THOUSAND OAKS : Hot Times, Cool Solutions at Day Camp

The Wildwood Day Camp in Thousand Oaks may keep local youths out of trouble this summer, but it is having a difficult time keeping them out of the heat.

“It’s too hot even to hike,” said Sara Oxford, 8, one of more than 400 local children who participate in the series of weeklong camps this summer.

On Friday morning, the Newbury Park section of campers could not convince their Thousand Oaks counterparts to hike down into Wildwood Park to join them, not even for a barbecue.

“They radioed us and said they just weren’t coming,” said counselor Christa Heinemann, affectionately known as “Critter” to her campers, who range in age from 6 to 14.

Instead, the campers were treated to a series of activities designed to keep them cool, including Slip-and-Sliding and bobbing for apples in an ice-cold pool.

In addition to the water games, the camp features arts and crafts, field trips, occasional overnight camps, carnivals and talent shows.

Campers on their best behavior earn “bunny bucks” that they can spend on an auction of games and toys next week.

Sponsored by the Conejo Recreation and Park District, the camp runs full days Monday through Friday from June 19 until Sept. 2 and costs $80 per week for those living in the district and $96 for those outside of the district. For more information, call 494-8301.