With 1,151 Enrollments in Our ‘24 Summer in Wiseburn Camp Programs, it’s our Biggest Camp Experience Yet!
It’s been an unforgettable summer with our Wiseburn Da Vinci community's first-ever athletics camps, which were created in partnership with Wiseburn USD, Da Vinci Schools, Wiseburn Education Foundation, and Da Vinci Schools Fund. Between the athletics camps, our enrichment camps, and our career training clinics, 1,151 youth participated in summer programs in Wiseburn for our biggest summer camp experience yet!
Summer Athletics Camps
With 606 enrollments in the various WDV athletics camp programs, the Wiseburn + Da Vinci Summer Athletics Camps were open to the general public for a six-week session ending July 25. At just $350 for the full six weeks, it was one of the best values in the South Bay!
For the youth program, 250 students in grades 4-8 rotated through four sports (soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, and volleyball). For the high school program, 234 high school students received specialized training and skills development in chosen sports including basketball, soccer, baseball/softball, running club, and archery. There was also an optional strength and conditioning add-on class that 122 students participated in.
Both the youth and high school camps were taught by our varsity WDV coaches, and our high school strength and conditioning sessions were run by our partners at UCLA Health, powered by EXOS. Students of every level -- those with athletic experience and those just starting out -- participated in the camp experience.
“My daughter absolutely loved this camp. We've done all the camps in the South Bay and she had nothing but great things to say about the staff here,” said Sarah Moulton, a Wiseburn resident and event coordinator for the Wiseburn Education Foundation. “My daughter loved coming out here doing softball and all the other sports with her friends. Seeing kids who go to different districts or are in a different grade level who all came together for camp has been really great for her,” she continued.
Duane Faust, Varsity Head Coach of WDV Girls Basketball and one of two basketball coaches for the youth camp said, “We have been building fundamental dribbling skills, shooting skills, passing skills. What’s interesting is that as the weeks have progressed, we’ve seen all of the young people get better and better. We see the kids want to break their personal best. They have so much heart, they are dripping in sweat, it’s 90 degrees out, but they keep going. That’s what I like about this camp – it’s all about youth development, child development, helping them to reach their full potential,” he continued.
The high school athletics training and development camp offered high school student-athletes and others a chance to get stronger, grow as players alongside their teammates, and get to know the coaches.
Sophie Owens, a participant in the high school soccer camp, shared “One thing I’ve enjoyed is getting to know my teammates better. It’s been a really fun experience. The coach is really nice and we’ve all just had a really fun time playing together and practicing together.” When asked about a highlight of the camp, Sophie said, “My biggest highlight has been getting to play co-ed. It’s fun to challenge yourself, especially as a girl, against the boys and grow as a player alongside your teammates.”
Willis Chang, president of the Wiseburn Education Foundation who had a son enrolled in the youth athletics camp and another in the high school running club and advanced manufacturing, shared, “It’s been really important to WEF to support not just K-8 kids, but all kids. This has been one of those opportunities to create something special for the community. The camp allowed us to formally collaborate with the district, Da Vinci, DVSF, and say ‘how can we enrich the kids?’ I’m really a supporter. I love that we’ve all been able to help subsidize the experience and make it affordable and accessible.”
Dr. Matthew Wunder, Da Vinci's CEO and Superintendent shared, "With this partnership between Wiseburn, Da Vinci, Wiseburn Education Foundation, and DVSF, we are growing in what we do together which creates amazing opportunities for our students and community."
We want to extend a special shout out to our Wiseburn + Da Vinci Summer Athletics Camp co-program managers, Debbie Evans and Angel Maxwell, for their outstanding leadership and enthusiasm. You both are incredible!
Summer Enrichment Camps
Da Vinci hosted eight summer enrichment camps this summer for students in grades TK-9, with 427 students enrolled in Art, LEGO Robotics, Performing Arts (two age groups), Ceramics, Graphic Design, Board Games and Debate.
Sebastian, a rising 7th grader at Da Vinci Connect, attended ceramics camp for the second year in a row. He loves ceramics so much that he attended both sessions this summer. “I like sculpting animals and characters from my favorite video games. I like ceramics because it’s so relaxing. We have a lot of freedom to be creative and choose to make what we want,” he shared.
LEGO Robotics has one final week remaining, the week of August 5-9. There are still a few spots available. Register online at https://www.summerinwiseburn.org.
Summer Career Training
Da Vinci hosted six career training clinics this summer providing 118 students with hands-on career learning experiences. The clinics included Aviation, Advanced Manufacturing, Biz Camp, Futures Rewired, Future Shock, and Live Talk Show & Red Carpet Hosting.
Don’t miss our upcoming August edition of Life @ DV which will include a recap of our summer career training programs.
