Patch Picks: Off to Camp

It may seem early to be thinking about summer possibilities for your children, but June will be here before you know it.  We've scouted out some local options in Elk Grove and Sacramento to keep your kids both mentally and physically active.  Whether your child is a techie, prefers arts and crafts or wants to be on stage, there's something for everyone; the hard part will be to pick which one to attend.  Contact each individual camp for dates, course details, pricing and availability.

Summer Camps 

1.  Kinder Care Learning Centers.  Wilderness 101, Gross and Gooey Science and Dig Ancient Egypt are just three of the 12 camps offered by this kid-oriented establishment for pre-schoolers through grade-schoolers. Camps run from May through August.  Your children will learn about animals, teamwork and survival skills; explore the history of mummies, Pharaohs and hieroglyphics; and even use yarn and wax to create body parts!  Sounds like fun to us.

2.  Kid Central Off Track Camp.  Put on by the Cosumnes Community Services District, this is the perfect solution for children who attend year-round school, and can't participate in traditional summer camps.  Located at the Elk Grove Youth Center, this day camp will keep your kids busy with sports, games, arts and crafts, cooking, nature walks and more.  Contact the CSD for current rates and availability.  Now any time is summertime!

3.  Merryhill School Camp Calvine  Have your four to 14-year-olds been dreaming of horseback riding, swimming and games of late?  Turn their daydreams into reality, and sign them up for activity-packed Camp Zone, where they'll make new friends in a safe, fun-filled environment while playing and learning up a storm.  This nine-week-long camp runs from June 6 until August 5, and includes weekly Wednesday field trips.  Come to the Open House March 26 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. to find out about registration and pricing.   

4.  Sacramento Zoo.  If you're the parents of seventh- to ninth-grade animal lovers, consider sending them to Zoo Quest:  The Mystery of the Blue & Gold Macaw, a three-day adventure July 6 through July 9 that will keep them busy "using forensic science techniques to solve a true wildlife crime," per the Zoo's course description.  Attendees will spend Wednesday through Friday playing detective, finishing the quest Friday with an overnight zoo stay.  Daily snacks and Friday night dinner are provided.  Zoo members can register beginning March 15; general registration starts March 29.

5.  Fairytale Town.  Bet you didn't know that this place has a summer camp!  FunCamps are available for three- to four-year-olds, four- to six year-olds and six- to 12-year-olds.  At $130 per camp, the week-long sessions cover gardening, animals, drawing, music and even cooking.  Member discounts are available and member registration begins March 15, with nonmember registration commencing April 1.  Pre-registration is required.  "Children learn through play" is Fairytale Town's motto and we couldn't agree more. We think your kids will, too.