Summer in the City

It’s time to get serious about summer and for many families that involves finding a conveniently located day camp for the kids.

Beginning this weekend, open houses are being conducted at day-camp facilities in Ventura County or at locations in Los Angeles County that are convenient for Conejo and Simi Valley residents.

Frances Alascano, director of Phoenix Ranch Summer Day Camp in the Simi foothills, encourages parents to call nearby camps as early as possible this month for brochures and open-house information.

She emphasizes that this is the 50th year her camp has been accredited by the American Camping Assn. That’s important, she says, because the ACA subjects its member camps to a stringent on-site inspection of facilities and staff every three years, providing parents with some assurance that the camp meets regulatory standards.

When a camp’s activities take place at several different sites, it’s also important that parents check out the quality of the transportation.

The ACA urges parents to visit a summer camp facility and meet the staff before enrolling and/or paying a deposit.

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Sneak Previews

Here is a list of open houses scheduled this month at ACA-accredited summer day camps convenient to Ventura County. Call ahead for directions.

Sunday

* Camp Keystone, Agoura Hills, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages 3-13. (818) 889-2224.

* Meadow Oaks Camp, Calabasas, 1-5 p.m. Ages 3-14. (818) 591-9153.

* Sierra Canyon Day Camp, Chatsworth, 1-4 p.m. Ages 4-14. (818) 882-8121. Open house on April 27 as well.

April 13

* Cali-Camp Day Camp, Topanga Canyon, noon-4 p.m. Ages 3-13. (310) 455-1305. Open house on April 27 as well.

April 20

* Camp Summertime, Agoura, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages 4-14. (818) 880-5936.

* Camp Kinneret, Agoura, 2-5 p.m. Ages 4-14. (818) 706-8255.

April 27

* Phoenix Ranch Summer Day Camp, Simi Valley, 1-4 p.m. Ages 5-12. (805) 526-0136.

* Sunny Skies Day Camp, Agoura, 1-3 p.m. Ages 4-14. (818) 889-8383.

Call for appointment to visit:

* Ojai Valley Summer School & Camp, Ojai. Ages 3-18. (805) 646-1423.

* Sierra Adventure Club, Lake Piru and Tapia County Park (off Las Virgenes Road). Ages 7-17. (310) 826-7000.

* Young Set Club, Thousand Oaks. Ages 5-14. (805) 495-2104.

* For a free copy of the American Camping Assn.’s guide to accredited summer camps in Southern California, call the Calabasas office at (818) 223-9326.