Barnes & Noble bookstores offer up some great storytimes for kids at designated times. Below is information about local B&N stores in Ventura County and nearby areas.
Toddler Story Time at the Ventura Gateway, 4820 Telephone Road, Barnes & Noble location is on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. In addition, Family Fun Night storytime takes place on Friday nights at 7 p.m. For more information and upcoming events, call 805.339.0990 or visit store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2054.
The objective at Brazil Skilz Soccer Academy is to bring the techniques and skills of the Brazilian and South American style of training and playing - a system that has produced some of the world's greatest soccer players and teams to America, to help improve the way the game is taught and played in this country.
Brazil Skilz Soccer Academy offers small group instruction for an affordable price. Coach Nando teaches each student proper ball handling skills, dribbling, passing, shooting, defending and the rules of the game. Coach Nando helps each student devlop the proper skills so that each student has confidence in his or her abilities, which raises their self confidence and self esteem.
The United Track Club practices at Westlake High School. Age groups include Gremlin (Ages 7-8), Bantam (Ages 9-10), Midget (Ages 11-12), Youth (Ages 13-14) and Intermediate (Ages 15-16).
Since 1970, the Conejo Youth Flag Football Association has been committed to coaching all participants in the fundamentals of competitive football in a safe, instructional and positive environment. We believe that every player should be able to learn the game and have fun!
For kids ages 6 to 17. Scrim division for ages 6 to 7, Bantam division for 8 to 9 1/2, Junior division for 9 1/2 to 10, Senior division for 11 to 13 and recently formed teenage passing division for ages 14 to 17. Signups in April. More information at www.cyffa.com.
The Academy of Dance Westlake Village is a full service dance studio offering classes in jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, tap and more. Classes and training for both kids and adults available! Located at 5700 Corsa Avenue, #106, Westlake Village. For more information visit www.academyofdancewestlake.com or call 818.889.1515.
The Westlake Volleyball Club for girls develops female athletes ages 10-18 in the Conejo Valley. The club is committed to keeping and retaining the best talent in the area, through exceptional coaching, communication, organization, integrity, honesty, character, and the desire to be the best.
The Westlake Volleyball Club for boys develosp young men to become the best volleyball players they are capable of becoming; making them capable of taking their game play to the next level, whether it be middle school, high school JV or Varsity, or college level. The goal is not to just develop their skills on the volleyball court, but also to develop them into positive, responsible young athletes ready to take on the world with essential life skills revolving around a solid work ethic, self-discipline and to learn that hard work eventually pays off in whatever life's challenges may bring them.
The Conejo Recreation and Park District maintains over 4 dozen parks in the Conejo Valley. These parks contain over 20 tennis courts, close to 30 basketball courts, dozens of softball/soccer fields, nearly 150 swing sets, around 100 slides, dozens and dozens of play structures and jungle gym equipment and countless other fun things for the kids.
Some observations below based on personal experiences:
Peppertree Playfieldshas multiple playing fields for soccer, baseball, etc. and is a popular spot for locl team sports. It has 4 restrooms and is a nicely maintained park. It has a decent sized play area and the smaller kids' play area was updated in the latter part of 2008).
Conejo Creek Park - North in Thousand Oaks behind the Thousand Oaks Library is easily my kids' favorite park. It is large, has nicely appointed play areas, plenty of restrooms and parking and a large duck pond with a 720 foot creek joining them. This park is officially known as "The Ducky Park" in our household. The playground also has a NEOS, an interactive, electronic game with flashing lights, music and sound effects.
If you are a duck fan, Conejo Creek Park - North will not disappoint you. There are more Ducks per square foot here than the Anaheim Ducks locker room!
Borchard Community Park in Newbury Park (Reino Road and Borchard Road) is another large park with multiple playing fields, restrooms, separate play areas for older and younger kids that are quite interesting and nicely updated, tennis courts and a community center where hundreds and hundreds of CRPD classes are held each year. This is truly a community park with a large diversity of activities taking place year-round. Adjacent to Newbury Park High School.
Dos Vientos Community Park in Newbury Park (4801 Borchard Road) is also a large park that is relatively new, has multiple restrooms, numerous playing fields, separate play areas for large and small kids, a large, covered picnic table and BBQ area, lots of parking and is another active community hub with hundreds of CRPD classes taking place each year.
Thousand Oaks Community Park (2525 N. Moorpark Road) is a large park that holds numerous annual CRPD events (such as the extremely popular "Touch-a-Truck" event near Father's Day, Halloween events, etc.) and hundreds of CRPD community classes. Nice playground there too. Adjacent to Thousand Oaks High School.
Conejo Creek South Playfields in Thousand Oaks (1300 E. Janss) is primarily used for team/league sports, both day and night. However, other events often take place there, such as Conejo Valley Days, Circus Vargas and various CRPD community events like an annual Easter egg hunt.
Conejo Community Park in Thousand Oaks (Dover and Hendrix) is a nicely sized park that is well known in the summer for the CRPD free summer concert series...that alone makes this one of my favorite parks as it is a perfect venue for outdoor summer concerts on the grass. In November 2008 a brand new $550K play area was completed between the community center and the Botanic Garden. It includes a rock and rope climbing area and a skateboard "simulator" for 5 to 12 year olds, along with a separate play area for the younger set.
Rancho Conejo Playfields on North Ventu Park Road in Newbury Park has a large expanse of grass for soccer games and a baseball diamond. There is a fun kids area there and 2 restrooms. Parking lot is fairly small. A fun place for the kids to run around. Not a lot of fully grown trees at this park.
Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks (1600 Marview Drive) is hidden away off of Erbes Road in Thousand Oaks. Kind of a quiet, low key, fairly undeveloped park that is geared towards the local neighborhood and younger children.
Banyan Parkin Newbury Park (3571 Erinlea Ave) is a small neighborhood park with 2 restrooms, small covered picnic area and a kids playground area.
Newbury Gateway Park in Newbury Park (2250 Michael Drive) is a small neighborhood park with no restrooms and a play area. There really isn't any parking other than across the street at the shopping center. Park at Lamppost Pizza, eat and burn some calories off afterwards.
Spring Meadow Park in Thousand Oaks (3282 Spring Meadow) is close to Cal Lutheran University and is a smaller neighborhood park with limited facilities.
Stagecoach Inn Park in Newbury Park (51 S. Ventu Park Road) is a relatively small park with no restrooms and a small kids play area. It is adjacent to the Stagecoach Inn Museum and parking is fairly limited.
Waverly Park in Thousand Oaks (1300 Avenida de las Flores) is a fairly small, older park geared towards local residents. If you like to run, this park is popular for the local cross country crowd (particularly TOHS).
Wildflower Playfield in Thousand Oaks is located on Avenida de los Arboles at Canna Street, west of Lynn Road. It has 19 acres, tons of grassy area for soccer and baseball, a nice playground area, 4 tennis courts, a basketball court, restrooms and more. Some unique looking playground equipment at Wildflower (see below).
The newest park in the Conejo Valley as of January 2013 is the 26 acre Del Prado Playfield in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. Click the link for more information.
Founded in 1980 and located at 4643 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake VillageLet's Get Cookin' is a culinary school that trains both professional chefs and the rest of us looking to learn how to cook. Let's Get Cookin' is also home of the Westlake Culinary Institute.
Classes for all ages, including adults, child/parent classes, teens and summer camps
Let's Get Cookin' also offers up children's birthday parties, designed for children ages 7 and up. Each birthday child picks three to four of their favorite recipes and participation by all guests is encouraged.
Amateur Baseball Development Group (ABDG) is a non-profit organization founded in the summer of 2004 by Mike Scioscia, Kevin Muno and Randy Riley. ABDG's Mission is to raise funds to help local Southern California high school baseball programs, and to organize leagues and teams for boys ages 14-21. All the proceeds of ABDG go to supporting amateur baseball players in Southern California.
ABDG Sponsored Leagues Senior Minor - A league organized for high school students 14-17 years of age who are not on their respective high school teams, but want to continue playing ball. The team plays at Conejo Creek Ballpark March through May.
Senior Majors - A summer league for Freshman and JV players organized through the high schools for a competitive summer league. Qualified Little League all star teams can compete in the Senior League World Series held each year in Bangor, Maine. All teams are formed through local high schools and interested players should contact their high school varsity baseball coach. The League plays at Conejo Creek Ball Park and high school fields throughout the area May through July.
Big League - A summer league with teams of 16-18 year olds assembled to compete in the Big League Division. This league plays at Conejo Creek Ballpark June through July with the opportunity to compete for the All Star Team that can earn the chance to compete in the Nationally known Big League World Series in Easley, South Carolina.
ABDG Sponsored Teams
Conejo Oaks 16U Championships Team (formally know as the Junior Olympic Team) - A club team organized for players from 14-16 years old to compete in the 16U Championships the last week in June in Arizona with the opportuinty to tryout for the USA Baseball Youth National Team.
Conejo Oaks Connie Mack Team - A summer league for high school Junior and Seniors who have the ability and desire to play at the collegiate level. The league gets exposure to college scouts for recruiting purposes. For more information go to Connie Mack League.
Conejo Valley Little League (CVLL) is a chartered member of Little League Baseball. Since 1963, CVLL has been a youth sports resource for boys and girls aged from 4 to 18 years. The league has eight age-grouped divisions plus a Challenger Division for mentally and physically handicapped players. In all, a typical Spring season will include about 450 players and 100 volunteers. Practices begin in February and the playing season runs from early March to mid June. A Fall Ball season runs from September through November.
CVLL produced the United States Champions in the 2004 Little League World Series. A few of those same players were part of the CVLL team that won the 2010 United States Big League Championship for players of age 18 and under!
The playing divisions and age groups of CVLL are:
Challenger Division - The Challenger Division is a unique program for mentally and/or physically challenged youth aged 5 thru high school age which allows the enjoyment of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities.
Peanut Division (Ages 4 - 6) – Little League rules require that all 4, 5 & 6 year olds play in the Peanut Division, which does not allow pitching. The Peanut Division is strictly instructional and non-competitive, providing a fun environment that introduces players to the fundamentals of the game. There are no tryouts and players are assigned to teams by the CVLL Player Agent.
Minor International Division (Ages 7 & 8) – All 7 year old players and some 8 year olds will be assigned to this division, in which pitching is introduced. This division is also non-competitive in that no standings are kept. Players are assigned to teams by the Player Agent.
Minor National Division (Ages 8 & 9) – This is a developmental division which introduces players to more advanced techniques involving baserunning, fielding and pitching. Players are drafted onto teams after participating in tryouts. This is a player’s first exposure to a competitive division.
Minor American Division (Ages 9 – 12) – This division includes players aged 10 to 12 not drafted into the Majors, and enough 9 year olds to fill out the league. This division provides these players an opportunity to expand their skills by incorporating more advanced parts of the game such as base stealing and bunting. Players are drafted onto teams after participating in tryouts. Players aged 12 are not allowed to pitch. Players in this division may be drafted up to the Major Division during the regular season to fill a vacancy.
Major Division (Ages 10 – 12) – The Majors consists of experienced 10, 11 and 12 year old players participating in a highly skilled division. Managers stress sound fundamentals in all aspects of the game. Players are drafted onto teams after participating in tryouts.
Junior Division (Ages 13 & 14) – All 13 year olds and some 14 year olds participate in this division, which features lead offs, pick offs and a larger field. The division consists of CVLL teams and teams from other nearby leagues. Players are drafted onto teams after participating in tryouts.
Senior Division (Ages 14 – 16) – All 15 and 16 year olds and some 14 year olds participate in this division, which is played on a regulation size field. The division will consist of CVLL teams combined with teams from nearby leagues. Players are drafted onto teams after participating in tryouts.
Big League (Ages 16 – 18) – Big League teams are formed based on registration and the level of interest of players, coaches and managers. Big League teams play interleague with other District 13 teams.
Click the image below for YMCA locations throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Camarillo, Ventura, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village.
The Sweet CherryIt Yummy Treats Truck is a personal ice cream/treats service for parties, events and more. Life is better served with a cherry on top!
Formerly called The Sweet Ride, The Sweet CherryIt was completely updated in the summer of 2011 by the Ward family of Newbury Park and is now the most eye-catching ice catching vehicle in the Conejo Valley! This awesome ice cream truck can be hired for birthday parties, family celebrations, community/corporate events...anything and everything...and is guaranteed to bring a nostalgic smile to your face!
You may even see The Sweet CherryIt cruising through YOUR neighborhood one of these days! Be on the lookout!
The Sweet CherryIt offers a variety of frozen treats like popsicles, ice cream bars, malts and the like as well as other candies and drinks. However, sugar-free and gluten-free treats can also be brought upon request.
For more information and to make your next birthday party an event to remember, visit www.thesweetcherryit.com or call 805.480.0890. The Sweet CherryIt serves the entire Conejo Valley, from Agoura Hills to Newbury Park; however, events outside the Conejo Valley can also be booked for a very reasonable travel fee! Facebook Page.
Learn to swim in 8 days, GUARANTEED at Connect the Dots Swim! Thousands of first-time swimmers taught to swim within 8 days over the past 20 years. Also teaching intermediate, advanced, Swim Team prep, and adults.
You get:
* Private, one-on-one lessons taught in a warm, private pool in Westlake Village / Thousand Oaks
*A guarantee for first-time swimmers ages 3 and older
See what beginning swimmers learn at Connect the Dots Swim:
Blank Canvas opened its doors in November 2011. Located at 3649 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Westlake Village, Blank Canvas provides after school art classes, canvas get-together events, custom birthday parties for ages 4 and up, summer enrichment camps and more. For more information, visit www.paintblankcanvas.com or call 805.497.1600.
Rising Stars Tennis specializes in teaching tennis to children at locations in the Conejo Valley. The owner has over 20 years of experience teaching tennis to children and has received the USPTA Little Tennis Award for her teaching excellence. Visit www.risingstarstenniskids.com or call 805.495.2220 for more information.
Talent Lab is a production facility located at 2282 Townsgate, #4, Westlake Village that is an open environment for dance and aerial arts training. Talent Lab is home to production companies related to live specialty show development, including Revelations contemporary dance and aerial arts company.
Talent Lab creative dance classes introduce young children (ages 3+) to music, movement and dance with an emphasis on developing motor skills, rhythm, creativity and confidence. Students will be exposed to basic song and dance skills with an intro to ballet, tap and jazz. They also have an intensive dance program geared towards highly motivated students.
CReATE STUDIO in Westlake Village is a welcoming, walk in, help yourself art studio geared toward creative exploration using a varied array of recycled, artistic and crafty materials. All ages can create treasured masterpieces using many interesting and everyday household materials to build, tape, glue, paint and invent! No two creations are alike. Stop in and enjoy the fun!
CReATE STUDIO birthday parties practically take care of themselves! Party guests enjoy 2 hours of creative fun using the many artistic materials available and take all their creations home! Add a “CReATE Kit” personalized party favor by TANYA'S TREASURES to keep creative fun lasting long after the party done! Outside food and drink welcome. Contact createstudiofun@gmail.com with inquiries.
Founded in 1961, the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestras enroll over 250 student musicians ages 5 to 21 in its programs. Orchestras rehearse weekly from September through June in Westlake Village.
There are 3 levels of orchestras: Conejo Valley Youth Strings (entry level), Conejo Valley Prepratory Youth Orchestra (intermediate orchestra that also includes brass, woodwinds and percussion) and Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra (advanced). Each group includes up to 100 musicians. In addition to the Orchestras, CVYO offers opportunities to students with a Harp Ensemble, a Brass Quintet, a Percussion Ensemble, and a Chamber Ensemble. Concerts are held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. More information at www.cvyo.com or call 805.523.8045.
Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 10:05AM 
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