Day Camp

For children entering grades 1-5

Outpost's Day Camp is an old-fashioned, traditional camp experience, in which campers are divided into groups by gender and age, split into 3 smaller groups: Lower Camp (grades K-1), Middle Camp (grades 2-3), and Upper Camp (grades 4-5). Each day is customized by the counselors to ensure that the group-centered experience is unique and memorable for each child. Day Camp includes door-to-door transportation, daily swim time, snack, and fantastic, "only-at-Outpost" activities.

There are three sessions of Day Camp, each three weeks long, offered for Summer 2012:

Each session has three enrollment options:

Specific session fees are on our general information page. The camp day is from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The location is Canyonside Community Park and the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve in Rancho Penasquitos, conveniently located near the intersection of the 15 and 56 freeways.

Children must be at least 5 years of age to attend Day Camp. If you have a 5 year old entering Kindergarten, Pre Camp is designed for your child. If you have a 5 year old entering 1st grade who has completed Kindergarten, he/she is eligible for our Day Camp program. If you have questions about your 5 year old's appropriateness for either of our camps, please contact us.

PROGRAM
A typical day begins with the 15-passenger Outpost van arriving at your house between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. Our Senior Counselors/Drivers greet each child, and campers sing songs and play games with the Junior Counselors on the van until they arrive at camp. Campers from all groups then meet at the logs for our morning game of "Blitz" - our traditional opening activity. Blitz is full of songs, skits and other activities that both entertain the children and generate excitement for the camp day.

Campers are then each called up by their senior counselor into a small group of children of the same age, with whom they will spend the entire session. Outpost is a "group centered" camp - meaning that our campers have the same counselor and peer group for the duration of each three-week camp session. Group centered camping gives children the best opportunity to experience the powerful feeling of belonging, make and keep new friendships, and connect with their counselors.

We then begin daily camp activities, all of which are age-appropriate games, hikes, and crafts determined by their counselors to customize the activities for what the group really likes to do. Each group also gets to create a "fort" in the adjacent nature preserve, where they can enjoy imaginary adventures, play games, and eat lunch. We swim each day at the local pool.

At the end of the day, groups often prepare a skit or song for the afternoon campfire, and enjoy snack and daily theme activities, or take a splash in a mud pit! Our staff esnure that activities alternate between very active and quietly passive - helping each camper navigate the day more successfully. At the end of the day, there is an all-group campfire followed by the van ride home.

We invite you and your child to read about a typical day in our Day Camp program, check out the stories and videos on our 10 year anniversary My Outpost Story page, and/or read some testimonials.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Our Door-to-Door transportation service (included in the fee) provides pickup and drop off for your campers between 8:00AM and 9:00AM and 4:00PM to 5:00PM. You will be given a more specific 10-minute window for drop off and pick up on the Saturday before each session (ex: 8:10-8:20 AM and 4:40-4:50 PM). Specific transportation route times are determined by your child's position in relation to the other campers on their route. Also included in the camp fees are two Outpost Camp t-shirts, a group picture, punch at lunch time, afternoon snack, and all crafts and activities. Campers need to wear closed-toe shoes and bring a sack lunch. Our Camp Directors carefully review the medical history and any special needs of each of our campers and works closely with parents to ease first day jitters and make Outpost a successful camp experience for each child!

OPEN HOUSE
Prior to each session, we hold a Day Camp Open House. This is a great opportunity for parents and campers to see the camp, meet the counselors, and experience some of the activities in preparation for their first day of camp. Open Houses are held the Saturday before the start of each session from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. It is a drop-by event, so parents and campers can stop by any time during the 2 hour window. Open House dates for 2012 are June 16, July 7, and July 28.

For more on our philosophy, along with specific dates, fees and other general information, click on the NEXT link below. If you have additional questions about our Day Camp program, check out our frequently asked questions, and/or contact our office staff.

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