For kids in Newport Beach, summer offers up a variety of activities.
Whatever the interest, there’s a summer camp for it: Boating, surfing, sports, photography, art, cooking, the environment, technology, music, and many more.
The city, as well as local organizations, offer a number of programs
Here is just a highlight of what is being offered this summer:
• The recreation and senior services department for the city of Newport Beach offers camps on the water, sports fields, out in nature and in the classroom.
Activities include: Beach, surfing, sailing, skim and paddle boarding, dance, cheer, gymnastics, enrichment, art, and aquatics.
“Summer is all about camps and we have over 100 fun and unique ones like Jedi Master Engineering, Beach & Surf Camp, Retro & Vintage Poster Designs, Top Dessert Chef, Skimboarding, Paddleboarding, Sensational Superheroes and so much more – you’ll never want the summer to end.” Sarah Boulton, marketing specialist for the city’s Recreation & Senior Services Department, wrote in an email.
A few of the camps available are: Newport Harbor Surf & Sand Beach Camp, Parent & Me Sailing, Fun in the Sun, Showstoppers Dance, Hula for Kids, Top Junior Chef, Astronaut Adventure, The Ultimate Survival Zone, Wacky Mega Bot Tech, Superhero Filmmaking and Animation Flix, and Open Studio Workshop – All Media.
Day camps and preschool half-day camps are also offered.
Prices range from $90 to $565, depending on length of the camp, age of the camper and supplies/equipment used. Some camps require an additional materials fee. Most are a few days to one week long, and are offered throughout the summer.
The city also offers courses and other summer activities for adults and seniors.
For more information, call (949) 644-3151 or visit newportbeachca.gov (listed under Departments and Services, Recreation & Senior Services).
• Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is holding the popular Camp James, which offers a variety of activities including: Archery, boating, drama, martial arts, music, rock climbing, sports and athletics, swimming and more.
“It is a place where children can be themselves – and it’s cool to sing loud and off key, nobody cares about name brand clothing, especially when covered in mud, and we all dance like nobody is watching,” according to the camp website.
The camp is for kids ages 4-13, and runs June 24 to Aug. 30. Parents can reserve a single day at a time for $60. There is a $25 registration fee per child, per summer.
Regular camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but for $4 per child, per day extended hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. are available.
For more information call (949) 729-1098 or visit campjames.com.
• The Newport Sea Base also offers many summer activities open to the public, including: Sailing, kayaking, citizenship, boating, aquatics, science, and safety.
Among the classes are: Beginning Sailing, Twilight Canoe Tour, Kayak Cruisin’, Shark Camp, Nautical Knots, Photography, Emergency Preparedness, and many more.
Camp costs range from $75 to $275, with some activity pin and badge classes $40 to $75, and single day activities $10 to $60. Programs vary from just a couple hours to a few days to stretching out over the entire summer.
Activities are for girls and boys, ages 6 to 17, although some classes have age requirements.
Some classes require a “swim check” to prove swimming proficiency. Merit badges can be earned from certain classes. Other classes may have more requirements. Check with the Sea Base for details.
For more information, call (949) 642-5031 or visit newportseabase.org/summer-camps.
• Summer nature camps have been held by the Environmental Nature Center since 1977, providing a “quality science education in an outdoor, hands-on setting,” according to the ENC website.
Campers observe nature using binoculars, magnifying lenses and microscopes. They get introduced to scientific concepts while enjoying crafts, games and hands-on activities.
The weekly sessions include: Nature Play, Time Travelers, Outdoor Creativity, Science Safari, Mad Science, Earth Heroes, and Outdoor Adventure.
The camp is held Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the “After Camp” program lasting until 3 p.m. Some sessions will include off-site field trips.
Nature Camp costs $175 per student, per session ($157.50 for members), After Camp is $80 per student, per session ($72 for members). A limited number of partial scholarships for half of the camp fees are available.
Fees include all costs of instruction, field trip transportation and admission fees, laboratory and art supplies, and an organic cotton camp T-shirt.
Campers must be in kindergarten through sixth grade.
For more information, call (949) 645-8489 or visit encenter.org/camps/summer-nature-camp.
