Y Day Camps Aim to Entertain, Teach

Skits, songs and crafts will be interwoven with lessons on honesty and sharing during summer day camps offered by the North Valley Family YMCA.

“We work a lot on the development of a child,” said Jane Stanton, the YMCA’s executive director.

Activities for the day camps, which run from June 14 through Sept. 3, will vary by age group. Preschoolers, for example, play games and learn about art, music and science. Elementary and junior high students, meanwhile, take weekly field trips to amusement parks and miniature golf courses.

The day camps are held at the YMCA facility in Mission Hills and 10 schools from Chatsworth to Sylmar. Two elementary schools, Mayall Street in North Hills and El Oro Way in Granada Hills, were added this year.

Sign-ups for the day camps, which cost from $81 to $91 per week, are taking place through June 14.

The YMCA also sponsors camping trips in July and August to Big Bear, Yosemite, the Southwest and British Columbia for children ages 8 to 15.

The camp-outs, packed with activities such as mountain biking and canoeing, vary from seven to 12 days. The cost ranges from $120 to $295.

North Valley Family YMCA is at 10925 Columbus Ave., Mission Hills. For information, call (818) 365-3231.