Camp Menlo offers a diversity of water sports while cultivating skills and building a strong foundation in aquatics for a lifetime of safety, health, and enjoyment. We splash summertime magic into every camper's memory!
We offer ten weeks of camps in the summer. Monday to Friday morning camp, 8:45am–2:00pm and afternoon camp, 2:00pm–6:00pm. Camp Menlo is for ages 5 through 12.
- Camp Dates
- Levels and Evaluations
- Activities
- Sample Daily Schedules
- Pricing and Discounts
- Registration and Policies
- Staffing, Supervision, and Safety
- Location
Camp 1: June 14 – June 18
Camp 2: June 21 – June 25
Camp 3: June 28 – July 2
Camp 4: July 5 – July 9
Camp 5: July 12 – July 16
Camp 6: July 19 – July 23
Camp 7: July 26 – July 30
Camp 8: August 2 – August 6
Camp 9: August 9 – August 13
Camp 10: August 16 – August 20
Camp Menlo offers professional swim instruction in a fun-filled camp format for all levels, ages 5-12. Kids who are just learning how to swim are called our Emerging Swimmers and kids who swim proficiently are our Developing Swimmers. These two levels provide maximum safety and instructional opportunity so that campers get the most out of camp swim lessons whether they need a little extra help or they're already fast fishes.
Based on the criteria below please register your child accordingly.
This level is for our less experienced swimmers who need extra supervision in the water and benefit from extra instruction and smaller class size. If your child is comfortable in the water but is not yet a swimmer, then Emerging Swimmer camp is for you. We can't take campers who have fear of the water — they should be able to put their head under, kick, float, and be relaxed submerged — but swimming skills aren't required.
Emerging Swimmers enjoy a swimmer/instructor ratio of 4:1 in the water.
The instruction that emerging swimmers receive at Camp Menlo aligns with our Menlo Swim School levels. Our Swim School instructors take our Camp Menlo campers through the following:
Level 2: Upon completion of Level 2, the child should be able to swim 12 1/2 yards without assistance or stopping, popping up for air when needed. Arms should be stretched out and chin on the "fast button". Unassisted back floats should be mastered.
Level 3: Upon completion of Level 3, child will swim 12 1/2 yards unassisted and without the aid of fins. They should have good control over body positioning and stretching of arms. The child must also be able to control body positioning on back and advance four yards without letting legs sink (either by sculling or kicking).
Freestyle: After the Freestyle level is completed, the child should be able to consistently swim 25 yards of correct freestyle and be proficient at breathing.
This level is designed for campers who are already proficient swimmers. If your child can swim freestyle unassisted for 25 yards or he/she has passed the Freestyle Level test for Menlo Swim School, then Developing Swimmer camp is for you. Our Developing Swimmers will take lessons in some or all of the four swim strokes, depending upon results of an evaluation on the first day of camp. Menlo Swim School instructors will take campers through more advanced levels.
Find out more about the stroke levels of instruction that are offered at Menlo Swim School.
Developing Swimmers enjoy a swimmer/instructor ratio of 8:1 in the water.
If your camper is already a Menlo Swim School student then use their current level to determine whether to register for Emerging or Developing Swimmer camp. If you're not sure about the skills of your camper, please come for an evaluation. Your child will receive a quick, in-water evaluation with one of our experienced swim instructors. No appointment necessary. Arrive ready to get in the water at one of these times:
- Monday – Friday: noon and 7:00pm
- Saturday: 1:00pm
Each day, our highly-qualified and well-trained instructors give your child individualized instruction in group lessons. We build swimming confidence while improving current skills and developing stroke technique in a safe and encouraging environment. In addition to instructional swim, campers enjoy free swim, organized water activities, and interactive games that reinforce what they learn. On land, campers enjoy various group games activities that encourage growth, teamwork, leadership, and fun!
Instruction
- Swimming fundamentals in butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle
- Race starts/dives and turns for beginners and competitors, including flip turns
- Warming up and stretching
- "Guard-Start" introduction to first aid and water safety
Recreation
- Water basketball
- Inner tube water polo
- Floating vessels
- Traditional and dynamic water and dry land games
Relaxation
- Kids meet others who love the water and they'll share experiences that will be remembered.
- Organized games that encourage communication and leadership, led by caring counselors who make certain campers feel supported and included.
- Recharge and recover from physical activity, with replenishing fluids, and healthy, nutritious foods.
- Board games, arts and crafts, and quiet group time.
Morning Camp: Emerging Swimmers
| 8:45 | Check-in/free play/group activities |
| 9:15 | Group greeting and announcements |
| 9:30 | 45 min group rotations of instructional swim |
| Snacks/hydration/sunscreen | |
| Field games/camp games | |
| 11:45 | Lunch (bring from home or purchase from the Pro Shop) |
| 12:15 | Field games/camp games and crafts |
| 12:45 | Structured water games and free swim |
| 1:45 | Popsicles/daily wrap-up |
| 1:50 | Check-out/all day campers group circle/snack/sunscreen |
Morning Camp: Developing Swimmers
| 8:45 | Check-in/free play/group activities |
| 9:15 | Group greeting and announcements |
| 9:30 | Group instructional swim sorted by swim level |
| 10:30 | Free swim |
| 11:15 | Lunch (bring from home or purchase from the Pro Shop) |
| 11:45 | Field games/camp games and crafts |
| 12:45 | Guard start |
| 1:00 | Group organized water activities and free swim |
| 1:45 | Popsicles/daily wrap-up |
| 1:50 | Check-out/all day campers group circle/snack/sunscreen |
Afternoon Camp
| 2:00 | Check-in/group activities |
| 2:15 | Field games |
| 3:00 | Free swim and water games |
| 4:00 | Snacks/game or activity based on theme |
| 4:30 | Theme-based craft activities |
| 5:00 | Choice of field game or camp activity |
| 5:45 | Daily wrap-up |
| 5:50 | Check-out |
Emerging Swimmers
Emerging Swimmer camp is offered in the mornings only. Limited to 24 campers each week. Maximum swimmer/instructor ratio is 4:1.
- $300 per week for morning camp (8:45am – 2:00pm)
Developing Swimmers
Limited to 40 campers each week. Maximum swimmer/instructor ratio is 8:1.
- $250 per week for morning camp (8:45am – 2:00pm)
- $200 per week for afternoon camp (2:00pm – 6:00pm)
- $425 per week for all day (8:45am – 6:00pm)
Menlo Mavericks discount: As a Camp Menlo registrant, you can save $100 when you register for the summer session of Menlo Mavericks. This is a special offer to encourage campers to experience the joy and excitement of being part of a summer league team. Summer Mavericks runs from June 14 to August 21, 2010. >more about Summer Mavs
You may register online or in person at the pool. We accept registrations right up to the start of camp, where openings exist. If you have any questions regarding which camp is appropriate for your child or require any further information, please call the Service Center at (650) 330-2232.
Cancellation Policy
- You must cancel by May 30, 2010 to receive a refund. CANCELLATIONS AFTER MAY 30, NO REFUND!
- Cancel on or before May 30 and you get a full refund minus $30 processing fee.
- This refund policy applies to all camp cancellations, regardless of your original enrollment date.
- All refunds will be made by the original payment method.
- Fees are not refunded or prorated for days of camp missed due to injury or illness.
Transfer Policy
- Transfer requests made 7 days or more prior to the camp start date: $30 transfer fee.
- Transfer requests made less than 7 days prior to the camp start date: no transfers.
- Transfers are subject to availability.
- Sessions are not transferable to other campers.
Refund Policy
- The same Cancellation Policy and Transfer Policy apply as stated above, however, you may opt for a 100% credit refund to be held on your account (no processing fee is deducted).
- Credit will be good for the remainder of 2010 and all of 2011.
- Credits are transferable to other family members.
- Credits may be used for other programming at Menlo Swim and Sport such as Menlo Swim School, Menlo Mavericks, and Junior Triathlon.
The camp is directed by a year-round professional staff who focus on quality, safety, enjoyment, efficiency, and value. The head coach is an experienced aquatics instructor/coach with a skill emphasis on childhood development. The head coach is assisted by counselors with experience in promoting safe and fun activities. The well-being of each camper is our primary concern. Campers are under constant supervision by the camp director, head coach, and counselors with a ratio of 8 campers per one staff member on land. In the water, the ratio is 4:1 for Emerging Swimmers and 8:1 for Developing Swimmers.
The camp is hosted by Menlo Swim and Sport at the beautiful Burgess Pools facility. Activities for Camp Menlo may take place in either of two pools. One is a 25-yard, 11-lane competitive pool that is heated to 80 degrees. The second is a 25-yard, 6-lane rim-flow warm pool used primarily for instruction that is heated to 87 degrees and has a large shallow area. The Burgess facility also has third pool, which is a baby pool for ages 6 and under, heated to 87 degrees.
More about the Facility. View a map to 501 Laurel Street in Menlo Park.