A. Certainly our program is not for everybody. Our camp is high-energy and very active. We are not a high-powered coaching camp, but team sports and games are a major component of our camp program. Campers who thrive at our camp do not have to be good at sports, but they should love to participate and play hard in a variety of team sports and games.
There are many local summer camps offering sports and group games as a much smaller component of their daily program. Those camps are often a better choice for children who have yet to show much interest in or much enthusiasm for active, energetic play in team sports and games.
Also be aware that our camp is very group-oriented. Each child spends the full session with the same group of boys or girls. Some children are very comfortable in that setting. Some struggle.
Q. How old should my child be to participate?
A. Most of our campers will be entering grades 1-7 next year. However, maturity and interest level are often better indicators than age as to whether or not our camp is appropriate for your child. We've had 5 yr olds who were more than ready and 8 yr olds who were still too young. We've also had campers who, at the ripe old age of 11, were "too old" for the camp.
In general, our youngest campers should have a good attention span, get along well with peers, demonstrate interest in playing team sports, love active, physical play, and understand the basic concept of "team" and working together to achieve a common team goal.
Our oldest campers (currently in grades 5-6) should have a good athletic background in the major team sports, still be kids at heart who love to participate and play hard, be social, enthusiastic and energetic.
Q. Can I choose the sports I want to play?
A. No. There ARE sports camps out there that are structured to allow for that choice. Ours does not. At our camp each group is scheduled to play certain sports and games at certain times. The entire group plays those scheduled sports (with the exception of swimming which is always optional). During lunchtime free play campers are given many activity choices and may choose to participate in any, all, or none of them.)
Q. Do I have to play a sport I don't like?
A. We encourage you to play all the sports with your group. You may not like the sport because you're not good at it. The only way to get better is to play and practice it.
Q. If I have friends at camp, will I be in the same group with them?
A. Probably. Occasionally a large group of friends is split up due to space restrictions in each camp group. If you specified a particular best friend you wanted to be with you will most likely be placed with that friend. However, if you sign up late for camp and your best friend was in a group that was already full then, unfortunately, you would not be placed in the same group with that friend.
Q. Do I have to wear my camp t-shirt* to camp?
A. No. But if you are entering grades 4-7 you must wear it on Fridays (field trips).
* Note: Camp t-shirts are free and handed out during the first week of camp
Q. Will I have the same counselor and junior counselor everyday I come to camp?
A. Yes. However, if you come both sessions you will likely get a different/new counselor and/or junior counselor for Session Two.
Q. What if I miss a day. Should I call and notify the camp?
A. Please call (650) 704-3305 (Woodside) or 650-796-7944 (Los Altos) and let us know you will be absent.
Q. If I miss a day can I make it up on any day?
A. Sorry. We do not offer makeup days.
Q. Do we play all the sports even on really hot days?
A. The counselors change many of the games during heat waves. You will play in the shade or indoors and also use water in lots of the games the counselors create especially for hot days. That way you'll stay cool.
Q. What if it rains? Will we still have camp?
A. Yes. We play in the gym and under protected areas, play bingo, board games, foosball, ping-pong, etc.
Q. Can I ever bring a friend to camp for a day?
A. Probably not because the camp will very likely be full. If it's extremely important to you, call the camp business office. We might be able to make a special arrangement.
Q. I understand that the last Friday of each 4 week session culminates in an awards ceremony for all the campers. If I am not scheduled to attend that last Friday of the session will I receive any award?
A. Yes. If you only attended the first two weeks of the session we will make a small presentation to you on your last day. If you attended 4 days a week (MTWTh) for the entire session your parents can either sign you up to attend that last Friday for an extra fee OR, you can show up just for the awards ceremony (the last half hour of the day) free of charge. If you are unable to attend for any reason we will mail you your certificate, photos, and ribbons.
Q. I'm afraid I won't get any awards at the end of the session because I'm not good at sports. Will I be good enough to earn an award?
A. All campers receive awards. Ability is not rewarded. Your effort, improvement, participation and interest will earn you your awards.
Q. Do I have to go swimming?
A. No. Swimming is always optional. The campers who don't want to swim will play small group organized/supervised games.
Q. Will we spend the entire day at the campsite or do we ever go elsewhere?
A. Campers entering grades 4-7 leave camp on the first three Fridays of each session for field trips. Campers entering grades 1-3 leave camp only on the Friday we go bowling. Our Los Altos campers leave camp whenever they go swimming (a short 10 minute bus ride in a standard yellow school bus).
