Summer camp guide 2025: What you need to know before sending your child to camp
- March 23, 2025
Even the most social child could get nervous before attending summer camp for the first time. To ensure that your kids have the best possible experience, Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO of American Camp Association, suggests bringing them into the selection process. “Involving the child in that from the very beginning is very helpful,” he says.
From there, you can determine which kind of camp — sleep-away, full day or half-day — is the best fit for your children. For sleep-away camps, DeHart notes that there are ways to ease them into going on their first trip without their parents. “A lot of camps have family camp weekends and some have family camp weeks, where you can go be at the camp as a family and your child gets to know the camp staff and the director and the facilities and maybe the next year or later that summer, they’ll go on their own,” he explains.
Lisa Tai of Huntington Beach sent her 9-year-old son to summer camp in Colorado for the first time last summer. Since 2019, though, Tai’s family has been attending a camp together here in California and she says that helped prepare her son for his first summer camp adventure. “He had an idea of what the camp was like,” she says.
It helps, too, that Tai’s son attended camp in Colorado with his cousin. And Tai herself had attended the same camp from third grade through high school, so she was able fill her son in on what the experience might be like. “It was fun for me to prepare him for it and, when he was done with that camp, to see his entire face light up every time he was telling me every single detail,” she says. “They still play some of the same games that I played when I was little.”
If you’re not already personally familiar with a summer camp, you’ll want to do research before you make your selection. DeHart recommends asking if the camp is ACA accredited, with a peer-reviewed process gauging health and safety standards. Beyond that, you’ll want to find out about the camper/staff ration. “How do they handle supervision when staff has downtime or time off?” DeHart asks. You might want to tour the camp and meet the director, as well as inquire about staff training. In addition, ask about refund policies and communication policies.
For sleep-away camps, which need more preparation than day camps, DeHart suggests talking to your kids beforehand to find out their concerns and come up with strategies to address them. “It’s helpful for children to have had an overnight experience away from home before they go to camp,” he adds.
DeHart also suggests packing a familiar object with your child and, if possible, sending a letter in advance so that it’s at the site when they begin camp. If your child has any medical needs or dietary restrictions, be sure that the camp is aware of them.
As for packing, Tai has a few suggestions. “I packed a lot more than I’m used to packing for each of my kids,” she says. Remember that, with all the activity at camp, kids might need to change clothing more often than they would on any other trip. “He had four packing cubes and I had a label maker and labeled what was inside every one,” says Tai. “I think that’s the biggest thing that helped him is that he didn’t have to worry about everything when he woke up in the morning.”
But, Tai does have an addition to her packing strategy for this year: Trash bags to store dirty clothes.
Orange County Register
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Summer camp guide 2025: Academic and STEM camps
- March 23, 2025
ADVENTURES IN STEM SCIENCE CAMP
● Ages: Junior Adventure Camp 6-10; Adventure Camp 11-17
● June 16-Aug. 5
● The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, 2 Irvine Park Road, Orange
● 714-923-3191
● www.outdooreducationcenter.org
Activities include nature hikes, mining, sustainability, astronomy, zip lining, archery, swimming, and arts and crafts.
BIONERDS
● Ages: Kindergarten-eighth grade
● Weekly camps run June 2-Aug. 22
● The office is at 560 W. 1st St., Tustin; classes are held at locations around Orange County
● 949-288-1486
Weeklong camps feature topics such as “Junior Doctors,” “Spooky Science” and “Let’s Dive Into the Ocean.” Other subjects include bioengineering, genetics and laboratory safety.
BRAIN BUILDERS STEM EDUCATION
● Ages: 6-14
● Tentatively June 15-Aug. 8
● 725 El Camino Way, Tustin; 27601 Forbes Road, Ste. 6, Laguna Niguel
● 714-360-1101
● www.brainbuildersed.org/summercamp
Half-day and full-day camps explore topics like engineering with Lego, robotics, coding, engineering, digital arts and wood shop.
CODE REV
● Ages: 6-14
● Weeklong camps: June 9-Aug. 1
● www.coderevkids.com/tech-camps
Weeklong summer tech camps for budding programmers, future video game designers, app developers, robotics engineers, 3D modelers and animators and just plain technology fans. Both in-person and online options are available.
ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER SUMMER NATURE CAMP
● Ages: 4-13
● Environmental Nature Center, 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach
● June 16-Aug. 8
● 949-645-8489
Weeklong camps include Little Naturalist Camp for 4-year-olds, Nature Adventure Camp for kids 5-8 and Science Explorer Camp for those 9-13. There’s also a Wilderness Adventure Camp for kids 6-9 at the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon.
FAIRMONT SUMMER PROGRAM
● Ages: 2-18
● June 9-Aug. 8
● 5310 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills; 1575 W. Marble St., Anaheim; 12421 Newport Ave., North Tustin; 2200 W. Sequoia Ave., Anaheim
● Summer department 714-234-2757 or the general school 714-765-6300
Choose from weekly summer camps that combine academic and enrichment activities, or a six-week academic program that offers individualized attention in reading, writing and mathematics. Additionally, there will be enrichment workshops that cover a variety of themes such as art, fashion, science and sports. Or spend the summer in college prep courses.
FUSION ACADEMY
● Ages: Kindergarten to college
● Summer school dates and times are flexible; best to call Fusion directly
● 7711 Center Ave., Suite 120, Huntington Beach; 657-200-2300
● 23456 Madero, Suite 140, Mission Viejo; 949-716-7384
These programs allow students to catch up or get ahead in academic classes while also providing unique elective choices such as art, music or yoga. Tutoring is personalized for each student’s schedule. Off-site options are available.
ID TECH CAMPS
● Ages: 7-17
● Various programs run June 22-Aug. 7
● 888-709-8324
This program offers more than 40 STEM courses in programming, video game design, robotics, web design, 3D printing, filmmaking and more. Day and overnight camp options available. Course options vary by week offered and location. In-person camp held on UC Irvine campus. Off-site options are available.
INSIDE THE OUTDOORS
● Ages: 6-12
● July 7-Aug. 1
● Shipley Nature Center, 17851 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach
● 714-708-3885
● ocde.us/ito/Pages/SummerCamp.aspx
This camp, administered by the Orange County Department of Education, teaches kids about native plants and animals and other scientific concepts while they have fun with arts and crafts, music, water play and more.
IPSF SUMMER ENRICHMENT ACADEMY
● Ages: Kindergarten to 12th grade
● Session A: June 16- July 3; Session B: July 8-25; Specialty Camps: July 16-Aug. 15
● Beacon Park School, 200 Cultivate, Irvine; Cadence Park School, 750 Benchmark, Irvine; Brywood Elementary School, 1 Westwood, Irvine; Cypress Village Elementary School, 355 Rush Lily, Irvine; Eastwood Elementary School, 99 Meander, Irvine; Oak Creek Elementary, 1 Dovecreek, Irvine
● 949-263-8340
More than 400 enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students in art, music, science, math, reading and writing, languages, sports, drama, and STEM. High school academic camps develop skills students need for high school and college. Held throughout the Irvine Unified School District. Off-site options are available.
JR. ZOOKEEPER SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: 5-12
● June 23-Aug 15
● The Reptile Zoo, 18818 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley
● 714-500-0591
● prehistoric-inc.square.site/jr-zookeeper-camps
Campers will dig fossils, handle live snakes and play games while learning about animals’ ecosystems, senses and camouflage. Those who complete the camp receive a certificate of graduation and a six-month membership to The Reptile Zoo.
OCEAN INSTITUTE SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: 5-17
● June 16-Aug. 15
● 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
● 949-496-2274
● oceaninstitute.org/summer-camp
Campers learn about the ocean and marine science by going on whale watching trips, exploring the institute’s shark touch tank and sailing on a historic tall ship.
PLANETBRAVO TECHNOTAINMENT CAMP
● Ages: Second to ninth grade
● One-week sessions run June 23-Aug. 1
● Pacific Academy, 4947 Alton Parkway, Irvine
● 310-443-7607
PlanetBravo brings fun, engaging technology instruction that boosts kids’ confidence and gives them multimedia skills with their friends. Kids learn to code, make movies, build robots, modding minecraft and more.
RUSSIAN SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS
● Ages: Kindergarten to 12th grade
● Various camps per location start June 4
● 3996 Barranca Parkway, No. 110, Irvine, 949-551-1777; 960 Roosevelt, 2nd floor, Irvine, 949-593-0080; 25571 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949-864-6592
Two intensive six-week summer math enrichment programs are offered — a traditional course will prepare your child for the year ahead, while reinforcing the work done over the year, and the competitors program serves those students interested in advanced mathematical topics.
SEA AND SAGE AUDUBON SOCIETY NATURE DAY CAMPS
● Ages: 7-16
● Fledgling, June 16-20; Marsh, June 23-27; Coastal, July 7-11; Advanced, July 14-18
● San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, 5 Riparian View, Irvine
● 949-261-7964
Different one-week camps are offered for various age ranges. Fledgling Camp (ages 7-8) introduces kids to bird watching, Marsh Camp (9-10) teaches more about bird types, anatomy and life cycles, Coastal Camp (11-12) focues on shorebirds in freshwater and salt water marshes while Advanced Bird Camp (13-16) will cover sparrows and other grassland birds.
ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY
● Ages: Summer Enrichment Program for boys entering third through eighth grade
● June 15-July 10
● 215 N. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim
● 714-772-1363
Summer Enrichment Program offers math and language arts classes in the morning, followed by sports, recreational activities, military activities and off-campus outings for the rest of the day.
SUMMER@STRATFORD
● Ages: Preschool-entering fifth grade
● June 2-Aug. 8
● 24741 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo
● 949-216-5657
● www.stratfordschools.com/after-school/summer-camps
Academic camps include preschool and pre-kindergarten JumpStart Camp, kindergarten preparation and Academic Bridge Camp, for students entering first through fifth grades.
SUMMER AT SAGE
● Ages: Entering grades 5-8
● 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast
● July 7-Aug. 1
● 949-219-0100
Students from the area can immerse themselves in credit or noncredit classes, workshops, and academics, arts and athletics camps.
SUMMER KNIGHTS DAY CAMP
● Ages: Preschool to eighth grade
● 32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel
● June 16-Aug. 1
● 949-276-6700
Camp at St. Anne School will include a balance of light academics, arts and crafts, recreation, sports and field trips.
SYLVAN SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS
● Ages: Different camps serve students in grades 1-9
● Various times throughout the summer; best to contact local representatives
● Locations in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo
● www.sylvanlearning.com/camps/stem
The Sylvan EDGE summer camps teach kids STEM skills, early reading, robotics, coding, engineering, pre-algebra and writing. Off-site options are available.
TIGER WOODS LEARNING LAB
● Ages: Fifth through 12th grade
● Dates: TBA
● 1 Tiger Woods Way, Anaheim
● 714-765-8000
Summer classes from students interested in an interactive, career-focused experience.
Jeff Farr, Engineering and technology professor, helps a student of the Summer STEAM Academy for elementary and middle school students prepare to launch a bottle rocket during the Tustin Summer Academy Showcase at Orchard Hills School. (Photo by Shelby Woolfe, Orange County Register/SCNG)
TUSTIN SUMMER ACADEMY
● Ages: Kindergarten-eighth grade
● June 9-July 3
● Orchard Hills School 11555 Culver Drive, Irvine
● 714-832-6299
Enrichment program designed, written and taught by credentialed Tustin Unified teachers. Classes are meant to expand knowledge and nurture creativity and curiosity. Off-site options are available.
URBAN WORKSHOP STEM CAMP
● Ages: 10-16
● May 5-Aug. 22
● 365-A Clinton St., Costa Mesa
● 949-296-2153
● urbanworkshop.net/summercamp
Kids learn about hand tools, CAD and 3D printing, laser etching, silk screening, metal shop, welding, wood-working and electronics. All levels of skill are welcome.
Orange County Register
Summer camp guide 2025: Arts camps
- March 23, 2025
ACTING ACADEMY FOR KIDS SUMMER PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS
● Ages: 4-13
● Dates: June 9-Aug. 15
● 24196 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo; 14281 Chambers Road, Tustin; 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente
● 949-427-0072
● www.actingacademyforkids.com
Campers are guided through the production of a popular musical from start to finish. Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance. The weekly program culminates in a Friday showcase. Both virtual and in-person camp options are available.
APA KIDS AND APA JR. SUMMER PROGRAMS
● Ages: Grades 1-12
● APA Dance Intensive July 14-25
APA Flim Camp July 21-Aug 1,
Session 1: APA Kids and Junior APA Rides the Winter Express, July 7-18
Session 2: APA Kids and Junior APA Goes to the Chocolate Factory, July 21-Aug 1,
● Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach
● 714-536-2514, ext. 51454
● hbapa.org/article/apa-summer-opportunities
Students will participate in art, music, dance and acting. Separate camps are offered by grade level. Each camp ends with a showcase performance and a mini art show.
Campers perform an excerpt of “Hamilton” during a showcase at the Arts and Learning Conservatory in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
ARTS & LEARNING CONSERVATORY SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: Kindergarten-12th grade
● Dates: TBA
●151 Kalmus Drive, G3, Costa Mesa
● 714-728-7100
Performing arts camps offer instruction in theater, voice, stage tech, instrumental music and dance. Older teens will rehearse “West Side Story” while younger students can play roles in “Annie.” There also are camps devoted to band, strings, musical theater revues and camps devoted to “Encanto” and “Hamilton.” Each week of camp culminates in a performance
ART STUDIO ART CAMP
● Ages: 7-17
● June 2-Aug. 22
● 6450 Westminster Blvd., Westminster
● Studio: 714-899-6001; Mobile: 714-458-2800
All Art Studio camp classes are taught by professional, working artists. Camps are tailored to the individual from beginning to advanced. Mediums offered this year are oil painting, drawing, sculpting and custom skateboard designing.
CHAPMAN SUMMER VOCAL MUSIC CAMP
● Ages: Entering grades 9-12
● June 22-28
● One University Drive, Orange
● 714-997-6871
Experience college-level singing in daily vocal classes and small ensemble practice directed by Keith Hancock, the Grammy Music Educator of the Year for 2017. The week of residential camp, which includes a dorm room and wheels, culminates with a concert in the Musco Center of the Arts. Final date to register is May 1.
CREATIVE KIDS PLAYHOUSE THEATER IMMERSION CAMP
● Ages: 3-18
● July 7-Aug. 1
● Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano; Laguna Hills High School, 25401 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills
● 949-297-6257
With guidance from theater professionals, kids will put together a one-act musical in one week with training in drama, dance, vocal music, set design and more. Virtual options are available.
CULINARY KIDS SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: 6-14
● Dates: July 7-Aug. 1
● Aliso Viejo Middle School, 111 Park Ave., Aliso Viejo; San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente
● 949-292-4720
Young chefs gain hands-on cooking experience with camps titled Perfect Pizza Pairings, Terrific Taco Time and Beach Bash: Meals and Treats to Beat the Heat. Note: Book early. Some camps are already full.
FIVE DAYS OF BROADWAY AT THE SEGERSTROM CENTER
● Ages: 11-19
● Dates: Middle school, June 16-20; high school, June 23-27
● 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
● 714-556-2122, ext. 4104, or [email protected]
Students will be coached in musical theater performance by professional artists and educators. Campers will build a foundation in music, acting and dance and be introduced to backstage and technical elements of theater. There are two camps, one for middle school students (ages 11-13) from June 17 through June 21 and another for high school students (14-19) from June 24 through June 28.
MUDDY’S STUDIO CLAY CAMP
● Ages: 8-15
● Dates: TBA
● 2610 South Halladay St., Santa Ana
● 714-641-4077
This camp introduces kids to the art of clay and teaches the fundamentals of ceramics. Work on a potter’s wheel, hand build and glaze pieces created from scratch. Book quickly because spots are limited and filling up fast.
PALETTE STATION SUMMER ART CAMP
● Ages: 5-12
● Various sessions run June 9-Aug. 1
● 1526 Brookhollow Drive, Ste. 84, Santa Ana
● 714-714-0126
Teachers will work with campers to create projects using acrylic paint, watercolor, colored pencils, oil pastels and modeling clay.
THE PERFORMER’S ACADEMY
● Ages: 7-15
● June 9-Aug. 11
● 23721 Birtcher Drive, Lake Forest
● 949-609-1600
Campers will rehearse throughout the week and perform a show Friday evening. A video of the show will be shared with the camper’s family. No singing or dancing experience is necessary.
APA FILM CAMP
● Ages: 9-16
● July 21-Aug. 1
● Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach
● 714-536-2514, ext. 51454
Students learn the behind-the-scenes basics of filmmaking, from screenplay writing to storyboarding, lighting, cinematography and editing. By the end of two weeks, students will have completed a short film that will shown at a screening.
APA POP MUSIC
● Ages: 9-16
● July 7-18
● Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach
● 714-536-2514, ext. 51454
This camp, operated by the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, will introduce students to pop and rock instruments (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards) and teach them how to write songs and build their brands. Participants will present a concert on the final day of camp.
A singer and guitarist rehearse a song at School of Rock Camp in Tustin. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
SCHOOL OF ROCK
● Ages: 7-18
● Weekly camps June 2-Aug. 22
● Locations in Huntington Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Santa Ana and Tustin
● 714-847-7788 (Huntington Beach); 949-888-7625 (Rancho Santa Margarita); 949-774-7625; 714-975-9116
Kids learn the basics of playing live music and receive studio/band rehearsal time. Camp includes instruction and clinics with music professionals and a rock show performance.
SEWING CAMP
● Ages: 7-15
● Various camps running from June 16-Aug. 29
● The District at Tustin Legacy, 2477 Park Ave., Tustin
● 714-259-0946
The camp offers half-day and full-day sessions and both a regular sewing camp (ages 8-15) and junior sewing camp (ages 7-8). Participants will learn the basics of machine sewing such as ironing, cutting patterns and threading and filling bobbins. Students choose the projects to create. The camp also offers 2-hour Fashionable Fundays workshops on Wednesdays. Off-site options are available.
SOCA ARTS
● Ages: 3.5-11
● Various camps from June 16-Aug. 8
● Aliso Viejo, Fullerton, Irvine, Lake Forest, San Clemente, Yorba Linda
● 714-486-2022
SoCa Arts offers a variety of summer camps devoted to singing, dancing, cheerleading and musical theater. Options include a “Frozen in Summer” Princess Academy for the youngest participants and K-Pop Camp for those 6-11.
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY SUMMER ACTING WORKSHOPS
● Ages: Third to 12th grade
● July 14-25 and July 28-Aug. 3
● 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
● 714-708-5555
● scr.org
Students can choose acting, improv or musical theater as their focus for the two-week program. Students will gain exposure to various aspects of theater, such as design, improvisation, combat, singing and play writing.
Orange County Register
Summer camp guide 2025: City-run camps
- March 23, 2025
ANAHEIM SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: 5-12
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● Various locations in Anaheim
● 714-765-5155
The city offers camps to keep kids busy through the summer including CampVenture, a day camp of mixed activities and the O.A.K.S. nature camp inspired by Native American lifestyles. Wilderness Survival Camp at Oak Canyon Nature Center teaches first aid, food and water gathering, and shelter building using resources in nature.
BREA SUMMER DAY CAMP
● Ages: Kindergarten to eighth grade
● Dates: June 9-Aug. 8
● 695 Madison Way, Brea
● 714-990-7179
Games, crafts, computers, sports and educational presentations with weekly excursions and local outings for Knott’s Berry Farm, LA Zoo, other fun locations, swimming, movies and park visits. Registration will open April 20 for residents and April 21 for nonresidents.
BUENA PARK YOUTH SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS
● Ages: 7-14
● June 4-July 27
● Boisseranc Park, 7520, Dale St.; Peak Park Sports Camp, 7225 El Dorado Drive
● 714-562-3858
Kids will enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities including basketball, dodgeball, kickball and ultimate Frisbee as well as field trips to the Peak Park Pool and Big Air Trampoline Park.
CAMP CYPRESS
● Ages: Entering 1st to 7th grade
● June 9-Aug. 1
● Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Ave., Cypress
● 714-229-6780
Themed weeks with games, arts and crafts and cooking lessons. Campers take excursions to places such as Discovery Cube Orange County, Knott’s Berry Farm, Big Air USA and Raging Waters.
FULLERTON CAMP HILLCREST
● Ages: 5-12
● Dates: TBA
● Hillcrest Park Recreation Center 1155 N. Lemon St., Fullerton
● 714-773-5789
Camp Hillcrest provides a well-rounded and safe atmosphere for campers and provides instruction in arts and crafts, games and sports. Excurisons include Discovery Cube, LA Zoo, Knott’s Soak City, Medieval Times, among others.
GARDEN GROVE SUMMER DAY CAMP
● Ages: 5-12
● Dates: TBA
● Edgar Park, 12781 Topaz St.
● 714-741-5200; 714-741-5211
Campers will receive a camp T-shirt, snacks and refreshments and participate in games, activities and excursions to the beach, Knott’s Berry Farm or an Angels game.
HUNTINGTON BEACH SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: 6-12
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● Murdy Community Center, 7000 Norma Drive, Huntington Beach
● 714-536-5486
Camp HB offers fun-filled weeks of camp, with themes such as sports, arts and crafts, water week and summer fun, plus on- and off-site excursions.
IRVINE SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: 4.5-18
● June 9-Aug. 15
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● 949-724-6610
More than 100 summer camps are available, including half-day, full-day or part-time options. Sports, nature, art, theater, tennis, excursions, engineering and more are available.
LAGUNA NIGUEL SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: First to eighth grade
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● Parks and Rec office 949-425-5100; Recreation Hotline 949-362-4351
Campers will experience outdoor play, board and card games, team-building activities, toy building, weekly visitors, science and nature exploration in the Botanical Preserve, arts and crafts, swimming, and diving.
CLUB LA PALMA DAY CAMP
● Ages: 5-12
● Dates: TBA
● George B. Miller Elementary School, 7751 Furman Road, with the final week of camp the La Palma Community Center, 7821 Walker Street
● 714-690-3300
Club La Palma is filled with action-packed activities and excursions to such destinations as Big Air Trampoline Park, Discovery Cube, Knott’s Berry Farm, and more.
MISSION VIEJO SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: 5-17
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
The city offers a variety of specialty summer camps, including robotics, Minecraft, music video singing, American doll fashion as well as sports and academic camps. There is a also a general day camp called Mission: Camp Adventure.
ORANGE YOUTH DAY CAMPS
● Entering first grade to age 15
● May 4-Aug. 31
● Runs in various locations throughout the summer
● 714-744-7293
Campers will enjoy sing-alongs, sports, games, crafts and weekly excursions outside the city.
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: 3.5-17
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita
● 949-216-9700
A variety of classes such as art, chess, cooking, dance, cheerleading, movie-making and sewing.
SADDLEBACK VALLEY UNIFIED SUMMER TLC
● Ages: Entering first to eighth grade
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● 949-586-1234
Camps are geared for elementary and teenage students and include field trips, games, crafts, sports and special events.
SAN CLEMENTE SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: 3-15
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● 949-361-8264; or 949-361-8200
● www.san-clemente.org/recreation-community
The city offers more than 200 camps with such titles as children’s theater, active adventure and beach volleyball.
SANTA ANA SUMMER ACTIVITIES
● Ages: 5-12
● Various dates and locations throughout the summer
● 714-647-5307
Kids can enjoy organized games and fitness activities, arts and crafts, library visits, and computer workshops. Summer Splash Day Camp, which runs June 5-Aug. 11, includes swimming lessons and excursions to attractions such as the Santa Ana Zoo and Discovery Science Center.
TUSTIN SUMMER CAMPS
● Ages: 3-17
● Dates June 3-Aug. 8
● Tustin Family and Youth Center, 14722 Newport Ave.
● 714-573-3370
This camp offers arts and crafts, cooking classes, outdoor games, video games and personal enrichment workshops.
YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP
● Starts in June
● 50+ locations around Orange County
Day camps feature sports and out- door activities, field trips, and specialty clubs like cooking, art, photography and sports. Excursions include the zoo, Discovery Cube L.A., Knott’s Berry Farm and Boomers. The program offers water games, outdoor sports, and arts and crafts.
Orange County Register
Summer camp guide 2025: Faith-based camps
- March 23, 2025
BLAST SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: Entering 1st through 6th grade
● June 16-Aug. 1
● 5151 Lakeview Ave, Yorba Linda
● 714-777-3009
This camp, operated by Friends Christian School, includes interactive chapel services, arts and crafts, games, water play, cooking and excursions to places such as Knott’s Berry Farm and Wild Rivers.
CAMP MOUNTAIN CHAI
● Ages: Entering second to 12th grade
● Session 1 June 17-29; Session 2, July 2-20; Session 3 July 24-Aug. 5; One-week sessions June 23-July 20
● 42900 Jenks Lake Road, Angelus Oaks
● 858-499-1330
Camp Mountain Chai offers camp sessions throughout the summer to expand the knowledge of and create a love for the Jewish culture, traditions and religion.
CAMP OASIS
● Ages: Pre-K to eighth grade
● June 2-Aug. 8
● 4545 Myra Ave., Cypress
● 714-761-5200
Camp Oasis, operated by Grace Christian School, offers activities such as sports, science and art class, water play, weekly chapel and field trips to Knott’s Berry Farm, Tanaka Farms or an Angels game.
MERAGE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER JCAMPS
● Ages: 2-Grade 11
● Dates: Various camps and sessions running June 9-Aug. 15
● 1 Federation Way, Suite 200, Irvine
● 949-435-3400
Young students enroll in Camp Yeladim, where daily activities include water play, crafts, science activities, singalongs and sports. Elementary, middle and high school students can register for Camp Haverim, where Jewish values, culture and traditions are celebrated through song, food, art and dance.
MESSIAH PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: Fourth–fifth grade
● Session 1, June 16-July 11; Session 2, July 28-Aug. 15
● 4861 Liverpool St.,Yorba Linda
● 714-528-0920
This Vacation Bible School program is a fun-filled week with friends, games, crafts, Bible stories and music.
MISSION VIEJO KIDS CLUB SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: 5-12
● Dates: TBA
● 27192 Jeronimo Road, Mission Viejo
● 949-465-1954
Activities can include sports, games and excursions to the beach, an Angel game or Knott’s Soak City, along with live worship and biblical teaching.
PILLARS ACADEMY
● Ages: 18 months to 12 years
● Dates: June 9-July 18
● 23581 Madero, Suite 104, Mission Viejo
● 949-951-0442
Pillars Academy provides weekly field trips and activities such as arts, science, water sports and karate in a nurturing, Muslim environment.
SANTIAGO CAMPS
● Ages: 3-13
● Various camps June 23-July 27
● 27912 Baker Canyon Road, Silverado
● 714-649-9800
The center offers various sleep-away camps for boys, girls and different ages, including Vacation Bible Camp, Blossom: The Catholic Camp for Girls and Quo Vadis: The Catholic Camp for Boys. Activities include hiking, swimming, music, crafts and games, along with learning stations that reinforce the daily virtue and Bible theme in a hands-on way.
Shoshana Gomez gets a high-five from Hanah Berger as she rides a waterslide at Camp Silver Gan Israel in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
SILVER GAN ISRAEL JEWISH DAY CAMP
● Ages: Kindergarten to 10th grade
● June 23-Aug. 15
● 14401 Willow Lane, Huntington Beach
● 949-381-5610
The weekly program is enhanced with activities such as giant inflatable soccer, water tag, police and fire department demonstrations, carnivals, dress-up days, Mulligan family fun center, hiking, bunk competitions, Shabbat parties, challah baking, and more.
SUMMER IN THE SON SUMMER DAY CAMP
● Ages: Entering first grade through eighth grade
● Dates: TBA
● 7661 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach
● 714-884-7464
On-campus activities include Bible lessons and indoor and outdoor games. Field trips include skating, Soak City, Get Air and weekly visits to the beach or pool.
WILSHIRE AVENUE COMMUNITY CHURCH SUMMER DAY CAMP
● Ages: Kindergarten to sixth grade
● Beginning of June through mid-August
● 212 E. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton
● 714-526-2265
The KidzCare Camp is a Christian-based day camp that offers crafts, games, athletic activities, brain teasers, chapel time and weekly field trips.
Orange County Register
Paul, Massie right to push back on Trump’s big spending protectionist agenda
- March 23, 2025
Under the spell of Trumpian populism, the Republican Party has increasingly become hostile to fiscal responsibility and free markets.
The president’s signature policy, the use of tariffs, is not only a tax on American businesses and consumers but an invitation to cronyism and corruption. With President Donald Trump’s tariffs leaving open the possibility of carve-outs, it demands businesses engage with politicians to plead their case for a reprieve from arbitrary tax increases. This is not how our system should work.
Global trade has made Americans richer, and able to access more goods more cheaply than ever. And yet, Trump views trade as a zero sum game in which unnamed “globalists” rip-off America through some unknown and unarticulated process. Such conspiratorial and nonsensical thinking is an attack, pure and simple, on the free market.
Trump’s confused thinking about trade is what has prompted many of his own officials and many in his party to say the most bizarre things. This includes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that not only can Americans expect increased prices, but that “access to cheap goods is not the essence of the American dream.” Right, because it’s up to some bureaucrats and politicians to tell us to enjoy our higher prices.
It also includes the miraculous claim of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that “Tariffs are a tax hike on foreign countries that, again, have been ripping us off. Tariffs are a tax cut for the American people, and the president is a staunch advocate of tax cuts.”
This confused thinking from the White House indicates that either Trump and his team don’t understand how anything works or they do but they are lying because they have so little respect for people cheering them on.
Sadly, few Republicans are standing up against this nonsense. Time magazine recently reported that Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has tried to encourage his colleagues to defend trade amid Trump’s economic protectionism.
“The public feels like free trade has sold us out,” Paul reportedly explained to his colleagues, “but Americans are richer because of it.”
Paul has yet to draw renewed ire from the president for his defense of free trade, but this seems like an inevitability.
This is what Rep. Thomas Massie, also from Kentucky, recently faced from the president after Massie opposed the recently enacted continuing resolution locking in Biden-era spending through September.
For all of the outcry about the minor trims to federal spending by the Elon Musk-led DOGE, Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress have remained committed to adding trillions to the national debt. Notably, the Trump-backed continuing resolution didn’t even lock in the supposed spending cuts identified by DOGE, another point raised by Massie.
In response, Trump attacked Massie, compared him to former Rep. Liz Cheney and called on Republicans to primary him in the most articulate way he could.
“HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him. He’s just another GRANDSTANDER, who’s too much trouble, and not worth the fight. He reminds me of Liz Chaney before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!),” he wrote on Truth Social.
“It feels just like 2020 …. When I was the only one to oppose the CARES Act,” Massie said. “The president threatened me …. Then what happened? The spending bill caused all this massive inflation that we see now.”
Alas, there are few Republicans willing to buck the president on these and many other issues. Though the GOP has long disappointed in actually backing these up, we’d like to someday see the GOP return to being a party of limited government, free markets and free trade. It is currently heading down the path of big government and protectionism. Is that what so-called conservatives really want?
Orange County Register
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Listening to Mozart might improve your health and daily functioning in numerous ways
- March 23, 2025
By Jeremy Reynolds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)
Playing music for plants can help them to grow, and it turns out that the same might be true for humans.
In a new study published in the peer-reviewed science journal Chaos, researchers played classical music for third-trimester fetuses using headphones on the mothers’ stomachs and measured the fetuses’ heart rates.
They found that the vibrations from the music helped to stabilize the fetuses’ heart rates, which researchers said “could stimulate the development of the fetal autonomic nervous system.”
The study, “Response to music on the nonlinear dynamics of human fetal heart rate fluctuations,” is another in a long line of studies suggesting that listening to classical music can, among other things, help people develop spatial-temporal skills or aid in scheduling and ordering tasks like packing a car trunk full of suitcases on the first try. A true superpower.
The scientific literature on music is historically murky, however, with lots of correlative and anecdotal data and studies with small sample sizes. The new Chaos study only analyzed data from 37 pregnant women and also noted that the babies’ hearts stabilized more to the sound of Spanish guitar than to orchestral music.
But as science has developed new ways to image the brain and body, researchers are gaining clarity on the specific ways music affects us.
Lately, much of that research has concentrated on childhood development and the therapeutic aspects of listening to and learning to play music, and 2025 has seen a spate of data emerging about music and pregnancy.
Sonata snacks
The study about fetal heart rates follows in the footsteps of a 2023 study published in Scientific Reports that found that listening to Beethoven’s music live synchronized listeners heart rates and breathing. This was particularly true when listeners were emotionally moved by the music:
“There were links between the bodily synchrony and aesthetic experiences: synchrony, especially heart-rate synchrony, was higher when listeners felt moved emotionally and inspired by a piece, and were immersed in the music,” researchers wrote in “Audience synchronies in live concerts illustrate the embodiment of music experience.”
For the fetal study, researchers only used two pieces of music. First was “The Swan” by French composer Camille Saint-Saens, himself a musical prodigy, with its serene, flowing cello solo. And then came “Arpa de Oro,” by Mexican composer Abundio Martínez, a pensive guitar melody with a groovier bass.
The latter produced more regular and predictable heart rate patterns, according to the study.
Pregnant mothers, too, have reported benefits to listening to calming music. An Indonesian journal in January published a paper found that “Classical music therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety in pregnant women.”
But again, the sample size was only 30 women.
The paper, “Classical Music Interventions to Reduce Anxiety in Pregnancy,” also had a few translation issues, but its conclusion doesn’t seem farfetched based on other published research. For example, a larger literature review published in August in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM found that “a general positive effect of music interventions on maternal stress resilience,” but noted that the genre of the music wasn’t as relevant as whether the women enjoyed the music or not.
The actual takeaway: Listening to music you like might be good for your health.
The Mozart effect
Back in 1998, Georgia Governor Zell Miller, was so taken with the idea that he tried to use state funding to send every baby born in Georgia a cassette tape or CD of classical music.
The idea is as seductive as it is silly. It appeals to parents’ natural desire to give their kids a developmental leg up, and it appeals to classical record labels and producers who sought to cash in on the so-called Mozart effect.
Then again, another study, “A systematic review of the Mozart effect in adult and paediatric cases of drug-resistant epilepsy,” this one published in Epilepsy & Behavior found that children and adults alike experienced reduced seizures when exposed to a Mozart duet for two pianos, which the researchers are also terming a Mozart effect.
The literature does indicate that passively listening to music can help kids manage anxiety and that actively studying an instrument can have all sorts of far-reaching benefits like improving executive function, or the ability to prioritize and accomplish daily tasks and make decisions.
And this, in turn, can have all sorts of far reaching effects in terms of development and career and even the ability to bond, socially. The Mozart effect may not be as simple as we once thought, but it certainly bears further probing.
Jeremy Reynolds’ work at the Post-Gazette is supported in part by a grant from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Getty Foundation and Rubin Institute.
©2025 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Orange County Register
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In the rapidly shifting world of work, many employees are unclear what’s expected of them
- March 23, 2025
By CATHY BUSSEWITZ, Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — When Nikelle Inman started a new job coaching first-generation college students, she looked forward to meeting with them one-on-one to talk about how to surmount obstacles and find resources to succeed.
Instead, she and her fellow success coaches at a community college in North Carolina spent a year mired in paperwork, tasked with reviewing applications from aspiring undergraduates. They never did get to meet with students.
“Admissions work kind of took over what we were supposed to do,” Inman, 34, said. “I felt disengaged with the position, more so because I just didn’t feel valued.”
It’s disorienting when a job turns out to be completely different than advertised or morphs into something we didn’t expect. But more U.S. workers have reported feeling disconnected from their organization’s purpose and unclear on how to meet expectations since the coronavirus pandemic changed the way we work, according to a new Gallup analysis.
Just under half of U.S. employees who participated in a Gallup survey in November “strongly agreed” that they know what is expected of them at work, which is one of the factors the polling firm uses to measure employee engagement. In January 2020, the figure stood at 56%.
The new survey showed that new employees, younger employees, people in white-collar industries like technology, insurance and finance, and those in hybrid work arrangements were especially likely to report that expectations for their roles weren’t clear.
The findings make intuitive sense. Managers and employees have bushwhacked their way through disruptive changes since COVID-19 first upended public life five years ago. In late 2024, about one-quarter of employees with the ability to work remotely were doing so exclusively, up from around 1 in 10 in 2019, Gallup found. Another 55% were working in the office some days and remotely the rest, according to the 2024 data, up from about one-third in 2019.
More recently, layoffs at tech companies and in the government and other sectors have left organizations with fewer people to handle the load, and expectations aren’t always adjusted to the new realities.
“With all the rounds of layoffs, people’s scope and responsibilities are shifting constantly,” said Jeremy Guttenplan, an executive leadership trainer and coach based in New York. “You think about the ones left behind and the work is just getting piled on them.”
Here are some strategies for eliminating confusion when the scope and responsibilities of a job are ambiguous.
Establish expectations early
Spell out or make sure you understand what a new role or project entails — along with any relevant deadlines or performance markers — from the beginning so everyone agrees on what’s realistic and wanted. Writing it down in a shared document can help prevent future misunderstandings.
When a successful real estate developer asked Amber Krasinski to film and produce 85 TikTok videos in three hours, she thought hard about whether she really wanted to take him on as a client. The job might be good exposure for her communications agency, IvyHill Stategies, but Krasinski knew it would be impossible to complete in so little time. She turned it down.
Krasinski regularly gives her client progress updates and tries to make a practice of asking clarifying questions before taking on new projects.
“Any time I have a conversation with a prospective client, I have that in the back of my mind,” Krasinski said. “Avoiding that people-pleasing side that says, ‘You can figure it out, you can do it.’ You don’t want to let anybody down, but you also need to set yourself up for success.”
Seek frequent feedback
No one wants to spend all day in meetings. But more frequent check-ins with a manager or supervisor may help staff members who are unsure if they are prioritizing their time appropriately or don’t know what they are supposed to be doing.
Organizations can explore different ways of building connection between employees and providing more opportunities for feedback, which can result in better understanding of workplace expectations. Brian Smith, founder and managing partner of IA Business Advisors, said his company hosts gratitude sessions for 30 minutes each week.
The first 20 minutes are led by a coach who advises attendees on issues such as how to effectively manage time or deal with challenging customers. Highlighting specific problems and strategies can help workers understand what’s expected of them. At the end of the session, participants have an opportunity to share what they’re grateful for.
Start the conversation
Workers don’t have to wait for a supervisor to seek feedback or clarify expectations. You can suggest a quick check-in at any point, if you’re unsure how to prioritize long-term goals or short-term deadlines,
“Managing upwards is going to make your life easier,” said Dale Whelehan, founder of 4 Day World, a think tank that explores new models of work. “Don’t assume that management has all the answers. They’re probably just as lost.”
However, in hierarchical organizations where questioning management may be viewed negatively, it’s important to be delicate, he said.
To initiate a feedback discussion, you can ask to meet with a manager about a current project. Whelehan outlined how to approach the conversation if the meeting gets scheduled. Start by sharing what you understand your assignment to be. Then request the manager’s confirmation or clarification by saying something such as, “I just want to make sure that there’s alignment here,” he advised.
Ask about anything else you need to clarify and close out the conversation by saying, “From what I understand from this conversation, my role is this. … Have I understood that correctly?” Follow up with an email restating what you agreed to, Whelehan said.
Trust your instincts
With workplaces experiencing so many changes, employees can find themselves jumping from one assignment to the other, distracted by new responsibilities picked up after colleagues were laid off, or adjusting to spending more time physically in the office.
If it all feels too chaotic, take a moment to pause. Revisit your priorities. And then work on the most important task.
“If something doesn’t feel right, don’t just accept it,” Inman said. “Whatever that avenue is, if it’s staying and trying to make it better or leaving, just don’t give up on what you know is right.”
Have you overcome an obstacle or made a profound change in your work? Send your questions and story ideas to [email protected]. Follow AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health at https://apnews.com/hub/be-well.
Orange County Register
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