Welcome to Hidden Villa

Dear Campers and Families,

Thanks to the many friends and families of Hidden Villa, Summer Camp was a huge success last year! We are really excited that this year we have even more to offer the Hidden Villa community. Keeping up with today’s computer era, this summer we will be offering online registration for the first time ever. Please visit our website to experience the new ease of registration.

We are restoring one of Hidden Villa’s most loved programs, Bay to Sea, so that teens can continue to enjoy this glorious backpacking trip. We are also are thrilled to offer a new program to our beginning overnight campers, Tipi Camp! Day Camp Focus Programs are back this summer with some new themes, but keeping some favorites from last year. Still we will continue to offer the full range of Day Camp and 12-day resident camp programs that honor the vision and legacy of our founders Josephine and Frank Duveneck, who turned their 1945 farm into what it has grown to today.

Hidden Villa Summer Camp continues its commitment to nurturing relationships between people of different cultural, religious, economic, and racial backgrounds, as well as strengthening their connections to the environment and their community. We continue to inspire our campers with a sense of awe for natural beauty, tools for multicultural community building, commitment to social justice, and the confidence to make positive change in the world. Our counselors are extraordinarily committed people that reflect the diversity of our camp participants. Special emphasis is placed on respecting and caring for each other and the environment in everyday camp life. Each day we have thoughtful discussions and periods of reflection. We intentionally hire staff who can create a place where everyone can develop self-confidence and experience a sense of belonging while making friends and having fun. Finally, all staff members participate in an intense hands-ontraining program that includes CPR and First Aid certification to ensure the safety of our campers. We love working with young people, and we take our responsibility seriously.

We are excited to invite you to participate in Summer Camp 2008.

Nikki Bryant & Steph Thurman
Director of Summer Camp & Assistant Director
(650) 949-8641
camp@hiddenvilla.org

Summer Camp 2008 Information

Download Brochure (PDF)

Day Camp | NEW! Tipi Camp | Resident Camp | Farm and Wilderness | Youth Leadership Programs

Day Camp Ages 6-9
Day Campers are divided into two large groups of younger “Animal Campers” (6-7) and older “Botanical Campers” (8-9). In small groups of 7-8, all campers explore our wilderness trails, meet the farm animals face to face, and learn about life cycles in the garden. Daily choice activities include swimming, cooking, face painting by the creek, singing, storytelling, and arts and crafts. A highlight is the optional Thursday overnight with an evening meal, night activities, and a sleep-out under the stars.

Sessions 4 thru 7 are Focus Programs in which “Botanical campers” have an opportunity to try something new or focus on their favorite part of the farm, while still enjoying swimming and choice activities, like arts and crafts or visiting the farm animals.

All of these five-day sessions run from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. on Monday through Wednesday. The sleep over is held on Thursday with a Friday pick up at noon. Optional extended day hours (Mon-Wed 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.)

Animal Campers Ages 6-7

DC 1: June 16th - June 20th
DC 2: June 23rd - June 27th
DC 3: June 30th - July 4th
DC 4: July 7th - July 11th
DC 5: July 14th - July 18th
DC 6: July 21st - July 25th
DC 7: July 28th - Aug 1st
DC 8: Aug 4th - Aug 8th
DC 9: Aug 11th - Aug 15th

Botanical Campers Ages 8-9

Traditional Day Camp
DC 1: June 16th - June 20th
DC 2: June 23rd - June 27th
DC 3: June 30th - July 4th
DC 8: Aug. 4th - Aug 8th
DC 9: Aug. 11th - Aug. 15th

Focus Programs
DC 4: July 7th - July 11th
DC 5: July 14th - July 18th
DC 6: July 21st - July 25th
DC 7: July 28th - Aug. 1st

Focus Programs: Ages 8-9 (Choose ONE)

Cows & Cookies
Come learn how to bake cookies in a wood fired oven! We’ll turn milk into butter, grind flour and even visit the chickens for some eggs. Then we’ll bake cookies with these farm ingredients. On Friday we’ll wake up early to milk the cow. The real treat is the last day, when we’ll run around the farm giving away cookies and eating them too!

Farm Feasting!
We'll have fun planning a delicious farm feast, harvesting food, and cooking together! Along the way, we'll explore some dirt, work in the fields with the Hidden Villa farm crew, and help take care of the animals. At the end of the week we'll send you home with the seeds and skills to start your own garden!

Scat-ology
A scatologist is a very special type of scientist who studies scat (yes, poop!) In this "poopology" week, you'll learn about wild animals by investigating scat on the trail. In the animal pens, we’ll put your scientific tools to the test. Find out how it fuels our farm, turns into sculptures like buildings or artwork, and can be transformed, with natures magic, into a tasty treat! You too can become a Scat Scholar!

Ahoy! Pirate Exploration
Armed with only your wits, your mates and a compass, you will learn to navigate the woods and farm of Hidden Villa as only a pirate could. Help find a buried treasure and unearth the secrets to making maps of all kinds. Later, X marks the spot as you uncover new ways to explore Hidden Villa with your fellow shipmates. Arrrrr you ready? Then climb aboard!

Goat Kids!
Come hang out with our friendly goats! Bring your imaginations to explore Switzerland, the original home of our Oberhasli goats. We’ll take a goat on a hike and learn about their skills on trail. In the kitchen we’ll make goat cheese and fondue for a feast. On Friday we’ll wake up early, just in time to milk a goat!

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TIPI CAMP Ages 9-10 NEW!
This new program is especially designed for younger campers coming to a sleep away camp for the first time. In this 5-day overnight camp, campers begin to build their outdoor skills. Campers will live in the tradition of some Native Americans by sleeping in Tipis and enjoying meals at their own outdoor eating area. Campers will also learn some cool facts about the local Ohlone Tribe, enjoy arts and crafts, archery, swimming, camp fires, hiking on our trails, caring for the farm animals and gardening in our organic gardens.

TC 1: June 16th - June 20th
TC 2: June 23rd - June 27th
TC 3: June 30th - July 4th
TC 4: July 7th - July 11th
TC 5: July 21st - July 25th
TC 6: July 28th - Aug 1st
TC 7: Aug 4th - Aug 8th
TC 8: Aug 11th - Aug 15th

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RESIDENT CAMP Ages 10–12
Each day of this 12-day camp is filled with a wide choice of activities—swimming, organic gardening, archery, games, goat walks, arts and crafts, singing, skits, making ice cream, and maybe even mudding a pig! In the evening campers enjoy campfires, storytelling, drama, games, and moonlight hikes. The sustainable Hostel building is camp headquarters—here campers share meals and morning reflections. Younger campers sleep in separate “Cabin Boys” and “Cabin
Girls” quarters located behind the Hostel. Older campers are in “Bluff” and “Vale” where they sleep under the stars in their own private camp sites. Each group spends a night camping in Hidden Villa’s wilderness, with an opportunity to explore the trails.

RZ 1: June 16th – June 27th
RZ 2: June 30th – July 11th
RZ 3: July 21st – Aug 1st
RZ 4: Aug 4th – Aug 15th

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FARM & WILDERNESS Ages 13–15
As Farm & Wilderness campers, teens build close relationships within a small group, living at the Hollow Oak campsite at Hidden Villa for nine days and going on a three-day mid-session backpack trip to Black Mountain. While on the trail, campers work toward team-building and achieving group goals. Campers and counselors care for the farm animals (cows, goats, pigs, sheep, chickens). Each day they choose from a variety of activities—hiking, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, sports, or gardening. Evenings are spent relaxing around the campfire, sharing music, taking a night hike or a moonlight swim.

FW 1: June 16th – June 27th
FW 2: June 30th – July 11th
FW 3: July 21st – Aug 1st
FW 4: Aug 4th – Aug 15th

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YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
These three programs are designed to provide teenage campers with the opportunity to explore the individual within themselves while working with mentors and making friends in an outdoor setting. Campers will learn leadership skills that will empower them to make positive changes in themselves, their communities and the world. Participants set up camp in “Frank’s garden,” a beautiful outdoor setting alongside Adobe Creek.

Bay to Sea Backpacking Program Ages 15-17
Explore the wilderness of the Santa Cruz Mountains on our Bay to Sea backpack trip, where you will hike from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean! This trip is an excellent introduction to backpacking. Those with or without backpacking experience are welcome.
Campers will learn basic wilderness skills, such as reading a map and camping with minimum impact on the land. They will also build lasting and caring relationships with friends and the environment. Highlights of the trip include watching the sunset from the top of Black Mountain, rock climbing at Castle Rock, enjoying the natural waterfalls of Big Basin Redwoods, arriving at the Pacific Ocean with all of their new friends, and returning to Hidden Villa for one last night on the farm.

B2C 1: June 16th – June 27th
B2C 2: Aug. 4th – Aug. 15th

ACT 1 Entering 11th Grade
This program is for young people who are interested in and ready for the responsibility of caring for children in a camp environment while passing on the Hidden Villa Legacy
ACT I participants spend time learning some of the skills they will need as counselors, while also helping out in other camp programs, as well as having some camp fun of their own. Topics covered in ACT I are communication techniques, conflict resolution, and some basic leadership skills to use with groups of campers. Trainees have the opportunity to practice some of these skills and work with experienced counselors in Day Camp program by doing an internship for one week following this training. This program requires an additional application process.

ACT I: June 30th –July 11
INTERNSHIP: July 21st- July 25th or July 28th to Aug 1st

ACT II Entering 12th Grade
ACT II is for those who have completed ACT I the previous year. Program begins with two weeks of on-the-job training alongside experienced mentors and camp directors. By designing, implementing, and evaluating large group activities, participants gain proficiency in some of the biggest challenges a counselor might face. They also spend additional time developing age-appropriate activities and public speaking, learning interview techniques and resume-building skills.
Program graduates who successfully complete the training are encouraged to apply for available positions and may have the opportunity to work as counselors for the remaining weeks of the summer. Program requires an additional application process.

ACT II: July 21st – Aug 1st

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Fees

$405 for Day Camp
$505 for Tipi Camp
$1005 for Resident Camp
$1005 for Farm & Wilderness
$1005 for Bay to Sea Backpacking
$1005 for ACTI
$255 for ACT II (must have completed ACT I)

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Financial Aid

We provide varying levels of financial aid to make camp possible for everyone. Financial aid is based on a family’s total income and the number of dependents. It is contingent upon receiving income verification (i.e. copy of pay stub).

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How to Register

NEW! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW
This will be the quickest way to reserve your spot at camp this summer
You may also email camp@hiddenvilla.org or call (650) 949-8641 for a mail-in application to be sent to you
Registration begins on January 31st and is on a first come first serve basis
We do not accept registration by phone

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How to Pay

NEW! Register online and pay directly by credit card or electronic check
Payment by check is only available for mail in applications
We require a $55 deposit/registration fee per participant, refundable only if the applicant is not accepted to camp
Camp fees are non-refundable after May 31. All refunds take from two to three weeks to process.
Returned checks are subject to a $20 returned check fee.
Please choose your program carefully. Once registered, session or program changes are possible only as space allows. There will be a $25 administration fee for such changes.

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Other Things You Should Know

We hate to disappoint any applicants so we urge you to apply early
Once your camper is enrolled, you will receive a number of important forms in a welcome packet. Please
complete all the forms and return them to the camp office well in advance, so that we can have a record of your information before camp starts.
Residential Programs require a physical examination signed by a doctor.
Day Campers will need to provide a copy of the child’s immunization records.

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Hidden Villa’s Buddy Policy

Camp is a great opportunity to explore new things, make new friends, and take early steps toward independence. Hidden Villa’s mission is to bring together children and youth from different backgrounds together and help them become friends. While we recognize that many children would like to attend camp with a special friend, we will not be placing campers in groups with requested buddies. Having buddies in the same small group can reinforce cliques and exclusionary practices. At Hidden Villa, we are all working to create a safe and caring atmosphere for our campers.

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