Q. How old should my child be to participate?(Back to top)
A. Campers must be entering grades 1-7 next year. However, maturity and interest level are often better indicators than age as to whether or not our camp is appropriate for your child. We've had 7 & 8 yr olds who were still too young. We've also had campers who, at the ripe old age of 11, were "too old" for the camp.
___ In general, our youngest campers should have a good attention span, get along well with peers, demonstrate interest in playing team sports, love active, physical play, and understand the basic concept of "team" and working together to achieve a common team goal.
___ Our oldest campers (currently in grades 5-6) should come with a strong athletic background, especially in the major team sports. They should still be kids at heart who love to participate and play hard, be social, enthusiastic and energetic.

Q. Can I choose the sports I want to play?(Back to top)
A. No. There ARE sports camps out there that are structured to allow for that choice. Ours does not. At our camp each group is scheduled to play certain sports and games at certain times. The entire group plays those scheduled sports (with the exception of swimming which is always optional). During lunchtime free play campers are given many activity choices and may participate in any, all, or none of them.)

Q. Do I have to play a sport I don't like?(Back to top)
A. We do not force any camper to play. However, we also do not provide an alternative (with the exception of swimming). Non-participating campers sit in the shade and watch. We will encourage you to participate in the all the activities. You may not like the sport because you're not good at it. The only way to get better is to play and practice it!

Q. If I have friends at camp, will I be in the same group with them?(Back to top)
A. Probably. Occasionally a large group of friends is split up due to space restrictions in each camp group. If you specified a particular best friend you wanted to be with you will most likely be placed with that friend. However, if you sign up late for camp and your best friend was in a group that was already full then, unfortunately, you would not be placed in the same group with that friend.

Q. Do I have to wear my camp t-shirt* to camp?(Back to top)
A. No, not daily, but we ask that all campers wear it on Fridays (Field Trips and Fantastic Fridays).
* Note: Camp t-shirts are free and handed out during the first week of camp

Q. Will I have the same counselor and junior counselor everyday I come to camp?(Back to top)
A. Yes. However, if you come both sessions it's possible that you might get a different/new counselor and/or junior counselor for Session Two.

Q. What if I miss a day. Should I call and notify the camp?(Back to top)
A. Please call the camp office 650-492-9695 or send us an email, dsclosaltos@sbcglobal.net and let us know you will be absent.

Q. If I miss a day can I make it up on any day?(Back to top)
A. Sorry. We do not offer makeup days.

Q. Do we play all the sports even on really hot days?(Back to top)
A. The counselors change many of the games during heat waves. You will play in the shade or indoors and also use water in lots of the games the counselors create especially for hot days. That way you'll stay cool.

Q. What if it rains? Will we still have camp?(Back to top)
A. Yes. We play in the multi-use room and under protected areas, play bingo, board games, foosball, ping-pong, etc.

Q. Can I ever bring a friend to camp for a day?(Back to top)
A. Probably not because the camp will very likely be full. If it's extremely important to you, call the camp business office. We might be able to make a special arrangement (daily fee would apply).

Q. I understand that the last Friday of each 4 week session culminates in an awards ceremony for all the campers. If I am not scheduled to attend that last Friday of the session will I receive any award?(Back to top)
A. Yes. If you only attended the first two weeks of the session we will make a small presentation to you on your last day. If you attended 4 days a week (MTWTh) for the entire session your parents can either sign you up to attend that last Friday for an extra fee OR, you can show up just for the awards ceremony (the last half hour of the day) free of charge. If you are unable to attend for any reason we will mail you your certificate, photos, and ribbons.

Q. I'm afraid I won't get any awards at the end of the session because I'm not good at sports. Will I be good enough to earn an award?(Back to top)
A. All campers receive awards. Ability is not rewarded. Your effort, improvement, enthusiastic participation and interest will earn you your awards.

Q. Do I have to go swimming?(Back to top)
A. No. Swimming is always optional. The campers who don't want to swim will stay onsite and play small group organized/supervised games.

Q. Will we spend the entire day at the campsite or do we ever go elsewhere?(Back to top)
A. Campers entering grades 4-7 leave camp on the first three Fridays of each session for field trips. Campers entering grades 1-3 leave camp only on the Friday we go bowling. Campers who choose to swim will leave camp to do so (a short 10 minute bus ride in a standard yellow school bus).

Q. Can I bring a water bottle to camp each day?(Back to top)
A.Yes. That's fine. However, water is readily available at camp. In normal weather each group takes a water break after every activity. During the 2 or 3 heat spells we get each summer campers take multiple water breaks during every 45 minute outdoor activity. Staff members consistently mist the campers with spray bottles to keep them cool. Activities utilizing water (water balloons, water relays, slip & slide, Mister Mister, etc) are incorporated into the daily activities. We do such a great job of keeping the kids cool they don’t even realize how hot the day was!

Q. Does the camp provide sunscreen?(Back to top)
A. We provide (and help apply) SPF 45, paba-free, waterproof sunscreen to all our campers. That sunscreen is applied by each group counselor and JC in the morning and again after lunch and after swimming. Nevertheless, we do encourage parents to apply sunscreen on their child/children each morning before camp.

Q. Will I spend a lot of time in the sun?(Back to top)
A. You will spend time in the sun when playing games such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc. Parents can help limit that exposure by having their child wear a a baseball cap or visor to camp. Of course, we work very diligently at limiting sun exposure as well. There is both natural and manufactured shade at all our camp locations. The staff is trained to get the campers into that shade whenever possible. For example, shade tents are used for dugouts at each baseball diamond and are also set up along the sidelines in basketball, football, soccer, tennis, and capture the flag. Whenever a camper is receiving instructions or waiting their turn they do so in that shade. Each group spot is shaded and that is where snack, lunch, and group announcements take place.
Activities such as dodgeball, golf(putting), gymnastics, dance, foosball, ping pong, card trading, arts & crafts, & board games all take place indoors/in the shade. During heat spells the daily schedule is altered so that campers spend more time indoors or in the shade.