Ask the Director – Elena Brokaw
July 2, 2005
Summer is here, and we at the City of Ventura’s Community Services Department often field requests for information about youth activities. Read on for answers to some of the questions we hear most.
QUESTION: I am always looking for new activities for my children. Does the City offer any summer camps?
ANSWER: The City of Ventura is offering a high energy, all-new Recreation Enrichment Program (REP) Summer Day Camp for youth six to 13 years of age. REP offers a variety of quality camps. Choose from Camp Hurray, Sailing and Kayaking, Camp Hollywood, Spirit and Dance Camp, Tennis Camp, Soccer Camp, Sports of All Sorts, Basketball Camp and Baseball/Softball Camp. Full day and half-day camps are available.
In addition this year every camp will have Fun Fridays that include beach day, barbecues, safari and luau events plus rock climbing, swimming and more.
QUESTION: Does the City offer any youth sports programs?
ANSWER: The City is offering a Summer Youth Sports Academy in a variety of sports for children ages three to 14. The academy is designed for youth that either want to improve their skills in a favorite sport or learn more about new sports. The Sports Academy stresses sportsmanship and fun. All clinics use the APE (Athletic Performance Enhancement) program for up-tempo training, drills and fundamentals.
This year’s Sports Academy will include golf, basketball, football, tennis, soccer, volleyball, field hockey and gymnastics. To better prepare the younger children for the world of sports, the Academy offers Start Smart Sports for ages three to five and Half Pint Sports for ages six to eight.
QUESTION: Will the City offer any arts classes this summer?
ANSWER: The cultural arts class offerings are as diverse in subject as they are varied in age range. Children can take dance in hip-hop, ballet or Polynesian. Art classes range from sculpting and cartooning to the fun “Little Dab Will Do Ya!” There are several offerings for teens in oil painting, watercolor and drawing. In addition, children can enjoy summer enrichment weeks in theater and science plus a wide variety of classes to fit most vacation schedules. Theatre enrichment weeks in July and August will travel to King Arties court, a Krazy Kamp, or Snow White’s forest. “Mad Science” offers weeklong morning programs during July in gardening for preschoolers, plus Rockets and CSI investigating for seven to 12 year-olds.
For more information on these and other programs offered by the City of Ventura Community Services Department, please call 658-4726 or visit www.cityofventura.net and click on eRECREATION.