Noozhawk’s ParentNooz Camp Guide is officially here and we made sure to make things easy when planning your child’s summer!
To give parents the tools to help make informed decisions about Summer Camps for their kids in Santa Barbara, Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with representatives of local programs for this year’s Summer Camp Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Diana Krichevsky, Summer Camp Director at Camp Natoma to learn more about the summer sessions they are offering this year.
Camp Natoma
Question: What is the name of your camp or program?
Answer: Camp Natoma.
Q: What is the focus of your camp or program?
A: Camp Natoma is a rustic, overnight summer camp with an emphasis on exploring the natural world, making connections and building camp community in an 100% outdoor program. Campers explore various activities including hiking, nature exploration, swimming, archery, arts & crafts, geocaching, hatchet throwing, leadership and teambuilding. Everyone sleeps under the stars, joins an evening camp fire program, and is supported in personal growth.
Q: How many years has the camp been running? Do you have any professional accreditations or certifications?
A: Camp Natoma has operated for 80 years and is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Q: What protocols does your camp have in place due to COVID-19?
A: Camp Natoma is entirely outdoors. There is a comprehensive health screening upon arrival. We also have onsite healthcare staff and best practices for hygiene.
Q: What goals do you have for kids participating in your camp or program?
A: Camp Natoma campers achieve improvements in self-esteem, self-reliance, comfort in the wilderness, confidence in making new friends and trying new things. Participants learn “Leave No Trace” wilderness ethics, skills in choice activities such as swimming and archery, and leadership skills.
Q: Describe a typical day for a child attending your camp or program.
A: Each day at camp is jam-packed with fun activities. Some activities are with similar age peers and others are with kids of all ages.
For campers who have completed 1st-5th grades, they’ll go to the pool twice a day – once with organized learn-to-swim activities and games, the other is free time with all the other campers. They’ll choose a morning activity to do every day – drama, crafts, or nature explorers – with the same instructor and group of campers.
Each afternoon campers do a different specialty activity. These activities may include: hikes, hatchets, skits, crafts, large group games, creek walks, geocaching, cooking, and more!
Campers completing 6th-9th grades sign up for two morning activities to do every day with the same instructor and group of campers – art, drama, outdoor skills, guitar, or archery. They’ll go to the pool for free swim in the afternoon with all the other campers. Each afternoon they’ll do a different specialty activity including hikes, hatchets, skits, crafts, large group games, pool games, outdoor cooking, and teambuilding. A special backpacking trip culminates the program for 8th & 9th graders.
Q: What is the staff to child ratio? Do you require training or background checks for your employees?
A: Our staff to camper ratio is 1:6. All staff must pass FBI/DOJ fingerprint background check, various additional screenings, reference checks, work history verification and successfully complete a week of onsite training.
Q: What is the best part, in your opinion, about your camp or program?
A: The most enjoyable part of Camp Natoma is being outdoors, screen-free and sleeping under the stars with new friends! The camp is a beautiful, private oak woodland with Franklin creek. Going on creek walks, afternoon swims and the waterslide, and evening camp fires are the best parts of camp!
Q: In what ways is your camp or program educational?
A: Camp Natoma introduces children to the outdoors – inspiring curiosity and fostering a love for the natural world. This can lead to increased interest in science and environmental stewardship. Campers gain many improvements in social skills – learning their role in group living and the responsibilities, empathy, communication, and leadership.
Q: What is the age and price range of your camp? Do you offer any scholarships?
A: Campers have completed 1st-9th grades and Teen Leadership Program participants have completed 10th & 11th grades. The regular session fee is $850, and the Teen Leadership participants pay a reduced price.
Yes, we offer scholarships.
Click here to learn more about what Camp Natoma has to offer!