Summer is a time to kick back and relax, but after about a week of fun in the sun, your kiddos may be asking, “What’s Next?” Which means it’s time for camp!

Get Arty!
Be a Star The Center Stage Studio in Aliso Viejo (thecenterstagestudio.com) offers one-week musical camps where every child is a star. Musical Theater Academy in Newport Beach (mtaoc.com) also offers Summer on Broadway camps for children to experience the stage. And, South Coast Repertory (scr.org) has a Summer Theatre Workshop for ages 8-17.

Be an Artist At Bowers Museum Camps in Santa Ana, children learn art history and become little artists at several themed camps. More info at bowers.org.

Be a Rock Star At Camp Jam ultimate rock n’ roll camps in Irvine, kids can channel their inner American Idol (campjam.com).
Do it All At Pacific School of Music and the Arts, kids ages 3-10 discover the wonderful worlds of music, art and drama at DiscoveryARTS day camps with popular, traditional and contemporary themes. Friday performances give parents the thrill of seeing their children performing on stage (artsforkids.com).

Get Active!
Be a Surfer Cola’s Surf Camp offers Quiksilver and Roxy (girls only) surf camps in San Clemente. More info at colassurfcamp.com or quiksilver.com/surfcamps (for other locations, including Huntington Beach).

Be a Lifeguard California Junior Lifeguards (jrlifeguards.com) offers beach, back bay and surf programs. Newport Beach lifeguards offer junior lifeguard beach programs (newportlifeguard.org).

Be a Sports Star Soccer, tennis, swim, track or all sports, Soka University (sokacamps.com) in Aliso Viejo has a sport camp that fits your child’s interests.

Be a Paddler Head to the Back Bay and get paddling at the Newport Aquatic Center’s Paddle Camp (newportaquaticcenter.com).

Get Techy!
Be a Scientist Camp Discovery at the Discovery Science Center (discoverycube.org) offers science-themed camps including: Gooey concoctions, fossils, web design, robotics and much more.

Be a Director Movies By Kids offers camps throughout Orange County that teach claymation, animation, digital film making and more. Info at moviesbykids.com.

Be a Computer Whiz Whether you want to design video games and web pages or edit digital video, ID Tech Camp (internaldrive.com) at UC Irvine offers many high-tech choices.

Get Environmental!
Be a Marine Biologist Learn all about coastal creatures and environment at The Ocean Institute’s summer camps in Dana Point (ocean-institute.org).

Be an Environmentalist The Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach (encenter.org) offers ecosystem-themed camps for your budding naturalist.

Be an Oceanographer Explore the world of sharks, whales, seaside photography and coastal coves at the Nautical Adventure Camp at The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum (nhnm.org).

Get It All!
Be a Future College Student
UC Irvine offers their Writing Project summer youth program, as well as math, science, athletic and technology camps. More info is available at gse.uci.edu/uciwp/SY.html and at athletics.uci.edu/CCP/home.

Be an Intern For college-aged students, get work experience at dream-job internships throughout exciting locations in the U.S. and around the globe at University of Dreams (summerinternships.com).

Be a Creator For Your Imagination (FYI) camps in Newport Beach (fyi-foryourimagination.com) offer classes that integrate art, computers and literature for a fun, educational camp kids and parents love.

Be a Summer Camper All the traditional summer camp activities come together at Camp James (campjames.com) with arts, crafts, sports, games and waterslide fun.

Ready or Not?
Sleep-Away Camp,
Here I Come!
Your child has already mastered the art of the summer day camp, but is he or she ready for the
wonders of sleep-away camp?
Experts recommend asking
yourself these questions first:
Has your child expressed an interest in going to a sleep-away camp?
Has your child had positive experiences with day-camps?
Does your child make new friends easily?
Does your child adapt to new situations well?
Can your child take care of his/her personal care needs independently?
Does your child have special needs? (There may be a specific camp for his/her needs, such as a therapeutic camp)
If sleep-away camp is right for your child, go to summercamp.org (a free resource provided by the National Camp Association) to find the perfect camp for your child. A complete listing of camp-finding services also can be found at: google.com/Top/Recreation/Camps/Advisory_Services.