Located in Camarillo, Musicians Camp (Creative Arts Music Project) provides music instruction ih all styles of music for acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, drum set, piano, rhythm, drum and music circles, applied music theory, and live rock band. Music genres covered for live stage performances as well as songwriting and composition include pop, Latin, classic rock, jazz, Latin jazz, funk, R & B, soul, hip-hop, blues, alternative, country and more.
Instruction is taught in private, one-on-one courses for all instruments as well as in-group and full band situations. For more information, visit www.musicianscamp-camarillo.com.
The five acre Ventura BMX opened in December 2012 at Ventura Community Park, 901 S. Kimball Road, (corner of Telephone/Kimball Roads), just southwest of the Ventura Aquatic Center.
The track is open Mondays and Thursdays 5-7PM and Saturdays 9AM-1PM. Riders of all ages and skill levels are welcome. $10 racing & practice, $5 practice only (as of July 2014).
Ventura BMX offers a fun and exciting alternative to traditional sports, with the chance to develop potential future Olympic athletes, all the while ensuring safety and honoring the environment. Unlike some other stick-and-ball or aquatic sports, BMX racing is one of the safest sports on record and, unlike motorized racing, BMX racing is relatively quiet and non-polluting, with very minimal environmental impact.
Visit venturabmx.org or call 805.229.1269 to learn more.
Bicycle Motocross, or BMX, is an Olympic sport and one of the most popular action sports around. Started in the early 1970s in California, BMX now is a $2 billion industry with a formal sanctioning body/league (USA-BMX, formerly known as the American Bicycle Association or ABA-BMX). USA-BMX is over 70,000 members strong and sanctions over 380 tracks across North America. For more information, visit www.ababmx.com.
California Heat Volleyball Club is a member of the Southern California Volleyball Association and is located in Camarillo in its own private facility at 300 S. Lewis Road, Unit D. The club has 10 teams and provides developmental programs, private/group training, summer programs and more.
The club is open to girls ages 12 to 18. CHVC's goal is to train volleyball players to achieve their greatest potential as an individual and as a team player. For more information, visit www.californiaheatvbc.com or call 805.657.6700.
Hummy's Play World on the 2nd floor of the Pacific View Mall(next to Dairy Queen) in Ventura is a drop off center that allows shoppers to check in their children ages 3 -10 for as little as 15 minutes up to 2 hours.
It's a great place for kids to make new friends in a safe, clean and supervised playground. Hummy's charges $4 for every 15 minutes Monday through Friday, $7 for every 30 minutes on Saturdays and $13 per hour on Sundays (pricing current as of July 2014). Visit www.hummysplayworld.com for more information or call 805.504.6255.
KidCloud is a supervised play space located on the 2nd floor of The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks on west side of the mall near Macy's Women and Kids' store. KidCloud accepts kids ages 2 to 10 at an hourly rate while parents go shopping!
The space opened in July 2014. I stopped by and the place is huge and very clean. Your kids can enjoy a ball pit, building blocks, smaller play structures/slides, video games, arts and crafts and more.
Employees are fully screened and certified and no reservation is required. Pricing is $15/hour for one kid, $12/hr per kid for 2 kids and $10/hr per kid for 3 or more kids. Super friendly staff in my limited interaction over the phone and in person!
One other unique feature of KidCloud is access to a live video feed they give you access to on your smartphone if you want to occasionally observe while trying on shoes at Nordstrom or fingering iPads at the Apple Store.
Studio 316 is a fine art school & studio located at 2697 Lavery Ct, Unit 6, Newbury Park (new location effective 7/14/14). Studio 316's founder has instructed fine art to children, teens and adults at over 12 studios prior to going out on his own.
Building a comfortable environment for the students here has been a goal from the very beginning. After having taught in both loose and regimented programs, Studio 316 offers its students more freedom to choose in their artistic direction, but not to their detriment either. While students may choose a medium and subject matter to explore and create, Studio 316 stresses the basics in drawing, tone and color at the same time.
Currently Studio 316 instructs drawing and painting to children ages eight +, teens, and adults. Mediums covered but not limited to are; graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.
For more information, visit www.studio-316.com or call 805.496.9316. FREE introductory lessons are available.
United States Youth Volleyball League has leagues in cities throughout Ventura County. We are a youth nonprofit recreational volleyball league designed to help spread the excitement of volleyball to all boys and girls ages 7-15.
The 8-week league runs from September to November of each year in Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks as well as in Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Moorpark and Simi Valley.
These are non-competitive leagues and no standings are kept. We have 1 midweek practice and Saturday morning games. Our philosophy is “Every Child Plays” and we provide an instructional league where children learn to play in a safe, fun and supervised environment. At USYVL “Volleyball Starts Here."
Visit www.usyvl.org or call 888-988-7985 to find the location nearest you.
Children's Music Academy provides music lessons and classes for kids ages 3 to 10. Your child will be taught the following basic courses: singing, harmony, rhythm, note reading, ear training, composition, ensemble playing, recorder and guitar.
The Boys & Girls Club of Ventura serves more than 3,000 children ages 6 to 18 each year, many of them from disadvantaged circumstances. The numbers keep growing, but with the ongoing community support, Ventura's children will continue to have a safe, friendly and educational place where they can have fun, learn, play and grow. The Club's mission is to provide a positive place for all youth, and quality programs to help them become healthy, responsible, confident and productive members of our community.
Locations at:
Bill LeFevre Center (1929 Johnson Dr., Ventura) 641-5599 Robert Addison Center (1440 N. Olive St., Ventura) 641-5588 Westview Center (234 W. Vince St., Ventura) 641-0523 Oak View Center (555 Mahoney Ave., Oak View) 649-9000 E.J. Harrison Youth Center (11321 Violeta St., Ventura) 641-5599
Founded in 1989, the Westlake Braves Youth Football and Cheer plays at Westlake High School The football field is located at the corner of Thousand Oaks Blvd and N. Via Merida. For ages 5 to 15. For more information visit www.westlakebraves.com.
Divisions are as follows:
Mighty Mite 6 TO 8 year old boys 6 yr olds - no weight limit 7 yr olds - no weight limit 8 yr olds - max 70lbs
Teams will be limited in size to insure everyone gets ample playing time. The Mighty Mites play a shortened season with shortened practices. Games will be played on an 80 yard field. Our goal is to introduce younger kids to tackle football, teach them some basic techniques and most of all...HAVE FUN!
Bantam 7 to 10 year old boys 8 year olds: up to 105 lbs 9 year olds: up to 100 lbs 10 year olds:up to 75 lbs
Junior 9 to 11 year old boys 9 year olds: up to 130 lbs 10 year olds: up to 120 lbs 11 year olds: up to 110 lbs
Junior 1 10 to 12 year old boys 10 year olds: up to 140 lbs 11 year olds: up to 130 lbs 12 year olds: up to 110 lbs
Junior 2 11 to 13 year old boys 11 year olds: up to 150 lbs 12 year olds: up to 140 lbs 13 year olds: up to 120 lbs
Seniors 12 to 14 year old boys 12 year olds: up to 200 lbs 13 year olds: up to 190 lbs 14 year olds: up to 185 lbs
Located at 3700 Avenida Simi in Simi Valley, Rancho Tapo Community Park is hidden away north of the 118 freeway between Sequoia Avenue and Tapo Canyon Road. The park has something for everyone, including several play areas, splash pad, covered area for gatherings, nicely appointed fitness circut area, playfields, basketball and a peaceful Veterans' Plaza with pond in memory those who have served. Best of all, this is a very flat park with a nice, 1/2 mile walking path that the kids enjoy riding their scooters on. We like this park! Visit www.rsrpd.org/park/rtcp/rtcp.html for more information.
Michaels Stores has a Kids Club on Saturday from 10am to 11:30am. For $2 your child has 30 minutes to exercise their creative energies while you shop. Visit www.michaels.com/kidsclub for details. Generally for ages 3 and up.
Michaels also hosts birthday parties! Birthday parties at Michael's are perfect for the kid who loves arts and crafts, and the parents who love enjoying the party and leaving the set-up, clean-up, worry and stress to someone else! We will even take care of the invitations and thank you notes!
After you have scheduled your party date, we start by walking you through the store so you can pick out your custom project, tailored to your child's special interests, hobbies or personal talents. Once you have purchased them, we will keep them in the store so that we can prepare them for your party. You can also buy goody bag items that we will put together for your party guests as well!
We provide the comfortable room for your party, and fun enthusiastic staff to set everything up, lead the craft activity, help out with the rest of the party, and do all of the clean up. You just bring whatever refreshments and birthdays treats you like (including plates, forks, candles, etc.) and decorations, sit back, and watch your child enjoy being the birthday star!
Local area Michaels stores in Moorpark (805.552.9140), Westlake Village (818.707.0013) and Camarillo (805.388.5001). www.michaels.com
The Camarillo Public Library is located at 4101 Las Posas Road. This is a beautiful, nearly 66,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility that opened in March 2007.
The library is a two-story building with a bookstore, the Rare Blends Cafe in the front courtyard (805.445.4800) adult literacy facility, community room (capacity of 130 to 200), conference room, technology lab and study rooms.
The kids section is quite large with a cool pirate-themed kids area. The library is open 7 days a week, currently (as of May 2014) 10am to 9pm Monday thru Thursday and 10am to 5pm Friday thru Sunday.
In addition to materials at the library, your library card gives you access to the Camarillo Digital Library with hundreds of eBooks and Audio Books available on the library's website. The eBooks can be read in numerous formats, including computers, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, etc. Definitely worth checking out!
The Camarillo Art Center is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization which promotes interest in a broad range of visual art forms. The CAC maintains an art gallery for local artists and art students to present their work to the public. CAC also develops various programs, sponsors classes and houses an art library to foster art education.
Breaking thru Barriers is a mentor program for teens and adults to learn to become social models for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Breaking thru Barriers is structured social environment for teens and young adults with and without ASD to develop friendships and social networks. Our goal is to provide structured social opportunities with peer mediated groups. Teens from local high schools and colleges interested in being peer mentors are able to develop relationships with local persons with ASD. It is our hope that these friendships will support young adults in the community and open additional social opportunities with new friends.
BREAKING THRU BARRIERS ANNOUNCES: A NEW SOCIAL HANGOUT FOR TEENS AND ADULTS WITH ASD. Registration now open. Meets Tues-Thurs, 6-8pm. Visit www.breakingthrubarriers.org to learn more and sign up. Located in Newbury Park.
Casitas Water Adventure is a water park at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area that is open throughout the summer, generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
There are two distinct areas. For younger children, there is a multi-level jungle gym with waterfalls, bridges and slides in a lagoon with water up to 18" deep.
The 1,200 foot long Lazy River offers a cool water ride on inner tubes along a scenic waterway featuring waterfalls, fog filled bridges and jet sprays. The inner tubes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but usually there are plenty of them on hand.
The 1,200 foot long lazy river at Casitas Water Adventure is my kids' favorite.
For the very youngest tots, a zero-depth pool sprays water from all angles, providing a safe, fun play area.
Shaded decks, lounge chairs, showers, restrooms and a snack bar are available, but food is not allowed inside the park (though you can bring bottled water). Certified lifeguards are on hand at all times and life jackets are available at no extra charge while supplies last. Locker rentals are available for a nominal fee.
Do take note that they don't heat the water here. It is a bit on the cold side for many, though on hot days this is a good thing.
Lake Casitas Recreation Area is located at 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. Take Highway 33 from Ventura towards Ojai, make a left turn on Santa Ana Blvd, then a right on Santa Ana Road 3 or 4 miles to the park entrance. Visit www.casitaswater.org/lower.php?url=water-adventure for more information, including operating schedule/hours and prices or call 805.649.2233.
For summer 2014, operating hours are Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday/Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pricing is $12 per person (free for under 12 months), $22 for a 2 consecutive day pass and $65 for a full-season pass. They offer "late day" passes for $5 (subject to cancellation) during the last 2 hours of operation each day. Casitas Water Adventure is open generally from late May through Labor Day weekend, so take advantage during the summer months!
Parking inside Lake Casitas is $15 on weekends ($10 on weekdays) and entrance into the water park is There is parking available on Santa Ana Road but we opted to park in the adjacent lot for $15.
My kids particularly enjoy the Lazy River. There are some shady areas but do bring plenty of sunscreen as the sun beats down pretty hard out there. The water playground is definitely geared towards younger kids, with a large assortment of slides, water spouts and fun. My boys seemed to quickly get bored in there around age 7-8, but they continue to enjoy the lagoon, which propels you round and round in a gentle current.
Scooter’s Jungle Simi Valley is a 12,000 square foot facility located at 2250 Union Place, Unit B with huge, custom-made inflatable jumpers and permanent structures that include the tallest and longest indoor inflatable slide. The play equipment is right-sized for kids andparents to play. The facility opened its doors in December 2012.
Features both open play and private events, including birthday parties, fundraisers and team gatherings. Free table games and a DJ‑quality music system also in place.
We visited Scooter's Jungle for the first time in February 2013 during an "open play" session. There are 3 slides, one of which I tried, and it was quite fast! There are 4 different bounce houses, including 2 with mini-obstacles and a fun mini zip line, and a 4th, larger bouncer with basketball hoops in it. There is also an extra large climbing play area and two ping pong tables. Everyone was having a blast!
One of 3 massive indoor slides at Scooter's Jungle Simi ValleyFun on the zip lineThe massive climbing play area (this photo does not do it justice...it's huge)I did this slide several times. Fun!
We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym at 30315 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills opened to the public in November 2013. Open 7 days a week, 9am to 6pm for open play, birthday parties, break time, Summer/Winter/Spring Camp, and more.
The gym provides children from infant to age 13 with a fun and motivational environment to help them with strength, movement, vestibular development, sensory processing, communication and social interactions.
Activities at the gym include: zip line, full sized trampoline, rope wall, slide, monkey bars, swings, tunnels, sensory-based toys, motor play toys and equipment, arts and crafts area and more.
Founded in 1989, Simi Valley Batting Cages and Pro Shop offers full service batting cages with baseball, slow pitch and fast pitch softball, hardball/softball instruction and equipment. Indoor/outdoor facility. Located at 2019 Donville Avenue, Simi Valley. Open weekdays noon to 9pm and weekends 10am to 8pm.
Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center is located at 1030 Temple Avenue, Camarillo. The center has the distinction of being the only indoor public swimming pool in Ventura County. The pool has eight 25 yard lanes, a one-meter diving board and 65 foot spiral water slide, outdoor splash zone, outdoor patio and party area and locker rooms with full amenities. The pool is heated to about 83 degrees.
The Aquatic Center offers a wide variety of year round programs consisting of lap swimming, water aerobics, cardio sculpt, swimming lessons, diving lessons, water polo classes, parent and child classes, adult only swimming lessons, therapeutic swimming, lifeguard certification classes, special events and more.
The Aquatic Center is also available for rent, offering a variety of all inclusive party packages, or an hourly rental rate for your special celebration, fundraiser or competition.
As of May 2014, single entry fees into the facility are $3 for ages 4+, $2.50 for ages 60+ and free for 3 and under.
The Aquatic Center is surrounded by 13 acre Bob Kildee Park, featuring picnic tables, play equipment, restrooms, basketball courts, tennis courts, lighted ball fields, a soccer field and the Pleasant Valley Skate Park.
Friday, August 1, 2014 at 08:24PM 
Located in Camarillo, Musicians Camp (Creative Arts Music Project) provides music instruction ih all styles of music for acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, drum set, piano, rhythm, drum and music circles, applied music theory, and live rock band. Music genres covered for live stage performances as well as songwriting and composition include pop, Latin, classic rock, jazz, Latin jazz, funk, R & B, soul, hip-hop, blues, alternative, country and more.
