School is Out: Dublin’s 2012 Summer Camp Guide

School is out, and your kids gleefully dashed off of the school campus for summer break. But a few days later, as the novelty wears off, you may hear the dreaded question kids have asked for generations: “What’s there to do? I’m bored.”

Fortunately, Dublin saves your sanity with plenty of fun summer camps lined up to entertain your kids and give you time to get things done. These camps fill up fast, so don’t delay!

Animal Camp: Young animal lovers can learn more about animal caretaking and interact with furry friends during a weeklong camp offered through the East Bay SPCA. The camp costs $375 for kids for grades 1 – 3 with session dates offered June 18 – 22, July 9 – 13 and July 23-27. To learn more and register, visit eastbayspca.org.

Tri-Valley YMCA Summer Day Camp: Kids in grades K – 9 can explore science, cool off in the pool, play games and meet new friends during summer camps offered through the Tri-Valley YMCA. Weekly camps cost $169 and run all summer long. View each week’s special theme and register online at trivalley.ymcaeastbay.org.

City-Run Summer Camps: The City of Dublin offers dozens of diverse half-day and full-day camps for kids of all ages. Kids can create culinary masterpieces at “Kids in the Kitchen.” Budding naturalists will “go green” during "Glen the Guide Nature Day Camp." Kids can brush up on sports skills during a variety of sports camps run by Velocity Sports. Young actors will hit the stage during "KinderDrama Camp" while young authors go on an imaginary journey during "Creative Writing Camp." These are just a few of the many camps offered through the city, so be sure to browse the full summer camp guide available as a download on the city's website.

Gymnastics Camp: Your kids can stay active with half-day ($235) and all-day ($285) gymnastics camps offered weekly all summer long through . Young gymnasts will participate in gymnastics and crafts plus enjoy a weekly field trip to the park. Edge Gymnastics also offers two-hour, weeklong dance classes for kids ages 3.5 – 12 for $160 per session. Learn more at edge-gymnastics.com.

Camp Quarry: offers academic and recreational programs for children who have completed Kindergarten through fifth grade. Quarry Lane Summer Academy has summer school classes for middle and high school students who want to remediate, or advance, in subject areas including mathematics, science, language arts, foreign language and ESL. The International Academy ESL Summer Camp, offering summer enrichment for International students.

Other Dublin ideas: Dublin Heritage Park & Museums summer camp.

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Looking for even more ideas? Other Tri-Valley towns are just a few minutes away and offer many fun summer camp options. Try Livermore’s Magic Camp, Pleasanton’s Tri-Valley TV Camp, San Ramon’s Sarah’s Science Camp and Danville’s Camp Galileo, just to name a few.

If registering for a camp isn't your thing and you're looking for an "anytime activity," check out Dublin’s free or inexpensive activities. Swim all day at the for just $2.75 for preschoolers and $3.25 for youth. Swing, slide and make a sand castle at one of Dublin’s dozen public parks. (View a full park list with amenities on the city’s website.)

Escape the heat at one of the library’s many free summer events, ranging from an afternoon magic show to a 4th of July craft. (See the full library calendar on the Dublin Library website.) Top off your day with a free film under the stars during Dublin’s Family Movie nights. (Click here for movie list, dates and locations.)

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