Overview
As a boarding school, we have a long tradition of caring for resident students. Since 1943, Ojai Valley School has been a top sleep-away summer camp in Southern California. Resident campers, ages 8-15, build strong bonds with friends and camp staff. They develop respect for themselves and others, and they practice contributing to the camp community in many unique ways. Campers have the opportunity to live and breathe camp 24/7, and they love it! Here’s the typical schedule for resident campers:
Time | Activity |
7:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
8:00 am | Campus Opens for Day Students |
8:30- 10:00 a.m. | All Morning Programs Begin, including Academic Adventures, Equestrian, Robotics and other specialty camps |
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. | Snack Break |
10:20 - 11:45 a.m. | All Morning Programs Continue |
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
12:30 - 12:50 p.m. | Camp Meeting |
1:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Afternoon Activities, Snack Break, and More Activities |
4:30 p.m. | Pick-up for Day Campers |
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Free Time for Resident Campers |
5:30 p.m. | Dinner/Dorm Time |
7:00 p.m. | Evening Activities |
9:30 p.m. | Lights Out |
Dorm Life
Resident campers live in dormitory buildings on campus. Campers sleep in bunk beds and have their own drawers and closet space. Typically, there are two or three campers per room. Camp counselors care for small dorm groups and live in separate rooms in the same hallway. Counselors take time to connect with each camper in their group and supervise and attend to their needs throughout the morning and evening. Qualified and enthusiastic, our counselors help students prep for the day and create a warm, supportive atmosphere for campers. Learning to live, work and play happily with others is a high priority at OVS. Guided by caring counselors, campers thrive on the responsibility and routine of a summer camp day! More information about resident life, as well as pack list and general rules, can be found in the Camper Handbook.
Ojai Valley School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC), and the American Camp Association (ACA), and meets the highest standards for excellence.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and two daily snacks are provided and prepared on campus by our professional kitchen staff. Counselors monitor and guide the use of proper manners and make sure campers are making good food choices. Meals include a complete salad bar with fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade soups, fresh-baked desserts, and options for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Barbecues are held throughout the summer under our shady outdoor pergola. Many of our menu items are locally sourced and organically grown in Ojai Valley. Campers love the food and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of eating and sharing with friends and camp counselors.
Evening Activities
When afternoon activities end, day campers go home and resident campers join dorm counselors to recap their day and get ready for a fun-filled evening. Special evening activities happen each night and include treasure hunts, dances, water carnivals, off campus trips to local parks and more. There’s also time to relax, bond with buddies, make a friendship bracelet (or two), giggle and gab with your counselor and enjoy our beautiful Southern California evenings.
Weekend Activities
Weekends are a time for a little less structure, and plenty of fun! Morning Madness happens each Saturday after breakfast and allows campers to choose from a unique mix of interesting activities and games. Painting, pool aerobics, kindness rocks, soccer shoot-outs and hammock hangout are all part of Saturday Morning Madness fun. Each Saturday afternoon campers embark on a field trip to a local beach, park or attraction. Campers call home on Saturday evenings and we end our busy Saturday with a special themed movie night.
On Sundays, campers walk with camp counselors and teachers to visit downtown Ojai. It’s just a short walk, about one mile, from campus to the Farmers Market, old-fashioned ice cream shop, Libbey Park Playground, Serendipity Toy Shop and more. Campers may check out money from the camp store, to buy small souvenirs and treats in town. Sunday afternoons are usually pool days with loads of time to rest and relax. We eat outside on Sunday evenings and campers enjoy playing board and card games in friendly competition with each other and camp staff.
What to Pack
Campers need to bring appropriate summer clothes and gear as detailed in the Camper Handbook, which also provides information about cell phones, technology, and general camp rules. Laundry is done once a week and the pack list is designed so campers have a week’s worth of everything they need. Remember, campers get dirty and sometimes things get lost, so please do not pack your “very best” clothing. All bedding is provided for your camper. You may bring your own, though most campers do not. A list of things “not to bring” is also provided in the Handbook.
Airport Transportation
OVS provides transportation for resident campers from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at the start and end of each camp session. If you would like your camper to ride on the LAX bus, please complete and return the Transportation Form.