The San Luis Obispo Art Center will offer a series of art camps for children, running from June 16 until late July. Classes include sculpture, landscape painting and drawing.
Summer camps are not just a vehicle for getting your kids out of the house.
Granted, that might be an added benefit—after all, bored kids can make the summer really drag on. But camps also help kids form new friendships, learn new skills and—remember the whole point of summer vacation— have fun.
Camps in San Luis Obispo County typically emphasize music, sports, arts and outdoor recreation. They usually take place during the days, though there are a few overnight camps as well.
Since there’s not enough space here to list all of the camps, we’ve chosen to highlight a variety of them throughout the county. To find out about other summer camps, check with your local churches, schools and parks and recreation offices.
Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria
This overnight camp, which has been around since 1946, is located on 14 forested acres overlooking the ocean on the town’s southern border. Beginning in late June, six themed weeklong camps, each costing $800, will be offered through the summer. The Ocean Adventures camp, for instance, includes kayaking in Morro Bay, tide pooling in Cambria, and swimming in San Simeon Cove. Up to 120 kids (age 8- 15) stay in 10 straw-bale cabins during their camp. Those interested can check out the facilities during an open house on Saturday, which offers a free barbecue and $200 off the camp fee. Call: 927-0254.
Adventure Surf Camp, Morro Bay
In the summer the waves are small, the wind is gentle and the air is warm, making it a perfect time for beginners to venture into the surf. This camp, put on by Morro Bay Surf Co., provides wet suits and soft-top boards, along with instruction on technique, terminology and safety. (The instructors are trained in CPR and first aid.) Costs for this all-ages camp range, depending on whether you want a half-week camp ($279), full week ($399) or the full overnight camp ($799). The weeklong camps start June 14 and last through August. Call: 772-2678.
ArtRageous Summer Camps, San Luis Obispo
Kids age 5-12 can participate in summer camps at the San Luis Obispo Art Center, which offer art instruction in a variety of mediums. Some of the classes include sculpture, landscape painting, Chinese scrolls, ancient- inspired architecture and drawing. Each camp entails six sessions, which take place from 9 a. m. until noon. Beginning June 16 and ending in late July. The camps cost $115 for nonmembers, $95 for members. Call: 543-8562, ext. 1.
YMCA, countywide
The YMCA offers a slew of camps throughout the county. There’s a surf camp in Pismo Beach, a sailing camp in Los Osos and a gymnastics camp in Paso Robles. Other camps emphasize ballet, indoor soccer, pirates, theater, superheroes and magic. There are also expeditions to the Channels Islands and San Diego. Prices, dates and ages vary. Call: 543-8235, ext. 106.
Prelude Summer Music Camp, SLO and Templeton
The San Luis Obispo Symphony offers this camp for kids who have never had experience playing an instrument. The first camp takes place June 14-18 in San Luis Obispo, with another July 21- 25 in Templeton. The $150 camps, featuring guest artists, will introduce campers to the instruments of the orchestra. Meanwhile, the Intermezzo String Workshop is offered for children with at least a year of experience. That $200 camp takes place July 28-Aug. 1. Call: 543-3533.
Cal Poly Engineering Days Summer Camp, SLO
This camp offers to introduce students currently underrepresented in engineering to the field. Here Cal Poly professors teach high schoolers about aerospace, biomedical, civil and environmental engineering, computer science and more. In the past students have built model airplanes and solar cells during the $200 camp, which takes place July 14-18. E-mail: engineeringdays@gmail.com .
Catalyst Soccer, countywide
For boys and girls age 4-14, this half-day camp features former MLS player Paul Holocher, who played for both the San Jose Clash and the Chicago Fire. Holocher, the head coach of the Cal Poly men’s team, is a former college All-American player. Students will learn things like ball control, turns, fakes, shooting and defense. The weeklong camps take place throughout the county, from mid-June to mid-August. Prices range from $75 to $135. Call: 541-3031.
Cuesta College, countywide
Cuesta offers a variety of camps — from diving and sailing theory to swimming and golf. The tennis camp teaches footwork, forehands, backhands and more. The golf camp offers instruction on putting, pitching, driving and etiquette. And the sailing class teaches kids about the parts of a boat, safety and docking. Times, locations and prices vary. Call: 546-3132.
Horace Grant’s Central Coast Basketball Camp, Oceano
During his 17-year NBA career, Horace Grant was a vital part of four championship teams with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Now the 6-foot-10-inch power forward, who lives in Nipomo, is sharing his knowledge with kids. This summer he heads a camp with Cal Poly men’s b-ball coach Kevin Bromley. The $200 camp (June 23-26) is offered to kids in first through eighth grades at the Oceano Community Center. Those attending will get an autographed basketball. Call: 709-7567.
Opera Camp, SLO, Pacific Repertory Opera
Kids aged 8-15 will learn about singing, stage production, costumes, props, role playing and more in this two-week camp that runs July 28- Aug. 8. Students will interact with music professionals, including the opera’s new artistic director, Robert Ashens, Cal Poly pianist/organist Paul Woodring and musical director Alan Boehner. At the end of the camp ($345), students will be cast in a performance. Call: 541-5369.
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