Grades 1-5
At OVS Summer School and Camp, elementary campers, grades 1-5, participate in Academic Adventures – our unique blend of English, math, science and outdoor education, integrated into one great learning adventure. Academic mornings, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., are organized by grade and are designed to provide core-subject learning around an environmental theme. Teachers utilize a variety of methods and materials to ensure the class content is meaningful and interesting. Campers have the opportunity to make and do things to help deepen their understanding of relevant topics while solidifying core skills. Our classes are small, allowing teachers to connect with campers individually, monitor their growth and meet their academic needs.
Each two-week session offers a different focus, so participating in multiple sessions expands subject knowledge and, of course, adds more fun! Keeping with our environmental mission, classes will participate in at least one off campus outdoor adventure and an optional overnight camping trip (2nd-8th grade).
In addition to grade level activities, all classes will participate in the creation of our camp newsletter Summer Scoop! A new edition is published each session and by contributing to its contents and seeing their stories in print, campers gain a sense of community and belonging.
All elementary and middle school campers enjoy lunch in our dining hall, and then participate in afternoon activities, which include swimming, archery, cooking, and more.
Here are the summer adventures by grade:
1st Grade – Up in the Air
First graders look up and explore all there is to do and see in the skies above. They learn and discover flying insects and animals, and they read stories about exciting air explorers. They investigate different types of flying machines, count clouds, add airplanes, track weather patterns and study the importance of clean air. Grade-level core skills are woven in and around this exciting environmental theme. Field trips include exploration of the Ojai Meadow Preserve and a Bee Keeper Demonstration.
| June 29 - July 10 | July 13 - July 24 | July 27 - Aug 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Weather or Not | Birds, Bugs & Butterflies | Take Flight |
2nd Grade – Animals Around Us
Second graders will learn about the animals, wild and domestic, that surround us here in the Ojai community. Through reading assignments, hands-on art and science projects, and field trips, campers will learn about the unique animals that live in the mountains, forests, streams, and lakes around us — as well as those in our own backyards. Campers will investigate and learn about habitats and ecosystems. Field trips will include a trip to the Humane Society of Ventura County and the Channel Islands National Park visitor’s center. Campers will also have the opportunity to camp out for one night at the Lower Campus.
| June 29 -July 10 | July 13 - July 24 | July 27 - Aug 7 |
|---|---|---|
| California Critters | Into the Wild | Animal Advocacy |
3nd Grade – Sand, Surf and Sea
Third graders learn about common and unique creatures that live in the sea, read books and stories about underwater adventurers, multiply and divide shells and sea lions, analyze the conditions of today’s oceans, examine ways to protect them, and discover all that is great about ocean life for us humans! Grade-level core skills are woven in and around this environmental theme. Field trips include exploration of Bates Beach tide pools, visits to the Santa Barbara Aquarium and Channel Islands National Park visitor’s center. Overnight camping adventures include camping-out at our Lower Campus with sea life labs and crafts, s’mores and sea songs.
| June 29 -July 10 | July 13 - July 24 | July 27 - Aug 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Sand and Surf | Fish and Friends | The Seven Seas |
4th and 5th Grades – National Park Junior Rangers
The Junior Ranger Program offers campers the opportunity to uniquely explore and learn about our national parks. They will have the opportunity to learn about the history, biodiversity, and geography of the parks, including those here in California and the West. Campers will explore how they can help protect the parks now and in the future. They will visit the Channel Islands National Park visitor’s center. Campers will also have the opportunity to camp out for one night at the Upper Campus.
| June 29 -July 10 | July 13 - July 24 | July 27 - Aug 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt is Cool! | Wonders of Water | No Waste Warriors |