Summer Camp Blog | Aloha Beach Camp

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Eric N — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:43:13 GMT

If you're a mom reading this post, I hope you have the greatest Mother's Day ever! Relax and enjoy yourself!

If you're a son, daughter, husband, or anyone else, please go out of your way to pamper your mom (and the mom of your children and all the other mom's in your life!) so they have the most wonderful day!

To all the Moms out there, you deserve the BEST! Have a very special day!

What's the weather like at the beach each morning?

Eric N — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:59:10 GMT

This "June Gloom" we're having in May has prompted a few parents to ask about the weather at the beach, especially in June. No doubt about it, we do experience some cool mornings, especially in June and early July. But it doesn't last long, and it's typically the counselors who get cold, not the kids LOL!

Anyway, by 10:00 or 10:30 the sun comes out and the weather's beautiful! In any case, though, we suggest sending a long sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt with your camper, just to be on the safe side for those cool summer mornings.

Please Recylce - It benefits our beaches!

Eric N — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:11:05 GMT

If you have a daughter who plays in the West Valley Girls Softball League at Hughes Middle School in Woodland Hills (as many Aloha Beach Camp kids do), this post is for you.

Aloha Beach Camp and the West Valley Girls Softball League (WVGSL) has initiated a new recycling program at the Hughes Softball Fields. Prior to establishing this program, several people always made a point to clean up as many bottles and cans as possible after each softball game. But the trash cans were always filled with more bottles, cans and other recyclables than just plain trash, so I approached the WVGSL Board of Directors to propose starting an official recycling program.

The idea was met with open arms, and now Aloha Beach Camp has placed several new blue recycling containers at the Hughes Fields so people are completely aware that WVGSL now recycles and that Aloha Beach Camp is the program's sponsor.

As the program sponsor, I bring the recycled bottles and cans to the local recycling center on a regular basis and we have already raised a few hundred bucks, whereby Aloha Beach Camp donates 50% of the proceeds to the WVGSL and the other 50% to Heal the Bay, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping southern California's coastal waters safe, healthy and clean.

If your daughter participates in the West Valley Girls Softball League, please remind her to recycle! Thanks!

How to do you handle the bathroom situation?

Eric N — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:33:01 GMT

Being in a public place like the beach, we need to cover all our bases especially with respect to safety. In this post I'll review Aloha Beach Camp's bathroom protocol because I know that's a potential concern for you.

1. NO CHILD is permitted to go the bathroom alone. In other words, our counselors must accompany our campers to the bathroom each and every time they go.

2. Before a child enters the bathroom, one staff member will enter the bathroom to make sure it's "safe" and free of anyone who might be considered "undesirable." Simultaneously, another counselor waits with the kids outside the restroom until the counselor inside gives the "all clear."

3. Inside the restroom, the counselors organize and oversee the kids' safety. When everyone's done, the group walks together from the bathroom back to the beach.

I hope this information helps illustrate the way we handle our bathroom safety protocol at the beach. You can get more info about our camp safety program here. Questions or comments, please post them here. Thanks!

What's significant about May 18?

Eric N — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:21:16 GMT

On May 18 we're holding our final open house of the season...the third of three this year.

Historically, space at camp can become tough to find after our last open house, so if you're considering Aloha for your kids this summer but you're on the fence in terms of decision, you might use May 18 as a self-imposed deadline to sign up, otherwise your child might not get his or her first choice of days at camp.

Just wanted to pass this along...if you any questions or comments, please post them here...And please feel free to come to the May 18 open house -- it's gonna be a blast for the whole family!

Keiki Camp Pictures

Eric N — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:51:12 GMT

Someone just asked me if we had any Keiki Camp photos to look at. So I just wanted you to know, you can go to
http://www.alohabeachcamp.com/keiki_photo_gallery.html to see a handful of Keiki photos for yourself. Just click on the smaller picture and it'll open larger with a caption. Enjoy.

Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights

Eric N — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:02:38 GMT

In addition to running Aloha Beach Camp, I am also the Legislative Chair for the American Camp Association'sBoard of Directors where I represent all of the accredited summer camps in Southern California and Hawaii.

One of the nonprofit organizations the American Camp Association and Aloha Beach Camp strongly supports is the California Rountable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism, whose mission in part is to provide sustainable outdoor recreation in California.

The California Rountable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism has recently adopted the California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights which I wanted to share with you.

Here's a quote from Calrountable.org, the California Rountable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism's website:

"With recent concerns about youth detachment from outdoor activities, lack of physical exercise and increased health risks, the California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism adopted the California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights for the purpose of recommending a fundamental list of experiences that every child in California would benefit from experiencing, before entering high school. Numerous studies document that children who do these things are healthier, do better in school, have better social skills and self-image, and lead more fulfilled lives."

So as not to keep you waiting, here's the California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights, which provides that every child should have the opportunity, before entering high school, to:

1. Discover California's Past
2. Splash in the Water
3. Play in a safe place
4. Camp under the stars
5. Explore nature
6. Learn to swim
7. Play on a team
8. Follow a trial
9. Catch a fish
10. Celebrate their heritage

To find out more, and support the California Rountable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism in your own way, please visit http://calroundtable.org.

OPEN HOUSE LOCATION CHANGE!

Eric N — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:28:58 GMT

This Sunday's open house, scheduled to take place in Tarzana, has been moved to Taxco Trails Park in Canoga Park / West Hills.

Here's a link to the new location:

http://maps.google.com/maps?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIH&um=1&q=taxico+trails+park&near=West+Hills,+CA&fb=1&view=text&latlng=34211809,-118638188,13761643712222387673

We apologize for this late notice, but unfortunately our Tarzana Open House location, which we have used to for the past 10 years, in now under rennovation which was just disclosed to us today, Friday April 20, just a few days before Sunday's open house.

We hope to see you Sunday between 1 and 3. It's going to be a great time! You can meet our staff, learn about camp and see how the program operates on a day-to-day basis.

Not only that, but this Sunday we're having lots of fun drawings and raffles for free camp, free t-shirts, a free wetsuit, a free surfboard and all kinds of other cool stuff.

Here's a direct link to the open house info on our website (including location and driving directions: http://alohabeachcamp.com/about_us-open_house.html)

Feel free to post your comments or questions, and we'll see you this Sunday!

Want to meet me at Zuma tomorrow?

Eric N — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:11:17 GMT

Last week we had an "impromptu" open house at Zuma Beach. Lots of moms and dads considering Aloha for their kids this summer met me at the beach last Thursday to say hello, ask questions and see how and where Aloha Beach Camp takes place on a day to day basis.

It was so much fun I was thinking of doing it again tomorrow, Friday April 11, for anyone who may have missed last week's meeting and wants to come by!

I'll get to Zuma around 10 am, and hang around until 11, so we all have a chance to meet. We'll meet in the parking lot of lifeguard tower 6, just north of the Zuma lifeguard headquarters (30050 PCH, Malibu 91265).

If you want to come by, please submit an RSVP comment here so I know how many people to expect.

Please note this is a VERY informal gathering, absolutey NOT mandatory and DOES NOT replace our next formal planned open house in Tarzana on April 20.

This is just a nice opportunity to get to know one another on a more personal basis and get more detailed info about Aloha if you're interested

Thanks!

Eric

Save the date - Aloha Beach Camp Open House - Sunday, April 20

Eric N — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:30:13 GMT

Our next open house is Sunday, April 20 in Tarzana!

You can meet our staff, play games, enjoy refreshments, and participate in exciting raffles for free camp, a free wetsuit and more! Hope to see you there!

Now your child can keep their favorite surfboard or boogie board when camp ends

Eric N — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:11:40 GMT

Great news! We know lots of Aloha kids get VERY attached to their surfboards and boogie boards we provide at camp. So we just struck a deal with a major surfboard company where your kids will probably be able to purchase (for a song!) their favorite board when the summer's over!

So if your child mentions anything to you about their favorite surfboard they've been using at camp, please let us know and we'll try to set it aside for you.

Keiki Camp Website - KeikiCamp.com

Eric N — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:08:29 GMT

If you've got a keiki camper or potential keiki camper, you might want to visit our keiki-camp-only website at keikicamp.com

It's got lots of the same info you'll find at our main alohabeachcamp.com site, but it's made exclusively for younger kids so they can get more detailed info about the keiki program.

Hope you enjoy it!

Documented Benefits of the Camp Experience

Eric N — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:19:42 GMT

I'm a huge proponent of the camp experience, namely with repect to the important benefits it gives to kids in terms of life skills and lessons.

The American Camp Association (ACA) has conducted several studies which point to positive youth development from participation in the camp experience.

According to the ACA, your child can expect to increase his or her self esteem, make new friends, become more independent, and increase their environmental awareness among other documented benefits by going to camp. Here's some further information provided by the ACA.

Naturally I hope your child attends Aloha Beach Camp this summer. But the more important message I want to convey is that your kids should go to camp somewhere this summer, even if it's not with us.

Hawaii Surf Camp Update

Eric N — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:24:03 GMT

Just a quick note about our Hawaii surf camp trip to Hawaii this August 18-23

Interest in the program is really starting to spark up now. Problem is, we only have limited space so if you want to sign up, we encourage you to do it sooner rather than later. We'll even extend the $50 discount offer for you if you sign up by May 1.

Here's a link to the Hawaii surf camp enrollment form.

Aloha Beach Camp High Action Tubing activity at Castaic Lake

Eric N — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:00:45 GMT

Here's a video of some High Action kids tubing at Castaic Lake. We go to the Lake every Wednesdays and some Thursdays, too. Can you imagine anything more fun than this?

http://blog.alohabeachcamp.com/2008/04/05/aloha-beach-camp-high-action-tubing-activity-at-cataic-lake.aspx

My 7 year old is very mature and almost 8. Can he or she go to the High Action Camp?

Eric N — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:24:58 GMT

Sometimes parents of Keiki camp age kids want to try the High Action Camp instead. Here's why we recommend against it.

Meet High Action camper Morgan O.

Eric N — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:08:40 GMT

Our High Action Camp is for kids and teens ages 8 to 15. In this video you'll meet High Action camper Morgan O., an 11 year old High Action Camp veteran from West Hills, CA. Morgan's a super athlete who plays lots of sports...check out the video and you'll see what I mean!

If you sign up for camp this summer, you'll meet Morgan and lots of other cool kids just like her. We'll see you at the beach!

http://blog.alohabeachcamp.com/2008/04/03/meet-high-action-camper-morgan-o.aspx

Nice meeting many of you this morning!

Eric N — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:14:05 GMT

Great meeting many of you at Zuma this morning!

We'll do it again soon for sure, so if you didn't get the chance to come out to the beach this morning, I'll post again soon with another date we can meet.

"Is it too late to sign up for camp?"

Eric N — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:12:20 GMT

Parents ask us this every day. They're concerned they may have waited too long to sign up for camp.

I want to assure everyone that, yes, we still have space left at camp. But it's filling up quickly -- and much earlier this year than in previous years.

Why is Aloha Beach Camp filling up faster this year than in the past? Two reasons in particular, I think:

1. Another local day camp closed down this year after decades in business forcing hundreds of kids to find other camps.

Hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds!) of kids who'd have otherwise attended a local (Agoura-based) day camp which closed down this year must now must look elsewhere to find a quality camp. Many of them have discovered Aloha and already signed up with us.

2. Our camper return rate (kids returning to camp this year who attended Aloha last summer) is higher than average this year.

Aloha Beach Camp has always enjoyed a high camper return rate. But this year is off the chart. More kids than ever who enjoyed their time with us last summer have already signed up for camp again this year. That means that many of our available enrollment slots -- which would normally be taken by new campers -- have in fact already been taken by returning kids.

Just to give you a heads-up, there's one more thing I should mention which will probably make finding space at camp a little harder to find this year.

Late next month (in May) there may be an article coming out in a prominent local magazine about Aloha Beach Camp. When articles like this have been written about us before, we've seen significant spikes in enrollment afterwards.

Since this particular article is coming out so close to summertime, there's a good possibility we could be nearly sold out by then.

So if you're interested in signing up for camp, here's all the information you need. Just don't wait too much longer if you want to beat everyone else to the punch.

Questions or comments, please feel free to post them here. Hope to see you this summer!

All the best,

Eric

I'll be at Zuma tomorrow morning (Thursday, April 3) if you want to say hi!

Eric N — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:35:36 GMT

Just a reminder, I'll be in Malibu tomorrow at Zuma Beach between 10 and 11 if you want to meet me, stop by and say hello or ask any questions. Sort of like an informal open house.

I'll be at Lifeguard tower 6 at Zuma Beach. Just in case the phyiscal lifeguard towers aren't set up yet, Tower 6 is located just north of the main Zuma lifeguard headquarters building at 30050 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

You can enter the lot and pay, or park on PCH and walk down into the lot. I've drive a grey jeep cherokee which will be parked in the lot, and I'll be standing next to it.

Remember, this is totally informal and absolutely NOT mandatory. I've just a few things to take care of in Malibu so thought it'd be a nice idea to get to know a few of you. This DOES NOT replace our next formal open house on Sunday, April 20 in Tarzana which everyone's invited to attend.

See you tomorrow!