Best Summer Camps for Your Kids

What is your child’s passion? Is it sports, science, acting, travel or religion? Fortunately, there are many summer camps that can satisfy any interest your child may have.

If you’re a working parent in need of quality day care, or you want a great place for your kid to learn something new or perfect a budding skill, this is the list to look at.

Sierra Canyon Day Camp has been making the lazy days active for 40 years. Campers, from ages 4-14, can frolic on 17 acres featuring majestic shade trees and well-groomed playing fields, or enjoy air conditioned facilities for indoor activities. Summer specialty camps include Adventure Camp for 4-6th graders, Teen Camp for 7-9th graders, and Athletic Camp for 3-8th graders. The camps are Monday through Friday and are priced by the number of days of participation. There are transportaion, lunch and extended day care options. Call 818-882-8121 or go to Sierra Canyon Day Camp for more information.

Chatsworth Hills Academy Day Camp located on 16 acres in the picturesque Santa Susana Mountains, features Sports Plus Day Camp, Destination Science Camp, Planet Bravo Techno-tainment Camp, Academy Workshops, and the CHA Preschool Camp. For information call  818-998-4037 x121 or visit CHA Day Camp.

Camp Funtasia operates summers at the Mason Park Recreation Center. Run by the city Department of Parks and Recreation, parents can select which days their campers will participate in a full slate of activities and trips. For details, call 818-998-6377.

Destination Science makes learning science fun for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. Campers can build and launch their own rockets 1,000 feet in the air, explore fizzy pop reactions due to the force of gravity and even learn how to create their own mega-bots. Camp is Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and costs $319 a week. Full days and extended care are also available. Call 888-909-2822 or go to destinationscience for more information. 

Camp Ramah in California is headquartered in the Valley, but the camp itself is located in Ojai. Your child can participate in sports, drama, self-defense, musical theater, Israeli dance and Jewish music, hiking, cooking and many more activities. Jewish study is emphasized, and Hebrew is taught at camp. The overnight sessions are four weeks long for kids entering fourth through 10th grades; two-week sessions also are available for children entering third, fourth and fifth grades. The cost ranges from $3,995 to $7,990, depending on which session you choose. Call 310-476-8571 or go to ramah.org for more information.

At The Performing Arts Group summer program, kids delve into improv, script writing, hip-hop, ballet, tap and music. There are three camps, which include: Performing Arts Day Camp (ages 5-13), Intensive Performing Arts Camp (ages 14-17) and Mini Performing Arts Camp (ages 2-4). Sessions are three weeks long and range from $295 to $975. Call 818-783-4509 or go to performingartsgroup.com for more information.

Erica Andrews of Encino Patch contributed to this report.