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Santa Cruz Overnight Camp

Activities

Regular Activity Days

Every week there are 3-4 activity days, each with 6 one-hour lesson periods. For our 2-week sessions, campers handpick from dozens of activities to design their camp experiences. They may adjust agendas on day two if they wish, but otherwise follow their same journeys of personal discovery all session long.  For our 1-week sessions, we will have a hybrid program where at times they will stay in their group to do activities which helps bond the group during their shorter time here. We also offer Specialty Activities for those campers who wish to focus on one area of specialty.

See Our Specialty Activities

All Activities

  • Animal Care
  • Archery
  • Ax Throwing
  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Batting Cages
  • BMX Biking
  • Ceramics
  • Chess
  • Climbing
  • Crafts
  • Dance
  • Diving
  • Drama
  • Equestrian*
  • Fencing
  • Forest Explorers
  • Fun Science
  • Games
  • Gardening
  • Glee
  • Golf
  • Guitar
  • Hockey
  • Horse Care
  • Horseback Vaulting
  • Indoor Cooking
  • LEGO Builders
  • Maker Space
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Outdoor Cooking
  • Pickleball
  • Ping Pong
  • Riflery
  • Ropes Courses **
  • Rugby
  • Self Defense
  • Sewing
  • Silk Painting
  • Soccer
  • Stained Glass (2 wk session)
  • Swimming 
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Yoga

* Several Equestrian activities are included in our normal program, and campers can choose horseback riding, vaulting and/or horse care (no additional cost).  Equestrian Specialty Camp is for those wanting an intensive Equestrian experience.

** Jr Ropes (1-4 gr), Ropes (2 periods for 1 wk session), Hilltop Ropes (8-9th gr, 2 wk session)

Click to enlarge images below and learn more about each activity.

Camper sits near giant chess boardGirls do arts and crafts at summer campGirl uses scissor while doing fashion design at summer campCampers stand in fencing gearBoys play basketball at summer campGroup of campers golfing at summer campGirl prepares to hit volleyball at summer campCamper mid-jump during martial arts practiceSummer camper practices tennis swingCampers high five on high ropes course at campCampers lounge on inner tubes in poolCamper prepares to dive backward into poolCamping group does outdoor cookingSide view of camper climbing rock wallCamper dives into pool at summer campcamper plays guitar while sitting on grassStaff member helps camper do origamiCamper leans over pottery wheelCamper aims rifle at targetsTwo campers aim bow at summer campTwo campers perform during play rehearsalCampers play ball game in the poolCampers high five on tennis courtCamper and counselors tend to horse's saddleCamper trots a horse at summer campVaulting girl stands on horseback with arms outGirl holds goat at summer campCampers walk across rope bridge on adventure course
Camper sits near giant chess board
GAMES | Kennolyn has so many fun activities, it can sometimes be tough to decide! Games may be the perfect class for you. Games class offers a different choice each day! Campers (with the help of their instructor) can choose from Badminton, Chess, Board Games, Pictionary, Shuffleboard, Parachute, Golf, Basketball, Volleyball, Hockey, Horseshoes, Cricket, Ping Pong and more.
Girls do arts and crafts at summer camp
ARTS & CRAFTS | Get Creative! Hone your artistic skills and create wonderful keepsakes of your camp experience to take home. We have an extensive art center, instruction in multiple mediums and projects, and our own darkroom. Wheel pottery is offered to campers entering 3rd grade and up.
Girl uses scissor while doing fashion design at summer camp
FASHION DESIGN | Campers work with staff to create and design their individual ‘brands’ of clothing. Create a design, choose your fabric and other materials and follow the steps to turn that idea into an actual item of clothing. Campers are carefully supervised as they navigate sewing machines to create their masterpieces. Why not show them off at campfire? Kennolyn Fashion Show coming soon!
Campers stand in fencing gear
FENCING | Using our extensive network of fencing coaches, we have developed a training program suited for any camper ready to learn more than the basics. Fencing is offered for grades 3 and higher, as a regular activity or as a KC Select activity.
Boys play basketball at summer camp
BASKETBALL is one of many ball sports at Kennolyn. Learn all the basics, from dribbling to shooting to being a great team player!
Group of campers golfing at summer camp
GOLF | Learn the fundamentals of this popular sport, experiment with different clubs, hone your techniques on our own putting green and perfect your drive in our golf cage
Girl prepares to hit volleyball at summer camp
VOLLEYBALL | Learn all of the basic individual and team skills, including passing, setting, hitting, digging, blocking and serving, then put them into practice on our friendly beach volleyball court.
Camper mid-jump during martial arts practice
SELF DEFENSE | The particular skills taught in Self Defense change each summer depending on the particular Martial Arts discipline practiced by the instructor. However, it always includes conditioning and safety, as well as basic skills within the discipline.
Summer camper practices tennis swing
TENNIS anyone? Grab your racquet and get ready to play! Whether you’re a beginning, intermediate or advanced player, we’ll help you improve your game and get more enjoyment from this exciting sport. Learn proper grips, footwork, strokes, volleys, serves, and tennis rules and etiquette in a fun environment.
Campers high five on high ropes course at camp
ROPES COURSES are very popular with all ages. Junior Ropes is specially designed for younger campers entering 1st-4th grades, and includes low course elements such as a Log Crossing, Vine Traverse and Plank Walk. Ropes Course 1 and 2 (an extra hour!) is for campers entering 5th grade and up. Lessons begin with games and challenges on our low ropes course, then head to the tree tops for high ropes challenges like the High Y, Flying Squirrel, Team Beam, and Zip Line. Senior campers and CILTs (8th-10th grade) can also enroll in Hilltop Ropes, a two-hour activity at the largest and most challenging of Kennolyn's three high ropes courses.
Campers lounge on inner tubes in pool
SWIMMING | The pool is staffed by experienced lifeguards and water safety instructors, who give lessons in all levels of swimming, as well as lifesaving, board diving, skin diving, water polo and basic water rescue. For beginners, we strive for a maximum student to instructor ratio of 3:1, while intermediate and advanced swimmers may be in slightly larger classes.
Camper prepares to dive backward into pool
BASIC WATER RESCUE | Learn to identify hazards around the pool, what to do in an emergency, how to take note of critical information to pass on to EMS, etc. Water skills include using objects around the pool (throw rope, reaching pole, etc), using a rescue board to over turn a face down victim, and more.
Camping group does outdoor cooking
OUTDOOR COOKING | Campers receive important lessons in outdoor cooking safety, learn to gather wood, build a campfire, and prepare and cook delicious meals in the great outdoors.
Side view of camper climbing rock wall
CLIMBING | Designed to develop strength, agility and confidence, this activity is for campers entering the 3rd grade and up. Kennolyn's multi-level rock wall has several degrees of difficulty.
Camper dives into pool at summer camp
BOARD DIVING | Our pool is a very popular place! Campers learn how to approach and safely dismount the diving board, practice new dives and hone their techniques.
camper plays guitar while sitting on grass
GUITAR | Campers begin with basic chords, then focus on learning entire songs. Of course camp songs go hand-in-hand with Kennolyn, and what better way to showcase newfound guitar skills than at campfire!
Staff member helps camper do origami
FUN SCIENCE | We take elements of science and add a splash of fun to create all sorts of exciting projects. Campers discuss experiments they would most like to try with their instructors, who explain the science behind the magic in a creative way. Popular experiments include rocket ships, erupting volcanoes, making old dingy pennies look like new, ice-cream, perfect paper planes, invisible ink, slime, and fruit-powered clock and lights.
Camper leans over pottery wheel
WHEEL POTTERY is offered to campers entering 3rd grade and older. Campers learn to prepare clay for throwing, center a pot on the wheel, throw a small pot or vessel with consistency, recognize common flaws, finish and glaze their pieces.
Camper aims rifle at targets
RIFLERY is another Olympic sport taught at Kennolyn. We use Daisy brand BB Guns and Air Rifles to teach the sport of Target Shooting. Our program is operated under the guidance of the Civilian Marksmanship Program and emphasizes safety over all else.
Two campers aim bow at summer camp
ARCHERY has been popular since the very early days at Kennolyn. Campers learn all the basics and are able to practice regularly. Building skills means building scores, and awards have been reintroduced into our program to provide fun and incentive.
Two campers perform during play rehearsal
DRAMA
Campers play ball game in the pool
WATER POLO | Traditional water polo is available for those entering 5th grade and above. For younger campers, we offer inner tube water polo, situated closer to the shallow end of the pool with players floating in inflatable inner tubes.
Campers high five on tennis court
TENNIS anyone? Grab your racquet and get ready to play! Whether you’re a beginning, intermediate or advanced player, we’ll help you improve your game and get more enjoyment from this exciting sport. Learn proper grips, footwork, strokes, volleys, serves, and tennis rules and etiquette in a fun environment.
Camper and counselors tend to horse's saddle
HORSE CARE | This activity is ideal for our most enthusiastic horse lovers, who want to spend time with these magnificent animals. Campers will enjoy walking, bathing, grooming and playing with several of Kennolyn’s nearly 25 horses.
Camper trots a horse at summer camp
HORSEBACK RIDING is an integral and popular part of the Kennolyn tradition. We offer English lessons in the arena and trail riding through the redwoods on our well-trained horses, and we provide the boots and helmets. SELECT EQUESTRIAN is the perfect solution for campers 5th grade and up who want to focus on horses. Equestrian Campers spend most of their activity time on riding, vaulting and horsemanship, and have the opportunity to go on an overnight horseback ride.
Vaulting girl stands on horseback with arms out
VAULTING | Vaulting, or gymnastics on horseback, is enjoying a speedy growth in popularity throughout the United States. Specially trained horses are lunged in a circle while campers learn to mount, dismount and perform gymnastic routines on horseback.
Girl holds goat at summer camp
ANIMAL CARE | Here at Kennolyn, we have many farm animals, including chickens, goats, donkeys, rabbits, potbelly pigs, horses and a cow. Campers enrolled in animal care learn how to handle the animals and gain an understanding of responsible pet care.
Campers walk across rope bridge on adventure course
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE | Are you the adventurous type? Is there an explorer in you? This is the ‘must do’ class for all outdoor enthusiasts. You start by learning how to track animals, recognize both edible and poisonous plants, create a lifesaving shelter from nothing but the natural resources of the forest and, of course, how to build a fire without matches.

Learn More About Our Activities

Girls swimming with pool noodles

Aquatics
A camper walks accross a rope bridge

Outdoor Adventure
A baby goat sticks his head through fencing

Animals & Equestrian
Boys playing rugby at camp

Sports
A girl smiling playing a guitar

Arts
Campers listening to someone before playing giant chess

STEM & Games
Campers on a boardwalk ride

Special Days
Campers building a fire pit on the beach

Trips
Next: Specialty Activities