Successful Aging: How you feel about your age can affect your health

• March 26, 2023

Q. I am a 75-year-old woman and do not feel my age. I have read there are some benefits to feeling younger. Could you comment on this? Many thanks. N.S

We continue to look for the fountain of youth with lotions, potions, procedures, surgeries and more. Yet the clock moves ahead each year as our chronological age proceeds in a predictable manner. There is another way to think about aging that is less predictable. It’s called subjective aging; that is how old you feel. 

Our subjective age may mean more than our chronological age, according to BBC digital column “The 100 Year Life.” How we feel about our own aging can affect one’s physical and mental health and even longevity. 

Here is some of what we know:

Subjective age: According to a survey by OnePoll, the average person feels seven years younger than the chronological age. Another survey from Denmark found adults over the age of 40 judged themselves to be 20 percent younger than their chronological age. That means an 80-year-old would think of him or herself as age 64. Then there is the philosopher and financier Bernard Baruch who is quoted as saying on his 86th birthday, “To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.” 

Shared characteristics: People who feel younger than their chronological age share some common characteristics according to a German study of over 5,000 participants. They had a higher sense of well-being, better cognitive and brain functioning and favorable physical health. They also had a better standard of living, a more positive attitude towards aging and were less depressed. In the same study, those with a younger subjective age had a buffer to stress with health benefits that increased with their age. 

Geography matters: In a review of almost 300 studies from across the globe, the discrepancy between chronological and subjective age depended on where you lived. That difference or discrepancy was greatest in the U.S., Western Europe and Australia/Oceania. Asia has a smaller gap. Africa has the smallest gap which might be cultural since elders in collective societies typically are more respected. 

Subjective aging, personality and mortality: In some cases as people get older, they have a tendency to become mellower and introverted and often less open to new experiences. That’s not the case with those considered “young at heart,” according to the BBC 100-Year Life report. Such changes in personality were less pronounced for those with younger subjective ages. Furthermore, those young at heart folks experienced better physical health, less risk of dementia and being hospitalized for illness. Finally, subjective age was more related to mortality than chronological age. 

Tips to embrace your age

“Strive to do what you love for as long as you can do it,” writes Jane Brody, health writer at the New York Times on turning 80. 
“Don’t discard an idea because you think you’re too old to consider it. Challenge your limited thinking,” writes psychologist Francine Toder, emeritus faculty member, at California State University, Sacramento. 
“Take care of yourself, get some reasonable sleep, don’t get overcome by stress and have a good diet,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci in an interview with Jane Brody. 
Be aware of how age biases are influencing your decisions and activities. With good judgment, ignore those who consider you “too old”, that “it cannot be done” or “we’ve always done it this way.” (Skiing at age 92 may not be a good idea.)

Perhaps American attitudes play a role in needing to perceive ourselves as younger. Age often gets a bum rap and too often is equated with forgetfulness, weakness and decline, according to Becca Levy, professor of epidemiology and psychology at the Yale School of Public Health. Levy shared her experience visiting Tokyo as a graduate student. As referenced in her book, “Breaking the Age Code,” (2022, William Morrow,) people lived longer and had a more positive attitude towards aging. She observed stories in newsstands about older people falling in love, saw crowds in their 70s and 80s lifting weights in the park and noticed music classes with 75-year old’s learning to play the electric slide guitar for the first time. Perhaps in Japan, it’s not necessary to feel younger. 

Here are some takeaways: Know that subjective age effects one’s physical and mental health. Embrace the years you have lived. And you are as old as you feel, except when getting senior discounts!

Thank you, N.S. for your good question. Stay well and know kindness is everything. 

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at [email protected]. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity

​ Orange County Register 

Indigenous tribes work with Swedish and CSUN scholars to thrive in California

• March 26, 2023

By Marianne Love, Correspondent

In four years, researchers in the San Fernando Valley and Sweden will have documented how Indigenous societies survived ongoing challenges they face due to climate change and ‘colonialism,’ the historic attempt to wipe out tribal cultures in Southern California.

California State University, Northridge history professor Natale Zappia and a team of Swedish researchers are splitting a $1.43 million grant from the Swedish Government Research Council for Sustainability to compare the experiences of the Chumash, Tataviam, Kiz-Tongva-Gabrieleno and Kumeyaay tribes in Southern California to those of Nordic Sápmi, whose Sámi people still herd reindeer as did their ancestors.

“The Swedish grant is unique and exploratory in nature,” Zappia said. “With historians, the nature of our research is more focused on narratives and direct collaborations with Indigenous communities.”

Natale Zappia talks following a tour at Chatsworth Lake Manor on Friday, September 16, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The project is being overseen by Zappia, with project partners from the Chumash, Kiz-Tongva-Gabrieleno, Tataviam, and Kumeyaay tribes, whose cultures have inhabited broad regions of Ventura, Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties for thousands of years.

These tribes not only survived climate change and colonialism — they are thriving.

“All of them are here,” Zappia said of native tribes in Southern California. “Their landscapes have been colonized, but they are still engaging in climate resiliency projects, and their ecological knowledge informs scientists.”

Jesus Alvarez, a member of the local Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, has a gardening background. He said that despite their devastating history, many Indigenous people are involved in staying connected to the land.

“We are a landless tribe, and that’s a sad thing to say,” he said.

But Alvarez is involved in efforts to understand the land and its history. He has been part of the LA Landscape History Project, which, among its many goals, is mapping the ancient Los Angeles River. And now he is involved in historical aspects of the Swedish grant.

“The (land) is part of who they were,” Alvarez said of the region’s tribes. “When you are eating a peach from your tree, there’s nothing better than that. … You recognize the engagement of land. You understand the seasons, it’s really profound. It should be going back to that. Bring the whole family together (to understand) the disconnection from the land. It’s special to do that.”

Jesus Alvarez, a tribal senator for the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, poses on Thursday, February 23, 2023 in his San Fernando garden where he planted fruit trees and native plants. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The connection between historic Indigenous practices that are centuries old, and modern-day practices that address climate change, are very real, Zappia said.

“Native communities are actually collaborating with Cal Fire and state agencies to (share their knowledge of) how to burn landscapes traditionally, because that actually leads to less fires.”

The Swedish grant is an effort to understand how Indigenous societies in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties survived when faced with devastating challenges caused by the twin forces of colonialism and environmental change. The four-year research project is aimed at producing a book, building an innovative website and holding international workshops at which Native partners in the U.S and Sweden can exchange ideas.

Alan Salazar talks with Sarah Rascon during Winter Solstice Sunrise Ceremony held by the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and DWP at Chatsworth Nature Preserve in December. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

Zappia, who is part of the international team of researchers who will share data, said lessons for surviving dramatic change can be found in the experiences of Indigenous people.

Among them are the Sámi people, whose ancient territories still stretch through northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula in Russia.

Climate change threatens the world’s biodiversity. Researchers hope that, in exploring the past, this project could help apply historic Native practices to modern-day climate change.

The grant is also about building relationships and supporting Native tribes through funding, workshops, and opportunities to discuss and spread the word about the tribes’ approaches to the climate and environment.

Underlying the grant is the idea that incorporating native solutions in a rigorous way could provide answers.

Zappia’s team also collaborated with a multi-institutional team of scholars on the LA Landscape History Project, in which Alvarez is also involved, that looks back at least 6,000 years. The project helps to see into the past, connecting it to the present, Zappia said.

“If you play around with the map, you can see the landscape change and what has remained,” Zappia said. “Much of it, of course, has changed. But there are certain pockets, both Indigenous as well as ecological pockets, that still continue or have adapted.”

From the Swedes’ perspective, the idea is to investigate how Indigenous nations maintained cohesion and passed on their knowledge despite the destruction, via colonial expansion, of the environment in which they lived — and which nurtured them.

Professor Gunlög Fur, deputy vice chancellor for sustainability at Linnaeus University in Sweden, called the project “urgent,” in that it “recovers traditional ecological knowledge, and puts it to use in a most densely populated area, heavily affected by climate warming.”

Fur said they hope that looking at efforts to recover ecological knowledge through Indigenous traditions will “deepen” understanding and how people respond to climate change and loss of biodiversity, “by sharing practices between and among Indigenous communities and with non-Indigenous neighbors.”

Fur added, “We hope that this will also contribute to strengthening Indigenous claims for protecting fragile environments.”

Native tribes around the world have survived using traditional prescribed burning and farming practices. Experts say these are akin to sustainable farming, sustainable forestry and sustainable herding.

In California, Zappia said, Indigenous communities continue traditional practices such as gathering acorns in the fall, and using managed farming and managed fishing techniques — practices that go back thousands of years.

Indigenous people “survived by doing what they had always done, and now they are getting more recognition — partly because of the awakening of mainstream cultures, but also because of climate change,” Zappia said.

“They need to know these stories. If you don’t have the stories and you don’t have the culture, sustainability is not going to work. Climate change isn’t going to work without people buying into it. And you need to have a framework — history.”

One important aspect of the separate LA Landscape History Project, as it relates to the Swedish grant, is that it builds and creates a partnership with Indigenous collaborators from Southern California and Los Angeles.

Related links

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California seeks victims of forced or coerced sterilization in effort to pay them reparations
Tribes bury P-22, Southern California’s legendary mountain lion
Spiritual winter solstice ceremony held at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve
California lawmaker seeks to establish 20-year cardroom moratorium

Alvarez, of Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, said his tribe is looking at the possibility of getting land to preserve and use for ceremonial events. He hopes they can work with children to educate them about the losses the tribe has seen over the centuries.

“It wasn’t long ago that cultures knew farming, knew the land,” Alvarez said. “Even the school system is set up for harvesting times — that was based on that lifestyle. So I like the idea of going back and doing that. I’m excited. It needs to be done, it’s going to be done and it’s going to click with everyone.”

​ Orange County Register 

Splash Mountain closure date at Disneyland still to be determined

• March 26, 2023

The impending closure of Splash Mountain will take place soon, but an exact date has yet to be announced when the Critter Country attraction will begin a yearlong transformation to a new Princess Tiana theme.

It appeared from Disneyland’s website early Sunday morning that the classic log flume ride would go dark in early May, but that information was not correct.

SEE ALSO: Splash Mountain water sells on eBay for $200 after Disney World ride closes

After its closure, Splash Mountain will reopen at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 2024 with a “Princess and the Frog” theme based on the 2009 Disney animated film.

The Splash Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World closed in January. Disneyland’s Splash Mountain underwent a seasonal winter refurbishment in January that was unrelated to the planned “Princess and the Frog” makeover.

SEE ALSO: What to expect when Disneyland rethemes Splash Mountain

The reimagining of the Splash Mountain rides will remove thematic elements related to “Song of the South” — the controversial 1940s animated film criticized for perpetuating racist stereotypes that has been disowned by Disney.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will tell an extension of the “Princess and the Frog” story that picks up after the final kiss between Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. The new backstory for Splash Mountain will follow Tiana and Louis the trumpet-playing alligator as they prepare for their first Mardi Gras performance.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland Splash Mountain makeover is going to take some time

Tiana’s takeover of New Orleans Square and nearby Critter Country has already begun.

In February, Disneyland began transforming the French Market restaurant in New Orleans Square into Tiana’s Palace — the New Orleans restaurant run by Tiana in the “Princess and the Frog” animated film.

Eudora’s Chic Boutique retail store opened in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square in September. The Tiana-themed store is named for the seamstress mother of the animated Disney princess.

SEE ALSO: Meet the Disneyland cast member who wants to change Splash Mountain’s story

The Princess Tiana makeover of Splash Mountain has been years in the making.

Walt Disney Imagineering has been developing a “Princess and the Frog” backstory for Splash Mountain since 2019 and settled on many of the concepts for the reimagined attraction in summer 2019.

Disney announced in summer 2020 the Splash Mountain log flume rides at Disneyland in Anaheim and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida will be transformed by Imagineering with a new theme based on “The Princess and the Frog” animated movie.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland Splash Mountain makeover is going to take some time

The move by Disney in 2020 to announce changes to the rides followed a flurry of social media buzz calling for the parks to update Splash Mountain’s controversial backstory amid social justice protests across the United States sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis.

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Splash Mountain features characters and songs from Disney’s 1946 “Song of the South” film based on the “Uncle Remus” stories — a collection of folktales from the Southern plantation era compiled by Joel Chandler Harris and published in the 1880s — that have been criticized for perpetuating racist stereotypes. Disney shelved the controversial live-action/animated musical film in the 1980s and the company’s CEO Bob Iger said the movie will not appear on the Disney+ streaming service.

SEE ALSO: What happens to Disneyland’s Critter Country after Splash Mountain makeover?

“Princess and the Frog” was celebrated as Disney’s first animated depiction of an African-American princess. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for best animated feature and received two nods in the best original song category for “Almost There” and “Down in New Orleans.”

​ Orange County Register 

Wealthy? Educated? You’re primed to live through COVID-19

• March 26, 2023

Remember being thrust into that Salvador Dali painting? Aisle after aisle of empty store shelves melting into bleak oblivion … finger paintings cracking in abandoned classrooms … blue industrial gloves in the supermarket …

We knew squat about the new virus sweeping the planet three years ago. Our hopes for normalcy — nay, for survival! — hung on the development of new vaccines to keep the beast at bay. In a stunning triumph, science delivered. But millions, to this day, refuse the needle — a refusal that researchers say has resulted in hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths. 

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Public Health reveal a disturbing, if predictable, pattern: Vaccination status goes hand-in-hand with education and income, in near lock-step.

More modest Southern California is vastly less-vaccinated than wealthier Northern California, with perhaps a slight under-performance by Santa Clara County.

This would all be a numbers game except for one thing: Unvaccinated people are about three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than are vaccinated people.

As we toss our masks — even in healthcare settings — and reclaim pre-pandemic normalcy, we should understand that it comes at a price: The lives of our parents and grandparents.

The overwhelming majority of COVID-19 deaths in the Golden State — 72% — are among those 65 and older.

“We’re saying, ‘This pandemic is over; older adults, tough luck,’” said Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology at UC Berkeley. “Older adults have to take responsibility for themselves because they can’t count on society to protect them. That is a sad thing.”

More than 1.1 million Americans have died of COVID-19 — some 267,000 last year — and we’re on track for another 100,000 or so to die this year as the unavoidable price of returning to normal. That toll far exceeds even the worst flu season, and suggests a flip view of seniors as expendable.

Marisela Munoz holds a photo of her mother Evangelina C. Martinez in 2020. Martinez died of COVID-19 in Sylmar at the age of 93. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

“There is absolutely ageism at work here,” said Andrew Noymer, an epidemiologist and demographer at UC Irvine. “The mortality we’re seeing in the older age group is being downplayed in the public consciousness, and by statisticians who should know better.”

Health, wealth

We know that being affluent, educated and vaccinated can keep you alive. Here’s the evidence:

• In Marin County, 90.4% of folks had the primary round of shots, and 41.6% had the latest booster against omicron. (There, 60.1% have at least a bachelor’s degree and median household income is $131,008.) As we said, there has been one COVID-19 death for every 821 residents.

• In San Francisco, 85% of folks had the primary, and 41.4% had the booster. (There, 59.5% have at least a bachelor’s, and median income is $126,187.) There has been one COVID-19 death for every 691 residents.

• In Santa Clara County, 85.5% had the primary and 32.9% had the booster. (There, 54.4% have at least a bachelor’s, and median income is $140,258.) There has been one COVID-19 death for every 720 residents.

• In Alameda County, 84.1% had the primary and 35.6% had the booster. (There, 49.6% have at least a bachelor’s, and median income is $112,017.) There has been one COVID-19 death for every 783 residents.

• In Orange County, 73.8% had the primary and 23.6% had the booster. (There, 42.1% have at least a bachelor’s, and median income is $100, 485.) There has been one COVID-19 death for every 396 residents.

• In Los Angeles County, 74% had the primary and 23.7% had the booster. (There, 34% have at least a bachelor’s, and median income is $76,367.) There has been one COVID-19 death for every 283 residents.

• In Riverside County, 60.2% had the primary and 18.3% had the booster. (There, 23.4% have at least a bachelor’s, and median income is $76,066.) There has been one COVID-19 death for every 359 residents.

• In San Bernardino County, 57.9% had the primary, and 17.2% had the booster. (There, 21.9% have at least a bachelor’s, and median income is $70,287.) As we said, there has been one COVID-19 death for every 271 residents.

These numbers didn’t surprise Swartzberg at all.

“They’re consistent with all the literature,” he said. “Being fully vaccinated markedly decreases the risk of hospitalization and death. Most people, informed with this data, would make the rational decision to avoid hospitalization and death and get vaccinated.”

But not everyone is informed with the data — or trusts it, based on variables like education, historical mistreatment in the health care system, and the “bizarre politicization” of vaccines, he said.

“History isn’t going to treat kindly the people who’ve politicized vaccination,” he said. “They’ve caused an awful lot of people to lose their lives. It’s tragic.”

Life expectancy fell almost a full two years in California in 2020, and data suggest another half-year drop in 2021, the first appreciable downturns since World War II, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Outlook

The good news, experts said, is that we’re at very low levels of significant disease compared to just about any other time since the pandemic began.

Why? Most everyone has been infected or vaccinated  — or both  — by now, in excess of 90% of the population. That has built an “immunity wall” that didn’t exist three years ago, Swartzberg said.

We’re also dealing with a virus that is much more transmissible — and much less virulent — than any variant that preceded it.

But what’s next?

“It’s really hard to say,” said Noymer. “The crystal ball is getting hazy. It’s clear that COVID is just not as bad as it once was. We can argue about why, but the fact is, it’s just not as bad. I think COVID will keep receding in people’s consciousness.”

But will COVID-19 remain an afterthought? No one dares venture a guess. The virus has proven again and again that it can turn on a dime.

“Right now, the psychology of the country is that we’re going to be living with COVID at a low level, and I will live my life the way I want to live,” Swartzberg said. “That’s the advice you’re getting through public health. Nobody knows what spring, summer, next fall are going to be – but I’m in the camp of the optimistic.”

Swartzberg is aghast that masks are no longer required in healthcare settings — where older, frailer, sick people turn for help — and said the FDA and CDC should do what Canada and the United Kingdom do — push spring boosters for older people at risk of bad outcomes.

The FDA is weighing whether to do just that. A decision is reportedly forthcoming.

The uptake of the most recent booster has been abysmal, Noymer said, so it’s clear why the U.S. has embraced an annual COVID-19 vaccine schedule.

“I think they’ve just decided it’s going to be like the flu shot, and anything more often than that isn’t sustainable,” he said. “There’s not a lot of transparency around these decisions, but it’s not an unreasonable one, given the low numbers. Doing a full-court press for a 10% uptake is not going to be a winning strategy here.”

Time may tell which approach is best — or it might not. Meantime, it’s every man for himself. If you want or need extra protection, it’s on you.

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​ Orange County Register 

Summer Camp Guide 2023: Summer is the ultimate balancing act for families

• March 26, 2023

As a mother of two, there comes a day every spring when a wave of panic washes over me as I realize that summer is approaching steadfastly, and with it many, many weeks devoid of plans(or structure) for my children.

Don’t get me wrong; I savor meandering summer days, trips to the beach with little to no agenda, and the occasional road trip to visit grandparents, aunts and uncles who live out oftown. But those do not fill an entire summer season. For La Habra City Schools, for example, instruction ends on June 1 and begins Aug. 15. That’s 10 full weeks — and some change — ofbreak.

For many local parents, this is where summer camp comes in — though the sheer number of camp options can be as overwhelming as the 70-plus days you’re trying to fill. But you have tostart somewhere. Sometimes I even print out an empty calendar of the summer months, plug in happenings already scheduled, and go from there.

More from our Summer Camp Guide

How to book a ‘just right’ camp
Academic and STEM camps
Arts camps
City-run camps
Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Swim, surf and sailing camps

Word-of-mouth helps me each summer; my 10-year-old daughter has been doing varying camps since she was 5. I ask neighbors and fellow parents at school what camps their kidshave loved (and not loved), and I consult local publications, where camps tend to advertise or be reviewed.

Stephanie Mack, a mother of three in Costa Mesa, says she usually splits her kids’ summer in half: five or so weeks of camps and five or so weeks of down time or vacation. She admits,though, that this plan is doable because she works part-time, and the part-time work is flexible in nature. But also achieving that balance of “things to do” and time to just be is the goal.

“We all thrive on some structure,” she said, “so summer camps are important. I see my girls growing up with old friends and new, and benefiting from exposure to different activities and opportunities. Camps provide structure, fun, education and physical activity. So they are a win.”

Mack looks for camps that check multiple boxes; they must admit both 7- and 9-year-olds so that she’s not shuttling kids to different sites, and offer activities that align with interests. Luckily,her older daughters tend to like the same things. Last summer, that included one week each of golf camp, craft camp, basketball camp and Vacation Bible School. The summer before, tenniscamp was in the mix.

Sometimes a camp is selected because it offers a new opportunity. For example, Mack’s kids don’t take golf lessons during the school year, so summer camp is a great time for them to build their skills on the green. Mack will also sign them up for a week or two of “theme-less” camp at their school.

I follow a similar thought train for my now 10-year-old daughter. She often requests a week or two musical theater camp, per her interest, and then we try new things. Last summer that meantswimming camp and writing camp, and this summer, we’re hunting for a cooking camp, because making omelets, waffles and smoothies all on her own has become part of life at home lately.

Rachel Kirshenbaum, a director with Steve & Kate’s Camp for six years, says parents might also think about how a particular camp is organized, and/or what their philosophy is for camperlearning. Steve & Kate’s Camp has locations around the country, including one in Costa Mesa, and they all follow the company’s core value of self-guided learning; myriad activities are set uponsite, from stop-motion animation to sewing, and kids come and go as they please.

“We encourage campers to use their reasoning skills to navigate the activities at camp,” she said, “and rather than training our staff to do things for the kids, we aim to train the kids to thinkon their own, so that they feel confidence in their ability to figure things out.”

If that “free-range” style isn’t ideal for your child, you’ll likely lean toward a more structured camp. Kirshenbaum understands that parents know their child best, so it’s important to choosea setting where you predict your child will feel successful and have fun.

Other things to consider include time frames of a camp, flexibility of dates, and of course cost. Steve & Kate’s camp is incredibly flexible; you can buy just one week of camp, or a full summerpass, or drop in for just a day. In terms of cost, Mack says that she sees local camp prices range from $300 a week to $800, which can be prohibitive for parents, especially if they havemore than one child of summer camp age. Determine a budget that works for your family and stick with it.

My family saves dollars throughout the year in anticipation of a few weeks of summer camp, and we chalk it up as a mental, emotional, and physical health plan for our oldest child. She’s at theage where I see her droop if she’s without friends for too long, or on a screen for too long, or not “sweating it out” in some capacity each day. “Camp Mama,” which we affectionately call anysummer day when I push her out of the house and into the great outdoors for a dose of Vitamin D, is our default when a summer camp hasn’t been booked. Neighborhood walks, beachsessions and park play dates are affordable ways to be active and offset camp costs. But when you can save up and send them to camp, you’re bound to feel good about the expenditure.

Shannon Tripp, a pediatric nurse and parenting expert, agrees.

“Summer camp is a great opportunity for your kids to focus on their own identity and independence, Tripp said,” and this can be great for their overall mental health. We’ve never had as large of a mental health crisis as we have now for our youth. Kids are so inundated with the web, social media, and their phones; summer camp is an opportunity to get off of that, especially for teens. Exercising and being outside is healthy and healing for kids as well. If your child is nervous about going to camp, it’s important to remind them that every kid there is experiencing the same things and that there will be adults there to help.”

​ Orange County Register 

Summer Camp Guide 2023: How to book a just-right camp

• March 26, 2023

I was baffled when my eldest daughter became camp-age and fellow mothers were talking about summer camp in February. I was still recovering from the holiday season, and here we were looking five months ahead to when our children would once again be on break. Though most of us missed a summer or two of camp due to the pandemic, we’re back in action now, and back to planning ahead. Here are a few parent-to-parent pro-tips on booking summer camps this year.

1. Reflect on your child’s needs.

My daughter, entering fifth grade this fall, has a very scheduled and busy school year, full of a cappella rehearsals, piano and fencing lessons, and playdates. I learned my lesson last summer when she did four weeks of highly structured summer camp. She came home after week one and said, “This feels a lot like school.” So this year, I’ll help her pivot to a couple weeks of camp that are more fluid and fun. She has her eyes on a week of crafting camp, and maybe a week of “fun and games” camp. The point is, reflect on your child and what kind of camp best addresses their needs will make for a smoother, happier summer.

More from our Summer Camp Guide

Summer is the ultimate balancing act for families
Academic and STEM camps
Arts camps
City-run camps
Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Swim, surf and sailing camps

2. Try things old and new, and think about academics and emotional needs, too.

For some kids, summer is a great time for academic review and support; a neighbor of mine recently shared that her daughter had had a tough year in math class, so she was on the hunt for a summer experience that included that academic component.

On the flip side, if your child needs to unwind from academics, try a themed camp focused on a passion they have, or something totally different. Mack of Costa Mesa put both of her daughters in Vanguard University’s basketball camp, despite neither of them being basketball players. The girls had a great time, she said, and she was impressed by how well-organized and coached it was. This year, she’s considering the new-to-her Emerald Cove Day Camp, which offers archery, tide pool time, hiking and more.

3. Ask about approach, or camp philosophy.

You know yourself and your child’s needs best, so do some research before registering for a camp. Most speak directly to their mission on their website, so make sure what you read jives with what you desire from a camp. For example, Camp Izza in Irvine is all about relationships, and creating a safe and engaging space in which to build them.

“We believe that being able to relate to others while understanding and appreciating themselves is what matters most,” said Camp Izza founder Omar Ezzeldine. “The games and activities we play are less about what we are doing and more about who we are becoming and how we are accepting ourselves and others. Programs like ours tend to attract shy campers, or those that just need a space to be proud of who they are.”

4. Consider sleep-away camps for the older kids.

For kids ready to practice their independence from the family unit, consider a sleep-away camp, either close by or further from home. After many screenings of the movie “Parent Trap,” my oldest child was determined to try a one-week sleep-away experience this year; we opted for one in Fresno County, but there are plenty in or closer to Orange County itself, like Catalina Sea Camp, great for ocean adventurers. The camp offers one-week programs for campers 8 to 13, and three-week programs for those 12-17.

​ Orange County Register 

Summer Camp Guide 2023: Academic and STEM camps

• March 26, 2023

ADVENTURES IN STEM SCIENCE CAMP

Khoi Vu Bostic, 9, of Fullerton, at right, leads the way down the zip line at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center in 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

●  Ages: Junior Adventure Camp 6-10; Adventure Camp 11-17

●  Dates: TBA

● 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.

More from our Summer Camp Guide

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Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Swim, surf and sailing camps

CODE REV

● Ages: 6-14

● Weeklong camps: June 13-Aug. 5

● 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.

FAIRMONT SUMMER PROGRAM

● Ages: 2-18

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 4

● 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

● fairmontsummerprograms.com

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

Instructors Phill Allen, left, Weston Bales, Brennan Edmondson and David Wu perform a song during an art show at Fusion Academy in Mission Viejo on Thursday, April 6, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)

●  Ages: Kindergarten to college

● Summer school dates and times are flexible; best to just call Fusion directly

●  7711 Center Ave., Suite 120, Huntington Beach; 657-200-2300

● 23456 Madero, Suite 140, Mission Viejo; 949-716-7384

● fusionacademy.com

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 26-Aug. 11

● 888-709-8324

● idtech.com

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.

IPSF SUMMER ENRICHMENT ACADEMY

●  Ages: Kindergarten to 12th grade

●  Session A: June 12-30; Session B: July 10-27; Specialty Camps: July 31-Aug. 18

●  Beacon Park School, 200 Cultivate, Irvine; Cadence Park School, 750 Benchmark; 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

●  www.ipsf.net/summer

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.

PLANETBRAVO TECHNOTAINMENT CAMP

● Ages: Second to ninth grade

● One-week sessions run June 12 through Aug. 11

● 4947 Alton Pkwy Irvine

● 310-443-7607

● planetbravo.com

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

● Dates: June 26-Aug. 3

● 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

● russianschool.com

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.

ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY

● Summer Enrichment Program for boys entering third through eighth grade

● Dates: June 20-July 14

● 215 N. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim

● 714-772-1363

● stcatherinesacademy.org

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 AT SAGE

● Ages: 5-14 (Program dependent)

● 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast

● June 26-July 28

● 949-219-0100

● sagehillschool.org

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

● Dates: June 12-July 28

● 949-276-6700

● www.st-anne.org

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: July 11-28

● 1 Tiger Woods Way, Anaheim

● 714-765-8000

● tgrfoundation.org

Summer classes from students interested in an interactive, career-focused experience.

TUSTIN SUMMER ACADEMY

Students prepare to launch a handmade bottle rocket into the air during Tustin Summer Academy’s showcase at Orchard Hills School. (Photo by Shelby Wolfe, Orange County Register/SCNG)

● Ages: Kindergarten-eighth grade

● June 12-July 7

● Orchard Hills School 11555 Culver Drive, Irvine

● 714-832-6299

● www.tpsf.net/summer

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

● April 24-Aug. 25

● 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 welcome.

​ Orange County Register 

University boys tennis falls to Punahou of Hawaii in finals of All-American tournament

• March 26, 2023

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NEWPORT BEACH — University boys tennis coach John Kessler joked that he knew his Trojans, coming off consecutive comeback victories at the All-American tournament, were in trouble when they took an early lead against Punahou of Hawaii in the final Saturday.

Kessler maintained his sense of humor and pride in his team after Punahou lived up to its No. 1 seed by dramatically rallying to dethrone reigning champion University 5-4 at Palisades Tennis Club.

Punahou captured the prestigious, 16-team tournament for the first time.

“I’m proud of them. We battled,” Kessler said of his squad, which suffered its first loss the season. “I think we’re a pretty deep team and they are as well. They just came out on top. It happens.”

“You got to lose with class,” the veteran coach added. “It’s OK. There’s bigger things coming (this season) hopefully.”

University, a four-time winner of the national event, opened a 2-1 lead after the teams’ three doubles sets. Punahou responded by claiming four of the six singles sets. The Honolulu powerhouse sprinted to the victory, claiming the final three sets that finished at No. 2 singles, No. 6 singles and No. 5 singles, respectively.

Dozens of players and spectators crowded the courts in the far corner of the club to watch the No. 5 and No. 6 singles decide the final margin. The tournament format challenged the schools to use six players for singles in the finals instead of five in earlier rounds.

Punahou’s No. 6 Seiya Kudo edged University freshman left-hander Langston Walter-Wu 8-7 (7-2) in a tie-breaker. No. 5 Tanner Ige then defeated Trojans’ sophomore left-hander Joe Chan 8-6 for the championship-clinching point, ignite a wild celebration by Punahou.

“It’s massive,” Punahou coach Ikaika Jobe said of the victory, “especially for a Hawaii team to come here for everyone to take us seriously this time. A lot of the mainland teams don’t really take the Hawaii guys as seriously so it was really nice to be able to showcase our talent.”

Final: Punahou of Hawaii edges ⁦@UNI_ATHLETICS⁩ 5-4 to win the National All-American tourney, big-time clash came down to depth ⁦@ocvarsity⁩ pic.twitter.com/47W9rzxV6o

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) March 26, 2023

University rallied in the semifinals to edge No. 2 seeded Menlo 4-4 on games (57-47) to reach its ninth tournament final. The Trojans trailed 3-0 after doubles. Punahou defeated Peninsula 5-3 in the other semifinal.

On Friday, University rallied to defeat Memphis University School of Tennessee 5-3 after trailing the quarterfinal match 2-1.

The Trojans, whose main goal is to defend their CIF-SS Open Division crown, have quickly revamped this spring.

They have added transfer James MacDonald at the top of the lineup and sophomore Ari Lens, who played at No. 4 singles in the final. The duo joins returning standouts Ani Gupta (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps commit) and SangHyuk Im.

University’s matching was especially effective at No. 1 doubles. MacDonald and Im won in the finals 8-7 (7-4). Andrew Ke and Bradley Yung added an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.

Great start for @UNI_ATHLETICS as it wins 2/3 matches in doubles, including this one at #1 in a tie-breaker by SangHyuk Im and James MacDonald @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/ogFgTzaFmv

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) March 25, 2023

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The Trojans moves have come after standout sophomore twins Champion and Winner Oke decided not to play high school this season.

But despite all the moves, University was again in contention Saturday.

“The way the team all comes together as one, I really was not expecting that,” said MacDonald, a former Brentwood standout who didn’t play high school tennis last season. “We all practice together, train hard together, and it’s a great to see our success as a team.

“Coach (Kessler) fosters a really great environment that brings all the kids together,” MacDonald added. “It’s an experience that I’m so glad that I’m taking part in.”

MacDonald and Gupta, along with the Corona del Mar duo of Niels Hoffmann and Jack Cross, were selected to the all-tournament team.

​ Orange County Register