San Diego Mom - Carmel Valley

I don’t usually write about time sensitive things - but I didn’t want to pass this one up.  Del Mar RaceTrack for most of us with little kids is a novelty, but not necessarily something we do a lot with the kids. Little ones don’t have the patience or attention span to last. 

But, there is a Family Day at the Race Track you may want to check out.  I haven’t been yet, and can’t this year.  But, I thought they did a good job of planning some fun things for little ones.

Its a traditional set of jumpee, pony rides, climbing walls, rides, etc. But, they have a fun make your own hat craft, (The Rad Hatter) which I think teaches a little about the traditions for the RaceTrack, and I liked that they are offering scramble slide and obstacle course too and lake elsinore baseball with clinics, whiffle ball and more for our kids who need to be active to be happy.     

http://www.delmarscene.com/family/family_weekends.htm 

Check it out and let us know what you think here! 

We are so lucky and so unlucky at the same time.  My heart goes out to the families who have lost their homes.  For them and for those of us lucky enough to have been spared - most likely due to luck and some amazingly hard work of our firefighters - visit the following links for easy access to indoor gyms to find things to do with your kids.

Several are offering free play time or low cost playtime for families in San Diego to ensure we have some safe options while we wait for air quality to come back to normal.

 http://sandiegomom.blogsome.com/category/for-locals-finding-daily-fun/

 http://sandiegomom.blogsome.com/category/active-play-classes/

Ok, its worth a 2nd post as I’ve written about the World Beat Center in Balboa Park before.  But, if you haven’t been yet to a class at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park you have no idea what you’re missing.   

This week-end I took a group of my friends and it was an unbelievable experience.  Our instructor Nana Yaw Asiedu was exceptional.  Fun, warm, sense of humor, great with kids.  They accomodated us with finding drums for everyone (and we were a huge crowd - nearly 40 or more families) and he had us all engaged. 

The drums were varied, shakers for each child, similarly varied, we learned African language, we heard African Stories, we learned dances.  Nana kept the program age appropriate, but managed to keep adults, children ages 2-12 engaged.

Make visiting the World Beat Center a priority.  You won’t be sorry.  Classes are offered throughout the week.  If you have a private group they will work with you on a class on your own.

http://www.worldbeatcenter.org/Classes_New.html 

I’ve received this a few times this week, so I figure some people might be into it and I’d share it.  The notion is an event with your kids at a hopping or trendy nightclub or party location in your City. 

I haven’t tried this, so I can’t really tell you if its great or not.  But, its another option to try in town.  The event in October for example is on a Sunday from 2-5.  

http://www.babylovesdisco.com/locations/sandiego/ 

From their web site: "an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real djs blending classic disco tunes From the 70s, & 80s guaranteed to get those little booties moving and grooving. The fun spills out from all corners of the club: bubble machines, baskets of  scarves and egg-shakers, a chill-out room (with tents, books and puzzles), diaper changing stations, a full spread of healthy snacks and dancing, LOTS of dancing"

I was lucky enough to attend a program that this group created and they were terrific to work with (they taught the children how to be clowns), and in their performance that followed.

They offer everything from unicycle riding to juggling and clowning.  Acrobatics, and more.  They have pre-school aged programs and up to adults.

http://sdcircus.com/sophia_academy/index.htm 

This is a gym located just off the 56 near the 15 highway.  Its a 10-15 minute drive, but easy to get to.  They offer classes locally at the Carmel Valley Rec center and I’ve taken the Gym Kids class they offer there several times with my kids.  They are generally pretty good classes.  Their location has a rock wall and gymanstics equipment.  http://www.rockntumble.com/

If you have a child who is growing more serious about gymnastics, this seems a fun place to learn and grow.  They offer personal instruction for kids too and have for exhibition team.  They also offer birthday parties, winter camps, I thought it was fun they offer Monday night football camps for the kids.   

Discount Offered:  $5 admission coupon for Admission to Kidsville good Monday through Friday.   Please use code:  SDMOM$5.  Please print this page as well and bring it in to show you found the discount on San Diego Mom.

This is another option for a rainy day or party, though its a drive from Carmel Valley in Poway.  The location is a huge warehouse that they have filled with children’s toyhouses - each with a different theme.  The center area has play structures and tables for the adults to sit in.  A small road goes around indoors near the openings of each house so the kids can ride riding toys around too and trikes. One house has all costumes so the kids can dress up however they like.  There isn’t much help with supervision here though.

http://www.kidsvilleplayland.com/ 

They do parties here and also provide assistance I believe with food, etc.  The few parties I’ve been to though have felt chaotic and too spread out.  It could be that they didn’t close the place to just the party, I’m not sure.  But, finding your kid can sometimes be hard because it is so big.   

Pump it up is a fun place for the kids filled with jumpy jumps - some for smaller kids, and a few with really tall blown up structures for climbing and slides.  Location wise its not right near Carmel Valley, but its easy to get to off the 805.  You can see more about them here: http://www.pumpitupparty.com/index.php 

This place can be a little daunting though for kids who are still timid about tall structures.  Smaller kids will definitely need your assistance.  And to be honest, if you have an older one and a smaller one this place can be hard without a 2nd set of hands. 

I believe there are open gym times too for rainy days and also some camps, etc.  Check out their schedule for that.  They are great about parties helping to set up food, order it even for you and make up goodie bags.   

This gym in Poway is a bit of drive from Carmel Valley (15-20 minutes), but is a nice alternative to Tumbles or Pump it up for the kids.  And a great alternative if you have a heavy mix of littler ones (2-3 yr olds) in the mix. 

The gym has a huge climbing structure but its easy to navigate, less daunting then some of the really high structures at Pump it up and there is a middle large play area with dolls, kitchen, cars, etc. for the littlest in the crowd.

http://www.mykidsclubhouse.com/

The team there will help with everything from putting out food, giving out goodie bags, and clean up.  They also facilitate activites inside the birthday room such as bubbles, some mini magic and things of that nature.

The clubhouse has open gym times as well.  I haven’t taken any of their camps so have no personal experience beyond the birthday parties.  But, the location is kept pretty clean and they seem easy to work with. 

This one is a popular choice for the 2-5 yr old crowd.  Tumbles has a set of instructor/teacher types who are usally pretty fun, young and energetic.  The gym has mats, climbing structures, some fun games that hang from the ceiling (canoes the kids swing in, etc.) and they do some tumbling, singing and the like with the kids.

http://www.jwtumbles.com/locations/schedule.php?lid=2 

Classes are offered year round, camps in the summer and birthday parties are facilitated on the week-ends.  A deposit is required to secure a date.  You need to bring food to Tumbles but they will help serve, clean, etc. 

I love this program as did my daughter.  She attended several of the summer camps.  They offer the program in multiple areas of the City.  In Carmel Valley they meet either at the Rec Center or Ashley Falls school playground/grass.

http://www.peeweesports.net/Locations/carmelvalley.html

The kids generally should be potty trained, but they will take the kids at 24 months and up to 6 yrs old I think.  They do break the kids up a bit by age during the program as well.  They offer exposure to soccer, t-ball, field hockey and basket ball in a non-competitive way.  They are great about offering programs during the school breaks as well.  The instructors are fun and energetic. 

My only caveat about summer camps is that the kids run a lot - and they do get VERY hot.  They have a ball, but they need sunscreen, hats, lots of water, etc.   

Brian Blacher owns this children’s Gym in Sorrento Valley.  Its located right past the Torrey Hills neighborhood in Carmel Valley on Sorrento Valley Road.  So, its very close to home for those of us in Carmel Valley. 

The facility is new, clean, well maintained.  Classes run the gamut from Karate, to sibling work together and play together classes (I think this is a cool idea).  The facility has a climbing wall, small golf putting area and tons of mats and running room.  They also offer yoga for adults simultaneously.  The teachers are enthusiastic and the kids seem to have a good time.

http://activekidz.net/ has the class schedules online. 

The Boys and Girls Club in San Diego is very active, many different locations.  We have several in our area - two in Carmel Valley and another in Del Mar and Solana Beach.  There are after school activities for various age ranges - primarily school age not younger. Arts (dance for 2 and up; acting for 6 and up), sports, swimming, volleyball and more. 

http://www.bgcsdto.org/Allred.htm  This is the link to one of the Carmel Valley locations and the drop downs there will take you to the other locations as well.  There is even some transportation from schools to the facility if you are a working parent and need someone to transport your children.

I don’t have any personal experience with the programs, but I have spoken with some of the folks administering the programs and they were very nice.  Seems worth a look.   

This dance school is located in the Vons shopping center near Valley Centre road.  I confess, dance is something near and dear to me.  I danced ballet, jazz and modern through my childhood and into college.  I care a lot about good instruction and a fun environment. I think Francine Garton who runs this place manages both well.

I took an adult Ballet class from her and really enjoyed it.  My daughter took a few classes with Miss Melissa and adored her but hated Ballet.  Ah well.  But, I’ve heard mostly good things about the program.  The costumes, dress rehearsals for the recitals, however, are pricey.  For whatever reason, they are sparing no expense there.  And I don’t understand that for the life of me.  The kids are very young.  Seems very unnecessary.  I confess, I don’t know if its any better elsewhere on that point.  They may all do it for all I know.  But, short of that, I recommend the place highly. 

Visit their site for schedules, etc. http://royaldanceacademy.com/index.html 

The Pacific Athletic Club in Carmel Valley is an option if you’re willing to pay the steep membership fees to have access to a great health club, heated pools (open longer hours than the local rec center), and children’s classes/activities with child care.  Its nice, there’s no question, but you pay for it.  General membership is one fee, when children reach a certain age they must be added to the membership and tennis/raquet membership is extra.

http://www.pacsandiego.com/ has all the info and some photos.  The childcare here is great if you want to get a work out in, limited to 2 hour time-frames, but they offer a lot of good children’s classes (from sports, to art, to drama, etc.), camps during summer and vacations from school and for adults there are a ton of great Yoga, Personal Trainer, and Spin type classes too. 

The facility is new and offers a full Spa as well.  There is a healthy food area too for families and several pools for the kids that are heated.  One pool is no more than 3 feet deep the whole length and offers a waterfall to cool the little ones off.  There are two other large pools - one adult only - the other for families. 

Swim lessons are offered here and I’ve heard good things about them.  Personal swim lessons are available too. 

Several area YMCA’s offer amazing camps and classes.  I’ve been very impressed with the Encinitas YMCA’s drama/art classes.  (Aleta Barthell is an amazing instructor there - not to be missed.)  A YMCA is set to open in Carmel Valley sometime in the future (read more at: http://209.200.114.27/summercamp2005/carmelvalley/campsInformation.cfm

But until then you need to choose between Encinitas or Penasquitas or La Jolla.  Here’s the link to the various locations: http://www.ymca.org/

Visit the specific location to review their catalog.  Seriously, these centers offer amazing things from surf lessons, swim lessons, etc. to ski trips, and other adventures for older kids.  They are a great option for a variety of activities.  

If you’re not familiar with your local recreation center owned/operated by the City, you should check it out.  The recreation center’s offer classes year round for nearly all age groups up through High School and they are generally pretty good.  Art classes, sports, dance, etc.  There is usually a local pool there too open for some part of the year and fairly affordable.  If you’re a resident of the community you get the lower rate for the fee.  You can choose to go to a specific recreation center offering a class you want even if you’re not a resident as well; you just pay a slightly higher fee.  http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/recctr.shtml

Carmel Valley’s Rec Center is here: http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/carmelvalley.shtml and I’ve participated in a variety of classes here. I really like their gym kids class for toddlers.  Its in a nice open gym and has some good equipment to use, sweet teachers and its just a nice alternative to the closed in settings of the Gymboree and other commercial options.  We’ve also heard good things about the ooey gooey classes for the little ones, and the pee wee sports.  I was a little less impressed with the ballet program the year we took it, but these things change year to year.

The JCC sponsors some amazing playgroups and classes too for new moms.  Here’s the link: http://www.lfjcc.org/shalombaby/

Lauren Morris, (Disclosure: a dear friend) came up with this idea 7 or 8 years ago and the project instantly grew beyond management within the year.  She truly found a gap in our community and filled it.  We owe her a huge debt of grattitude. 

There are groups by age, often times they are not geographically organized though so you need to know you’ll need to travel for playgroup meetings which are usually held in homes, but also include trips with the kids, whatever the group decides they want to do.

Classes offered range from Music Together, to infant message and there is a darling baby book club I’m told as well.  Classes have a fee. Judy Nemzer the main contact now for Shalom Baby is one of the most amazing people you will meet.  The entire Shalom Baby program is first rate.  Don’t miss out on it.

This organization was created to help identify developmental challenges in children at a very early age.  They offer sophisticated support for families in the San Diego area.  You can read more about them at http://www.howkidsdevelop.com/index.html.

As a special part of their program, they offer free classes to the public that are terrific.  They offer music classes (showing you how to use instruments and play with toddlers), they have a feeding finesse program that is great for new moms wondering if they are overfeeding, underfeeding, addressing all those concerns, they even offer the "Re-directing Children’s Behavior" class and it used to be free.  I think it still is. 

The list of classes can be found here - check it out at http://www.chsd.org/body.cfm?id=986

The current schedules are at this link: http://www.chsd.org/body.cfm?id=985