Why Kennolyn?
Ready to get your child away from technology and into a nourishing community of fun, friends, and the great outdoors? Give your child a healthy dose of GRATITUDE, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, and GROWTH at Kennolyn Day Camp!
On 450 acres of privately owned redwood forest only 4 miles from town, and 1 mile from our Overnight Camp, Kennolyn Day Camp is just a short bus ride away. Your child will thrive in this fun, active, supportive environment, and you will get a break (or at least be able to work without interruption). After a day of exploring the fields, pond, and miles of trails, your child will be happy-tired after each fun day!
We are the only traditional summer day camp accredited by the American Camp Association in the area. Their rigorous standards help guide our policies, procedures, and practices. Nowhere else in the local region will you find a more complete, authentic summer day camp experience than Kennolyn. Just ask your friends and neighbors!
Overview
Children minimum age 5 by January 1, 2025 and entering grades K-9 are eligible with a Leaders In Training program for grades 10-11. Campers are placed in coed groups based on their grade. Two well-trained adult counselors remain with the group at all times. Groups follow a planned schedule with some choice built in from Monday through Thursday. On Friday Fun Day, campers grades 2+ choose their own activities during the morning. The afternoon wraps up the week with a fun event based on a different theme each week. This is a great change of pace for campers who spend multiple weeks at Kennolyn. For campers looking for something extra, we offer an Equestrian Specialty for grades 3-7.
Typical Day
The fun starts with songs and chants right when campers board the bus. Once at camp, there are more songs, announcements, and flag-raising in a beautiful redwood grove. Five activity periods keep campers busy with planned breaks for snack and lunch. We reunite again for even more songs and skits at the end of the day and then board the buses or family car for the ride home.
| Time | Monday - Thursday | Time | Friday (end early) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-9:15 | Arrival | 9-9:15 | Arrival | |
| 9:20 | Opening Ceremonies | 9:20 | Opening Ceremonies | |
| 9:30 | Group Activities Periods 1-3 | 9:30 | Free Choice Periods 1-3 | |
| 12:30 | Lunch-Free Play-Early PickUp | 12:00 | Lunch-Free Play-Early PickUp | |
| 1:40 | Group Activities Periods 4-5 | 1:10 | Theme Event | |
| 3:40 | Closing Ceremonies | 2:30 | Closing Ceremonies | |
| 4:00 | Departure | 3:00 | Departure |
Two-Week & Multi-Session Advantage
Two-week sessions are a time investment in helping your child increase their self-esteem, independence, and social skills. Plus in the second week, every 1st period is “Free Choice” where campers grades 2+ choose their own activities (normally only Friday mornings). Campers love having this extra freedom to follow their interests or hang out with a chosen friend or two. Campers stay with the same group and counselors for the session which allows them to build real relationships and feel a true sense of belonging. Two-week sessions are not just twice the amount of time, they’re a fun and growth multiplier!
We want Kennolyn to be your child’s second home. We want them to have that feeling of being truly known so they can be the best version of themselves in this special place. The more time at camp, the more this happens. Relationships truly grow between campers and with our young adult role models. To help us get to know your camper, those who attend 4 or more weeks of either our Day or Overnight Camps, enjoy a pizza lunch and ice cream social with the Director and other campers each session. It’s a fun way for this special group to connect. Of course, we also offer multi-session discounts too.
Transportation
We make it easy for you with bus stops across Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. Counselors provide supervision, lead songs, games, and make the bus ride fun. Campers experience a sense of independence and start to make friends right away. We have worked with the same bus company for many years with their reliable and experienced professional drivers. Campers enjoy riding in the large yellow school buses and parents enjoy the peace of mind knowing their precious cargo is cared for. Families may also choose to carpool or drive their campers daily.
Please see our transportation page for detailed timetables and bus routes.
Our Staff
Camp staff play a pivotal role in making Kennolyn a place where campers can be their best selves. We carefully select talented, caring adult professionals to lead our groups and activities. All staff are trained in the best practices of youth development, camper safety, and of course, fun! Many counselors are past campers or returning counselors who love Kennolyn and provide a positive and memorable experience for their campers. In addition to our training, a background check is required, and all staff are fingerprinted.
Many of our counselors come from around the globe. Our international staff bring an increased depth and dimension to all aspects of the camp community because they offer campers the opportunity to understand and appreciate the similarities and differences of people from a variety of cultures. These counselors come to us through a program that has rigorous standards – only those with the highest qualifications are approved.
To help us all feel our best, we have a Camp Nurse or EMT onsite. They give extra care, provide a place for tired campers to rest, and make calls home when needed. Most nurses return summer after summer. Click here to learn more or contact us if you’d like to join our team.
Our long-time director, Dan Johnson, welcomes your calls – click here to meet him. To meet our year-round leadership staff, click here. We are excited to share this special place with your family.
