Scholarships for Museum Summer Day Camp Programs

Applications are now being accepted for scholarships that support free registration for Summer Day Camp at the San BernardinoCounty Museum in Redlands. A grant from the Community Foundation Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties along with individual contributions supports the scholarship program. Scholarship applications and Summer Day Camp registration forms are available at the museum’s front desk, on line at www.sbcountymuseum.org, or can be requested by calling (909) 307-2669 ext. 256.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer camps to children whose families would otherwise not be able to provide this experience,” said Carla Rosenkild, museum educator. “We structured the scholarships to allow recipients to pick which session interests them—games, animals, art, or fitness—all with a healthy dose of fun.”

The theme of Session 1, June 25-29, is Fun and Games Around the World. Session 2, July 9-13, is Activate FUN!; Session 3, July 16-20, is Expressions in Art; and Session 4, July 23-27, is Investigating Animals in the Lab & Field. Session 5, July 30-Aug 3, repeats the popular Fun and Games Around the World.

“When planning summer camp, I wanted to include something to address our involvement with the Let’s Move Campaign initiated by First Lady Michelle Obama,” said Jolene Redvale, curator of education. “Kids love to get out and be active and play. Our hot summer weather can deter outside play, as can the ease of flipping on those electronic gadgets at home. Activate FUN! will offer some easy, energetic ideas for ways to play, indoors and out, that don’t cost a lot of money and that kids can pull together on their own.”

Some activities campers will enjoy are lawn games such as bocce and croquet, easy family-style games that parents will enjoy, too. Playing safe and fun games with fit balls and exercise bands show kids that the equipment is not as important as their creativity.

“In Activate FUN! camp, we’ll create obstacle courses that everyone can enjoy, and encourage kids to improve their own times rather than try to compete with each other. This is a fundamental concept for all our camps,” said Redvale. Campers will also enjoy trying out circus skills like juggling and tossing games, stilts and pogo sticks, as well as simple games like skittles and jumping ropes.

In addition, campers will learn the basics about whole, nutritious foods, and take an outing to a local grocer store. “My goal will be for campers to compare the fresh, whole foods to the packaged foods, and talk about ways to incorporate more healthy foods into their busy schedules. Good, wholesome food is not necessarily harder or more time consuming. We just need some practice learning to plan and prepare foods that fit our lifestyles.” On Friday, campers invite their families to participate in a Burrito Cook-off party, to showcase what they learned in camp and share it with their families.

“I asked a nine-year-old friend of mine for suggestions for the name of this camp,” said Redvale. “I gave her the basic idea, and she came up with Activate FUN! I think this shows how kids are thinking, combining concepts from various aspects of contemporary life. There are so many options for kids today. We want them all to be healthy, active, happy and positive. Activate FUN! combines the best of all of these.”

All day camp sessions are held at the museum. Each session is five days, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Campers must be at least 7 years old and have finished first grade. The fee is $155 per child ($135 per child for members of the Museum Association); each scholarship covers a registration fee for one child for one session and scholarships are limited to one child per family. Registration deadlines are one week before the first date of camp. Space is limited. Registration forms can be found on the museum website, www.sbcountymuseum.org, can be picked up at the museum’s front desk, or can be received by post or e-mail by calling 909-307-2669 x256.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. For more information, visit www.sb countymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.