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Southern California Winter Camps 2022

Southern California Winter Camps 2022


Published: Nov. 10, 2022Updated: Jan. 30, 2024

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While school is out for Thanksgiving and winter break, take advantage of these winter sleepaway camps and day programs in the Los Angeles area! Not only can you fill your kids' days with activities and the chance to make friends, but some of these programs specialize in social skills, STEM and robotics, performing arts, sports, and more. Check out our full list below, put together by the Undivided Research Team! (If you're looking for camps and programs specific to your area, reach out to learn about getting a custom research report!)

Sleepaway Camps and Family Weekends

Camp Ramah: Ohr Lanu Family Camp

Website

385 Fairview Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(310) 476-8571
Contact: Gaby Natelson

For more information about any of the Tikvah programs, contact Elana Naftalin Kelman, Tikvah Director.

Type of camp: Family weekend camp

Camp Ramah, located in the Ojai Valley on 450 acres of land near Los Padres National Forest, allows campers to enjoy the mountains of Southern California and celebrate their Jewish heritage. Family-friendly winter camp activities include a talent show, Shabbat services and Havdalah, swimming, hiking, and a ropes course. Kids with disabilities and their siblings can participate in scavenger hunts, music, dance, drama, storytelling, and sibling workshops. The staff at Ohr Lanu includes special educators, family education specialists, and individual counselors dedicated to making sure everyone has a safe, fun time. While attending, families stay in hotel-style rooms with private baths and climate control.

Dates: December 2–4, 2022

Age range: Children with disabilities ages 4–14 can attend with their parents and siblings.

Cost: Ohr Lanu costs $800 for two adults and two children. Each additional adult costs $125, and each additional child costs $75.

Registration: Families are able to enroll using an online form.

Camping Unlimited: Camp Krem

Website

45895 California Hwy 49
Ahwahnee, CA 93601
(510) 222-6662
campkrem@gmail.com

Type of camp: Weekend respite camp

Camping Unlimited provides recreational activities in a sleepaway camp setting for campers of all ages and abilities. Originally located in Boulder Creek, Camp Krem has relocated to Awahanee, CA, while their original property undergoes restoration following last year’s wildfires. During the fall and winter, they offer weekend-long respite camps to give parents a chance to relax and kids the chance to have some fun and independence away from home. For Thanksgiving, campers have the chance to participate in activities such as dancing and nature walks before sharing a holiday feast. During the Holiday camp, kids can decorate cookies and make seasonal crafts.

Dates: Camp Krem is hosting a Thanksgiving camp November 18–20, 2022, as well as a Holiday camp December 9–11, 2022.

Age range: Campers range in age from 8 to older adults depending on the length and type of sessions. Generally, all ages attend the same sessions, but cabins will be assigned to similar age groups as closely as possible.

Cost: The cost of the camp ranges $230–$450 per day depending on whether your camper needs a 1:1 or 1:3 supervision ratio.

Registration: Registration for the respite camps can be done online.

The Painted Turtle: Holiday Gathering

Website

17000 Elizabeth Lake Rd.
PO Box 455
Lake Hughes, CA 93532
Admissions: (661) 724-1550 Ext. 203

Camp Admissions Manager: Carlie Green

Type of camp: Special event

Founded by Paul Newman in 1999, the mission of The Painted Turtle is to provide an opportunity for kids with medical conditions to just be kids. Located just outside of Los Angeles in Lake Hughes, California, The Painted Turtle has served tens of thousands of children and families since opening in 2004. Their mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment for children and their families by allowing children to participate in an authentic camp experience, supporting their medical needs, and offering their families care, education, and respite. As a Medical Specialty Camp, they support campers with a wide range of diagnoses, including cerebral palsy. Their annual Holiday Gathering is a chance for kids to participate in some of their favorite camp activities such as singing, boating, woodshop, crafts, and fishing. If you’re attending, make sure to dress for winter weather!

Date and time: December 3, 2022, 12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Age range: All ages

Cost: All programs at The Painted Turtle are free of charge!

Registration: You can apply to participate in the Holiday Gathering online now.

United States Adaptive Recreation Center: Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program

Website

43101 Goldmine Drive
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 584-0269
mail@usarc.org

Administrative Assistant: Shelly L Egerer

Type of camp: Half-day or full-day lessons

The United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC) offers an adaptive outdoor activity experience for everyone to enjoy as a family. In the winter, USARC offers half-day and full-day adaptive ski and snowboard lessons at Bear Mountain Ski Resort. Kids benefit from 1:1 instruction and state-of-the-art adaptive equipment, including mono-skis, bi-skis, and outriggers. Both beginners and more advanced athletes are welcome. Dates: November-March

Age range: All ages

Cost: $100 per person for a half-day lesson and $150 for a full-day lesson. Lift tickets are included in the price.

Registration: You can reserve a lesson online. USARC recommends making a reservation early because demand for lessons is high.

Camp Paivika: Skiing in Big Bear

Website

P.O. Box 3367
Crestline CA 92325
(909) 338-1102 ext. 5003
camppaivika@abilityfirst.org

Camp Director: Kelly Kunsek
Camper Services Coordinator: Tina Fraynd

Type of camp: Sleepaway camp in Lake Arrowhead

In the winter, Camp Paivika hosts a group ski trip at Bear Mountain Ski Resort in Big Bear. Campers can enjoy adaptive ski instruction from trained professionals, skiing time, bowling, and roasting marshmallows as a festive treat. Participants in the camp must have minimal medical care and hygiene-related needs.

Dates: Held during winter months; contact the camp for exact dates.

Age range: 18 years or older

Cost: $450

Registration: You can reserve a spot by calling (909) 338-1102 ext. 5003. Space is limited, so call as soon as you can.

Education and STEM

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles: Adventures in Nature

Website

900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 763-3466
info@nhm.org

Format: In-person programs

At the Natural History Museum, “camps use the research and collections of the Museum as a jumping off point for exploration and adventure.” Winter break day programs are open for enrollment now as they “reveal the secrets of the museum.” Campers are able to explore a variety of fun topics from bugs to dinosaurs with developmentally appropriate and age-specific activities.

Dates: December 20-21 or December 22-23

Age range: Kindergarten through eighth grade

Hours: 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Cost: $135 for members or $150 for non-members; afternoon extended care (3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.): $30

Registration: Select Session and Registration

1:1 aide: Contact the museum directly for more information.

Outschool

Website

Format: Online program

Outschool offers over 140,000 class sessions covering a very diverse range of topics, from languages and technology to art, science, and life skills. The classes are broken down by age groups and taught by enthusiastic educators. The setting encourages peer-to-peer interaction.

Dates: Classes are ongoing. See the schedule for details.

Age range: 3–18

Hours: Hours vary based on class. See the schedule for details.

Cost: Cost varies based on class. Most classes are $5-$20.

Registration: Register by finding the particular class you are interested in on their website.

1:1 aide: Outschool is generally fine with aides being present but recommends messaging instructors directly to make sure they are open to accommodating. For more information, see Learning With Special Needs at Outschool.

Rolling Robots Holiday Camp

Website

704 Bart Earle Way, #201
Rolling Hills Estates, CA, 90274

2951 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

201 N. Brand Blvd. #B120
Glendale, CA 91203

(888) 762-6808

Format: In-person and online programs

A group of aerospace engineers who love robots started Rolling Robots to give all kids the chance to discover their inner scientists. They have multiple locations and offer classes from beginner to advanced in robot-making, Minecraft, coding, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing. Online classes are available. In-person classes are offered in Palos Verde, Glendale, and West Los Angeles. No prior experience is necessary. Rolling Robots teaches children of all learning backgrounds the core concepts of STEM, robotics, and coding. They aim for six to eight students per instructor.

Rolling Robots offers winter camps around the Christmas and New Year holidays, spring camps when schools are on spring break, and Thanksgiving camps for Thanksgiving week.

Dates: Holiday camps

Age range: 5–15

Hours: Morning sessions run 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Afternoon sessions run 1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. Times may vary depending on the program for Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

Cost: In-person classes range depending on the program selected; for example, the cost for three Thanksgiving break half-day classes is $189-$242.

Registration: Site-specific registration can be found on their schedule page.

1:1 aide: Yes, 1:1 aides can be accommodated.

Social Skills

BLAST Programs

Website

2512 Foothill Blvd.
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 583-7134
info@blastprograms.org

Format: In-person drop-in day programs and holiday camp

BLAST is a safe learning space where children develop coping skills for stressful environments such as school or home. The owner, Katie Enney, Psy.D., is licensed by the Board of Psychology of the State of California. The staff consists of therapists working on hours toward their license, college students, and educators. Therapy takes place during play, with an emphasis on verbalizing feelings, maintaining friendships, handling frustration, following instructions, and working on impulse control. BLAST is offering both Holiday Drop-In programming as well as Holiday Camp this year.

The drop-in programs are for school holidays when childcare is needed or if children want a fun experience for a few hours. Morning and afternoon slots will offer games and activities facilitated by their trained staff.

BLAST’s holiday camps will be offered during Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks and are full day programs.

Ages: Contact directly for age ranges for Holiday Drop-In and Camp

Hours: Holiday Drop-In: Three-hour time slots split between morning and afternoon Holiday Camp: Full day

Cost: Holiday Drop-In: Costs for 2022 are $30 per three-hour slot. Costs for 2023 are $50 per three-hour slot. Holiday Camp: Costs are TBD.

Registration: To sign up, please contact their program development director.

Social Foundations: Culver City Camp

Website

2716 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 1065
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 869-4025
suzanne@socialfoundationsla.com

Format: In-person programs

Social Foundations provides meaningful, practical, and in-depth social development for kids as well as substantive education for parents. It’s a supportive social learning community that helps students develop the skills they need to build and keep healthy connections. They offer social development groups (small, well-matched weekly groups), school-based social support, play facilitation, and more. We are highlighting the camp program, but they also offer ongoing Social Skills Groups weekly for ages 6–13.

Culver City Winter Camp: Social Foundations’ winter camp program provides a unique, positive experience for children and teens who need social learning support in a creative and fun environment. They will be hosting camp OUTSIDE only this year.

Dates: December 19–23 and December 26–30

Age range: 5–15

Hours: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Cost: $120 per day. You can sign up by the day or for the whole week.

Registration: Complete this form to register. They are limiting enrollment; sign up early so that they can ensure the best camp groupings.

1:1 aide: Yes, 1:1 aides are allowed.

Bloom Pediatrics: Winter Break Camp

Website

1523 Wellesley Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(424) 229-2570
info@bloompediatrics.com

Type of camp: Winter morning camp with extended day option

This winter, Camp Bloom is holding an in-person traditional camp with activities such as games, arts and crafts, and music that are set up with an occupational therapy twist. Join them at a unique and peaceful home-based setting to support your child’s sensory exploration, fine and gross motor development, social thinking abilities, communication skills, emotional regulation, and executive functioning using an OT approach. Carefully planned activities are interspersed with opportunities for free play within a structured setting. The daily rhythm “includes circle time, music, games, obstacle courses, arts and crafts, guided learning, snack time, and more.”

Camp and Dates:

  • December 16, 2022, to January 6, 2023
  • Camps are offered in one-week increments.
  • Children do not need to be receiving occupational therapy to participate and do not need to be toilet trained to attend.
  • They infuse Sensory Integration principles, Social Thinking and Zones of Regulation concepts, mindfulness techniques, and Learning Without Tears curriculum into the design of their program.
  • There are no more than four children per group to ensure incredibly individualized attention.
  • Children are carefully matched considering their age, abilities, areas of strength, and areas of stretch.

Age range: 2–6 years old (flexible)

Hours: Morning camp Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Extended day Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m.

Cost: Please contact Bloom Pediatrics for pricing.

Registration: You can [register](mailto:info@bloompediatrics.com?subject=Winter Break Camp) for camp and view current availability online.

Friendship Circle of Los Angeles

Website

1952 S. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 280-0955
Program Director: Miriam Rav-Noy

Type of camp: Winter day camp

Friendship Circle of Los Angeles seeks to serve Jewish youth with disabilities by connecting them with their peers, under the supervision of Jewish teens from the community and the support of their parents, by providing workshops and social events. FCLA offers a number of events and programs throughout the year, including two-week winter day camps, headquartered at their Los Angeles office. They provide a range of social and recreational opportunities through daily local trips and activities.

Camp and Dates:

  • Winter camp dates are still being finalized but will most likely take place during the last two weeks of December.
  • Each camper is partnered with a teen volunteer or buddy. FCLA does not provide a 1:1 aide; however, campers are welcome to attend camp with their own aide present as space allows.

Hours: Camp runs Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and Fridays 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Cost: Cost is still being finalized.

Registration: Prospective campers and their parents can register for FCLA on their website’s registration page. After this general registration, campers will have an intake meeting with the Program Director Miriam Rav-Noy, and an additional application process specifically for the winter camp can begin after that. Priority will be granted to prior camp attendees. Parents can email Miriam Rav-Noy for more information about beginning the process.

Extracurricular Activities, Classes, and Camps

Adrian’s Place Santa Monica

Website

1808 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 581-8101
Info@AdriansPlaceSM.com

Format: In-person classes

Adrian’s Place is a community hub located in Santa Monica offering recreational, social, and academic programs tailored to meet individuals of all abilities. The facility is designed for program directors, activity instructors, tutors, and therapists to use as a convenient location to grow their programs. In addition, they offer parent and sibling support groups throughout each month, workshops, and pop-up classes. Programs currently offered include Basketball, Karate, Gross Motor Fitness, Guitar Lessons, Music/Jam Session, Group Dance Class, Voice/Guitar Lessons, and Yoga. Keep visiting their website as they are adding more programs and workshops.

Dates: Classes are ongoing; see the Newsletter

Location: Santa Monica

Register: Choose a program here.

Cost: Varies depending on program or class.

Ages: Varies by program.

1:1 aide: If an aide is helpful for your child, contact the specific program you are interested in signing up for to discuss further.

Iverbe Day & Sports Camp

Website

9854 National Blvd. #287
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 779-1952
Owner/Director: Marc Weiss

Format: In-person day camp at The Willows in Culver City

The Iverbe Sports Camp Program is designed to give campers the opportunity to experience a variety of different sports and activities in a positive, nurturing environment. Regardless of ability level, campers will receive individual and personal attention to help them achieve their best. Iverbe offers the Winter 2022-23 Day Camp highlighted below as well as sports camps for soccer, football, and baseball.

Dates: Session 1: December 19–23 and Session 2: December 26–30

Age range: Ages 4–13 (grades DK to eighth)

Hours: Hours 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (varies with each camp); extended care hours available

Cost: $430 per week. Lunch is included.

Registration: Register here.

1:1 aide: Yes, 1:1 aides are permitted.

JAG Gymnastics

Website

8640 Hayden Place
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 987-2886
frontoffice@jaggym.com

Format: In-person programs

JAG is accustomed to working with kids from 6 months to 18 years old with varying needs and skills. In addition to teaching gymnastics, their curriculum focuses on playground readiness, general athletic preparation for other sports, and character development. Their character-building program is based on the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

2022 Winter Camp registration is open now; you must register in advance, and space is limited. Pizza is available on a daily basis for an additional $12 per day. All campers should bring a water bottle and any additional food/snacks for their day.

Dates: November 1, 11, 14, 21–23 and December 19-January 6 (weekdays)

Age range: 5 and up

Hours: Full day: 9:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m.

Cost: $198 per day

Registration: Register here.

1:1 aide: Yes, 1:1 aides can accompany a child.

Tumbleweed Winter Day Camp

Website

024 Hanley Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 472-7474
Owner/Director: Andy Kimmelman

Format: In-person day camp

Tumbleweed has been providing a place for kids to explore, play, and be unplugged from technology for more than 65 years. The camp is located on over 100 acres of beautiful space. Winter Camp is just like summer programming “only a little more intimate and a little too cool for swimming. Plus, they have some activities JUST for Winter Camp like America's Next Top Salsa Cooking Competition!”

While they do not offer transportation for Winter Camp, they do have a brand-new shuttle this year. Instead of driving up the camp road or having to cross Sunset at peak times, consider taking the shuttle from Brentwood Science Magnet. The shuttle leaves the school at 9:00 a.m. and will drop off in the evenings at 4:30 p.m.

Dates: Camp will run December 19–January 6, and you can sign up for any or all weeks that you'd like. Registration is by week, Monday to Friday.

Age range: Pre-K to eighth grade

Hours: Camp is generally open 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Cost: $830 per week

Registration: Register here.

1:1 aide: They do often have a handful of campers attending with aides. Tumbleweed shared that it's always individualized; they collaborate with each family as to whether they can meet their child's needs with or without an aide.

Camp Wildfolk Winter 2022

Website

Adat Ari El
12020 Burbank Blvd.
Valley Village, CA 91607
(424) 341-5522
hello818@campwildfolk.com

Format: In-person day programs

Camp Wildfolk Winter programs held at Valley Village create a space for community and connection through activities and group projects. They are thrilled to offer three weeks of winter fun at the Valley campus. There are two camp themes to choose from: Free Range Camp, which is a mini version of their Classic Program, and Mini Adventure Camp. ​​ Dates: December 19, 2022, to January 6, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m. with extended day options available

Ages: Pre-K to fifth grade

Cost: $420 - $565 depending on the camp

Registration: Register here

1:1 aide: The camp is willing to allow a 1:1 aide if the aide is vaccinated. The approval is on a case-by-case basis. Call or email the camp to discuss your situation.

Contents


Overview

Sleepaway Camps and Family Weekends

Education and STEM

Social Skills

Extracurricular Activities, Classes, and Camps

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