UC Davis Summer Camps for children from Grade 1 through teenager are returning after a year’s absence — and staff, faculty and students will get priority registration starting this Friday (April 9).
MORE FOR CHILDREN
Take Our Children to Work Day is coming up Thursday, April 22, but, of course, because of the pandemic, not many children will be coming to campus. And let’s face it, most of them have been “working” alongside their parents at home for much of the last year. So most activities are virtual, with the exception of in-person fun and games at the Rec Pool and a campus scavenger hunt that parents and children can do on their own.
Registration is open for two events: Take Our Children to the UC Davis Rec Pool and Parent and Child Zentangle Class (virtual), providing instruction in a form of artistic meditation through drawing.
See the Take Our Children to Work webpage for more information, including scavenger hunt locations and virtual activities presented by the Arboretum and Public Garden, Bohart Museum of Entomology and the California Raptor Center.
All programs are free.
“We are preparing and looking forward to an amazing summer of camp memories, fun and adventure in 2021,” officials said on Campus Recreation’s Youth Programs website. Camp themes include crafts, dance, music and sport, as well as junior lifeguard.
Campus Recreation called off the camps in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. For 2021, COVID-19 protocols have been established (see below) and capacity will be limited — which means the camps may not be able to accommodate everyone. “This is just an unfortunate fact due to COVID-19 restrictions,” officials said on the Summer Camps website. “We ask for your patience as we all navigate this challenging time.”
Priority registration for faculty, staff and students will run from noon Friday, April 9, to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 15. Registration will reopen at noon Friday, April 16, for the community and UC Davis affiliates. Use the Recreation Portal.
Camps will be offered in one- and two-week sessions from June 19 to Aug. 20. The camp day will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unfortunately, due to cohort staffing limitations, Campus Recreation is unable to offer early drop-off or extended-day programs.
Camps are divided into four age ranges, with various offerings in each:
- B Camps (Grades 1–2) — Aggie Camp (wide range of activities), plus Craft, Exploration and Music camps
- C Camps (Grades 3–5) — Aggie Camp, plus Craft, Dance, Music and Sport camps
- D Camps (Grades 6–8) — Aggie Camp, plus Craft, Junior Lifeguard, Music and Sport camps
- Teens — Junior Lifeguard and Music Workshops
COVID-19 protocols
General guidelines for Summer Camp are as follows:
- Stable groups of 14 or fewer children
- Weekly COVID-19 testing (not provided)
- No more than two staff will be assigned to a group
- Emphasis on outdoor activities where possible
- Indoor capacity limited based on Yolo County’s tier status in the state’s reopening plan
- Groups will not mix with each other to the greatest extent possible
- Face coverings, physical distancing, individual equipment, increased hygiene practices
- Daily Symptom Survey, temperature checks for all staff and campers
Officials said they developed the Summer Camps operation plan by consulting California Department of Public Health guidance related to cohorts, day camps and youth sports, as well as American Camp Association guidelines.
Need more information or an assist with registration? Contact Youth Programs by email.
Media Resources
Dateline Staff: Dave Jones, editor, 530-752-6556, dateline@ucdavis.edu; Cody Kitaura, News and Media Relations specialist, 530-752-1932, kitaura@ucdavis.edu.