Summer Camps: Fun for Everyone

GIRLS WITH GUITARS

The Girls with Guitars summer camp is open to young women of all ages and skill levels. The week-long camp takes place in picturesque Topanga Canyon at the residence and home studio of Girls with Guitars founder Shevy Smith. The fifth and final day will be a showcase where students will be able to share what they have learned with friends and family in a performance space.

Award-winning national recording artist Shevy Smith is expanding her successful program, “Girls with Guitars,” to include the Calabasas and Woodland Hills areas.

The curriculum is specifically designed to equip girls with instrument skills (guitar and piano) and songwriting instruction, while also instilling a greater confidence in their capabilities as young women. The strong musical heritage running through Topanga provides the perfect backdrop of inspiration for children of all ages.

Smith began piano lessons at age four, started guitar soon after, and had a songwriting publishing deal by the time she was 17. “I think the discipline of practicing an instrument and performing at recitals really gave me confidence to express my thoughts in song. My teachers were always really great about catering the lessons to music that inspired me — Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris.

“I try to do the same thing with my girls by implementing Taylor Swift and Beyonce alongside the classics. It is pretty amazing to be part of the empowerment that comes when you watch a young musician learn her first chord and write her first song!”

Thus far, GWG educates more than 30 students in the Orange County location and has built a great clientele in the Topanga area, as well.

“I always want to make sure that we are able to maintain the highest quality of instruction with each expansion. I am excited that we can now offer our services to the next generation of great musicians in Calabasas and Woodland Hills. We have an awesome studio in Topanga and will be able to do some mobile lesson work as well. I love getting out and meeting our community on a personal level,” says Smith.

GWG accepts students as young as four years old and can schedule lessons six days a week. Boys are also welcome to join and receive instruction catered to their needs and interests, too. GWG will also be hosting their first ever Guitar Camp in late July and early August. Dates and details will be posted shortly.

Girls With Guitars is on the web at www.girlswithguitars.net or contact Shevy at 562-286-4551, for more information and to register.

THE PAINTED TURTLE — CAMP WITH A CAUSE

Speaking of camps, The Painted Turtle Camp in Lake Hughes is a year-round camp where children with serious medical conditions celebrate just being kids!

Through innovative, camp-based programs that offer a big dose of fun and support, children with more than 30 medical conditions visit The Painted Turtle each year, reclaiming the joys of childhood.

A member of Paul Newman’s renowned SeriousFun Camps (formerly the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps), The Painted Turtle has offered thousands of children and their families hope and encouragement through its Summer and Family Weekend camps since it opened its gates in 2004.

There is no billing department at The Painted Turtle—campers and their families attend free of charge. And there’s no limit to the amount of laughter campers take home with them either!

The Painted Turtle has administrative offices in Santa Monica at 1300 Fourth Street, Suite 300,
Santa Monica, CA 90401; Toll Free: (866) 451-5367;
Phone: (310) 451-1353;
Fax: (310) 451-1357.


The camp office is located at 17000 Elizabeth Lake Road/P.O. Box 455
Lake Hughes, CA 93532; Phone: (661) 724-1550;
Fax: (661) 724-1340.


“RIDE FOR A REASON”

The organization is gearing up early for its third annual Painted Turtle Camp Challenge bicycle ride, “Ride for a Reason” fundraiser, on September 8.

Choose from one of three fully supported routes:
18-, 36- or 62-miles. Each route begins and ends at the beautiful camp facility in Lake Hughes, CA.

The day kicks off with a hot breakfast and closes with a lunch celebration.

Participants are asked to commit to raising a minimum of $250 in support of providing an authentic camp experience for children with chronic illness and their families.

Participants who raise $500 or more will receive a commemorative cycling jersey.

Please check back for further information regarding route maps, event day schedule and other details in the coming months.

For questions, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Anabel Holland at anabelh@thepaintedturtle.org or (310) 451-1353, ext 109.

Summer Fun at Topanga Summer fun at Montessori

Topanga Montessori Preschool kicks off four weeks of enriching and wonderful fun and promises a memorable summer session filled with gardening, cooking and baking, art, music,dance, literature and independent learning activities within our warm and nurturing Montessori-based environment.

The summer program begins July 2 and continues through July 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Before and after care is available for children ages 2.5 through 6. Children must be potty trained. Space is limited.

For more information contact Dina at (310) 455-3373; or visit us on the web www.topangamontessori.com.

Topanga Montessori is located at 1459 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, CA 90290.