Greetings!

I am excited to share with each you OaksParent.com's first ever Summer Camp Guide.  This is a wonderful resource for families in our community.  We partnered with our sister site, VenturaParent.com to provide a comprehensive Camp Guide as well as highlighting family friendly summer activities.  Check out the guide as well our online Camp Calendar where you are able to search for local camp options.

Yes, it is time to start filling out registration forms and reserving your spots if you want to keep your kids active this summer with one of the many fabulous programs we have in Ventura County. This is also the time to start thinking about getting your kids water safe with swim lessons. For those needing a little more academic support over the break, check out the tutoring programs and camps where kids can actually have fun while they learn. Camp is about experiencing something new, creating memories and making new friends.

We are really excited about a couple new features we have to make your search for camps even easier this year...

* Use our PARENT PLANNER to make your camp list. Check the box next to each camp and then click "parent planner" and you can either email yourself and others that list or you can print it. (There is a check box next to every resource listing and every calendar event.) Use our Parent Planner to make a list of the camps you are interested in and email it to a friend so you can coordinate carpools and schedules.
* Go online to our A-Z SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY for a full list of local camps.
* Click to download our PRINTABLE SUMMER CAMP GUIDE that includes a list of camps with phone numbers based on activities.
* Plan your summer using our CAMP CALENDAR. Select the dates you want, category and ages and find out which camps are available during that time.

Ages... Camps are offered on a weekly basis and several offer a daily rate. Children as young as 18 months can enjoy camp. Many preschools change to a camp format for the summer and provide a safe and fun environment for toddlers. Teens can find overnight camps and counselor in training (CIT) programs. Being a CIT gives kids the opportunity to learn what it means to be a camp counselor. Most are volunteer positions and the CIT's get great training and experience for their college applications and resumes.

Registration... Start your research early! Many of the popular camps will fill up in the Spring so don't wait to send in your registration forms. There are also a few programs that require in-person registration on specific days. It takes a little time to coordinate your camp schedule especially if you have more than one child. A handful of camps are also multi-week programs so make sure to check all the dates carefully.

Keeping it affordable... Camps can range in price and the fees are not a reflection of the quality of the program. Much of it depends on the type of camp, the ratio of kids to counselor, etc. There are many ways to save money on camps. Ask about scholarships, sibling discounts, multi-week discounts, and early registration discounts.

Be sure to pick up a print copy!

The OaksParent.com Team