Summer in the City

It’s time to get serious about summer and for many families that involves finding a conveniently located, affordable day camp for the kids. Need it be stressed that the best places fill up fast?

Beginning this weekend, and continuing each weekend this month, open houses are being conducted at several day-camp facilities in and near the Valley.

Steve Schachter, a member of the board of the American Camping Assn.’s Southern California Section, has some good advice on the subject: “Before enrolling and/or paying a deposit, parents should see a camp facility and meet the staff,” he says.

Schachter, who is also executive director of Sierra Canyon Day Camp in Chatsworth, has firm opinions about the value of looking into whether a camp is accredited by the trade organization to which he belongs.

“It’s a parent’s assurance that the camp has met stringent criteria [as determined] by a team of site inspectors every three years,” he says. “Their evaluation is based on ACA standards which are recognized by courts of law and government regulators.”

The camping association’s office in Calabasas publishes a free guide to accredited camps. The guide includes basic information on price, religious orientation and the target age of campers. It also has some data on aquatics, riding, computers and other activities at each camp, but doesn’t go into detail. Parents need to call the camps for further information.

If a camp near you isn’t holding an open house this month but nevertheless seems interesting, the ACA suggests that parents call the camp to request a visit at a mutually convenient time.

“There’s more diversity in the program offerings at individual camps this year than ever before,” Schachter says. “There are also specialty camps emphasizing environmentalism, theater, gymnastics, etc.”

He suggests that parents check out the qualifications of the camp’s personnel, including those providing transportation services.

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Sneak Previews

Here is a list of weekend open houses this month for ACA-accredited day camps convenient to the Valley. Call the camps for addresses and directions.

Saturday

* Camp Funtime, Encino, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages 4-13. (818) 789-8405.

Sunday

* Camp Keystone, Agoura Hills, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages 3-13. (818) 889-2224.

* Meadow Oaks Camp, Calabasas, 1-5 p.m. Ages 3-14. (818) 591-9153.

* Sierra Canyon Day Camp, Chatsworth, 1-4 p.m., ages 4 through 14. (818) 882-8121. Open house April 27 as well.

April 13

* Cali-Camp Day Camp, Topanga Canyon, noon-4 p.m., ages 3-13. (310) 455-1305. Open house April 27 as well.

April 20

* Camp Summertime, Agoura, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages 4-14. (818) 880-5936.

* Camp Kinneret, Agoura, 2-5 p.m. Ages 4-14. (818) 706-8255.

* Tocaloma Summer Day Camp, Encino, 1-3 p.m. Ages 3-14. (310) 399-2267.

* Valley Trails Camp, Tarzana, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ages 5-15. (818) 345-3002.

April 27

* Sunny Skies Day Camp, Agoura, 1-3 p.m. Ages 4-14. (818) 889-8383.

For a free copy of the American Camping Assn.’s guide to accredited summer camps in Southern California, call (818) 223-9232.