Academy by the Sea and Camp Pacific offer three separate residential camps for kids ages eight through 16.

The month-long Academic program focuses on improving study skills and strengthening students' education. Campers choose four classes from a variety of subjects, and focus on these academic areas. Fun is part of the curriculum, with plenty of afternoon and weekend recreational activities. Boarding is encouraged, though day students are welcome to attend.

Camp Pacific is for the camper looking for recreation and sports. Skill-building, teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-improvement are elements the campers focus on - as well as on having fun. Those in Camp Pacific have the option of participating int the Surf and Bodyboard camp.

At the week-long Surf and Bodyboard camp, campers learn how to surf and bodyboard - or improve on existing skills. The sessions include instruction on the beach, classroom instruction, and independent practice.

The cost includes meals, internet access, all athletic and social activities, and a T-shirt.

ActiveKidz is a sports center for kids and their families, offering classes that focus on general sports skills, yoga, rhythmic activities, tumbling, judo, and teamwork. A KidzCore Exercise Program, a core strengthening class designed just for children, is also offered.

Birthday party packages are available, with fees starting at $295 for members ($345 for non-members).

A Summer Camp program is designed for kids ages three to eight, and encompasses both sports and arts. Camp programs run in one week increments, and are available as half day (am or pm) or full day programs.

Membership is $60/month, and offers savings on parties, classes, and camps.

Angel Acres, an equestrian riding and boarding facility, offers a spring and summer camps for kids interested in learning about caring for and riding horses. The 10-acre facility is spread over two adjacent ranches and includes an equestrian center with two riding arenas, allowing multiple riders to work out at the same time. In addition to riding, the week-long camp offers arts and crafts, journal writing, country dancing lessons, games, and more. Of special interest to the kids is the barnyard, which has llamas, a potbelly pig, goats, and birds.

Angel Acres also offers boarding facilities for up to 40 horses. The private, peaceful, and attractive ranch can be rented for parties. Call or visit the website for details.

The Australian Surf Academy operates at La Jolla Shores conducting weekly day camps (surf & sports) for kids and private lessons for all ages. Kids get to experience the culture of Australia along with professional surf instruction. The Academy is operated by Surf Diva Surfing School.

Bheau View Ranch is located in the shadow of the Merriam Mountains in San Marcos. The ranch offers both year-round and after-school camps, a young riders program, school and playgroup outings, and pony parties for birthdays and other special events. Visit the website for more information.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego has touched the lives of kids ages six to 18 for more than 60 years. At the 12 centers and five school sites located in San Diego County, kids are offered the tools to succeed in life with learning centers, a computer lab, social recreation programs, full-sized gyms, arts and crafts, and a dance and music program. Some locations offer daycare, camps, and teen centers. The Boys & Girls Club's mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults.

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

To locate the nearest Boys and Girls Club and to review the programs it offers, visit the Club's website.

Camp Playball is an age-specific sports program for children ages three to nine. Children learn the basics of soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and more, in a fun, creative, and non-competitive environment. Camp Playball develops and reinforces life skills such as confidence, self esteem, cooperation, leadership, and respect.

The camp is offered at five different locations throughout San Diego: Carmel Valley, La Jolla, Scripps Ranch, Clairemont, and
North County.

Camp Science Safari offers a variety of camps, all focusing on archaeology, palentology, science (which may include cooking), and engineering - all designed to get the kids thinking while having fun! Kids spend the morning involved in a group activity, woodwork and paintshop lessons, game zone time, a daily sports lesson in hockey, basketball, indoor soccer, softball, and inflatable rope climb), water play, and playground time. The day gets even better in the afternoon when the campers focus on a special project. Each week concludes with a family finale, where family members get to be a camper for a couple of hours. Careful you don't get wet!

The camps are offered in two parks: one in Rancho Bernardo and the other in Carmel Valley. For detailed information about the different camps, refer to the camp's web site.

Camp Science Safari offers a variety of camps, all focusing on archaeology, palentology, science (which may include cooking), and engineering - all designed to get the kids thinking while having fun! Kids spend the morning involved in a group activity, woodwork and paintshop lessons, game zone time, a daily sports lesson in hockey, basketball, indoor soccer, softball, and inflatable rope climb), water play, and playground time. The day gets even better in the afternoon when the campers focus on a special project. Each week concludes with a family finale, where family members get to be a camper for a couple of hours. Careful you don't get wet!

The camps are offered in two parks: one in Rancho Bernardo and the other in Carmel Valley. For detailed information about the different camps, refer to the camp's web site.

During the summer, Carlsbad Lightning Soccer offers week-long camps for kids looking to improve their soccer skills in a friendly environment. The camps are held at different park fields in Carlsbad.

The Carmel Mountain Ranch/Sabre Springs Recreation Center, opened in 1997, The large facility and surrounding park include an indoor gymnasium for basketball and volleyball, outdoor basketball courts, lighted softball fields, a community room, a children's play area, and a large picnic area.

Courses offered include gymnastics, music classes for younger children, sports leagues and classes, fencing, self-defense, art classes, dance, and camps.

Circle T Ranch is a spacious, well-shaded riding facility offering day camps June through September. Campers learn about grooming and the care of horses, and participate in riding instruction and trail rides, crafts, and horse-related games. Journal writing gives campers a tangible memory of their time at the Circle T Ranch and dance instruction is also available. At the end of the week, parents are invited to participate in a bonfire and BBQ with their children.

Circle T Ranch also offers private lessons and private trail rides for riders of all levels and ages.

The City of Carlsbad runs a number of youth programs at facilities all over Carlsbad. Most are coordinated through the Recreation Department office. The programs include a youth basketball leagues, track and field clinics, field trips for teens, and a variety of summer camps for children ages five to 17.

Club Xcite is an innovative after school and summer mentoring organization dedicated to assisting families who need a helping hand in educating, mentoring, or just involving their children in athletic, academic, or social activities.

Club Xcite has structured programs that fit the need of kids who have learning disabilities, hard time making friends, social anxiety, difficulty focusing, struggle getting movtivate, bi-polar, behavioral problems, or any other special needs.

Mentors can provide transportation from school to your house (if needed), make sure homework gets done correctly, provide one-on-one academic tutoring in problem areas, instruct child in different sports and outdoor activities, and act as a positive role model and friend.

Club Xcite! also offers a summer camps for kids ages eight to twelve who have a harder time making friends. The camps build and maintain an environment where kids feel that they can be themselves, open up, make friends, and most importantly, have fun. All activities, sports, and games are selected to help inspire and develop friendships, with a ratio of one counselor to every two or three campers.

Located in the Mid-City area of San Diego, the Copley YMCA serves the communities of Allied Gardens, College, East San Diego, Grantville, North Park, Normal Heights, City Heights, and Talmadge.

The Y offers a range of programs, from afterschool care and day camps for elementary school kids to all-day child care for preschoolers.

Its aquatics program begins with Preschool Swim and offers a series of progressive swim lessons to children of all ages plus a Swim Team program in its heated indoor pool.

Youth Sports include basketball, soccer, flag football and Tae Kwon Do.

A one-time joiner fee of $45 is required for family memberships (but not for teens).

Traditional day camps are offered during the summer, spring, and winter breaks. Activities include arts and crafts, games, weekly field trips, and swimming.

The four-acre El Capitan Equestrian Center offers riding lessons, pony rides, and horse rentals.

Birthday parties are also available, and include pony rides and/or horseback riding.

Week-long summer day camps run from June to September. Campers learn riding techniques, care and grooming of the horses and equipment, and participate in horse-related crafts and games.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best parents' night out in San Diego, Elite Gymnastics Academy offers gymnastics classes for ages 18 months to adult. Classes are designed for a variety of ages and experiences. Private lessons are also available.

Summer camps offer kids the chance to either try out gymnastics for the first time or to build on existing skills. Select from either the gymnastics or tumbling camps.

Parent's Nite Out, held on specific Saturday evenings, offers parents a chance to spend some quality time together without having to worry about the kids. Their kids get supervised time on the gymnastics equipment, a pizza dinner, snacks, and a movie - for $10/kid. Reservations are required.

Birthday parties can be scheduled for Sunday afternoons at the gymnasium. During the first hour kids participate in games, obstacle courses, and free time. Then half an hour for presents and cake.

The Escondido Sports Center, located in Kit Carson Park, is one of San Diego's largest sports centers. It includes two official-sized arenas for competitive roller hockey, two state-of-the-art soccer arenas (one full-size; one mini), and a 20,000 square foot skate park for skateboard, inline skate, or bike freestyle enthusiasts.

The well-run and supervised Center offers leagues that play year-around, tournaments, summer camps, daily skating sessions, and birthday parties.

Fern Street Circus, named in 2000 as Local Heroes and Heroines by the San Diego Union-Tribune, operates this afterschool recreation program at the Golden Hill Recreation Center. The program provides free-of-charge instruction in acrobatics, balancing, clowning, contortion, juggling, trampoline, trapeze, and tightwire. Students range from eight-year-olds to teens to young adults. Instruction is offered first-hand from working circus artists.

In this drop-in class, students move from one station to another, trying all the different tools. Most kids come just to try it out; some become enthusiasts who crave a deeper level of instruction. To serve them, more advanced, focused instruction is offered one additional day per week. Each summer, After-School Circus Skills Program students produce the Fern Street Junior Circus, a recital of over fifty kids performing in front of the Golden Hill Recreation Center.

Golden Hill Summer Camp, offered in collaboration with Golden Hill Recreation Center and several YMCAs, offers a one-week introduction to circus skills culminating in a circus show. Call Fern Street Circus for details.

The Future Champions Junior Golf Academy is an afterschool, weekend, and summer junior golf program held at Stadium Golf Center.

The academy has daily group classes, on-course instruction, private lessons, summer camps, monthly tournaments, skills challenges, and special events throughout the year.

German Soccer Academy Summer Camps are offered for both beginning and experienced young soccer players. Sessions are held at Sunshine Park (70th Street between University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard) and in Balboa Park. For details regarding camps, dates, and locations, give Craig Hyde a call.

The facilites and programs offered at this community center provide some unusual opportunities for local kids. Most notably, this is the site of the Fern Street Circus' After School Circus Skills Program and summer camp.

This recreation centert also operates wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball leagues, and dance and karate programs. The facilities include basketball, soccer, baseball/softball fields, tennis courts, a playground, picnic area, shuffleboard courts, and an indoor gym.

GTC Academy offers tumbling, trampoline, and cheerleading classes for both the recreational and competitive gymnast - from three-year old children through teenagers. The competitive tumbling and cheerleading teams participate in regional and national championships.

Birthday parties can be scheduled for Saturday afternoons - a time during which kids get ample time to bounce on the trampolines and play games. Parties cost $195 for up to 12 children.

Gym Ventures Gymnastics is all about building better kids through gymnastics, dance, cheer, and fitness classes - which are designed to build confidence, challenge, and motivate children in a positive and safe environment.

Gym Ventures parties run two hours and include parachute time, obstacle courses, rope climbing, and access to the gymnastic equipment. Different sports themes can be incorporated, based on the birthday child's preferences.

Gym Ventures also hosts sleepovers. Visit the website for detailed information about classes, camps, and more.

With a location in Rancho Bernardo and another in Oceanside, Gymminy Kids is accessible to a large number of San Diegan families. Gymminy Kids is an extensive gymnastics center, offering classes for children of all skill levels and ages. Classes range from L'il Hoppers for 18-month olds (and their moms) to advanced sessions for both boys and girls.

Half-day or full-day summer camps include time learning gymnastics skills and working on crafts. The camps are for kids ages 3-13. The Oceanside location offers cheerleading camp, in addition to gymnastics camps.

Gymminy Kids has a reputation for throwing successful birthday parties - and one that is fairly effortless for parents. Parents simply need to send out the invitations, bring a cake, and take pictures!. From the git go, kids are involved in supervised games on the equipment and continue happily until it is present and cake time. Even candles and a trashbag for the wrapping paper are provided!

With a location in Rancho Bernardo and another in Oceanside, Gymminy Kids is accessible to a large number of San Diegan families. Gymminy Kids is an extensive gymnastics center, offering classes for children of all skill levels and ages. Classes range from L'il Hoppers for 18-month olds (and their moms) to advanced sessions for both boys and girls.

Half-day or full-day summer camps include time learning gymnastics skills and working on crafts. The camps are for kids ages 3-13. The Oceanside location offers cheerleading camp, in addition to gymnastics camps.

Gymminy Kids has a reputation for throwing successful birthday parties - and one that is fairly effortless for parents. Parents simply need to send out the invitations, bring a cake, and take pictures!. From the git go, kids are involved in supervised games on the equipment and continue happily until it is present and cake time. Even candles and a trashbag for the wrapping paper are provided!

Located across the street from Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, Happy Trails offers guided trail rides during the day and evening through the park. Sunset rides are particularly wonderful, and the chances of seeing mule deer taking a last nibble before bedtime quite good. The trail horses are gentle and suited for riders with all levels of experience. The rides are Advance reservations are required.

During the summer, kids with a passion for horses can attend the Happy Trails Summer Horse Camp. Campers receive hands-on experience in horse care and riding. The camp also includes arts and crafts. Camp tuition is $375 per week.

Ice skating anyone? How about a little ice hockey or broom ball? Iceoplex is the place for you!

It's cool (literally), it's big, and you don't have to be a pro to try out the ice. Public skating is offered as well as figure skating. Youth and adult hockey leagues and tournaments are popular, too. Many of the coaches are world- and Olympic-class athletes.

During the summer, several levels of figure skating and hockey camps are held. For dates, contact information, and additional information, visit the rink's website.

How about a skating party? With three levels of parties (Bronze, Silver, and Gold), Iceoplex can help you arrange a special day for your child. Call for details.

Supervisors are on the ice at all times to make sure skaters are safe, and to help them keep their balance!

The International Institute of Martial Arts (IIMA) trains students, beginning at age three, in over eight styles of martial arts. The San Marcos center is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the nation. Additional facilities are located in Escondido and Vista, with a new center opening soon in Carlsbad. For a list of centers in the San Diego area, visit the IIMA website.

All IIMA classes are taught by World Champion and Hall of Fame instructors, credentialed teachers, and affiliates of the Escondido Police Department.

IIMA runs an after school program called KidFit USA. Courses are offered in Escondido, San Marcos, Vista and
Encinitas. During the summer months, IIMA offers a camp for kids ages five and older. In addition to martial arts practice sessions, the camp include visits to other athletic and fun centers.

For the most current schedules and registration forms, visit
the website.

JING Institute teaches Kungfu/Wushu, WingChun, Taiji, and Chinese language; JING also houses Bujinkan Anaguma Dojo, a school of Samurai and Ninja arts. A point of pride to the Institute -and rightly so - is that they are the only martial arts school in San Diego that is certified by the Chinese Wushu Association and USA Wushu Kung Fu Federation.

Kungfu/Wushu is the beautiful, fast, high-flying martial art often seen in movies; Wing Chun is the self-defense style that Bruce Lee studied; Taiji is a calm, relaxing, and deeply cardiovascular exercise; and Bujinkan is the art of Samurai and Ninjas.

John Olive is a former NBA basketball player and college coach who has won several League Champions as head basketball coach at Torrey Pines High School.

His basketball camp is for kids ages six to 16 and focuses on skill enhancement, passing, shooting, ball handling, and defense. Registration forms are available at the website.

For a special day in the mountains near San Diego, book a trail ride through Julian Stables. After a safety ride and instructions in the arena, the personable owners lead a one-hour narrated ride, where riders can see scenic views of the Cuyamaca and Volcan mountains - and, if you're lucky and the day is clear, as far out as the ocean. The trails are

During the summer, one day camps are offered for "cowpokes," ages nine and up. Kids learn grooming and tacking, receive arena instruction, go on a scenic trail ride, cart a miniature horse, and play games.

On the ranch property, a short walk from the stables, is a rustic 2-bedroom mountain cabin that is available for rent. The cabin, nestled under some of the many native oak and pine trees, was built by and lived in by the first settlers on the property - the grandparents of the current owners. It has, however been upgraded to include many modern amenities, including a CD player, satellite dish, and amenities for cooking meals. However, if cooking is not on the agenda, the town of Julian is just a mile and a half away.

Advance reservations are required for rides, camps, and cabin. Directions are provided to the private ranch when reservations are made.

Though taught in a small studio, Katharine's Academy of Dance, is family-oriented, offers a low student-teacher ratio, and is intentionally affordable. Classes include ballet, tap, hip hop, and jazz, for both boys and girls.

Behind the Kearny Mesa Recreation Center is a dirt road leading to Kearny Moto Park, where boys and girls race their dirt bikes. At certain times, the kids are practicing - but you can tell if it's race time by the number of people crowding around. With plenty of jumps and turns, and the growing popularity of BMX racing, the dirt tracks at Kearny Moto Park are home to many kids who love the fast-paced and thrilling sport.

An on-site snack shops sells kid-friendly eats that include hot dogs, hamburgers, and a variety of snacks.

Most kids find the BMX parties to be an absolute thrill. They do need to bring their bikes, but helmets are provided. To book a party, or for more details, call the Park.

During the summer, kids (ages five and up) can attend a BMX camp where they learn techniques of the sport from local experts and champions. Plenty of time is allotted to ensure the kids have time to practice and apply the new skills they learn. The week-long camp runs from 9am-5pm, and costs $200.