Summer Fun at CSUN

  • Students work together to design a project in a robotics class offered by the Summer Academic Program for Elementary School Students (SAPESS). Photo by David Hawkins.

  • A SAPESS teacher helps students put together their robot, which was made primarily with legos. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • The CSUN women's team, which plays its first home game against North Dakota State on Aug. 26, helped campers improve their skills on the pitch . Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Kids going to the soccer camp scrimmaged against each other. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • A CSUN men's soccer player gives instruction to a young camper. The Matadors open the 2016 season at home against the University of California-Berkley on Aug. 14. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Campers hard at work in the Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP) girls-only robotics class. Photo provided by Erin Bancroft.

  • SAEP campers practice learning Spanish. Photo provided by Erin Bancroft.

California State University, Northridge opened its fields, pools, rock wall and more to the community this summer by hosting numerous camps and programs for students in grades K-12 who were looking for fun activities.

The University Student Union’s 10-week Sunny Days Camp welcomed 250 full-day and 100 half-day campers. The half-day program allowed campers to take part in fun on-campus activities such as swimming, rock climbing at the Student Recreation Center, and playing billiards and table tennis in the Games Room. Full-day campers went on weekly field trips to places such as the Los Angeles Zoo, the Wildlife Center and the El Capitan Theatre.

Sunny Days Director Jeremy Hamlett said the program is a fun, secure environment for all campers.

“All of our counselors are CSUN students, and the majority of them are child development majors,” Hamlett said. “It’s very safe as well as convenient for parents who are in our neighboring community.”

The university also offered academic programs such as the Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP) and the Summer Academic Program for Elementary School Students (SAPESS).

SAEP offered classes such as digital photography, choir, algebra and creative writing to middle school students. For high school students looking to earn credit during the summer, the program offered courses such as geometry, pre-calculus and speech and debate.

“Part of the purpose of holding SAEP on a California State University campus is to install and awaken a sense of hope and possibility in all of our students as they study and learn,” SAEP Director Mira Pak said.

According to Pak, the program offered three new classes this year: introduction to ukulele, girls-only computer animation and girls-only robotics.

SAPESS, which is designed specifically for students entering grades K-5, focused on developing and growing participants through hands-on academic and enrichment activities such as robotics, math, art and science.

CSUN’s award-winning Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW), a six-week intensive workshop for kids entering grades 7-12, trained students in acting, dance, lighting, sound and much more. The workshop put on performances of Shrek the Musical Jr. and Around the World in 80 Days.

For kids of all ages interested in sports, Matador Athletics offered camps in soccer, tennis, softball, baseball and volleyball. Registration is still available for the soccer camp, which runs through Aug. 5. For more information, visit gomatadors.com.

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