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DAY CAMP CALENDAR FOR 2012
CAMP MAP || QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
CAMP PHILOSOPHY || CAMP CHOICES || HOURS || FACILITY || DAY CAMP
OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE CAMPS ||  ALL-SPORTS CAMP ||  AQUATICS CAMP ||  
ARTS & CRAFTS CAMP BASKETBALL CAMP ||  COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING PROGRAM ||
 DANCE CAMP || JUDO CAMP || GYMNASTICS CAMP || NATURE EXPLORERS CAMP ||  THEATER ARTS CAMP  ||  SOCCER CAMP   || SPRINGBOARD DIVING CAMP || TENNIS CAMP ||  
TRAVEL CAMPS
FOR LIST OF WHICH CAMPS ARE OFFERED EACH WEEK CLICK HERE

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CAMP PHILOSOPHY

Monarch Summer Camps recognize that growth is an essential part of every camper's summer. We nurture this process through a wide variety of programs for all ages. The sports instruction and creative activities we offer facilitate the development of cooperation, creativity, motor skills, and sportsmanship among our campers. Socialization skills and friendships are a natural result of the Monarch Camp experience. A special effort is made to make each camper feel special and a part of the group. Each camper is a unique individual. By providing opportunities that nurture growth, our staff strives to assist each camper achieve their personal potential. The staff is dedicated to the principle of "growth through participation." Besides being specially trained for Monarch Summer Camp activities, they work all year teaching, coaching, and interacting with children and adolescents. We look forward to meeting your family's summer camp needs.

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CAMP CHOICES

Monarch Day Camp is our classic day camp program for ages 5-12. Sports, arts & crafts, field trips, and swimming lessons fill our day. We also offer a variety of sport camps that specialize in basketball, soccer, tennis, aquatics, judo, gymnastics, and springboard diving. Our special interest camps include theater arts, dance, nature and arts and crafts. Our Adventure Camps feature overnight trips to off-campus locations such as Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Whitney Portal, Big Pine Canyon, the Kern River, and Catalina Island. We also have offered weekend family camping trips to locations such as the beach, the Kern River, Whitney Portal, Angeles and Sequoia National Forests. Check out our exciting camp activities that include overnight camping on campus, our parent picnic, trips to amusement parks, Zuma Beach, campus cookouts, field trips, theme days, and numerous special activities. This summer we will be offering three Adventure Camp trips:

OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE CAMPS

New! SEQUOIA FAMILY ADVENTURE CAMP New!
(June 30-July 3)  Cost: $69 per person age 12 and up. Children 5-11 are $39 per child. Children under 5 are free.
This camp features a four day three night camping trip to the Quaking Aspen Campground (Identified by Sunset Magazine as one of the 100 Best Campgrounds in the United States)  Participants may elect to hike among the Giant Sequoias in the “Trail of 100 Giants”, hike to the Adler Creek Granite Slabs, where we will experience a natural waterslide into a refreshing Sierra pool, hike to the Needles Fire Lookout (A fire lookout perched on a granite peak), Fish in Peppermint Creek, the Tule or Kern Rivers.  The Sequoia Camp will be lead by Christian Guzman, Adventure Camp Director (A credentialed teacher, who has lead our Adventure and Fishing Camps for many years).   Fees are all inclusive, including meals, camping fees, supervision and instruction.  Our schedule is tentative and subject to change, depending upon weather, water and safety conditions at the time of the trip. Families MUST provide their own transportation for this camp. An information packet will be provided upon registration. This camp is for families and friends ONLY. No unaccompanied children allowed. FOR MORE INFORMATION, THE WAIVER FORM AND PACKING LIST FOR THIS TRIP CLICK HERE

CATALINA ISLAND ADVENTURE CAMP   
(July 29-August 3) Cost: $399 per camper
This camp includes a six day five night trip to the Isthmus of Catalina Island.   Activities at Catalina include swimming, hiking, kayaking, fishing, skin diving, campfires, etc.  We will travel by recliner bus to the Catalina Island Terminal at San Pedro and take the Catalina Island Express Boat to the Island.  We will be camping at the Two Harbors Campground at Little Fisherman’s Cove.  There is a small general store, restaurant and ice cream parlor located at the Isthmus, approximately 1/4 mile from the campground.  Stoves, tables, water, restrooms and outdoor showers are located at the campsite, which overlooks Isthmus Cove.  This is an outdoor camping experience.  Campers will be sleeping under the stars, on their plastic tarps.  We will supply all meals for the trip, except lunch on the Catalina Express Boat Cruise (pack a sack lunch).   It is recommended that Campers wanting to skin dive, sign up for the Monarch Aquatics Camp, in weeks prior to this trip, to get into shape and practice their snorkeling skills.   An information packet will be provided upon registration. FOR MORE INFORMATION, THE WAIVER FORM AND PACKING LIST FOR THIS TRIP CLICK HERE

Sequoia Kings Canyon Adventure Camp
(July 14th  thru July 20th) Cost: $399 per camper
Our Sequoia/Kings Canyon  Adventure Camp features an seven day/six night trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (7 Days & 6 nights).  We will make our base camp at the Dorst Creek Group Camp in Sequoia National Park.   Scheduled activities include a hike and tour of the Crystal Cave Cavern, a hike to the General Sherman Tree (largest Sequoia in the World), Swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking and Fishing at Hume Lake and Ten Mile Creek, a hike to the Buck Rock Fire Lookout, a visit to the tunnel log, a hike up to Moro Rock, museum and nature/visitor center tours, rappelling and zip line activities.  Activities will depend upon safety and the forest/water conditions at the time of the trip.  On Saturday, we will travel to the Dorst Creek Group Campground, which will serve as our base camp for the next seven days.   This is a fantastic adventure that you will not want your camper to miss.  We will supply all meals for the trip, except lunch on Saturday (the first day - pack a sack lunch for the drive to the campsite).  New passenger vans from Enterprise Rental, will be used for site transportation.  An information packet will be provided upon registration. FOR MORE INFORMATION, THE WAIVER FORM AND PACKING LIST FOR THIS TRIP CLICK HERE


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CAMP HOURS

Monarch Day Camp begins at 8:30 a.m. each morning and ends at 4:30 p.m. each afternoon. All sports camps begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. You may sign up by the week and take advantage of our discount programs or choose a combination of days at Camp. (Example: sign up for Tues., Wed., & Thurs., or Mon., Wed. & Fri.). Three days per week minimum. Campers must bring their own lunch, snack, swimsuit, and towel each day. We do not accept responsibility for any valuables brought to camp. A beverage is supplied each day at lunch. Closed toe footwear and athletic socks are mandatory for safe participation in camp activities. Extended Care is offered free of charge beginning at 7:15 a.m. each morning and until 5:45 p.m. each afternoon at the archery field.

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CAMP FACILITY

Monarch Summer Camps are conducted on the 105 acres of Los Angeles Valley College. Our facilities include a new aquatics complex, several gymnasiums, multiple athletic fields, a stadium, tennis courts, archery range, arts and crafts facilities, recreation rooms, theatre arts facilities, etc. The LAVC campus also has a cafeteria, library, media center, planetarium, student store, etc. We also have a 24-hour, on-campus Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Substation that maintains the safe environment of our campus. No camps have a safer, more complete physical facility than Monarch Summer Camps. All of our regular activities are held on our campus, hence no time is lost transporting campers from facility to facility.

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CAMP STAFF

Our camps are staffed by an experienced group of counselors and coaches selected for their skills, enthusiasm, common sense, and especially their ability to relate to children and adolescents. In addition to our counseling staff we employ aquatic specialists, arts & craft specialists, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) and sport coaches. An Adult Counselor (18+) plus a Junior Counselor (14-17), supervise each camper group. Our camper-to-adult staff ratio averages eight to one. Group sizes will vary depending upon campers' age and day of camp. The majority of our veteran staff returns each year, insuring an experienced camp staff. There are no Camps that employ a more qualified staff. (See staff link for staff biographies.)

Click here for Mammoth/Yosemite staff in-service information (.pdf).

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MONARCH DAY CAMP (AGES 5 & UP)

Our sports-oriented day camp offers Red Cross certified swimming lessons, tennis, soccer, softball, golf, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and other sports. Arts and crafts, movies, cookouts, educational field trips, skits, games, and activities are featured. (Actual activities will vary by day.)

Sample Daily Schedule

Please note schedule is a sample only and is subject to change based on weather conditions, child’s age group, etc.

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CHOOSE YOUR DAYS AT CAMP: MONARCH DAY CAMP

You may enroll for any combination of three days. (Example: sign up for Tuesdays-Thursdays-Fridays or Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays, whichever best fits your schedule!) "Three days per week minimum." No discounts apply to this program.

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MONARCH SPORT & SPECIALTY CAMPS (AGES 9 & UP UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Monarch Sport & Specialty Camps are designed to meet the needs of developing adolescents. The program is tailored to those individuals who desire instruction in the current technique and application of specific sport skill fundamentals. Each session offers a balance of instruction and recreational activities. Where appropriate, participants are videotaped for kinesthetic analysis. Instructors include college and high school coaches, physical education majors, and former collegiate competitors.

Stipulation: Enrollment in Monarch Sport & Specialty Camps is conditional. Campers are accepted with the stipulation that they may be transferred to Monarch Day Camp if they are unable to manage the requirements of any Sports Camp to the satisfaction of the coach. (Attention span, motor development, skill level, strength, endurance, maturity, & mental attitude are all taken into consideration).

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MONARCH ALL-SPORTS CAMP (Monarch Day Camp w/o Arts & Crafts)

All-Sports is an all sport camp that offers soccer, gymnastics, tennis, golf, softball, basketball, volleyball, team games, swim lessons, etc. Also included are cookouts, trips, and recreational activities. There is no arts & crafts program. That time is allocated for participation in team and individual sports activities. (Actual activities will vary by day)

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AQUATICS CAMP 

Instruction will cover a number of aquatic areas including competitive swimming techniques, skin diving, springboard diving, lifesaving techniques, water polo, water safety, etc.

ARTS & CRAFTS CAMP (Ages 8 and Up)

Budding Van Goughs Rembrandts and Warhols will love this specialty camp program. Mornings will be spent working on a variety of arts and crafts projects using several different mediums. After lunch, kids in this program enjoy the regular Monarch Day Camp activities including a recreation period (board games, ping pong, foosball, etc.) and a recreational (free) swim period. At the end of the week we have an art show for kids to display their work. Groups in Art Expressions Camp are co-ed.

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BASKETBALL CAMP

Come and fast-break your way to the game of basketball in the LAVC South Gym . Learn the fundamentals of offense and defense in any of the weekly sessions. Participants may attend all sessions, as players will be evaluated and will play at their own level during each week. Boys and girls are welcome to join the fun, team work, and sportsmanship in our daily games. This year's camp will be run by LAVC head basketball coach Virgil Watson and assistant coach Val Khamenia.

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DANCE CAMP

Instruction in a variety of skills may be covered including Ballroom, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Funk, Disco, Folk, Aerobic, and Social Dancing. Run by Rachel Paul (LAVC instructor), this talented leader has a Masters Degree in dance.

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GYMNASTICS CAMP (Ages 5 and Up)

Instruction will cover the Olympic events. Emphasis will be on technique, skill development, and practice. Short routines will be learned and demonstrated. Camp will be conducted by Bambi Olesiuk & members of the LAVC gymnastics staff. Campers attending Monarch Summer Camp that enroll in the Gymnastics Clinic may join the GYMNASTICS CLINIC immediately following their Camp Day at 3:30PM or 5:00PM. These campers will be delivered to their gymnastics class and may be picked up immediately after their Gymnastics Clinic Class, in the Gymnastics Center.

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JUDO CAMP (Ages 5 and Up)
Join the Monarch camp "dojo"! This camp is a great way for kids to get in shape (or keep in shape) improve confidence and self-esteem while learning self-defense techniques.

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NATURE EXPLORERS CAMP (Ages 7 and Up)

Campers in this camp will explore different aspects of nature each day. The morning is spent in lab and field study Activities include Tremendous Trees,  Archeology Adventure (kids look for and get to keep a real native American arrowhead), Dynamite Dinosaurs, Insects Around Us and Oceans of Fun. After lunch, kids in this program enjoy the regular Monarch Day Camp activities including a recreation period (board games, ping pong, foosball, etc.) and a recreational (free) swim period. This is a co-ed program.

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SOCCER CAMP (Ages 5 and Up)

Instruction will cover the basic fundamentals for individuals, maneuvers for teams, and strategies of soccer. A balance of skill development, general rules, and games will take place. Our camp is run by Valley College soccer coach Shane Watkins.

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SPRINGBOARD DIVING CAMP

Instruction will cover the five required dives of Front, Back, Reverse, Inward, and Half-Twist. Optional dives will be covered based upon the student's progress and ability.

TENNIS CAMP

Our Tennis Camp will be conducted by Ray Finks (Tennis Pro) and staff instruction will cover basic skills and drills required for proficiency. Strategy and gamesmanship will be taught. Skill development and playing time will be emphasized. Campers need to supply their own racket.

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THEATER ARTS CAMP (Ages 8 and Up) 

Instruction will cover basic acting skills and small group interaction. Campers have use of some college theater arts facilities. Camp is run by veteran theater arts counselors Michael Heiman and Chris Kerrigan.

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MONARCH TRAVEL CAMP (AMUSEMENT PARK CAMP - SELECTED TUESDAYS, AGES 9 AND UP)
Monarch Travel Camp will be offered this summer for our older campers who are at least nine years of age. On set Tuesdays, the Travel Camp will go to a major amusement attraction. This year, Travel Campers will go to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, and Raging Waters. Save yourself the expense, time, guilt, and aggravation of taking your family during your vacation and send your children with Monarch Camp to all the amusement parks.

These camps will be limited to approximately 30 campers. The cost to campers will include all entry fees, transportation fees, camp fees, etc. Campers must bring their own sack lunch. Some venues do not permit campers to bring in any food. If a site does not permit food to be brought in, campers must bring money to purchase their own lunch and snack. Monarch Camp will purchase a dinner meal on each trip-- Disneyland trip campers will eat at a restaurant in "Downtown Disney". Hurricane Harbor and Raging Waters campers will eat at In-And-Out Burger. Knott's Berry Farm participants will enjoy diner at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner.
Monarch is not responsible for any valuables brought by campers or staff on trips. The fees listed are in addition to regular camp fees and campers must be enrolled in Monarch Camp the minimum 3 days per week during the week of Travel Camp requested.

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