Patch Picks: Summer Camps

Patch Picks is a weekly feature highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more.

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date-night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

Summer Camps: Summer will be here before you know it, so now is a good time to start looking into summer camps for your kids. Here are five camps that offer a variety of activities for just about any interest your child might have.

West End Studio Theatre: If your child loves the theater—either acting or behind the scenes—West End Studio offers several classes for different age groups throughout the summer. For instance, kids in grades 4 through 10 can learn about props and set design or stage makeup special effects. In July, kids in grades 7 through 12 will be producing the play “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” Check the website for all the available classes.

Kennolyn Camps: Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Kennolyn Camp has a variety of options for kids in grades K through 8. Your child will not be bored with all the activities available at Kennolyn. Too numerous to list here, they include swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, climbing and soccer.

Santa Cruz Running Camps: Here’s a camp for kids 12 to 18 years old who love to run! At this resident camp on the campus, each day kids will wake to a delicious breakfast, and then gather for workouts and clinics taught by running coaches. But it’s not all work and no play. There will be open recreation times and, one night, a trip to the .

Willow Pond Ranch: This horse rescue sanctuary in the Santa Cruz Mountains has summer day camps for kids ages 6 to 16. Besides riding, your child will learn how to groom and tack horses, enjoy nature and ranch awareness activities and group riding lessons. Early bird discounts are available if you sign up before March 15.

Club Ed: Surfing is the perfect activity for summer in Santa Cruz, and Club Ed offers classes for kids 12 and up, including adults should you wish to learn yourself! For one week, students will camp at , which has consistent waves great for learning and a location far from the summer crowds. Club Ed provides surfboards and wetsuits (if needed) and all meals.