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For well over a half-century, Cali Camp has hosted kids of all ages who get into adventures that range from wading in creeks to rock climbing. We understand how to fulfill the fundamentals of introducing kids to new things while still protecting their well-being at kids camp.
We group campers according to their age, grade, gender and unique physical and developmental needs. Kids participate in activities at age- and skill- appropriate levels. Challenging sports like Equestrian "Wrangler" camp, Aerial Arts camp, Adventure camp, and more are taught and staffed by qualified specialists. Every kid is checked for swimming skills at the start of each session. All campers are accompanied by counselors at all times – even during chill time under an old oak tree.
Still, given the nature of kids, our First Aid Specialist staffs a full and complete health center on the property.
Whether for a single day of camp or full summer camp season, parents complete Health History Forms for all kids to keep us up to date on any special health needs and our nurse is a direct link with parents. In case of emergency, our first contact is always a parent. If a parent cannot be reached, Cali Camp staff are advised to reach the emergency contacts you have provided on your health form.
If you have already registered, fill out your 2019 Health Form here!
Meals
Meals
Meals
Meals
Lots of fun in the wonder world of Cali Camp equals ton-of-calories-burned. We take special care to make sure kids are hydrated and eating right. To do that we serve an afternoon snack daily and give parents the whole range of options to pick from on the lunch front:
“THE CLASSIC” Bring a bag lunch of non-perishable food. Campers keep their lunches on their shady group shelves until lunch.
“THE HOT LUNCH” Easy does it—pay $10 per day. Lunch can be purchased at camp each day. Your camper can either bring cash, or we can charge your account, which will be charged each week. Campers buying lunch simply need to join the “lunch line” in the morning to receive their lunch bracelete. This year, we have a new menu in store with lots of vegetarian options, a salad bar, fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Kids camp has never been so delicious! Parents of enrolled campers can check our online parent/camper handbook for daily decisions.
Sample Menu (campers choose what they want daily)
Rocco's Cheese Pizza
Rocco's Pepperoni Pizza
Gluten Free Cheese Pizza
Pasta Parmesean
Baked Chicken Nuggets
Make your own Salad Bar
All meals include Seasonal Fresh Fruit and Veggies
“THE CALI-CAFE” Whole grain? Gluten Free? Fresh Fruit? Yogurt? We’re stocking it, and more, this summer.
What to Bring
What to Bring
How to Pack Your Kid for Cali
What to Bring
What to Bring
How to Pack Your Kid for Cali
What to Wear to Camp
It’s summer. It’s outdoors. It’s fun. So, kids and teens should wear comfortable clothes to play in. That means:
Shorts are best. But pack a pair of long pants (sweats are easiest) to slip on for equestrian camp rides, hikes, similar activities and/or cool canyon mornings.
A swimsuit and towel.
A sweatshirt in case it’s a little chillier than normal in the morning, or foggy at the beach.
Tennis shoes and sneakers. Send along a pair of sandals for beach trip excursions during day camp – but all campers must wear closed-toe shoes to camp.
Wrangler / Equestrian Camp Programs: Is your kid in equestrian "Wrangler" speciality camp? They must wear long pants and boots or hard shoes with heels. We provide helmets, but you can bring your own. Sorry, but we can’t let your child ride in tennis shoes. This is an important safety rule.
Aerial Arts Campers: For boys and girls, a tight fitting t-shirt with short sleeves is best. Pants should be worn that cover the knees, like Capri-length sweatpants or leggings. Girls can feel free to wear leotards and tights with no feet. All classes are done barefoot, but sometimes the mats get hot or we may want to warm up by running the lawn, so please wear sneakers and socks. No flip flops allowed during camp, for safety reasons.
And don’t forget: Write your child’s name on everything they bring to camp!
Do I Need Equipment from Home
We provide everything – seriously. From harnesses to helmets we have it all. If your camper has their own specialized horse back riding helmet, they may bring that to camp, with their name on it.
We ask that kids don’t bring: personal toy animals, electronic games, phones, toys, radios, laptop computers, iPads, or iPods. Actually, we can’t even allow them at camp. We want to make sure that your child does not lose something precious to them and camp is a way to introduce them to a new experience.
Lastly, our canyons are beautiful but there isn’t cell phone reception in them. We ask that you don’t send them. If it’s necessary for your child to have one, it will be held in the director’s office till the end of each day.
What About Lunch
Bag it or buy it.
Kids can bring their own lunch! Make sure your kid’s name is on or attached to their lunch. Send cooler bags if you want. Campers keep their lunches on their shady group shelves until lunch.
Wanna buy lunch? Hot lunches are $10 and can be purchased daily. Purchase them with cash at camp, or on credit. Check out the Meals section above for sample meals.
Still have questions
Call our office (310) 455-0404. Our 2019 Parent / Camper handbook will be here soon.
Transportation
Transportation Service
How We Roll!
Transportation
Transportation Service
How We Roll!
CAmp tuition includes transportation
Less bus stops... more camp fun!
We want to help kids arrive at Cali Camp fresh and excited for their daily adventures. That’s why we pay particular attention to bus routes for your child. We know that simpler routes, with only one-two bus stops each, give kids more time at camp together and means they arrive less tired.
Every camper’s day at kids camp starts as they step onto our buses, when they are greeted by our bus counselors and camp friends. On the ride they’ll sing, participate in games and be part of a weekly, all-camp “Bus Cup Challenge.”
Our one-two stop routes are short and easy and ensure that no child will be on the bus longer than 60 minutes. There are sixteen (16) separate stations with pre-established pick-up times across Los Angeles County to choose from. Ten (10) routes in the city and six (6) in the Valley. There is no bus transportation available in Topanga, but drop-off at camp is your option.
We use a professional bus company, Mission School Transportation, to safely transport our campers and staff to and from summer camp. We have a designated Cali Camp staff member as the bus counselor for each station for communication. Most of our staff choose to ride to camp on a bus because of the fun and convenience.
With the safety of a professional driver and the excitement of Bus Cup Challenge which includes singing camp songs, playing games and bonding with other campers and counselors, Cali campers experience the perfect ride to summer camp. See below to check out our transportation guide and bus stops:
Transportation Guide (PDF)
Transportation Station (Route) List (PDF)
Bonus Camp Bus Schedule (PDF)
Policies
Policies and Procedures
Rules to Keep Camp Running Smoothly
Policies
Policies and Procedures
Rules to Keep Camp Running Smoothly
Kids Camp Policies
Operating for more than half a century has taught us that certain policies help keep camp running smoothly and ensure that staff time focuses on campers.
Attendance and Refund Policies
Schedule Changes: Prior to May 1st you may make whatever changes to your schedule you would like without penalty. After May 1st, you will have 3 FREE schedule changes. Every change after those three changes will result in a $25.00 per change charge.
Missed Days and Absences: If your child is going to be absent and must miss a day please attempt to notify us in advance and reschedule at that time. If you are not able to reschedule at that time call us at your earliest convenience to pick up your make up day. Make up days are subject to availability.
Make-Up Days: If your child is absent, you may be entitled to a make up day, given camp availability. Call the office as soon as you know that your child will be absent in order to scedule your make up day.
Extended Illness: An extended illness is defined as being 5 or more consecutive camp attendance dates. A Doctor’s note is required for verification. Days may be made up during the last three (3) weeks of camp.
Withdrawal From Camp: Should you withdraw your child from camp prior to May 1st then you will receive your deposit or full tuition less the $50.00 registration fee. After May 1st there are no refunds or credits for future summers.
Dismissal From Camp: There are occasions when a child must be dismissed from camp because he/she is not adjusting physically, psychologically or emotionally. This action will take effect only after an evaluation has occurred with the camper, camp director and parents. Dismissal for the aforementioned reasons will result in a $50.00 per day refund for the unused days. If a camper must be dismissed for disciplinary measures then there will be NO REFUND for the unused days. Cali Camp is a Alcohol, Drug, Violence, and Weapon free campus. Any camper found with any of these items will be immediately dismissed from camp, without a refund for any unused days.
First Time Camp Experience: Often children are enrolled in camp and there is apprehension due to a first time camp experience. If that apprehension exists, then it is recommended that you enroll your child for a minimum enrollment of 5 days. You can always add days if they are available. On the rare occasion that your child does not want to return after their first day of camp, we offer a full refund of unused camp days less the $50.00 registration fee.
Miscellaneous Information
Any days added to your schedule will be subject to the current price scale.
If you decide to change from one camp program to another there is no guarantee of space after May 1, 2019.
There are no refunds for a partially missed day.
There is NO CREDIT held over to the following summer.
Days to be rescheduled may be used by only siblings in the same family.
A missed overnight can be rescheduled. There are no refunds. In the case of missing the last overnight of the season, no refund or credit will be given.
Your child’s health history form must be turned in to our office prior to the start of their stay at camp.
When adding days after the summer has begun all payments must be made prior to child attending camp. Phone requests for changes and adding days will be accepted only with credit card payment.
We have a 5 day enrollment minimum per summer.
All refunds are subject to a processing fee.
Still have questions? Check out our Parent Handbook (coming soon) or call our office at (310) 455-0404.