At Camp California, we offer a variety of activities. From sports, waterfront, outdoor adventure and the arts. We also have good old campfires, theme days and a variety of active and quiet games – we truly have something for everyone.
American Football
A traditional American field sport similar to rugby. Two teams try and move the ball down the field by running or passing the ball to team mates with the goal of making it into the “end zone”. Traditionally this is a full contact sport but at Camp California we play a version of “touch football”.
Archery
Using different bows and arrows, children shoot at large archery targets from different distances aiming for the bull’s eye. Learn the parts of a bow and arrow, as well as all safety rules.
Arts and Crafts
This activity includes beading, painting, jewelry making, drawing, sculpture, tie-dye, watercolor, candle making, and many other handicrafts. All materials are supplied by the camp, except your imagination.
Banana Boat Rides
What a blast! A large inflatable tube pulled behind a ski boat. We can take 4 campers and 1 counselor at a time. Saved for the weekend or special events. You’ll get wet!
Baseball
In this classical American sport, 2 teams of 9 players each equipped with a bat, gloves, and a baseball (which can also be a softball for younger children) play against each other. There is a pitcher, a catcher, first, second and third baseman, a shortstop, a right, center and left fielder in each team on the baseball filed.
Basketball
This is another typical American team sport. 2 teams of up to 10 members play on a court. The goal is to throw the basketball into the opponent team’s basket consisting of a metal ring and a net, attached to a backboard. The game is played according to various rules for time, fouls and scoring.
Camp Cal Band
We have a collection of acoustic and bass guitars, drums, a piano and synthesizer, flutes and other assorted percussions and wind instruments, all of which you can learn to play – even if just the basics. By the end of the session, you will be able to participate in a concert where everyone can show off what they have learned while at camp.
Ceramics/Pottery
Children can express their creativity with a piece of clay. Our counselors will teach them basic pottery and ceramics skills, how to make basic forms, pots, vases, and so on. They can use the kiln (furnace) to glaze the creations and are free to take them home.
Climbing Wall
Simulated rock face on the side of our Ropes Course Tower. Learn the sport of climbing in a safe and secure environment. Campers get the opportunity to go climbing in Rovinj at the end of each session.
Cricket
Along with football and rugby, cricket is a traditional British team sport played on an evenly mown grass field. There are two teams playing this game, each trying to knock down the wicket - a stick of wood balanced on two posts - with a ball hit by a bat. It is similar to American baseball, but you catch the ball without a glove.
Daily Newspaper
Become an ace reporter and track down all the stories that happen at camp each day. Then write up the report, add some fancy pictures and graphics, and produce our daily camp newspaper, where everyone finds out what has happened – and what is going to happen!
Dance
Our professional dance instructors will teach you classical and modern dance steps, for both choreographed performances, as well as during the evening disco. From the tango to the waltz, you can boogey your way to the stars.
Digital Photography
Join our group of electronic shutterbugs as they journey around camp learning basic photography techniques by shooting pictures of all the other kids in camp. Then it is back into the lab to digitally download and organize all the photos taken each day. This class culminates in the Final Slide Show at the end of each session, as well as offering the daily photos that are available online on Bunk1.
Drama
An off-Broadway original play is created and performed by the children, with the help of the professional drama counselors, using costumes, and various arts and crafts creations made at camp. Our new stage also boasts a professional sound and light system, as well as a bigger performance area.
Fencing
Fencing is a contest between two opponents, each trying to touch the other with various weapons: a foil, épée or sabre. You will learn the various rules to this sport, and dress in the protective fencing gear.
Field Hockey
This game is played by two teams consisting of 11 members and two substitutes each. The object is to propel a ball along the ground using a curved stick and score by hitting the ball past the opposite goalkeeper into the goal.
Fishing
Within this activity, the children use a fishing string or rod, a line with a hook, a bob, and other equipment to catch various sea fish. Campers travel to the neighboring harbor for this activity.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics at camp consists of the following different events: floor exercises, the beam, and rhythmic gymnastics. Strength, balance, movement, power and grace are all components of the technical performance, and all are taught at camp.
Kayaking
Our sea kayaks are open-topped, solid-shell boats, in which the kayaker uses a double-bladed paddle to propel and steer the boat. Children learn the parts of these boats, basic steering and paddle control, as well as water safety skills within this camp activity.
Martial Arts
And camp, we offer Taekwondo as our Martial Arts program. Taekwondo assumes a variety of forms; exhibitions normally include free-style fighting, training sequence of moves, wood-breaking, and basic technical training. A colored belt system is used to show merit and progress, and our instructors are certified Black belts.
Mountain Biking
Come try our brand new mountain biking course, where we teach you not only how to repair your bike, but also how to ride around obstacles, over hills, through water, and across wooden platforms. You will also go on trail rides in the foothills and villages in the area.
Music - Vocal/Choir
Come sing camp songs, as well as traditional choral pieces, even if you have never sung before. As long as you have the desire, we will get music out of you.
Ping-pong
It’s like mini tennis on a table.
Poi Dancing
Popular with both boys and girls alike. This traditional Maori dance from New Zealand teaches both rhythm and hand and eye coordination with two balls on a string. One of Camp California’s most popular activities!
Random Games
These are various two-person games that require less activity on hot summer days. We combine tetherball (hitting a ball attached to a string around a pole), foosball (table soccer), ping pong (table tennis) and giant Chess to keep kids busy without tiring them out.
Ropes – High&Low
High and Low Ropes are challenge courses in the air, between platforms built on top of tall and massive trees. All children wear special gear, while climbing and participating in this activity under constant supervision of CCA Staff. The aim of this sport is to enhance balance and agility, as well as develop teamwork.
Sailing
Our sailing program consists of small Optimist class boats, good for 1-2 sailors, where you can learn the basics of sail control, steering, wind and water effects, and water safety. We also have larger 4-meter boats, good for 3-4 sailors, with a full set of sails (main, jib and spinnaker) and capable of more advanced sailing exercises. All these boats are followed by our inflatable raft powered by an outboard motor, which can be used for rescues and teaching purposes.
Snorkeling
This is a sport of swimming and diving underwater usually with swim fins, a mask or goggles, and a snorkel for breathing. The primary reason is underwater exploration, where the diver can keep their face downward while observing all the sea life in the area.
Soccer
This is one of the more popular sports in Europe, as well as at camp. The game is played by two teams, consisting of 11 members each, defending a netted goal, while attacking the opposition’s goal at the other end of a rectangular field. In each team there are defenders, midfield players, wingers, center forwards/strikers, and a goalkeeper.
Softball
A user friendly version of American Baseball with a slower pitch and larger, softer ball. Nine players on each team. One at bat and the other on the field. Played on a diamond shaped field with 4 bases and an outfield. It’s America’s interpretation of Cricket.
Swimming
We offer both leisure swimming and the opportunity for swimming lessons for campers a little less confident in the water.
Team Handball
This team sport is played by two teams of 12 members, out of which 5-7 are allowed to play at the same time on a slightly larger area than a basketball court. Goals are scored by passing and dribbling the ball with any body part except the feet, and hurling it into the net of the opposite team.
Teen Program
Our tripping program for campers 14 - 17 years of age. We travel to exciting destinations around Croatia participating in a variety of activities. Rockclimbing, kayaking, Mountain Biking and outdoor living skills are just a few of the wonderful activities we enjoy.
Tetherball
If you know Napoleon Dynamite then you know Tetherball. A ball on a string on a pole in the ground. Two players and your goal is to wrap the ball around the pole in your direction. Another very popular leisure activity at Camp California.
Video Production
In connection with Digital Photography, the Video production class will make short video films. They will learn about scripting, acting, pre- and post-production techniques, and digital editing on the camp computers. Their films will have their grand premier at the Closing Campfire.
Volleyball
This game is played on a rectangular sand court between two teams of 6-6 players. The court is divided by a high net into two equal halves. The aim is to return the ball to the opposite team’s half before it touches the ground, by different team players’ hitting it with the hands, fists or arms of maximum three times. The play is started with a serving, followed by two preliminary hits used to set up a teammate to spike the ball, and drive it downwards into the opponent’s court over the net.
Waterpark
This is our special water trampoline and climbing tower, which float 50 meters off the beach. Children can run, jump, and slide on various elements, or just rest in the sun and observe the others at play. New elements are added all the time, and this is one of our most popular activities at camp.
Windsurfing
A surfboard equipped with a keel, a mast, and a triangular sail, allows a person to ride the waves and ocean using the different directions of the blowing wind. We have 3 different sizes of boards to suit all ages and abilities.
Wood Working
Children will learn how to use various hand and power tools for shaping wood, and making various objects, like boxes, picture frames, go-karts, and other decorative gift items, which they can take home at the end of camp.
