This Land is Your Land Summer Day Camp for children ages 5 – 15 blends the exciting science and nature studies developed by Sarah Shaffer, with art, music, hiking, swimming, and outdoor games. Our goal is for every child to have a summer filled with outrageous fun in a beautiful, natural setting. We say, “No child left indoors!” 

Early positive experiences in nature help develop a lifelong love and caring for the natural world.  The weird and wonderful world of nature provides a great way to “hook” kids on science.  Hands-on science projects and art activities connect children to the natural world, increasing environmental awareness and instilling a deep caring attitude about our world.

Weekly Themes and Program Highlights

JULY 7 – 11
All Wired Up!

• Build a buzzing burglar alarm
• Light up the night with electric headlight glasses
• Make a motorized carousel

JULY 14 – 18
Coyotes and their Canine Kin

• Construct a canine tracking kit
• Meet live California canines up close from WildLIFE Associates
• Make a magnetic canine scene

JULY 21 – 25
Crazy Contraptions

• Build a balloon powered windmill
• Create a marshmallow catapult
• Make a Ping Pong Popper

JULY 28 – AUGUST 1
Abracadabra!
THE SCIENCE OF MAGIC

• Astound your friends with magic tricks (shhh…it’s really science)
• Meet a real magician
• Pump up your power with a wizard’s wand

AUGUST 4 – 8
Rockin’ Robots

• Create an electro-magnetic robot
• Build Scaredy-Bot, the vibrating robot
• Build robot accessories and become a cyborg for our dress-up day

AUGUST 11 – 15
Kaboom! Pop, Burst & Bubble
Explore chemistry while you:

• Create a Carbon Dioxide Rocket Racer
• Build a baking soda balloon blower-upper
• Make a gushing Mentos Geyser

Each week will feature activities with a distinguished guest naturalist.

Counselor n Training (CIT) Program
For Campers Ages 11–15
Our CIT Program is for older campers who are interested in taking on more responsibility and in developing leadership skills. CITs are teamed up with an experienced counselor to assist a group of younger campers; they also participate in the usual camp projects and activities. First Aid Certification and additional leadership training is provided. The CIT Program is available for single or multiple weeks and has the same fees and discounts as the regular camp program.

Advanced Projects
For Campers Ages 9–12
For our 9–12 year olds we offer one or more challenging projects to work on throughout the week. Call (510) 581-3739 for more details.

Location
Little Hills Ranch, 18013 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon
Our newest site is located at beautiful Little Hills Ranch on Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon.  Although it's a mere ten minute drive from the I-680 freeway, Little Hills Ranch is a secluded, peaceful oasis removed from the hectic everyday world. This lovely, rejuvenating location next to Las Trampas Regional Park features 100 acres of open grassy areas and large shade trees, covered picnic tables, a fenced swimming pool, play structures and hiking trails. There is ample free parking for drop-off and pick-up.

Camp Dates
Weekly sessions from July 7 – August 15, 2008. Signing up for a minimum of two weeks is preferable but not required.

Hours
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Extended care available 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Camp Director
Aaron Franzen has been the Director of Sarah’s Science Winter and Spring Day Camps for several years and the Assistant Director of This Land Is Your Land Summer Day Camp in Berkeley for six years.  He has served as Director of Operations for Sarah’s Science for over ten years. He attended Oregon State University and California State University, Chico.

Camp Cost
$335/week if registration postmarked by 4/1/08.
$345/week if registration postmarked after 4/1/08.
$365/week “walk-in” registration (if space available.) No discounts apply.

Multiple week discount:Sign up for four or more weeks and deduct $15 for each week.

Sibling discount:$15 less per week for second child (cannot be used with multiple week discount.)

Extended Care
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. an additional $25/week
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. an additional $75/week

Space is limited, register early!

Payment Policy
Full payment is due on or before 6/1/08.
$100 deposit per week per child to reserve space is NON-REFUNDABLE.
There is a $10 surcharge for payments received after 6/1/08. NO REFUNDS after 6/1/08.

Sarah’s Science is an affiliate of the East Bay Regional Park District’s Day Camp Collaborative Program.