Animal Planet Recap

We have just wrapped up an amazing summer here at Via West, and we went out with a roar during Animal Planet. We made cream cheese penguins, watermelon hedgehogs, sparkle turtles, 3D bird pictures, zebra puppets, rainforests, birds' nests, and bobble head pigs.

We took field trips to the San Francisco Zoo and the McLellan Ranch to get up close and personal with our wildlife friends. Back on campus we enjoyed a relaxing movie night with Madagascar 3.

We went on an animal safari and a scavenger hunt, played the animal name game, animal bingo, and an animal memory game.

We also learned with iPads, had a visit from Bay Area Wild, rode horses, and we splashed around in the Via West pool. To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Nickelodeon Days Recap

Are you ready to get slimed? Our participants for Nickelodeon Days certainly were! We made our own Nickelodeon slime, take home Dora brownies, and Dora microphones.

We took a field trip to Golfland where we put our mini golf skills to the test and we also enjoyed the arcade and water park.

We went on a hike around Campus to find things using Spanish words that Dora taught us, and we also made our own iCarly videos. We had a Power Rangers competition, played some Spongebob games, and we ran through a Double Dare obstacle course.

We also learned with iPads, had a visit from some creepy crawlers, and partied it up at the Via West Choice Awards. To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

Disney for All Ages Recap

Bibbity Bobbity Boo! We had a magical time during Disney for All Ages at Via West Campus. We made magic carpet coasters, fruit flower bouquets, Pooh's honey drinks, Camp Rock guitars, Brave storybooks, and Snow White mini pies.

We took two fun-filled field trips to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and to the movies.

 We went on a scavenger hunt through the 100 Acre Woods, put our skills to the test with a rigorous training session with Mulan, learned the art of cartooning, and had a blast eating breakfast with all of our favorite Disney friends.

We also learned with iPads, had a ball at Cinderella's Ball, rocked out during Camp Rock Night, and spent some quality time in the Via West pool. To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Career Week Recap

Career Week is over at Via West, and we had a blast! We made PC Board models, vegetarian lasagna, and maps of the United States and California. We learned about all of the various jobs at Via West, and we set up and ran our very own Via West Diner and a Via West Carnival.

We also learned about the food and space industries with field trips to Mariani's Hotel and to NASA.

We spent some time learning proper interviewing techniques and how to dress for success, and we tested our knowledge about the working world with Career Week Jeopardy.

We also learned with iPads, met some local firefighters, and got in shape with water aerobics in the Via West pool. To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Sun, Sand, and Sea Recap

Sun, Sand, and Sea has just wrapped up at Via West, and we had an amazing time learning all about the different bodies of water and ecosystems.

We made sand dollar necklaces, sea bird sand art, and nature prints. We also rode horses, had a water balloon fight, and decorated the Via West parking lot with some awesome chalk drawings.

We had the best time ever on our field trips to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, laser tag arena, and the Surf Museum.

We also learned with iPads, danced the night away at King Triton's Ball, and, of course, we spent some time by the pool. To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

80s Week Recap

We have just returned from a wild and crazy trip back in time to the 80s! We made Care Bears, Pac Man cake, Star Wars cupcakes, computer models, Orange Julius, and 80s album covers.

We did some Madonna karaoke, played a live Pac Man game and a rousing round of Family Feud, watched E.T. under the stars, and took some moonwalk lessons to prepare us for our Michael Jackson dance and improv.

We took amazing field trips to the Intel Museum, Nickel City Arcade, and Blue Light Cinemas.

We also rode horses, learned with iPads, hung out by the pool, and impressed each other at the talent show. To see more pictures from this weekend, please visit our Facebook page.

New Orleans Square Recap

Bonjour from the French Quarter! Via West just wrapped up an exciting Mardi Gras themed week with New Orleans Square. We made and ate scrumptious King cake, beignets, and red beans & rice.

We learned all of the different Mardi Gras traditions, took some jazz lessons, and we made some amazing beaded masks for our Mardi Gras festival and dance, as well as shoe box floats to bring home.

We took a field trip to the Poor House Bistro, learned with iPads, enjoyed the talent show, and spent some time relaxing by the Via West pool.

 

To see more pictures from this weekend, please visit our Facebook page.

All American Extravaganza Recap

Via West kicked off the summer the patriotic way with our All American Extravaganza! We learned and sang some good old fashioned patriotic songs like America the Beautiful and This Land is Your Land.

We made Native American headdresses, catch-it cones, and American flags. We also had a visit from local firefighters and participated in our nation's pastime: baseball!

After a rousing tailgate BBQ at Kelley Park, we watched the San Jose Giants baseball team take out the Lancaster Jethawks with a 7 to 0 win!

We also rode horses, re-enacted the signing of the Constitution, learned with iPads, and enjoyed the talent show.

To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

Zoo-Fest Recap

Lions, tigers, and Via West staff members, oh my! Things got a little wild at the March 8th Zoo-Fest weekend, as we surrounded ourselves by all things four-legged, no-legged, covered with fur, and covered with scales. We kicked things off Friday night with our opening campfire, and then jumped right into all of the animal fun on Saturday with a field trip to the Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.

We got up close and personal with all sorts of creatures, revved up our adrenaline with the roller coaster and other rides, and had fun hanging out with and making new friends.

 

Once back on campus, we spent some craft time painting animal key chains and stitching zebra puppets to bring home. Afterwards, we all let our wild sides roar with the Animal Ball.

 

On Sunday morning, we played an animal name game, went on a camouflage and endangered animal scavenger hunt, learned with iPads, and expressed ourselves through the talent show.

To see more pictures from the weekend, please visit our Facebook page.

Wild Science Weekend Recap

Via West kicked off the new year last weekend with our Wild Science Weekend. We spent time in our laboratory concocting all sorts of wild and crazy experiments, including learning how to use salt to make ice cream in a plastic bag!

We took a field trip to the San Jose Tech Museum where we played and learned about lights, rockets, earthquakes, and more.

Once back on campus, we held our own science fair where did more experiments and made fun take home projects, like lava lamps and crystal pictures. The weekend would not have been complete without the dance and talent show. We also went on a scavenger hunt, learned some cool science iPad apps, and fired off some baking soda bottle rockets.

To see more pictures from this weekend, please visit our Facebook page.

Harry Potter Halloween Recap

Expelliarmus! Our young witches and wizards spent a frightful and fun-filled weekend at the haunted Via West Castle. We competed in a live chess game, brewed potions, hatched dragon eggs, and made magic wands to cast our Halloween spells.

On Saturday, we took a field trip to Giordano Farms where we rode on the train, learned about animals in the petting zoo, and everyone picked the perfect pumpkin to take home.

Back on campus, we played a rousing game of Muggle Quidditch, searched for magical creatures with our Bowtruckle and Niffler treasure hunt, and we used iPads to learn all about Harry Potter and Halloween.

Things got a little bit spooky at the Shrieking Shack haunted house and then everyone boogied on down at the Goblin Gala. To round out the weekend, everyone was able to pose for a picture with Professor Dumbledore!

To see more pictures from the weekend, please visit our Facebook page.

Let's Explore the Seven Seas Recap

Ahoy Mateys! Via West set sail last week to explore the seven seas, and explore we did! We made sea creatures, jello fish bowls, 3D aquariums, Japanese fish mobiles, and a super scrumptious "under the sea" cake.

We went on a treasure hunt, danced with Ariel at our "Little Mermaid" dance, and we had a blast eating popcorn and playing games at the "Poseidon" carnival on the sports court.

We spent a day fishing at Lake Elizabeth, and we got up close and personal with some sea creatures at the Santa Cruz Seymour Center. We had a water cannon fight outside in the sun, and we bubbled to the surface for the talent show.

To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Creative You Recap

Creative You had a little something for everyone this week! Participants made flower vases, frozen pops, maracas, cookies, terrariums, and bookmarks!

 

We had some major fun in the sun with a water balloon fight, time spent at the pool, and a carnival, complete with a bouncy house, of course.

We really got in touch with our creative side when we visited the Children's Discovery Museum for a fun and learning filled field trip.

Creativity went through the roof as everyone showcased their talents at the talent show.

To see more pictures from the week, please visit our Facebook page.

CSI Week (Kids) Recap

Something fishy is going on at Via West! Mr. Fluffy McFluff Fluff has met his untimely demise, and our CSI detectives must now track down the culprit!

Participants had a fantastic time last week working the Via West crime scene investigation, outlining bodies, and playing a live clue game. We made high protein smoothies to energize us for the manhunt through campus, rode horses, and took a much needed break to relax by the pool.

We took two amazing field trips to the Sheriff's Department and the Fire Station.

We danced one of the nights away and everyone showcased their abilities at an incredible talent show.

To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

Around our World Recap

From Greece to Mexico to the great state of California, our participants experienced it all this week at Via West. We made tamales and tortillas, Japanese fish kites, Mexican pot dolls, Chinese chicken salad, and origami.

We also learned how to do an original Mexican hat dance!

We took an exciting field trip to the Mission in Santa Clara, and then we indulged in quite the feast at the Yiassoo Greek Restaurant in Cupertino.

We learned Spanish words and Chinese characters, played games from Mexico and Asia, and took a nice California horseback ride in the Via West Corral. Somehow, we still had enough energy left for the dance and the talent show! To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.