FAQs

WHERE IS CAMP?

The address of Brentwood Science Magnet is 740 Gretna Green Way, LA, 90049

WHAT ARE THE CAMP HOURS?

Camp is 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. You can drop off as early as 9. And pick up any time between 3:00 and 3:30.  

EXPLAIN PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

Drop-off AND pick-up for campers over 7 years old is in the lower school parking lot, which runs along Montana Avenue. Enter the parking lot from Bundy, drive around to where you’ll see us. Exit onto Montana.

Drop-off AND pick-up for our 4-6 year-old Rookies and Miteys is at the entrance to Rookie Camp on Gretna Green, about 100 yards south of San Vicente.

*If you have siblings or a carpool of different ages, it’s best to drop the olders off first, then head over to Rookie Camp.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT CAMP?

You ready? Here’s a partial list of our offerings (in alphabetical order): 

Arts & Crafts, Baseball, Basketball, Bench Ball, Breathbreaker (as well as 3-team and Water varieties), Bubble Wrap Freeze Dancing, Bucket Brigade, Burping Contests, Camper v Coach Water Fights, Carnival, Chess, Color Dunk Tank, Cricket, Dodgeball, Dry-Dock Surfing, Face Painting, Flag Football, Flour Pinatas, Food Fights, Four Square, Frisbee Golf, Gaga Ball, Giant Connect Four, Ghost in the Graveyard, Go-Carts, Graffiti Art, Hair and Nail Creations, Halloween Haunted House, Handball, Hands-Free “Dirt and Worm” Eating, Home Run Derby, Human Bowling, Human Car Wash, Human Foosball, Human Hungry Hippos, Human Pac Man, Human Tic Tac Toe, Kickball, Lanyards, Lacrosse, Mud Sliding, Mud Wrestling, Mummy Making, Obstacle Courses, Paint Twister, Pickleball, Pocket Golf, Prisoner Volleyball, Quidditch, Relay Races, Scavenger Hunts, Scooter Hockey, Seed Spitting Contest, Soccer (indoor and outdoor), Soccer Tennis, Spike Ball, Sponge Bob Toss, Tennis, Tetherball, Tie Dye, Tightrope Walking, Tricycle Races, Track and Field, War Ball, Water Balloons, Water Knockout, Water Pong, Water Wars.

WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL S.O.F. DAY LIKE?

Even though many of our campers are dressed and ready to go by 7 a.m., camp doesn’t actually begin until 9:30. We start accepting campers onto the yard at 9:00. After sign-in (described below), the campers will engage in supervised free play until we convene as a camp to run through safety and bathroom protocols, discuss the theme of the day, then engage in a morning contest – continuous talking, lip-syncing, staring, cartoon voices, silly dances and yes, burping. Anyone who wants to give it a whirl is more than welcome and it’s the voice of the people that crowns the champion.

We then dive into our morning activities. Soccer, basketball and arts & crafts are offered every day. We round out the morning with another two or three from a menu that includes everything listed above. Frequent water, bathroom and rest breaks will be taken.

Before lunch we convene on the field for a round of dodgeball, played with our giant soccer ball. Lunch – after which the campers will be supervised in reapplying their sunscreen - leads into a short free play (where handball and carrom games are the rage) and then it’s on to the Theme of the Day. Be it the Color Run, Go-Carts, Human Foosball, Medieval Times, Mess 4 Success, Name That Tune, Don’t Do This at Home, Apocalypse Water Wars, the Human Car Wash, Spy Kids, Clue, Star Wars, and Halloween - just to name a few - there is something for everyone. We end the afternoon with a water fight and an otter pop. What could be better?

WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL ROOKIE AND MITEYS DAY LIKE?

Rookie camp (our 4-5 year olds) and The Miteys (6 year olds) operate on much the same schedule as the older Summer of Fun. Arrival after 9, pick-up after 3. Within those six hours, the campers will enjoy age-appropriate sports, games, contests, puzzles, snack and story time, treasure and scavenger hunts, dance contests, and a sensory arts & crafts program that will have them painting, drawing, building, playing with oobleck, and tons of other activities that will stimulate, challenge and amuse them. Lunch time they share with the older camp. And they also participate in all of the afternoon theme activities with the Summer of Fun-sters.

WHAT IS THE CAMPER TO COACH RATIO?

3:1. We enjoy an abundance of exceptional coaches, with a staff that is 100% homegrown. Every coach has been a camper. It provides a sense of continuity and ownership that creates a family experience for our campers.

CAN MY CHILD BE IN THE SAME GROUP AS HIS FRIEND?

Yes. Though we don’t place kids in traditional groups, your camper can absolutely spend the day with his/her friend(s).

I’VE GOT ISSUES WITH SECURITY AND BATHROOMS.

SO DO WE! We go over security procedures with the campers every day, but for your edification, this is our mantra: No one goes off on his/her own. No one goes to the restroom without a counselor escort. Also, the campus is locked tightly after drop-off. If you show up at the gate, please dial the office, 310-913- 3224. We will come and let you in.

CAN I PAY BY CREDIT CARD?

Certainly. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and all major credit cards are happily accepted, as are cash, check or Venmo.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY? DO YOU ISSUE REFUNDS?

Full refund available up to May 15th, 2025 (minus $35 cancellation fee). 50% refund available from May 16th to June 23rd, 2025 (minus $35 cancellation fee). No refunds available after June 23rd, 2025. *Sibling discount not applicable for this offer. Questions? Email Steve.

HOW ABOUT ABSENCES AND MAKE-UP DAYS?

If your child cannot attend camp on a scheduled day, that day can be rescheduled as long as you inform us by 9 a.m. Either call the office (310-913-3224) or email us (coachstevela@gmail.com). If we don’t hear from you by 9 a.m., we cannot reschedule the day.

DO YOU SERVE LUNCH?

We are in the process of engaging a new provider for our hot lunch program. Details will be posted and conveyed as soon as they are finalized. We will be reinstituting our Pizza Fridays, and that information will be forthcoming as well.

We have engaged Citizen Sprout (citizensprout.com) for those of you looking for a respite from having to make lunches in the morning. About half of our campers subscribe to the lunch program. The other half brings from home. The option is yours.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A POOL, HOW DO YOU KEEP THE KIDS COOL?

Considering our landlocked, black-topped campus we are the only fully functioning water park in West LA. Every day we trot out water cannons, sprinklers, Super Soakers, and water balloons, and create new and novel ways of staying cool. Water is an integral component of everything we do. Ask about the Human Carwash, it’s a highlight.

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO CAMP?

1. Athletic shoes ONLY (NO sandals, flip-flops, Crocs or clogs, unless packed in a backpack and brought out for water play). Don’t forget to wear socks. We are no fans of blisters.

2. A re-usable water bottle… We will provide re-filling stations, but campers need to have their own labeled bottle.

3. Sunscreen. You apply it before camp. We supervise the campers’ reapplication at lunchtime (and as additionally needed). 

4. Lunch, if not subscribing to the hot lunch program. LUNCHES AND BACKPACKS MUST BE LABELED. Last year, the five identical unlabeled Minions backpacks provided much consternation

5. Hat (also labeled).

6. Towel (for post-water play comfort). Also labeled. May we suggest that you ALSO bring a towel for your car. The reason will be obvious when you pick up your child.

7. A change of clothing, extra t-shirt and shorts (for after our daily water-play). All items should be name-taped or laundry marked. One look at our prodigious Lost and Found will tell you why.

8. PLEASE – NO CELL PHONES. Campers can come into the office to call you at any time. ALSO, LEAVE WATCHES, BRACELETS, NECKLACES and DIAMOND EARRINGS AT HOME. Rest assured – anything that can be lost, will be – and has been - lost.

DO YOU OFFER BEFORE OR AFTER CARE?

The limits of our LAUSD permit prevent us from signing-in campers before 9:00 or being on-site after 4:00. If you must drop off your camper early or pick up a little later, hopefully those times make it easier for you.

DO YOU OFFER BUS TRANSPORTATION?

Sorry, no.

DO YOU TAKE THE KIDS ON FIELD TRIPS?

We do not. Our program, which is different every day, is tailored to the campus. 

IF I HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS, HOW CAN I REACH YOU?

Several ways. You can send messages/questions through the Brightwheel app. Or you can call/text us by phone at 310-913-3224 or email coachstevela@gmail.com. We'll get right back to you with the answers.

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