One of LA's top classical theater companies, A Noise Within presents solid productions of Shakespeare, Moliere, Shaw, Chekhov, and classic American playwrights, among others.

Saturday morning classes, for young actors ages nine-18, are offered during the school year ($425/eight sessions). Year-round Conservatory classes, for ages ten and up, are generally available on Saturday mornings as well.

A Noise Within also features a popular five-week Summer With Shakespeare program for young thespians, ages 10 to 18, at a cost of $750.

The AAF Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, a leading swimming and diving facility located in Pasadena's Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl, offers year round programming for families, from babies to seniors, regardless of ability to pay. The facility provides an ideal setting for aquatic fitness, housing two 50-meter pools, a 40,000 gallon warm water pool for teaching and physical therapy, and a fitness center for weight resistance and cardio training.

Programs include group and private swim and diving lessons, water polo, various teams, and the Anderson Adventure Camp H2O summer program.

Instruction is also offered to children with special needs. Physically, developmentally, or behaviorally challenged children work one on one with an instructor who is specifically trained and experienced in working with children who have special needsd.

Recreational and Family Swim Hours are Mon-Fri 2:30pm-5pm; 7:30pm-8:30pm; Sat 2pm-4:30pm; Sun 1pm-4:30pm.

Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School is a community Jewish day school in Northridge serving roughly 400 students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.

The school runs a summer camp program called Active Minds/Active Bodies which incorporate academic enrichment, sports, and art based activities over three separate summer sessions. The camp accommodates kids starting at age four. Camp hours are from 9:30am to 3pm.

Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School is a community Jewish day school in Northridge serving roughly 400 students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.

The school runs a summer camp program called Active Minds/Active Bodies which incorporate academic enrichment, sports, and art based activities over three separate summer sessions. The camp accommodates kids starting at age four. Camp hours are from 9:30am to 3pm.

Adventure Bound Day Camp takes kids on a variety of fun and educational outings all over Orange County. Activities include boat tours, zoo trips, kayaking, playing at local water parks and playgrounds, movies, ice skating, beach trips, bowling, hiking, mini golf, go karts, and visits to attractions like the Discovery Science Center and Knott's Berry Farm.

Free door-to-door transport is available in Huntington Beach.

AdventurePlex, South Bay's health and fitness center designed especially for kids, is a fun place to play, with an outdoor climbing wall, gymnasium and fitness center, challenging mazes, tunnels, and slides.

The indoor adventure structure includes an enclosed multilevel maze of tunnels, slides, and ladders, and is designed to improve children's body strength, coordination, balance, endurance, and social skills through play.

Class offerings include Yoga, Safe Sitter, Healthy Cooking, First Aid, rock climbing, a ropes course, fitness, CPR, dance, gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do, and Parent/Infant fitness.

Themed birthday parties are customized to take advantage of the unique activities at AdventurePlex, from the rock climbing wall to the adventure room. Prices start at $500 for 12 children.

Summer camp and school vacation camps are offered as well. Call for brochure.

This summer program at the Natural History Museum offers children ages three to 13 the chance to explore Earth's features, creatures, and cultures through hands-on experiences, behind-the-scenes tours, and fun activities. From dinosaurs and dolphins to the Aztecs and amethysts, Adventures in Nature has the world covered.

Class Sessions are one week in length. Choose a full-day (9:30am-3pm) or a half-day (9:30am-11:30am or 1pm-3pm) session. Extended care is offered from 8am to the start of the morning session, and until 5pm. Lunch supervision is provided for children enrolled in full-day sessions. Campers receive a free T-shirt with enrollment.

Costs: Member (per week): Full-day session $218; Half-day session $109; Non-Member (per week): Full-day session $238; Half-day session $119

A limited number of student volunteer (ages 16-college) positions are available. Applicants must commit to four consecutive weeks of service between 8am and 5pm and must have prior experience working with children. Volunteers assist instructors in class and aid in lunchtime games and supervision.

Created in 1989 by casting director Katy Wallin, AIA Actor's Studio offers classes in which kids can have fun learning the craft of acting, while parents can get advice about their children's careers.

The studio also holds week-long summer camps and brings its after-school program to several elementary schools.

All Olympia Gymnastics Center offers training for all gymnasts from the youngest beginners to Olympic hopefuls. The gym is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and in-ground pits.

Classes include Parent & Me groups for tots, classes for adult professionals, and everything in between.

Programs include Gymnastics (Boys & Girls), Ballet, Cheerleading, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Teams, summer, spring, and winter camp programs, and more. Call for specific school holiday camp dates.

Birthday parties making use of the gymnastic facility and equipment under the guidance of AOGC coaches are also available.

You can pick and choose your dates at this unique summer camp, but an eight day minimum for the entire summer is required. There's no campus - instead campers use area beaches and other venues throughout the Southland.

Keiki Campers (ages five to seven) spend their days at Paradise Cove in Malibu, while High Action Campers (ages 8-15) visit a different beach, lake, or water park every day. Younger children play in the surf, learn about water safety, and take part in various Hawaiian-themed activities, while the older set surfs, jet skis, and wakeboards, along with other activities.

Alta Vista Park is a 20-acre park that includes three individual multi-purpose sports fields and one little league field. Other facilities include a playground, a community center, a picnic shelter, and tennis and racquetball courts.

Alta Vista Park is a 20-acre park that includes three individual multi-purpose sports fields and one little league field. Other facilities include a playground, a community center, a picnic shelter, and tennis and racquetball courts.

Anderson Adventure Camp H2O, at the AAF Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, offers arts and crafts, games, sports, swim lessons, dive lessons, free swim, water polo, field trips, and more.

Parents and children can create their own schedule and can sign up for one day or the entire summer.

This surf school offers both private and group lessons for families, as well as event/party hosting, and an annual summer surf camp for kids ages six to 17. Check the website for a complete schedule of classes.

The Aquarium in Long Beach is a terrific facility celebrating the inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean. You'll find tropical fish exhibits, coral reefs, sea otters, seals and sea lions, sea turtles, and sea birds.

The exhibits stretch from floor to ceiling; kids can lie right down on the carpets and stare up as schools of brightly colored tropical fish go swimming by, and feel that cold thrill as a shark suddenly darts into the picture. Scuba divers make periodic appearances to feed the fish and clean the coral, and are quite willing to wave and clown around for delighted children.

The centerpiece is the 10,000 square foot Shark Lagoon, which offers visitors the opportunity to touch and interact with bamboo, nurse, epaulette, and zebra sharks in shallow pools. One section, featuring above-and-below water views, allows guests to get nose-to-nose (but not, happily, hand-to-mouth) with large, toothy sharks. Sand tiger (endangered in Australia), zebra, nurse, and whitetip reef sharks, as well as rays, are featured. Special daily feeding presentations are a predictably huge draw - who doesn't want to watch sharks eat?

Opportunities for observing and touching other live creatures also abound, both above and under water. There are 19 major habitats on two levels, and 32 focus exhibits. Squeamish kids may not want to feel the sea urchins and anemones, but aquarium staffers are on hand to help those who do.

One gallery covers the Northern Pacific, and is slightly chilly and a bit grey, but worth seeing if only for the naturally comedic puffins. The other galleries cover the temperate waters of Southern California and Baja and the wonderfully warm and colorful tropical Pacific.

Kids can also take an expedition to visit friendly birds from Down Under in the Lorikeet Forest, a 5,200 square-foot walk-through aviary that brings new meaning to the word "encounter:" kids can feed the little flutterballs nectar from a cup!

Indoor and outdoor theaters feature regular showings of documentaries and animal education programs.

The outdoor Explorer's Cove includes Lorikeet Forest, Shark Lagoon, and the Marine Life Theater. There's also an adjacent refreshment and snack area, the Bamboo Bistro.

Cafe Scuba is a cafeteria style restaurant offering hot and cold entrees, salads, and sandwiches. There are plenty of high chairs and booster seats, and indoor and outdoor seating.

The bathrooms on both levels have changing stations, and there is a baby care room, with chairs for nursing mothers and toys for toddlers, in the first floor women's room.

The Aquarium strongly discourages strollers inside the exhibit area, especially on crowded weekends. There is a large stroller parking area in the lobby.

The Aquarium offers all kinds of educational programs for children of all ages on weekends. There are stroller walks for parents with infants, toddler programs for parents with two and three year-olds, pre-school programs for four and five-year-olds, and workshops, sleep-overs, Discovery Tours and Explorer Programs for older kids and teens at varying costs and times.

Ocean Adventures Summer Day Camp offers week-long summer sessions at the Aquarium for seven to ten year old campers to explore different facets of life undersea.

All the programs are available for groups; some are especially designed for daycare and pre-school groups. Call for reservations, times and group rates.

The Aquarium also offers kayaking lessons, followed by kayaking tours of Upper Newport Bay, as well as Ocean Experience boat excursions (seasonal).

For more information about any of these programs, call 562.590.3100 or visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.

Parties: 90 minute birthday parties at the Aquarium include themed décor, personalized cake, ice cream, juice, and a classroom program that features animal touch time, biofact discovery, and a take-home craft. All you need to do is call at least two weeks prior (subject to availability) to reserve a date and invite friends and family. The party area can accommodate up to 30 guests (minimum 10 participants). Cost is $275 for up to 15 guests (including adults), and $460 for 16-30 guests; members pay $250 to $420. For additional information or reservations, please call 562.951.1630.

Membership: Individual $55; Family $125.

Arcadia Rock Climbing is an indoor rock climbing gym, with climbing for all ages. The facility hosts parties, classes, and camps. The staff belay package is necessary if parents want a staff member to spot children on their climbs. Otherwise, they're on their own!

At Summer Art Camp Glass Fusing Intensive for Teens, campers can create their own finished art-glass tiles, bowls, whimsical sculptures, and jewelry.

All materials are included.

Art of Music Studio is a private music studio led by award-winning pianist, composer, and musicologist Dr. Sanya Henderson. The studio offers private lessons for piano, guitar, voice, and flute for all ages and levels. Group classes for children up to age six include Kindermusik and group keyboard, and a music enrichment program is available for preschools.

The first lesson is free. Group classes for children are organized in eight or sixteen-week sessions, while private lessons are offered on a monthly basis.

Kindermusik summer camps are offered in five-week sessions from May to September, featuring 45-minute classes of music, instruments, storytelling, and other activities for children up to age five. The camps are held at locations in Montrose and Eagle Rock and cost $100 to $115 per session.

Classes at Art-Works are designed to give students the opportunity to explore in depth the rich experience of painting, drawing, and mixed media. Continuous classes are weekly and students may enroll at any time, space permitting.

Youth classes, for children ages four to 17, are designed to offer a safe, fun, and encouraging environment for children & teens to discover their own creative vision and explore self-expression and communication through the visual arts. Students use traditional and non-traditional techniques and materials to learn the language of art. Painting, drawing, and mixed media techniques are used to explore line, shape, color, and texture, and to examine familiar objects and places in the world (still life, animals, people, the environment, etc?), as well as more abstract concepts of mood and emotion.

Classes offered are painting/drawing & mixed media; Mommy & me; and Illustration. Classes are held after-school Tuesday-Friday and on weekends. Tuition is based on a four-week period (four classes) and is adjusted during months with holidays or a varying number of weeks.

Four-day art camps for children ages six to 13 are held during summer, winter, and spring breaks. Camps are held Tuesday-Friday from 9am-1pm. Each week offers different projects, so children can sign up for one or more sessions. Refreshments and a snack are provided; children should bring a lunch. Cost is $320 per week.

Bugs, birds, and backpacks take center stage at the Audubon Center at Debs Park.

Family Nature Programs take place during late afternoons and weekends, and include activities that allow families to work together on science experiments, hikes, crafts, and restoration and monitoring programs.

The Children's Garden offers a plethora of outdoor discovery opportunities, all geared toward children ages three to eight. The garden is slightly less than one acre, and uses five activity areas to encourage self-initiated discovery, exploration, and experimentation.

From the Children's Garden, families can take a relatively short hike around the Butterfly Loop, which runs a little less than one mile and climbs just a bit.

Summer programs at the Center include a summer day camp for kids ages six to 12.

The Museum of the American West (formerly the Autry Museum) hosts one and two-week-long sessions of historical adventures especially for children each summer.

Kindergartners and first-graders can enjoy sessions with themes Life in the Old West, Plains Indians, and Toys and Games.

Classes for seven to nine year olds, and ten to 12 year olds explore more advanced ways of looking at Western history and culture by writing stories, taking photographs, and working with the Museum's collection.

The sessions run Monday through Friday, from 9am-12n and 1pm-4pm, in the Mary Pickford Education Center at the Museum. The museum provides a supervised lunch period from noon to 1pm for children enrolled in BOTH sessions. Children must bring a sack lunch and drink; cafeteria services are not available.

Pre-registration is required.

The Autry also offers pre and post-camp care for campers. Parents can drop off campers as early as 8am and pick them up as late as 6pm.

Aviation Summer Camp gives kids the uniquely thrilling experience of learning to actually fly. Certified teachers and flight instructors provide the expertise for aspiring aviators; some camps include flight time while others focus on the same principles through simulators.

Campers can sign up for two, three, or five days and in that time can learn about and participate in virtually every aspect of aviation.

Aviation Summer Camp gives kids the uniquely thrilling experience of learning to actually fly. Certified teachers and flight instructors provide the expertise for aspiring aviators; some camps include flight time while others focus on the same principles through simulators.

Campers can sign up for two, three, or five days and in that time can learn about and participate in virtually every aspect of aviation.

From pirate movies to American teenagers winning medals at the Olympics, fencing is definitely back in the public eye.

Beverly Hills Fencers' Club has been training kids and adults in the sport of fencing for decades, as well offering classes in theatrical fencing for those who love swashbuckling.

Private lessons and competitive youth classes are available for kids ages seven and up. Lessons are offered in all three fencing weapons (foil, epee, and saber), and fencers are encouraged to participate in club and local tournaments.

The club consistently places well at national competitions, though recreational fencers just looking for a fun workout are equally welcomed by the community here. It's amazing what a good sword duel between father and daughter can do for family harmony!

Beverly Hills Fencers' Club runs several camps over the summer and during school vacations. These programs offer week-long opportunities for kids to improve their fencing skills.

Membership, which includes equipment and unlimited use of the facility, can be paid daily ($12), monthly ($60), or annually ($660). Lessons are priced separately. The kids' beginners class costs $70 per month and includes all club fees and equipment use.

Blackbird Dance Studio offers 45 dance and fitness classes in over 17 styles of movement. Dance camps are available in the summer.

The studio also runs a dancewear shop, both onsite and online.

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena offers more than 50 programs at five different locations in the Pasadena area. All activities and programs are included in the membership price. This includes swim team, swim lessons, homework assistance, use of the libraries and technology centers, art classes, and more.

Transportation is available during the school year for $50 per month.

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena also has a day care facility at the Scott Child Development Center. Full-time care is available for children ages two to five for $650 per week. Financial aid is available; contact details are below.

The national organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, of which Pasadena is an affiliate member, has been serving youth since 1860, and is ranked number one among youth organizations by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Brain Play is three-week camp providing K-8th graders opportunities to think "outside the box."

Journeying through the worlds of science, technology, and the arts, Brain Play introduces creative thinking to the problem solving process. Campers master the fundamental strategies and techniques of brainstorming, while practicing fluent, flexible, and original (higher order) thinking skills.

In 2006, sessions are offered as follows:

Session I (July 10-28): Waverly School, Pasadena
Session II (July 31-Aug 18): Curtis School, LA

Brain Play is three-week camp providing K-8th graders opportunities to think "outside the box."

Journeying through the worlds of science, technology, and the arts, Brain Play introduces creative thinking to the problem solving process. Campers master the fundamental strategies and techniques of brainstorming, while practicing fluent, flexible, and original (higher order) thinking skills.

In 2006, sessions are offered as follows:

Session I (July 10-28): Waverly School, Pasadena
Session II (July 31-Aug 18): Curtis School, LA

Grades: K-12

Enrollment: 960

Uniform: Yes

Spread across two campuses, Brentwood School is an independent, elementary through secondary, coeducational institution. The West Campus, at 12001 Sunset Blvd., consists of two sections of 21 to 22 students in each grade level, K-6. Specialty teachers in science, foreign language, music, art, physical education, computer science, and community service as well as seven full-time assistants support the efforts of the classroom teachers.

The East Campus, located at 100 S. Barrington Place, offers an academic program with a carefully sequenced, broad-based exposure to the liberal arts. Advanced placement courses are offered in 17 subject areas. The curriculum is extensive and flexible, with more than 100 courses offered each year. Honors level courses are offered in every discipline.

Extended day coverage is available on the campus until 6pm each day that school is in session throughout the school year.

Grades: K-12

Enrollment: 960

Uniform: Yes

Spread across two campuses, Brentwood School is an independent, elementary through secondary, coeducational institution. The West Campus, at 12001 Sunset Blvd., consists of two sections of 21 to 22 students in each grade level, K-6. Specialty teachers in science, foreign language, music, art, physical education, computer science, and community service as well as seven full-time assistants support the efforts of the classroom teachers.

The East Campus, located at 100 S. Barrington Place, offers an academic program with a carefully sequenced, broad-based exposure to the liberal arts. Advanced placement courses are offered in 17 subject areas. The curriculum is extensive and flexible, with more than 100 courses offered each year. Honors level courses are offered in every discipline.

Extended day coverage is available on the campus until 6pm each day that school is in session throughout the school year.

Whether your child wants to learn a new sport, has special needs, or hopes to become an Olympic competitor, he or she can find a comfortable niche at Broadway Gymnastic School. The instructors are caring professionals trained to encourage children to have fun while participating in a motivating gymnastic program, all in a safe and nurturing environment.

The 29,000 square foot facility offers gymnastic classes, birthday parties, camps, and occasional parents' night out events.

Birthday parties can be celebrated in a number of ways. The trained staff of coaches, actors, and acrobats lead kids through gymnastics, trampoline, obstacle courses, parachute play, pit races, and optional theme activities. There is a separate room for cake, and a play area for younger siblings to safely tumble around in. Parties start at $400.

The school also offers a summer camp program; call for details.

Buckley Summer Camp is located on the serene, 18-acre campus of the Buckley School, nestled in a wooded canyon in Sherman Oaks. Campers can choose from courses in the arts or sports, including classes in photography, rock n’ roll, and world travel. Teachers are members of the Buckley School faculty.

One and two week sessions are available.

Burbank Music Academy's mission is to provide musical instruction for kids who prefer rock to classical.

Music lessons, band coaching, and toddler rock programs are available, as well as a "school of rock" summer program that consists of an introduction to multiple instruments, a little music history, and an "Afternoon Rock Concert" each Friday that features all of the summer campers. The camp fee is $199/week (includes lunch on Friday) and kids ages five up are welcome.

Birthday parties can be held at the Academy, where guests can rock out on the stage or be entertained by the Academy's in-house band. For information about parties, or to book a date, email