world of technology, ID Tech Camps, offered at the Pepperdine University campus, gives children a chance to design Web pages, learn programming and robotics, as well as produce digital movies and create video games.
Malibu resident Dana Alexander said her 13-year-old son is an aspiring Web designer. He is contemplating enrolling in the technology camps.
“I’m amazed at all the choices that kids today have to choose from,” Alexander said. “I don’t remember having so many choices. I’m happy that kids today can learn something and be entertained at the same time.”
“I don’t have to worry how will I keep my son busy this summer,” she said.
Camp information
- Camp Bloomfield
Foundation for the Junior Blind, www.fjb.org
- Camp Keystone, 818.889.2224
- Camp Summertime, ages 4-14, 818.706.7335
- Creation Station, ages 8-13, 310.317.4293 x106
- Elton Brand Basketball Camp, ages 8-17, 212.560.CAMP
- Granita Cooking Camp, all ages, 310.456.0488
- ID Tech Camps, ages 8-17, 888.709.TECH
- Lazy J Ranch camps, 310.457.5572.
- Piero Dusa Acting Conservatory, 310.456.9054, www.pierodusa.com
- Sunny Skies Day Camps, ages 4-14, 310.456.9930
- US Performing Arts Camp, ages 11-18, 888.780.2267. Camps takes place at UCLA, Stanford, Pepperdine and Marymount High School campuses.