Find a Summer Camp in Sonoma County

Summer camp is almost a rite of the season for some families. For others, summer programs offer kids something to do while mom and dad are at work, a chance to explore a new interest or an opportunity to improve an existing talent.

There is no shortage of summer activities in Sonoma County that will stretch your child's mind or challenge them physically.

We asked our readers this week for your suggestions on local camps, and the following are what you wanted us to include in our guide. If you see a favorite camp that's not included, let us know!

Email Field Editor Jennifer Squires or leave us a comment, and we'll put it in the guide.

Art/Writing

Art Adventure Summer 2013 has a little bit of everything going on at Scribbles and Giggles Creative Art Studio in Rohnert Park. There will be weekly sessions June 3-Aug. 16. Cost: $200-$300, discounts for early registration (by May 15). Info: 707-285-2002, scribgiglr@yahoo.com

For the Love of Art Studio in Petaluma has weekly camps throughout the summer. Cost: $200/week or $45/day. Info: 415-336-9277,info@ArtClassesAndCamp.com

• Summer Fun Art Camp focuses on color, using soft pastels, paints, pencils and oils. (week of June 3)
• Creative Art & Movement Camp kids create art, hike, jump, dance and do yoga (week of June 10)
• Art & Spanish Camp students spend the week studying inspiring Spanish artists, creating artwork and learning Spanish. (week of June 17)
• Impressionist Art Camp teaches students about the works of Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Matisse and Renoir, and lets them create their own impressionist works. (week of June 24)
• Mystical, Magical Camp brings kids into a world of angels, fairies, dragons, mermaids and unicorns. (week of July 8)
• Art & Jewelry Camp students get hands-on experience with painting, bead making, mosaic glasswork, wirework and more. (week of July 15)

Summer Art Camp for Kids & Teens has weekly programs for kids (in the mornings) and teens (afternoons) from June 10 to Aug. 2 at the Petaluma Arts Center. Check the website for details. Cost: $125/week, plus some materials. Info: 707-762-5600 x 111, tmetzler@petalumaartscenter.org

Young Artists and Writers Workshop focuses on art and creative writing at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. It will be held June 10-14 and July 15-19. Cost: $350/$295, discounts available. Info: 707-939-7862,mmaynard@svma.org

Jack's Camp is a day camp for creative children in grades 6 to 8 that will be held at Jack London State Historic Park. The daily program consists of creative writing instruction and activities, which include eco-friendly arts and crafts along with fun games. Themed hikes follow a nutritional organic lunch on the park trails. The camp is 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 10-14. Cost: $100. Info: 415-596-0902, goanne@comcast.net

Culture/Music

CCD Dance School in Rohnert Park has several camps this summer. Info: 707-585-1137, tamcandance@prodigy.net

• Intense Dance Camp for ages 7-10, July 15-19 or 22-26. Cost: $250 if paid by July 1; $280.
• Summer Ballet Intensive Workshop July 29-Aug. 2. Cost: $300.
• Summer Competition Dance Intensive Workshop July 22-26. Cost: $300.

H-Town Youth Theatre Young Actor's Conservatory will be held in July at St. Johns School in Healdsburg. Participants will perform at the Raven Theater July 27-28 and at the Sonoma County Fair July 30. Cost: $500. Info: 707-360-8641

Kids Alive! Summer Music Camp will be centered around the musical "Blast Off!" There will be singing rehearsals, drama, choreography, games, and a snack each day. The camp is July 8-18 at the Petaluma United Methodist Church. Cost: $110 per child; $95 if paid on or before July 1. Discounts available. Info: 707-762-9785, dianestroh@kidsalivemusic.org

General Recreation

Camp Burton is a camp sponsored by the city of Rohnert Park and held at the Burton Avenue Rec Center. Enjoy arts and craft, pool days and sports. There's a new theme each week and Fridays mean a fieldtrip somewhere fun like CalSkate, the movies, Rohnert Park gymnastics and more. $100/week per child.

EXCEL for Youth, an innovative program by SSU, gives students grades 4 through 9 a chance to learn new skills and challenge themselves through one to two-week workshops. There are nearly 50 classes including 3D Modeling and Animation, Digital Filmmaking, Crime Scene Investigation, Metal Jewelry, Pre-Med.

Summer classes range from approximately $160-$185 for 1-week classes, and $340-$375 for 2-week classes. For more information, visit www.sonoma.edu/exed/excel

Fitch Mountain Day Camp in Healdsburg includes arts, crafts, dramatic play, recess games, swimming, H20 slide, jumping tent, sports tournaments, face painting, sno-cones, barbecues, "wheels days", "super-soaker days", "science days", and other fun stuff! The camp will be held weekly June 3 to Aug. 14 for students entering grades K-7. Cost: $40/day or $140/week. Info: 707-431-1412 fitchmountaindaycamp@comcast.net

Spring Hill Academy Summer Camp in Petaluma offers outdoor and science-themed activities, drama, art, gardening and water play. There are three camps for toddlers (18 mos.-3 years), Pre-K and Kindergarten, and grades 1-3. Cost: $175-$305/week. Info: 707-763-9222, karen@springhillmontessori.org

SHE Academy teaches teenage girls (ages 14-18) about safety, healthy lifestyles and economics. The half-day camp runs mid-June through mid-August in Petaluma. Cost is $150. Info: 415-531-1774, helen@sheacademy.us

Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp offers camps for kids in grades 1-5, middle school and high school students. Activities include sports, technology, science, arts & crafts, cooking, rock climbing and field trips. Camps are June 10-Aug. 13 at the Boys & Girls Club in Maxwell Park Cost: $60 Summer Membership. Specialty Camp fees vary. Info: 707-938-8544, nzuniga@bgcsonoma.org

Sports

Go for the Gold! is a camp run by the city of Rohnert Park aimed at children 7-12 that love sports. Skip the arts and crafts and go straight to sports like dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, tennis and rugby. 9am-3:30pm Monday through Thursday. $80/week per child.

Sonoma State University will offer several sports camps this summer at its Rohnert Park campus. Info: 707-664-2521, seawolves@sonoma.edu

• Swim lessons for ages 3-18 in two-week sessions at the university pool. Cost: $85-160.
• Softball all-skills, hitting and pitching/catching camps (three sessions each) for ages 7-12. Cost: $25-$40.
• Softball college prep clinic for ages 13 and older. Three sessions will be held. Cost: $50-144.
• Baseball day camps ($150) and Friday night camps ($50) for ages 7-14.
• Summer Baseball Showcase for boys and men ages 16-21. Cost: $150-175
• Women's Soccer Player Identification Camp for ages 15-22 on June 15. Cost: $75. This camp will be offered again for ages 14-18 July 22-25 with an overnight option. There is a men's camp July 22-25 also. Cost: $75-$600.
• Youth Soccer Day Camps, three weekly sessions for ages 5-14. Cost: $95-$175. There is an overnight camp for ages 8-14 June 24-27. Cost: $300-600.
• Boys' basketball summer day camps in three weekly sessions for ages 6-14. Cost: $125-195.
• Lil' Wolves Basketball Camp for ages 4-8, July 1-3. Cost: $100.
• Men's Basketball Future Stars Clinic, Aug. 10. Ages 13-18. Cost: $50-60.

Sonoma State Volleyball Camps Name Date Cost Age Group Jr. High Skills Clinic and Fast Fours July 1-3 $75-$150 10-14 High School Skills Clinic and Fast Fours July 4-6 $75-$150 13-17 Fundamentals Youth Camp July 8-10 $150-$225 7-14 High School All Skills Camps July 11-13, 22-24 $150-$225 13-18 Youth All Skill Camp July 11-13 $150 9-14 Mini Volley Camp July 22-26 $50 7-14 Setter/Hitter Training Camp July 25-27 $150-$225 13-18 Volleyball Varsity Team Camp Aug. 17-18 $75/player 14-18 Volleyball Junior Varsity Team Camp Aug. 24-25 $50/player 14-18

• Registration deadlines for two tennis camps have passed. Call for availability.

If you didn't find the perfect program for your child here, check out the Rohnert Park Parks and Rec Acitivity Guide for more information. Also, here's an old list of Sonoma summer camps approved by moms and published on Patch in 2011, as well as the Sonoma News 2012 summer camp list.

Know about a great camp we missed? Add the information—including phone number, email address and/or website—in the comment section below. Thanks!