10 FAVORITE SUMMER CAMPS that offer children a getaway

Summer camp can be a positive, motivating, exciting learning experience that will long be happily remembered by every child.

J. Grant Gerson, public relations chairman for the Southern California section of the American Camping Assn., offers here a cross section of day and resident camps available in Southern California. Included are private independent camps (among them one operated by Gerson), organization camps, municipal (city-run) camps and camps sponsored by special agencies.

All are accredited by the American Camping Assn. and meet a number of standards for programs, health and safety, personnel, business practices, physical site and administration. Many have camperships available and invite inquiries.

Parents interested in sending their children to camp this summer should begin the application process as soon as possible because space is limited.

Camp at Mammoth Lakes is a private, independent camp operated by Gerson. Located in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., this resident camp focuses on providing fun and adventure and building self-confidence in boys and girls from 9 to 16. Activities include swimming, canoeing, sailing, inner-tubing on the Owens River, archery, backpacking, crafts, dancing, hiking, horseback riding, leadership training, mountaineering, music, nature, outdoor skills, performing arts and individual and team sports. The first of four two-week sessions begins June 23. Camperships are available. Call (800) THE-CAMP, (818) 884-9647 or write 22101 Erwin St., Room No. P-203T, Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367.

Jameson Ranch is a private, independent resident camp operated by Ross and Debby Jameson. Located in the southern Sierra (Kern County), it provides an outdoor ranch experience with an emphasis on personal growth and individual choice. This co-ed camp’s summer is broken into five two-week sessions beginning June 23. Geared for boys and girls between 6 and 13, it offers swimming and swimming lessons, rowing, sailing, canoeing, fishing, archery, backpacking, crafts, folk dancing, square dancing, hiking, horseback riding, music, ranching, caring for farm animals, rock climbing, horse vaulting and gardening. Call (805) 536-8888 or write P.O. Box LT, Glenville, Calif. 93226.

Mountain Crags-Camp Gilmore are Salvation Army-sponsored resident camps designed specifically for underprivileged boys and girls from 7 to 12. The first of 10 one-week sessions begins June 23. Run by Walter Cisar, the camp offers a wide range of activities including swimming, archery, crafts, hiking, leadership training, music, ceramics and therapy for the handicapped. Camperships are available. Call (213) 627-0725 (office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday till June 7; then the office will be open five days a week). You can also write 900 West 9th Street, Los Angeles, Calif. 90015.

Murietta is a weight-loss and fitness camp for girls 8-18. Located at the University of San Diego, this resident camp is directed by Diane Murphy. Nutrition and habit management, individual and team sports and fitness are taught. Campers live in college dorms and participate in swimming, crafts, modern dance, folk dance, aerobics, music, creative dramatics and field trips. The first session begins June 23. Call (800) 542-6005, (619) 279-7800 or write Sportsworld, 8245 Ronson Road, Suite D, San Diego, Calif. 92111.

Camp Yallani, sponsored by the Camp Fire Council of Los Angeles, offers two eight-day sessions and one five-day session; the first (five-day) session begins July 8. This resident camp is for boys and girls 6 to 14 years of age. Activities include swimming, nature studies, crafts, canoeing, fishing, cookouts, backpacking, camping skills, archery and a ropes course, in which campers develop coordination and learn cooperation by using a rope obstacle course. For more information, call (213) 382-8321 and ask for Carol Ruwet, director, or write to 304 S. Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90020.

YMCA Camp Oakes, near Big Bear Lake, offers year-round Western-style resident camping for boys and girls. Activities include swimming, water skiing, canoeing, archery, computer training, crafts, environmental education, hiking, horseback riding, riflery, astronomy and a ropes course, in which kids use logs and ropes in confidence-building, cooperative games. Camping begins June 30; sessions range from one to three weeks. Call director Brian Bost at (213) 432-2026 or write YMCA of Greater Long Beach, 600 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, Calif. 90802.

Hollywoodland (resident camp for girls) and Griffith Park Camp (resident camp for boys) are operated by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. Boys from 7 to 13 and girls from 6 to 14 participate in swimming, archery, crafts, modern dancing, folk dancing, aerobics, field trips, hiking, horseback riding, singing, drama, individual and team sports. For more information, call Joe McElvogue at (213) 467-7193 or Jeff Harrison at (213) 664-0571.

Friendship Camp is a nonprofit day camp dedicated to stimulating interracial and inter-cultural understanding and personal self-esteem. Father Charles S. Casassa S.J. is president of this 34-year-old camp (he was also president of Loyola University of Los Angeles, now Loyola Marymount). The camp offers co-ed sessions in Griffith Park for kids 5 to 15. Activities include swimming and swimming lessons, crafts, hiking, leadership training, music, outdoor skills, performing arts, team and individual sports, fishing, boating, nature lore and folk dancing. The camp will provide door-to-door transportation for the children. The first four-week session starts July 1. Call director Ezra Weintraub for more information, at (213) 663-9801, or write 2740 Waverly Drive, B, Los Angeles, Calif. 90039.

Young Sportsman Club in Irvine is a private, independent co-ed day camp kids 5 to 15, operated by Ronald Kiino. The camp offers swimming and swimming lessons, surfing, boogie-boarding, backpacking, computer training, crafts, environmental education, hiking, leadership training, outdoor skills, physical-fitness training, individual and team sports, jazz dancing, field trips and drama. Sessions are on a flexible schedule; camping begins June 24. The camp offers door-to-door transportation within Orange County. Call (714) 857-6530 or write P.O. Box 16091, Irvine, Calif. 92713.

19th Street Children’s Theater is a private, independent day camp that specializes in the teaching of dance, drama and singing. Directed by Helen Lockwood Murray, the co-ed sessions are designed for youngsters 7 to 14. Two full productions of Broadway musicals are completed within each four-week summer session, and the emphasis of the day camp is on rehearsing and performing. Other activities include swimming, crafts, jazz dancing, field trips, singing, team sports, videotape workshops, stage crafts and set building. Two four-week sessions being July 1 and August 1. Call (213) 855-0165 or write 8565 Whitworth Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90035.

For a free directory of ACA-approved camps, call the Southern California section of the American Camping Assn. at (213) 498-2654 or (818) 884-9647.