After students wrap up their homework for the holiday breaks, Long Beach will offer them some things to do, such as winter camps, teen programs and nature-themed workshops next month.
The programs, which are offered by the city’s Park, Recreation and Marine Department, will adhere to lower staff-to-camper ratios and other enhanced safety protocols to try to protect attendees from the coronavirus. Registration for all the programs listed below open on Dec. 1.
Winter camps
Winter day-camps for children ages 5-12 will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from Dec. 21 through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 25, Christmas Day). Campers will be able to enjoy fun new games that follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The camps will take place at the following parks:
West Long Beach area
- Admiral Kidd Park, 2125 Santa Fe Ave.
- Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St.
North Long Beach area
- Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave.
- Coolidge Park, 352 E. Neece St.
- Pan American Park, 5157 E. Centralia St.
- Ramona Park, 3301 E. 65th St.
- Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Blvd.
- Somerset Park, 1500 E. Carson St.
- Veterans Park, 101 E. 28th St.
Downtown area
- Cesar E. Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave.
- Drake Park, 951 Maine Ave.
- Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave.
- Seaside Park, 14th Street at Chestnut Avenue
Central Long Beach area
- MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim St.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave.
- McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
- Orizaba Park, 1435 Orizaba Ave.
East Long Beach area
- Stearns Champions Park 4520 E. 23rd St.
- College Estates Park, 808 Stevely Ave.
- El Dorado Park West, 2800 N. Studebaker Rd.
- Whaley Park, 5620 E. Atherton St.
- Wardlow Park, 3457 Stanbridge Ave.
People may register online starting at 10 a.m. Registration fees are $30 per week; financial assistance is available on a first-come, first served basis. For more information, call 562-570-3150.
In-person registration is available between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon at the following sites:
- Belmont Plaza Pool, 4320 E. Olympic Plaza
- Pan American Park, 5157 E. Centralia St.
- Parks, Recreation and Marine Administrative Office, 2760 N. Studebaker Rd.
- King Park Pool, 1910 Lemon Ave.
Those who want in-person registration after Dec. 1 must call 562-570-3150 to make an appointment.
Teen Programs
Teens can participate in free winter break activities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays from Dec. 21 through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 25, Christmas Day).
Activities will be offered at:
- Admiral Kidd Park, 2125 Santa Fe Ave., 562-570-1600
- Cesar E. Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave., 562-570-3100
- Freeman Community Center, 1205 Freeman Ave., 562-570-8688
- Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., 562-570-1640
- McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., 562-570-1605
- Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St., 562-570-1675
To participate, teens must have parents sign waiver forms at the site on their first visit. Pre-registration is not required. Call the park for more information.
El Dorado Nature Center Winter Break Workshops
Children ages 5 to 8 can participate in nature-themed workshops during winter break at El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.) The sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 22 through Dec. 24, and Dec. 29 through Dec. 31. Each session costs $20, and pre-registration is required. Children must have kindergarten experience. Those interested can register online or in person starting at 10 a.m. at the El Dorado Nature Center Museum (7550 E. Spring St.) The schedule of workshops includes:
- December 22, Batty For Bats
- December 23, May I Burrow Your Den
- December 24, Winter Wonders
- December 29, Wildlife Workbench
- December 30, By the Light of the Moon
- December 31, Tasty Tree-ts!
For additional information about the winter break programs and other activities for youth, people may visit longbeach.gov/parks or call 562-570-3150.