Schools
Local Cities Offer Affordable Camps for Kids
Parents can sign their kids up for one of several camps offered by parks and recreation departments of Petaluma, Rohnert Park or Santa Rosa.
Parents don’t have to spend an arm and a leg in order to get their kids out of the house and onto the fields this summer. Summer camps can push into the hundreds of dollars, but three local cities offer just as many activities without pinching your wallet. And these weeklong day camps, sponsored by local parks and recreations departments, will get kids off the couch.
“It gets kids something to do over the summer,” said Donnie Frank, administrative technician for Petaluma Parks and Recreation Department. “And kids have the opportunity to meet other kids from other parts of town.”
Here are just a few options around the city for summer day camps. (Click on each city name for full details)
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Programs: The city offers three day camps, with each geared towards children of different ages. For those children younger than kindergarten age, there’s Camp Sunshine, which includes crafts, games and songs, as well as one day a week at the pool.
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Kids Klub offers fun and games for those entering first through fifth grades, with the program offering more challenging games, crafts and activities. Camp K2 are for those entering grades sixth through eighth and will give kids a chance to travel to Bay Area attractions, like California’s Great America and Waterworld.
Dates: All camps run from the week of June 6-10 to that of August 1-5, with each week offering a different theme of activities.
Hours: Camp Sunshine goes each day from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (extended hours start the camp at 7:30 a.m. for an additional fee); Kids Klub from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for extended care); and Camp K2 goes from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Camp Sunshine is $20 per day, or $80 per week, with a $10 weekly activity fee; extended care will run $3 per day for $12 for the week. Kids Klub costs $35 per day and $5 per day for extended care. Camp K2 costs $45 per day or $206 per week, with special events that will cost $75 for the day.
Programs: The city of Rohnert Park offers four camps, divided by activities more so than age. For the generalist, there is Camp Burton, a day camp that offers arts, crafts, games and water-play days for kids from the ages of 6 to 12. Kids at this camp need to bring a sack lunch every day.
Kids ages 7 to 14 can attend Honor Jackson’s Summer Sports Camp, where each week focuses on the fundamentals of different sports, such as basketball, kickball, softball and flag football. Fencing Camp for Kids, those aged 7 to 12, is also available, as is a Creative Kids Cooking Camp, where kids from ages 8 to 13 can learn the basics of being a chef.
Dates: From the week of June 6-10 to the week of August 15-19, Sports Camp ends the week of August 8-12; Fencing and Cooking Camps run only the week of August 15-August 19.
Hours: Camp Burton runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day (extended care hours begin at 7:30 a.m.); Sports Camp runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Fencing Camp runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily; and Cooking Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily.
Cost: $87 per week for Camp Burton; $57 per week for Sports Camp; $157 per week for Fencing or Cooking camps.
Programs: Santa Rosa runs a multitude of camps that run from outdoor day camps for those looking to do some hiking and fishing; Specialty Camps in drama, engineering, arts, science and sewing; and Sports Camps that have gymnastics, paintball, fencing, basketball or other traditional sports.
Dates: Year round, beginning week of June 6-10 through the week of August 15-19
Hours: Varies, most run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: $130 to $485 per week, although most camps generally cost between $130 and $180 per week.
