Camarillo Public Library

The Camarillo Public Library is located at 4101 Las Posas Road. This is a beautiful, nearly 66,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility that opened in March 2007.

The library is a two-story building with a bookstore, adult literacy facility, community room (capacity of 130 to 200), conference room, technology lab and study rooms.

The library's collection is well over 200,000 items, including books, DVDs, music CDs, and audio books on CD and MP3. Your library card gives you access to the Camarillo Digital Library with hundreds of eBooks and Audio Books available on the library's website. The eBooks can be read in numerous formats, including computers, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, etc. The library contains the Russell Fischer Business Collection and the Ventura County Genealogical Society collection

The kids section is quite large, with a cool pirate-themed kids area.

The library is open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm and Friday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.(as of December 2024).

The Camarillo Library is an independently run city library that is not part of the Ventura County Library System. However, you can use your Camarillo Public Library card to borrow titles from the Moorpark City Library as well as other partner libraries.

To learn more, visit www.camarillolibrary.org or call 805.388.5222.

Art Trek in Newbury Park

Art Trek, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to bring visual, performing and literary arts to people of all ages. Art Trek provides art training to parents and teachers, after school programs, teen programs, summer camps, studio workshops and more. It has been active since 1992 and was established as a not-for-profit in 2006.

Birthday parties, corporate events and more. arttrek.org/schedule-event

Art Trek is located at 703 Rancho Conejo Blvd., Newbury Park. Visit www.arttrek.org for more information.

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, is a one-of-a-kind museum for all ages designed to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity.  

The museum opened its doors to the public on February 25, 2017 at 125 State Street, Santa Barbara, adjacent to the Amtrak Station.

The museum's three floors are filled with 17,000 sq ft of hands-on exhibits that encourage open-ended discovery, analytical assessment, experimentation, play and just plain fun.

The interactive exhibits are organized around seven themes that all relate to science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

• Tech Track: Includes an Innovation Workshop, a makerspace area where you can imagine, design and test your own creations using a wide variety of technologies and tools

• Sound Track: In this largest exhibit area on the first floor is a Giant Guitar to learn about how your favorite guitar riffs begin, a Sound Machine, the Reactable (part DJ table, part musical instrument), Foley Studios sound studios and more.

• Fantastic Forces Courtyard: This space is dedicated to gravity, magnetism, propulsion, centripetal force and more. Conduct test flights in our Wind Column Workshop, launch an Air Rocket and discover the power of magnetic fields on our Magnetic Islands.

• Speed Track: Build your own race car and send it down the race track, play the game of Mindball, prototype designs for a marble roller coaster and more.

• Light Track: Explore lights, colors, shadows and more. Take the ultimate selfie at Mosaic Faces. Create a bold display of colored lights at Light Patterns. Control the Color Mixing Machine that hangs above the entryway and learn more about color and light waves.

• Interactive Media Track: Explore a wide range of digital interactive experiences designed in partnership with area artists, educators and scientists.

• Sky Garden: The exhibit-filled rooftop includes Whitewater, a fully interactive water feature including a giant Archimedes screw. Create a wind-, sun- and human-powered symphony with the Weather Orchestra. Step inside the Lookout Tower to see the city through the lenses of five different observation scopes. And walk across the glass Sky Deck for a unique view of the courtyard below.

MOXI is open daily, except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving, from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $20 for ages 13+, $15 for ages 2 to 12 and free under age 2. The museum encourages the purchase of timed-entry tickets in advance at www.moxi.org or you can purchase tickets when you arrive.

MORE ON MOXI AT THIS LINK

Gates Canyon Park / Brandon's Village - Calabasas

The 7 acre Gates Canyon Park at 25801 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Calabasas includes picnic areas with barbeques, fitness course, children's play area, basketball court, tennis courts and plenty of open grass area.  The park is north of the 101 freeway and east of Las Virgenes.

Brandon’s Village at Gates Canyon Park originally opened in October 2006 as a universally accessible playground. It was completely renovated in 2024 with a million dollar upgrade and the theme “Above the Tree Line.” This 15,000 sq ft all-inclusive playground has play structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12. There is also a new sand area and trike zone for creative play.

Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities for more information.

Photo of a portion of the original Brandon’s Village play structure that was remodeled in 2024.

Spotlight Dance and Acting Studio in Thousand Oaks

Spotlight Dance and Acting Studio is located at 1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks. Spotlight offers classes in dance, acting, tumbling, and singing year round and there are classes available for ages 18 months to 17 years. Spotlight also hosts fun themed birthday parties and camps!

For more information, visit SpotlightDanceAndActing.com or call/text 805.719.1555

Ambush Paintball and Airsoft Park in Moorpark

Ambush Paintball and Airsoft Park opened in April 2013 at 8643 Shekell Road in Moorpark, off of Grimes Canyon Road. There is a turfed arena field and six scenario fields. Full rental gear available. Open for walk-in play, private parties, corporate teambuilding events and birthday parties. Great for beginners through seasoned veterans. Airsoft currently available on Sundays.

Learn more at www.ambushairsoftpark.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Ambushpaintballpark.

The Ambush property used to be the 200+ acre Egg City, which at its peak housed 3.5 million chickens that laid 2 million eggs a day! Egg City closed in 1996 and the structures on the site were burned down in a fire in 2006.

Casitas Water Adventure in Ventura

Casitas Water Adventure is a water park at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area that is open throughout the summer, generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (mid-Sept for weekend sessions).

There are two distinct areas. For younger children, there is an aquatic play structure designed for all ages, with two water buckets and five slides - two for kids and three for teens and adults.

The new Aquatic mega play unit Structure completed in 2023

The 1,200 foot long Lazy River offers a cool water ride on inner tubes along a scenic waterway featuring waterfalls, fog filled bridges and jet sprays. The inner tubes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but usually there are plenty of them on hand.

The 1,200 foot long lazy river at Casitas Water Adventure is my kids' favorite.

For the very youngest tots, a zero-depth pool sprays water from all angles, providing a safe, fun play area.

Shaded decks, lounge chairs, showers, restrooms and a snack bar are available, but food is not allowed inside the park (though you can bring bottled water). Certified lifeguards are on hand at all times and life jackets are available at no extra charge while supplies last. Locker rentals are available for a nominal fee.

Do take note that they don't heat the water here. It is a bit on the cold side for many, though on hot days this can be a good thing.

Lake Casitas Recreation Area is located at 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. Take Highway 33 from Ventura towards Ojai, make a left turn on Santa Ana Blvd, then a right on Santa Ana Road 3 or 4 miles to the park entrance.

Weekend morning sessions 10:30 am to 2 pm and afternoon sessions 3 to 6:30 pm. Weekday hours are 11am to 6pm. The cost for the 2024 season is $20 per person on weekdays and $23 on weekends.

Visit www.casitaswater.org/casitas-water-adventure for details.

Parking inside Lake Casitas is $20 on weekends/holidays and $10 on weekdays. There is parking available on Santa Ana Road if you don't mind walking.

This is the “old” (Pre-2023) aquatic Play Structure (for historical purposes)

Coach Patty's School of Gymnastics in Camarillo

Coach Patty’s School of Gymnastics is located near Old Town Camarillo at 300 S. Lewis Road, Suite E.  The school has programs for recreational artistic gymnastics, preschool gymnastics, competitive team gymnastics for boys and girls, tumbling & trampoline programs for both children and adults.

The facility is over 16,000 sq ft and is loaded with state of the art equipment, including 60’ Tumble Trak, trampolines, double Mini Trampoline, high bars, balance beams spring floors, vault systems and a 84 foot fiberglass rod floor for power tumbling and a ring tower.  Just for kids preschool equipment.

Coach Patty’s also offers fun-filled gymnastic birthday parties, gymnastic camps, and more.

For more information, visit www.coachpattyusa.com or call 805.383.9460.

Monarchs Gym - Newbury Park and Agoura

Founded in 1977, Monarchs Gymnastics has two 13,000+ sq ft facilities and provides professional athletic services to 1,500+ families with over 300 classes offered weekly for boys and girls, recreational or competitive, 18 months to adult.

Kids can enjoy gymnastics, ninja, parkour, tumbling, cheer and other physical activities at Monarchs.

Additionally, Monarch's offers monthly workout passes, camps, Parents' Night Out, open gym, birthday parties and field trips.

Locations at 3599 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park (805.375.4663) and 5331 Derry Avenue, Suites C-H, Agoura Hills (818.889.3634).  More information at www.monarchsgym.com.

Monarchs Gym Agoura Hills: www.monarchsgym.com/agoura

Monarchs Gym Newbury Park: www.newbury.monarchsgym.com

MonarX Parkour in Agoura Hills: www.monarx.monarchsgym.com

Skyhawks Sports Academy Programs in Ventura County

Skyhawks Sports Academy provides sports programs where children discover and develop athletic skills and life lessons, such as teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship. Skyhawks offers children ages 18 months to 12 years a positive sports experience while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. Each of their classes and camps focus on skills, safety, and fun.

Progression of classes, led by expert staff, is geared towards youth looking for a sports introduction or those who want to refine their skills.

Locations in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley, including Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Ventura, Simi Valley, Ojai, Calabasas, Camarillo, Newbury Park and more.

SPORTS OFFERED:

• Skyhawks Flag Football

• Skyhawks Baseball

• Skyhawks Basketball

• Skyhawks Soccer

• Skyhawks Field Hockey

• Skyhawks Golf

• Skyhawks Tennis

• Skyhawks Volleyball

• Skyhawks Lacrosse

• Skyhawks Pickle Ball

• Skyhawks Cheerleading

• Skyhawks Track & Field

• Skyhawks Stem Sports®

• Skyhawks Multi-Sport

More detailed information and sign-ups at laventuraskyhawks.com.