The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley are dedicated to providing safe spaces for the kids in the community to learn and grow into amazing citizens and future leaders.
“We provide specialized programming and trained staff to enhance the lives of our members and their families in a positive environment that cultivates academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character and citizenship,” says Chris Tusler, Marketing & Public Relations coordinator.
To that end, the club’s summer camps stand out because “we design all our activities around high-yield activities that create an enriching experience for our members,” says Tusler, adding that each week has themed activities to create choices that match each member’s diverse personalities.
The summer camp weekly themes keep things fresh while including the essentials, such as water play, arts and crafts, group games, science, sports, technology, field trips and more.
“Giving our kids an opportunity to spend the summer at the camp allows them to make the best memories while staying in a safe environment that helps maintain healthy habits while out of school,” Tusler emphasizes.
This summer, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley are changing from 3-week sessions to single weeks to better accommodate traveling schedules and offer flexible opportunities for families.
“We hope that by making our camps as accessible as possible, we can help more kids learn new skills or interests and develop into responsible adults,” Tusler says.
He noted that when interviewing summer camp members last year, almost everyone told him their favorite part of camp was meeting such a diversity of people from different backgrounds, and making friendships that they knew would continue past the end of summer.
“Some had tried new foods and activities from cultures they had never even heard of,” Tusler recalls.
With four unique summer camps running different themes and activities every week, “we have over 38 unique camp experiences.”
Some of the common activities featured at every camp are sports like flag football and soccer; gaming tournaments on Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart; as well as healthy meals and snacks, which provide opportunities for members to learn to cook their own healthy lunches. There’s also a huge variety of team-building games, and each camp will have a “morning huddle” when the kids take an active part in leading and preparing each day’s activities.
“We expect our weekly themes and pricing structure to be the most popular offering in this summer’s program because they will allow so much customization of the summer experience,” Tusler explains.
If you’re interested in supporting this program as a volunteer, camp counselors are needed. You can choose to volunteer at any of the club’s summer camps and help local kids develop healthy lifestyles, good character and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Summer camps will run from June 20 to August 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations: Rocky & Lon Morton Club at Sequoia Middle School, Marion & John E. Anderson Youth Center at Los Cerritos Middle School, Cal & Marje Johnston Club at Colina Middle School and the Dr. Richard Grossman Club at Chaparral Elementary School. Morton, Anderson and Johnston Clubs will be open to grades TK-8 and Grossman will be open to grades TK-5.
Summer camps take place Monday through Friday. Tusler noted that “we will be closed on June 19 and July 4 for Juneteenth observed and the Fourth of July,” so the first week of summer camp will begin on Tuesday, June 20, instead of Monday, June 19.
The weekly camp rate is $205 or a daily rate of $50 per day. To attend from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekly, the rate is $137.50.
Scholarships based on need are made available by generous donations to allow anyone to attend.
“We believe every child has the right to a great future, so we provide scholarships to ensure nobody is ever turned away to due to their inability to pay,” Tusler adds.
For more information or to sign up, reach out to your local Club Director, or visit BGConejo.org/programs/summer-camps/.
