Summerkids was founded in 1978 with the goal of giving children a fun, creative, and warm environment to enjoy during the summer months. For over 40 years, the DiMassa family has been in charge of running the camp, and they continue to create an amazing atmosphere for campers. Our staff is top-notch, and you can read more about them here. We offer two different programs for different age groups: Summerkids is for kids in K-6th grade, and Summer Challenge is for those in junior high. Come spend the summer with us at the only campground in the greater Pasadena area!
At Summerkids, we set out to make sure children have an enjoyable and memorable summer experience. Founded in 1978 by the DiMassa family, the camp has been running for over four decades, and it continues to offer a creative and welcoming atmosphere. Our staff is the best in the area and you can read more about them here. We have two different programs that we offer so that campers of different ages can get the most out of their summer: Summerkids is for those in K-6th grade and Summer Challenge is for junior highers. Come join us at the only campground in the greater Pasadena area!
Our day at Summerkids is divided into four “periods”--blocks of time that last from 45 minutes to an hour. Each period, our counselors offer a wide range of activities--from gardening to games, crafts to cooking, with theater, dance, hikes, fort building, nature lore and more.
Campers are given the opportunity to choose their activities. While some choices may be repeated in subsequent “periods” if they are exceedingly popular, but there will also be new activities each period.
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SUMMER CHALLENGE
Our Challenge program is limited in enrollment and is staffed by a returning team of very experienced, mature and cool counselors.
Examples of Summer Challenge blocks and some sample activities:
“Power Tools” (soldering, wood burning, making a leaf blower hovercraft, a jumbo Jenga game, building owl boxes)
“Fabric” (making fabric flowers, using batik methods and learning about, making and using natural dyes)
“D&D Tournament” (one of our most popular camp activities…made into a mega-game)
“Chain Reactions” (building a mini rocket car and a Rube Goldberg device)
“Outdoor/Orienteering” (compass work, map reading, point-to-point orientation and some basic wilderness First Aid) “Gardening” (planting seeds in our greenhouse, tending to the camp garden, building compost bins, leaf print crafts)“Cooking” (food prep, cooking, and eating.. things like pies with fruit from our garden, and pizza using herbs and veggies from the garden) “Paper” (making Zines, book binding, block printing and origami)
Summer Challenge has its own separate space within the Summerkids campground with a field, obstacle course, archery range, bathrooms, kitchen and lovely pagoda for meetings and activities. They also use the Summerkids garden.
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JUNIOR COUNSELORS AND PRE-COUNSELORS
Our Junior Counselor in Training and Pre-Counselor programs are for campers entering 10th-12th grades, who have attended our programs for two or more years. The program provides young people with leadership training and prepares them to (hopefully!!) eventually become Summerkids counselors. Under the guidance of the Directors and Assistant Director, the JCs and PCs, as they are called, are given responsibilities around camp and provided important training in leadership and decision-making.