Finding the right summer camp for your child can feel overwhelming with so many great options available across Santa Barbara. That’s why Noozhawk’s ParentNooz Summer Camp Guide brings local families a curated look at the programs that make summer both fun and enriching.
To help parents get to know these camps beyond the basics, we connected directly with the people behind the programs. Through these Q&A-style spotlights, camp leaders share insights into their activities, values, and what makes their camps such a memorable experience for kids.
In this feature, we spoke with Ariana Garner, Human Resources Specialist at Santa Barbara Trapeze Co. to learn more about what families can expect from their camp this summer and how their program creates opportunities for kids to learn, explore, and make lasting memories.
Santa Barbara Trapeze Co.
Question: What is the name of your camp or program, and what is its primary focus?
Answer: Santa Barbara Trapeze, Parkour and Tiny Flyers Camp. This is where nervous turns into proud. Kids step onto a real flying trapeze from day one. No kid-sized shortcuts. They learn timing, technique and progression and by midweek many are catching in the air.
We don’t do sit-around. Mornings are trapeze. Afternoons are games, challenges and team activities. Confidence grows fast. Friendships form. By Friday kids aren’t just participating. They’re performing, supporting each other and leaving braver than they came.
We keep spots small. Safety and coaching matter most. Spring Break and Summer fill fast. Waitlists are common.
This is a premium experience because it works. Real skill. Real confidence. A week kids remember. Parents see the transformation. The value becomes obvious the moment their kid swings into it.
Q: How long have you been running the program? Do you have any professional accreditations or certifications?
A: We’ve been running Santa Barbara Trapeze Camp for years as part of Santa Barbara Trapeze Co. Thousands of students have come through our classes, camps and private events. The camp is built on the same system we use year-round. It’s not a test program. It’s a refined system we’ve developed, coached and improved over time.
Our instructors are trained in flying trapeze technique, safety systems and spotting procedures for aerial arts. Everyone maintains current CPR and first aid certifications. Every rig session runs with structured safety protocols. Equipment checks, progression standards and coaching are built into every day.
Q: What specific goals or objectives will participants be working towards during their time at the camp?
A: On the trapeze the goal is progression. Kids learn takeoffs, body positioning, timing and technique. Many work toward completing a catch with an instructor by the end of the week. That milestone surprises most when they start.
Beyond the physical skills the bigger goal is confidence. Kids step outside their comfort zone daily. They overcome fear and build trust in themselves and their coaches. That confidence shows up in how they interact, communicate and support others.
Connection is key. Campers make friends fast because they share an experience that needs encouragement, vulnerability and teamwork. By Friday they aren’t just individuals learning a skill. They are part of a group that has grown together.
This isn’t about keeping kids busy. It’s about giving them something to achieve, something to be proud of and something they won’t forget.
Q: Can you describe the educational components integrated into your program?
A: The learning is built into everything we do. Kids don’t sit in a classroom. They learn by doing.
On the technical side they build real skills. Body mechanics, timing, spatial awareness and safe movement step by step. They aren’t guessing. They’re coached with intention and improving with every turn.
We teach risk awareness and decision making. Kids learn to listen, assess their readiness and trust a structured system. Skills most camps don’t even touch.
Social and emotional learning happens naturally. Communication, encouragement and accountability are part of every session. When someone is up on the rig the group is engaged, supporting and learning to be a team.
Problem solving is everywhere. Every trick needs adjustments, timing and focus. Kids learn to fail safely, reset and try again. Confidence and resilience grow fast.
Q: What is the daily schedule like, including activities, meals, and rest periods?
A: Each day is built for energy, growth and recovery so kids stay engaged without burning out.
Mornings are the real work. Campers rotate through flying trapeze sessions. They get coached on takeoffs, timing, tricks and progression. Everyone gets multiple turns on the rig. They improve every day instead of just trying once.
Midday is a reset. Lunch, hydration and a moment to recharge. Kids connect with each other and take a real break before heading back into activity.
Afternoons mix ground-based training and group activities. Conditioning, movement drills, games and team challenges reinforce what they learned in the air while building confidence and friendships.
Short rests and smooth transitions keep focus and safety high. The day is high energy but controlled. Kids leave active, challenged and part of something bigger without feeling overwhelmed.
Q: What is the typical age range of campers who attend your programs?
A: Santa Barbara Trapeze Camp is for kids ages 3 to 14. Programming is adjusted so younger and older campers are challenged at the right level.
We group kids by age and ability so no one feels out of place. Younger kids learn fundamentals and build confidence fast. Older campers are pushed with technique, timing and more advanced progressions.
No experience is needed. Some arrive nervous, some ready to go. Both groups progress fast because the program is structured to support them.
Spots are limited in each group to keep instruction focused and give every camper real time on the trapeze. That’s why families lock in their spot early.
Q: Do you offer full day and 1/2 day options?
A: Yes. We offer full-day and half-day options to fit different schedules and comfort levels.
Full-day is the complete experience. Campers get full trapeze progression and afternoon activities that build strength, coordination and real friendships. This is where you see the biggest change because they’re fully immersed all day.
Half-day is a great entry point for younger campers or first-timers. They still get coached on the trapeze and experience the core of the program, just in a shorter window.
Most families who get the value choose full-day. Spots are limited and results are stronger when kids are there for the full experience. Half-day fills fast too and often becomes a stepping stone.
Q: What are your policies regarding staff background checks, training, and the child-to-staff ratio? How do you ensure the safety and well-being of campers?
A: Safety is built into every part of camp, from who we hire to how we run each session.
All staff go through background checks, role-specific training and ongoing oversight. Anyone working directly with campers keeps current CPR and first aid certifications. We track every document and clearance to stay compliant and up to date.
On the floor we run controlled group sizes and low camper-to-staff ratios. Every child is actively supervised and coached. Trapeze sessions are never free for all. Each turn is guided by trained instructors using spotting systems, safety lines and step-by-step progressions. Kids move forward only when they’re ready.
Equipment is checked regularly. The environment is managed so campers stay engaged, supported and safe all day. We build in rest, hydration and smooth transitions to keep focus high and fatigue low.
Parents aren’t trusting us with chaos. They’re trusting a system that keeps kids safe while still giving them an unforgettable experience.
Q: What is the cost of attending your camp, and do you offer any financial assistance or scholarships?
A: Summer Camp tuition depends on the program. Tiny Flyers is $325 for a full week. Parkour is $450 for a full week. Trapeze is $550 for a full week. We want every kid to have a chance to take flight. Scholarships are available, but spots are limited and fill fast.
Families who wait usually end up on a waitlist. Don’t miss the chance for your child to swing, soar and build confidence in a week they’ll never forget. Call or email us right away to see if your child qualifies.
Q: Is there anything you would like to share about your program that was not already mentioned above?
A: This isn’t just about learning tricks. It’s the moment a kid pushes past fear and realizes they can do something they were scared of. That shift shows up in school, sports and social confidence. Parents tell us all the time their kids walk away different.
The environment is powerful. When kids are 30 feet in the air cheering each other on, they bond fast. The friendships are real because they’re built on shared challenge not just proximity.
From a parent’s perspective this is one of the few camps where you see the value by the end of the week. You’re not guessing what they did. You watch them progress, perform and take pride in something they earned.
Spots are limited. Once sessions fill that’s it. Families who know the program lock in early because they’ve seen what it does.
Click here to learn more about Santa Barbara Trapeze!