Tag: Registration

A Camp A Day – The Countdown Starts TODAY!

Image

Summer. Is. Coming.

Our staff has been working non-stop to get parents our summer 2014 schedule. We are so very close to releasing it, but in the meantime, we thought we would highlight one of our MANY camps each day until registration begins on March 12!

Today, we thought we would start with a few basic housekeeping items.

      1. rwc_front_cover150xWe will post the Activity Guide online for you to see prior to it actually being mailed. THE FIRST RULE ABOUT THE ONLINE ACTIVITY GUIDE IS, YOU MAY NOT SEND IN A REGISTRATION FORM PRIOR TO IT HITTING THE POST OFFICE.
      2. Did you know we have a Camp Website? We are not up and running yet, but the URL is so easy to remember… ready? It’s RedwoodCityCamps.org. Seriously, don’t go there yet. It’s not up. You will be disappointed.
      3. 10 PERCENTWe have a special early sign-up incentive coming your way this season!  We are rewarding our early registrants with a 10% discount on some of your children’s favorite recreation camps, including: Polliwog, Mountaineers, Explorers, Kaboom, Whatchamacallit, Summer Adventures and High-5! You will automatically receive this deduction when you register in person, by mail or by fax, as well as online by entering the code “SUMMER10” after you place each week of these camps into your shopping cart! We chose an early bird deadline of April 15th. We thought for a variety of reasons, it should be easy to remember. *wink*
      4. BRIDGE CAREWe will be offering something NEW this year, called “Bridge Care.” Bridge Care is a program that helps to link-up morning and afternoon sessions of select camps in order to create a full day opportunity for kids that want to try a couple of different camps each week. Want to take a Sports camp in the morning and a Tech camp in the afternoon? Maybe your child would like to do a Science Camp first and then take a Lego Camp later. Whatever the combination, we have options. Our staff will pick your child up from their morning camp and then walk them to the Community Activities Building for lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm. After lunch, we will escort them to their afternoon camp. We have specifically flagged a handful of camps that are in a reasonable walking distance to our lunchtime destination. We apologize that we could not accommodate all of our camps this year for this pilot program.

That’s it! Please come back and visit our blog daily, or better yet, subscribe! You can also catch us on Facebook and Twitter. We will be leaking a new tidbit every day. I am hoping to get you the coveted “Camp Calendar” tomorrow… stay tuned!

Meet Mr. “Cesar” Salad

015_15

When we needed a new Director for Camp Whatchamacallit, the choice was clear. Camp Whatchamacallit is our Full Day Camp in Redwood Shores that it is chock-full of activities, field trips, swimming, sports, crafts and plenty of fun! The Commander-in-Chief of this Shores Crew needed to be someone who had a ton of experience, could manage kids of all ages, motivate staff, and well…just keep up with the get-up-and-go that a Full Day Camp requires. This particular Camp Director gives 100% all day long and maintains an amazingly consistent equilibrium of enthusiasm from 8:30am-5pm. ALL. SUMMER. LONG. Meet Cesar Zuniga!

Meet Cesar Zuniga! Q & A

cesarCamp Nick Name: Caesar Salad
Director of Camp Whatchamacallit at Sandpiper Community Center

  1. How long have you been working for the City? Current Job?
    Wow, it’s been almost 14  great years now. I started in high school as a program leader and they’ve been stuck with me ever since. I am currently the After School Program Coordinator at John Gill Elementary School
  2. How many years have you worked Camp Whatchamacalit?
    I have been fortunate enough to have been part of many camps and they have all been great. This is my 4th year with Camp Whatchamcallit.
  3. What do you love best about working at Camp Whatchamacallit?
    That’s simple, it’s the kids! There is wonderful community that surrounds and participates in our camp and it shows with every fun summer that I am there.
  4. Your favorite Camp Memory from Camp Whatchamacallit?
    Unfortunately, I was never able to participate in Redwood City camps as a child, so it’s like being a  kid and doing it for the first time. There are so many great memories… how to pick… A couple of years ago a child was very nervous to go on their first “big” ride at Great America.  After a few minutes of getting pumped up, he went on it. Tears and screams!!!! Made for GREAT in-the-air action pictures. He’s 14 or 15 years old now and still comes back every Summer to see us and reminisce about that “life changing” experience.

    I also still have a stuffed otter a camper gave me one summer after I said it was my favorite animal. His name is “Odie.”
  5. Camp Nick Name
    “Caesar Salad” is not the most imaginative name, but it started 10 years ago at Day Camp and has kept on going and going and going…
  6. Favorite Camp Song
    “Wrist a Shaw” by far!!!! But I am also really into, “I’m a Musician”  lately. HA!
  7.  Fun Fact
    I’m 6’1 HA! Just kidding.  I’m proud to say I’m good at old Disney cartoon movie trivia and Disney music trivia!
  8. College degree: San Diego State (beach in December!!!) majored in Sociology.
  9. Extra Credit: Did you grow up in Redwood City?
    Born, raised and proud! Roosevelt Raccoon, Kennedy Cougar and Sequoia Cherokee.

For more information about our Summer Camps in Redwood City, Visit us at RedwoodCityCamps.org!  There is still space! 

You May Know Them as “T-Bird” & “Butterfly”

Jake_Telisha

If your child has come home from the woods speaking of the elusive Blue Monkeys and singing “YOU CAN’T RIDE IN MY LITTLE RED WAGON” in the back of your car at level 10,  then we are certain you know these two lively Camp Directors. They have both been a part of our Redwood City Team for over a decade and probably love their jobs even more today than they did the day they started.  Every year, they DEMAND that they return to “Day Camp” at Stulsaft, as they feel like it is their OWN chance to go to camp every summer – not to mention, they LOVE seeing the campers who return year after year.

The relationships they have cultivated with the kids and the parents are a huge draw to why they return each Summer. The camaraderie and consistency of our staff, is what we believe, to be one the major perks of our program. The kids look forward to coming back to camp each summer not only because it’s FUN, but they are also eager to see our staff. There is a comfort in knowing the routine and seeing familiar faces- for parents and children alike! So who are T-Bird and Butterfly? Why of course, they are Telisha and Jake!

Meet Telisha and Jake! Q & A

T-Bird
T-Bird getting pumped for Summer!

Telisha Brent
Camp Nick Name: T-bird/Grandmother Stulsaft
Co-Director of Tiny Timbers, Explorers, and Mountaineers @ Stulsaft Park

  1. How long have you been working for the City? Current Job?
    I’ve been working for the City since 1999, yes 1999! I am currently the Director of the Sandpiper Youth Club after school program in Redwood Shores!
  2. How many years have you worked at Day Camp?
    I’ve worked at Day Camp since the summer of 2000. I’ve been the Director since 2006. It’s pretty awesome because I actually went to the camp when I was a kid. Looks like I’m never leaving Stulsaft Park!
  3. What do you love best about working at Day Camp?
    There are a ton of things I love about day camp, but if I had to pick just one, it would have to be being outside all the time hiking and literally having fun in the sun!
  4. Your favorite Camp Memory from Day Camp?
    I probably have a million “favorite camp memories” but if I had to narrow it down, one that always makes me laugh was during one of our overnighters. During one of our nighttime leader scavenger hunts (where the leaders hide and the children find them for points) I decided to make it my mission NOT to be found. I found the perfect hiding spot HIGH in a tree over the camp site. Not only was I the first leader to be found, after my disappointment, I wasn’t able to get out of the tree. About 45 minutes later and a truck and assistance from several staff members, I made it down safely. Needless to say, that was the last time I hid in a tree.
  5. Favorite Camp Song? Little Red Wagon
  6. Fun Fact: I am a member of the Justin Bieber fan club. Yes, I’ll admit it, I’m a BELIEBER.
  7. College degree: B.A. in English
  8. Extra Credit: Did you grow up in Redwood City?
    My dad was in the Coast Guard when I was younger so we traveled a lot, but Redwood City was always home base. I went to Roy Cloud and Kennedy for a couple years, great memories at both schools 🙂
jake1
Jake, testing the creek water temperature for the kids.

Jacob Hodgdon
Camp Nick Name: Butterfly (it’s a long story, but let’s just say that I did not come up with it)
Co-Director of Tiny Timbers, Explorers, and Mountaineers @ Stulsaft Park

  1. How long have you been working for the City? Current Job?
    I have been working for the City for 12 years.  I am currently an Administrative Specialist working on various special projects (read Jack-of-all-Trades)
  2. How many years have you worked at Day Camp?
    This will be my 8th summer co-running the Day Camp up at Stulsaft Park.
  3. What do you love best about working at Day Camp?
    What don’t I love best about working at Day Camp? (The best summer camp ever, by the way.)  It’s the camp I went to in the summer when I was a kid and it’s the camp I always wanted to work at.  It’s outdoors, in nature, we make crafts, go for hikes, sing songs, put on skits, play in the creek, get dirty – What could be better?
  4. Your favorite Camp Memory from Day Camp?
    It is honestly very hard for me to pick out one memory as my favorite. One that definitely stands out though, was my first Challenge Day as a leader, when I was more excited for all of the competitions than any of the campers in my group (spoiler alert: we lost).  In fact, my biggest regret about Day Camp is that I still have never won the Challenge Day Cup.
  5. Favorite Camp Song?
    Easy – An Austrian went Yodeling – Best camp song ever! (Your Mama Don’t Wear No Socks is a close 2nd though.)
  6. Fun Fact:
    I taught myself how to play the guitar and the drums, and I am currently learning the mandolin.
  7. College degree:
    Bachelors Degree in Philosophy from San Jose State University *cough – Magna Cum Laude – cough* 
  8. Extra Credit: Did you grow up in Redwood City?
    Born and raised in RWC.  I have been a proud Henry Ford Mustang, Kennedy Cougar, and Woodside Wildcat.  I even went to preschool at Red Morton.  I can’t think of a better place to grow up.

For more information about our Nature Camps at Stulsaft Park, Visit us at RedwoodCityCamps.org! There is still space! 

Meet Hector & Sandy from Camp KABOOM!

DSC02979

What is Camp Kaboom?

Have you ever searched tirelessly for a Summer Camp solution that would complete some sort of ideal parental wishlist you had for your child? No Camp is perfect, but Camp Kaboom is pretty darn close when it comes to meeting the needs of the child and YOU, the parent!

1. First of all, it runs from 8am-5pm.
This is not only great for working parents, but SAHMs or Dads can also consider this a week of Camp for themselves! We also have after-care from 5-6pm if you need a little more time.

2. Lunch is included!
I don’t think we need to spell this one out for you. See #1 – Parents, you get a break from packing lunch! Plus, we provide not one, but TWO healthy snacks!

3. We go to the Pool!
Swimming. A very important aspect of Summer. Also, it’s very tiring. 

4. Weekly Field Trips!
Did you think the pool was our only outing? We’ll take your child to fun attractions in the Bay Area that they  LOVE, so a) they can have fun, and b) you can avoid a full day at Great America (if that’s not your thing)! It’s also a great way to diversify the week.

5. Lastly, we supply never-ending arts, crafts, sports, movies, attentive and supportive staff, and FUN! 

SIGN UP HERE!

Meet Our Fearless Leaders, Hector & Sandy! Q & A

Fearless Leader of Kaboom!
Fearless Leader, Hector!

Hector Carlos, Co-Director

  1. How long have you been working for the City of Redwood City?
    8 years, primarily in After School Programs.
  2. How many years have you worked at Camp Kaboom?
    It seems wrong to call it work when we get to play around all day, but this summer will be my 6th year at Camp Kaboom and my 5th year as one of the camp directors.
  3. Camp Nick Name
    3 of our campers decided one summer that Hector was too long, so they started calling me “Tor” instead and it stuck. Thanks Allison, Madeline, and Darien!
  4. What do you love best about working at Kaboom?
    Camp Kaboom NEVER GETS BORING. Every week brings forth activities inspired by a different theme, so every week is a different experience. It’s a welcomed challenge to get to plan activities that will be enjoyed by our broad age range of campers.
  5. Your favorite Camp Memory?
    We had this one camper who loved to read. She and her sister would come back every summer. If ever she had a minute of downtime, she would sit against a wall, pull out a monster of a book, and read.  I found out that we were both reading the ‘Inheritance’ series by Christopher Paolini (each book was 500+ pages) and we began talking about the books every summer. Then one summer, she said she had not read the third book – which had been released the previous fall. When I brought her my hardcover copy and said she could keep it, she almost tackled me with the hug she gave me and said “Thank you” about 50 times.  
  6. Favorite Camp Song
    “Bananas Unite” – the extended version
  7. Fun Fact
    It is another nickname story.  As a child, I fell asleep in church often, so much in fact, that people started calling me “Linus” after the character from the “Peanuts” comics who always carried his blanket around.
  8. College Degree or In School Right Now?
    I am currently attending Foothill College. My goal is to become a registered nurse, hopefully working in pediatrics.
  9. Extra Credit: Did you grow up in Redwood City?
    YES! I went to Hoover from preschool to 6th grade, Mckinley for 7th and 8th, and I graduated from Sequoia High School.
sandy
Sandy, Fearless Leader #2

Sandy Garza, Co-Director

  1. How long have you been working for the City of Redwood City?
    I have been working for the city for 13 years, primarily in After School Programs.
  2. How many years have you worked Camp Kaboom? 
    I’ve been with Camp Kaboom since it started 9 years ago, and have been a Director for 7!
  3. What do you love best about working at Kaboom?
    I love working at Camp Kaboom and seeing the campers come back year after year, as well as meeting new campers every summer.  What I love best, is when our past campers become LITs and we get to watch them go from camper, to role-model. I also LOVE when the kids and parents tell me how much they love the camp!
  4. Your favorite Camp Memory?
    My favorite camp memory is when we went to the Giants and Dodgers game 3 years ago.  We painted all of the children’s faces orange and black, made signs for the kids to hold, and chanted the whole game, then the Giants won!
  5. Favorite Camp Song
    “Pizza Man”
  6. Fun Fact
    I am obsessed with the game show channel, and have been, since I was 5!  All of the pictures of me when I was little that have the T.V. in the background have some sort of game show on it.   I would LOVE to be on Family Feud or The Price is Right someday.  
  7. College Degree or In School Right Now?
    Degree in Psychology & Sociology
  8. Extra Credit: Did you grow up in Redwood City?
    YES! I was born and raised in Redwood City and attended St. Pius and Sequoia High School.

What’s in an Age? Dissecting the Science of Camp Age Requirements.

Left Out
We don’t ever want your child to feel like this!

Camp Organizers have a tough job. They are trying to coordinate camps that can keep children of wide age ranges, backgrounds, maturity levels and attention spans engaged for the day. Coming up with curriculum can be a challenge, and even more so, there’s the daunting task of firming up the appropriate age groups to actually thrive in their camp environment. They have done their best to design parameters for their programs and hope that all is harmonious once camp starts.

Now, fast forward to Springtime. Parents are trying desperately to find interesting and fun camp activities for their kids. There is nothing worse than sitting down and thumbing through your favorite activity guide, only to find the perfect camp (you think) and have your child be just shy of the minimum age requirement.

frustratedWhat happens next? You ask WHY? Why, Why WHY? You feel your child is fully capable of  launching a rocket, playing golf or has a real proficiency building (or deconstructing) their sibling’s Ninjago Lego™ sets. You pick up the phone to voice your concerns. Some common parent comments are: My child is very mature for his age, He loves older kids, I need a longer day for them, can’t you just add her in?  Yes, we are camp providers, but many of us are also parents. We feel your pain. We hear your words. We understand your needs (is this helping?), but we have guidelines for a reason. Let me add some perspective.

Let’s say you have a 10 year old that is very excited to come to science camp this summer. The chosen week listed is for children ages 5-12. Let ‘s also throw in the variable that registration of the ages will vary. We could have three 12 year olds, ten 9 year olds, a couple of 6 year olds and then someone has requested their 4 1/2 year old join in. From the older child’s perspective, the camp may feel like it is going too slowly, since they are waiting for the youngest child to finish their project. The older child may also be needing assistance  but the younger child requires far more attention than the staff ratios can bear. Now the camp is revolving around making sure the little one is having their needs met as opposed to the general group. From our 4 year old’s perspective, it may be hard to build relationships with their peers, have fun during free time, or they may just be intimidated by the sheer size and energy of an older group of children.

Minimum and maximum age requirements are set by our camp providers after years of experience and evaluation of curriculum for their camps. Sometimes overrides are allowed, but many times, those overrides end in the child not staying for the entire session. This could be based on reasons of their own, or by the needs of the camp and the ratios that just won’t support the requirements of someone younger. Now, I bet your next response is. “What about children with different learning styles, energy or focus?” My short answer to you is that by limiting the age range, providers have a smaller sample to work with. It’s camp. It’s not school, but there are still expectations of listening and attentiveness for not only learning, but safety and cohesiveness.

Another reason why some providers won’t bend their requirements is based on maturity and skill level. Children not of the minimum age value may not have the gross motor skills or strength to be able to support the equipment provided for the camp. They may not have the fine motor skills to build or take apart their creation without excessive assistance. They may lack the experience of a classroom setting that makes it very difficult for them to sit for long periods of time.

IMG_2511At the end of the day, camp is supposed to be fun! Kids can learn and grow, make new friends, surround themselves with new experiences, and build memories to last a lifetime *sniff*. Camps are designed with your child in mind. Providers want to create the most predictable atmosphere to best deliver their curriculum as well as to build a positive and supportive peer environment. By selecting age ranges that best allow them to do this, is the easiest way to control the population of their camp and create harmony.

We know every child is different, but we need to hold to some standards in order to ensure a smooth ride.  We know there are exceptionally talented kids in our midst as well as athletically gifted children than can outrun, outplay and outlast a child twice their size. We are serving the masses. We need to have some sort of benchmark to organize these activities or we would be holding interviews and auditions for campers to give them preferred placement.

We hope we have shed some light on the camp provider perspective. Before choosing to ask for special allowances, make sure that you take all aspects of your child’s Summer happiness into consideration.

That being said… CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!!!! YAY!

I’m Calling It! It’s Spring!

 

spring_summerREG

Spring may *officially* be only days away – March 20 to be exact – but since December of last year, we have had Spring & Summer on the brain. So I’m calling it! Spring is here! Countless emails, phone calls, meetings, etc. have been constant, as we have been coordinating the thousands of classes and camps that are coming your way. Then what? Then we take all of this data and enter it one-at-a-time into our registration system, create marketing pieces, update websites, bombard your Facebook and Twitter feeds and write blogs telling you that it’s HERE!

Here are some important things you should know:

  • Resident Online registration begins on Monday, March 18th at 11am. Non-Residents can register on April 1 (no joke!)
  • Our Full Interactive Spring Guide can be viewed here.
  • Need an online account? Get one here.
  • The Summer Camp Guide has been online since March 5th here. How did people know about it? It was on our website, we emailed it to our customers from our electronic mailing list (sign up here), and we posted it on Facebook & Twitter. We really wanted you to see it as soon as we had access to it. We know how important and stressful Summer Planning can be!
  • Both the Spring and Summer Guides have hit the Post Office today! It is now in their hands. Some of you may get lucky and receive your guides today, but our bets are on tomorrow.

What’s New?

  • We have quite a few new programs – too many to actually list.
  • We have added an After Care Pilot program this Summer to hopefully help parents have more flexibility in their planning. We recognized that many kids wanted to take Science Camp, but couldn’t be picked up at 3pm. Now parents will have more options!

Have Suggestions? We are all ears!

Email us at recreation@redwoodcity.org and tell us!

 

HAPPY SUMMER PLANNING!

 

 

Guest Post: Things That Make For a Terrific Camp Counselor

This post was contributed by Brett Gardner, Skyhawks Franchise Owner and local resident. I was elated and relieved by her passion for kids and health as well as her keen insight about youth sports on the Peninsula. We have already seen great improvements to the program and are looking forward to our future working relationship with Skyhawks! You can still register for Summer Camps either directly through Skyhawks or through our website at RedwoodCityCamps.org, some are starting NEXT WEEK!
 

 

A wise employee from the Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department once told me, “Your camps are only as good as your worst staff member.” And, she was so right. Kids can spot a lame camp counselor a mile away. So, parents, when you are looking at summer camps, be sure to consider whom will be staffing them. It is not unreasonable to expect a camp to be able to provide you with at least a summary of who will be coaching your little (or big) ones.

Here are three rules to live by when evaluating camp staff.

  1. First, if it’s a sports camp, do they know the sport they’re teaching?  Just because someone played football when they were in third grade doesn’t mean that they know enough about the sport to teach it. Same goes for art camps, dance, theater, etc. Look for staff that did that activity at the high school level. Better yet, see if they are currently doing it in college. The more camp staff knows the activity, the more they can teach your child

  2. Second, have they worked with kids before? A great sculptor does not ensure that they will be a great teacher. But, there are lots of them who are truly gifted with kids. Find them – they are out there.
  3. Third, is the camp staff full of counselors who, in some ways, are still kids at heart? Working at a camp is a labor of love. In a perfect world, they are there because they want to pay it forward to the next generation of kids. To do this, they have to remember what it was like to be seven and just learning how to play golf, flag football or do ballet.

An official recovering Silicon Valley “executive,” I now own Skyhawks Sports Camps  Mid-Peninsula, which serves kids in Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont and Half Moon Bay starting June 11th.  When I started recruiting coaches and directors for my camps, I kept in the front of my mind the advice that sage Parks and Rec employee gave me.

When I started my interviewing process, I already had in mind what the ideal camp coach and director would be. I remember when I went to camps as a kid, my coaches were like rock stars to me. They were the local high school sports heroes that we all followed as if they were in the pros.  But, not only were they terrific athletes, they made me feel like I was the most special kid at camp.

And, the truly outstanding ones made an indelible mark on me that carried me through to adulthood.

Fast forward to today and I started looking for my staff with those characteristics in mind. I was lucky enough to find 100% of my coaches almost in my own back yard.

In the course of interviewing potential coaches, I found lots of sports-minded kids from the local community who are excited about the idea of instilling the love of sports, and sportsmanship, to others. Our summer staff, many of whom are current or former students from Sequoia High School, is amazing. Not only do they have wonderful sports backgrounds, they are outstanding people who want to help and encourage the next generation of up and coming athletes. I’m certain each and every one of them will have a positive impact on the kids coming to our summer camps.  I can’t wait to see how our participants respond to this group of counselors who are eager to give them the sports camp experience of their lives.

The end result? Happy kids!

Sandpiper Youth Club Has Heart

SYC Dancers

 
Kids are always excited about the SYC (Sandpiper Youth Club) end of the year talent show. They usually start asking to show staff their routines six months in advance! Unfortunately, one of our beloved girls, Jamie, got some unexpected news that she would be moving back to Indiana in less than a month! Jamie had performed in the talent show for the past two years and was really looking forward to this year’s production. You could only imagine the disappointment she felt to hear that she was moving away and the TALENT SHOW would not be in her future.

First, she asked staff if they could change the date of the show. Our Staff mulled over this option, but settled on another idea. Instead of moving the entire show, they decided to make it a little more special for Jamie and actually have a special performance for her and her friends! Jamie recruited a group of kids and asked Miguel – our resident breakdancer/amazing team member- if he could help choreograph a dance routine to the song Thriller, and of course, he agreed. For three weeks the girls practiced with Miguel and on Jamie’s last day at SYC, they performed their awesome routine!

 



 
P.S. It took Jamie about 45 minutes to finally leave…crying crying and more crying. Her mom was sobbing and of course, so was our SYC Coordinator. Jamie’s Mom told us were weren’t just an afterschool program, we’re a family 🙂

By the way, if you think this program sounds awesome, and you have children at Sandpiper Elementary School, registration begins TODAY for the Fall 2012 session! We also have a Kindergarten program called K-Play that will now be available 5 days a week!

Check out the program information here: http://www.redwoodcity.org/parks/kidstuff/SYC.html

Oh… and if you need more dancing, check out this fantastic video – straight from SYC, of course.