During the end of December and early January, kids finally get a two-week break from school to rest, relax, and visit with friends. But after the second or third day, when they are all rested up, they find they are looking for something to do.
Unless you have the time (and energy) to help them around the clock with activities and playdates, you may wish they had something “to do” outside of the house.
That is when winter camp comes in. The Santa Clarita Valley has several camps available to kids of all ages during the school break. Whether they like art, sports, martial arts, or tumbling, there is something fun available for your child.
The Paseo Club is a social club in Santa Clarita dedicated to the health and fitness of all its members, young and old. During the school year, they offer several programs just for kids, including tennis, weight training, and swimming.
In this article, we will discuss how winter camps benefit your child, what camps are available in the Santa Clarita Valley, and how to sign up so you can secure your child’s spot.
How does winter camp benefit your child?
Winter camp is a time for your child to be intellectually, physically, and socially engaged. They have the opportunity to try new things or to dive deeper into their passions that already exist.
There are many benefits to attending winter camp for your child.
Physically active
Kids spend too much time sitting. Sitting at school, sitting while playing video games, and sitting while on their phones. The Centers for Disease Control recommends kids get at least one hour of physical activity daily. But how many kids actually get that?
With winter camp, your child will have multiple opportunities to practice skills, play sports, and engage in active games. Camp helps them to be healthier, more fit, and to feel better emotionally and mentally.
Social development
Children need to be around both kids and adults to learn how to socialize well. When a child is well socialized, they learn to navigate group and one-on-one interactions with comfort and confidence.
Attending winter camp offers your child a great platform for developing these skills. Essential social skills include:
- Sharing
- Patience
- Empathy
- Team building
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
- Listening and following instructions
Camp gives parents a rest
Parents wear many hats these days — caretaker, financial provider, chauffeur, chef, and tutor. It can be exhausting to shoulder so many of these responsibilities.
And just because kids are on winter break does not mean you are too. Many adults work through the holidays with little to no time off, making camp not just a fun option but a necessity.
Parents can choose camp either as supportive child care while they work or as an opportunity for themselves to rest and recharge, helping them to be fresh for the afternoons and evenings when kids come home from camp.
Enriching experiences
Winter camp provides enriching experiences that your child may not normally experience. This stimulation and exposure to new ideas, instructors, friends, and skills are deeply rewarding for your child, creating lasting memories.
Minimizes screen time
We all know that kids are on screens for too many hours of the day. Whether it is Youtubing, video games, social media, or movies, kids' phones and tablets are a rabbit hole of entertainment for them.
Parents and kids often have ongoing battles about screens and managing screen time. It often leads to endless fights that add more stress to parents already demanding lives.
When your child is in winter camp, they will be engaged in the activities offered and play with peers. Screens get set aside, and they can participate in the camp activities before them — in real-time.
Winter Camps in the Santa Clarita Valley in 2022/2023
There are many well-known, well-respected institutions around the Santa Clarita Valley offering winter camps to kids during the holiday break.
The camps are listed alphabetically. You will learn what is happening at each camp, what ages the camp is for, the schedule, the cost, and how to register.
This winter camp will be held December 19-23 and December 27-30 for children ages 4-12. Campers get to do gymnastics, games, and crafts.
The price is $43 for a half day from 8 am - 12 pm or 12 pm - 4 pm.
It is $86 for a full day from 8 am - 4 pm. Register on their website.
The city of Santa Clarita offers an amazing collection of classes and programs for kids, including art, dance, sports, music, acting, and more.
They offer three camps during winter break:
- Canyon Country Community Center’s Winter Blast Camp is a program for kids ages 5-12. This camp offers art, crafts, games, and other enriching activities. It is from 9 am - 2 pm, with the option for extended care from 8-9 am with Sunrise Kidz.
Camp costs between $24-$44 per week, depending on the week selected. Extended care is an extra $10 per week. - Canyon Country Community Center’s Winter Kidz is a free program for kids ages 5-12. The camp offers free play, crafts, and other play-based activities. It is from 2:30-6 pm.
- Newhall Community Center’s Winter Open Play offers art, crafts, games, STEM projects, and sports. This program is from 3-6:30 pm and is for 5-12-year-olds. This program is also free of charge.
There are three separate camp times available:
- December 19-22
- December 27-29
- January 3-6
Spaces are limited. Register at the City of Santa Clarita’s website.
The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center
The Cube is hosting Camp Chillin for kids ages 5-11. Each day your child will receive two skating lessons per day and traditional off-ice activities.
The camp is very flexible, with multiple scheduling options. You can sign your child up for a half-day (morning or afternoon), full-day, one-week, or two-week, camp. Half days of camp are 8 am - 12:30 pm or 12:45-4 pm. Full days are 8 am - 4 pm.
The cost is as follows:
- One week with full days: $375 per week
- One week with half days: $230 per week
- Full-day drop-in: $80 per day
- Half-day drop-in: $50 per day
Registration is on their website.
Drawn 2 Art is an art learning center in Valencia. They offer classes and camps throughout the year in drawing and painting for children, teens, and adults.
This winter, Drawn 2 Art will offer a clay camp from 8:30-11:30 am for kids ages seven and older. It runs from December 19-23. The camp teaches how to sculpt and draw winterscapes.
This is a great option for kids who love art and also want a shorter camp so their afternoons can be free to see friends or play at home.
The camp is $240 for the session, and registration is on their website.
Hugo’s Gym will offer two weeks of camp from December 19th-December 21st and December 26th-January 6th. Kids four and older can attend as long as they are potty trained.
Kids can go to camp for a half day from 9am-12pm or a full day from 9am-3pm. A half day of camp is $30, and a full day is $45. If you book for an entire week, there is a 10% discount.
All registration is online. There are a limited number of spots. Here is the link to their registration page.
My Gym of Valencia offers great programs for kids when school is out. Winter Camp is for children as young as 2 ½ through 10 years. Children engage in fitness games, non-competitive gymnastics, arts, crafts, music, and more.
This camp runs from December 26th-30th. There is both a morning option from 9 am - 12 pm, or an afternoon option from 1-4 pm. Camp costs $45 per day if your child attends for 1-3 days. The price is reduced to $32 per day for four or more days. Add an additional hour of camp for $10 per day.
Registration is on their website.
Camp will happen from December 19-21 and January 2-6 from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm. The cost is $210 for five days, $190 for four days, and $160 for three days. There is a 10% discount for any additional siblings.
Enroll by calling 661-673-3396 or emailing the1taekwondo@gmail.com.
Kids can play with friends and learn new skills for their favorite sports, including tennis, pickleball, soccer, flag football, dodgeball, and more! They will participate in arts and crafts as well.
The camp is for 5-17-year-olds and runs from 10 am - 3 pm with lunch provided. Five days of camp is $450 and ten days of camp is $850.
Reservations are recommended. To reserve your child’s spot, contact assistant tennis director Rene Heger.
How to keep your child active during winter break
Winter holiday is a time for kids to get an extended break from school. But boredom can soon set in. Instead of your child moping around the house and asking you what they should do, sign them up for a winter camp.
Santa Clarita is full of great organizations dedicated to the growth and enrichment of children. This winter, take advantage of these great options and find a camp for your child.
The Paseo Club is an eight-acre facility with tennis and pickleball courts, gym areas, and a junior Olympic-size pool. There are over 60 fitness classes taught each week. So, while your kid is in camp, you can work out or relax with a smoothie at the cafe.
If you are not yet a member but would like to check the club out, come in for a Paseo Club tour.
To learn about all the cool fitness and social options at the club, check out these three articles.
- 7 things to love about Wine Down Wednesday
- What is happening at the Paseo Club in December
- What is the Greatest Results Program at the Paseo Club?
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