Youth and Teen Outdoor Day Camp

When you come to Camp Via West, you’re guaranteed to make new friends, enjoy the great outdoors, and have tons of fun!  For more than 75 years, Camp Via West has specialized in serving people with disabilities and for the first time we’re opening this beautiful campus to all children ages 5 to 14 from June 12-16!  Located on 13.5 stunning acres in the redwoods of the Cupertino foothills, Camp Via West is full of experiences for children and teens, including swimming, arts & crafts, sports & games, guided hikes, creek exploration, gardening, cooking, and more.  Our low camper to staff ratio ensures that everyone has a safe and fun camp experience. Lunch is provided, and we are a peanut/tree nut free campus.

Children and teens will enjoy activities throughout our camp, which include:

• • 2 accessible swimming pools
  • Hiking and fitness trails
  • Multi-surface sports court
  • Playground
  • Creative arts building
  • Performance arts building
  • 2 amphitheaters
  • Garden and greenhouse
  • Main lodge with kitchen and dining

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Youth and Teen Respite

Camp Via West provides respite care with innovative programs and activities that include indoor and outdoor learning experiences.  Camp programming includes but is not limited to: swimming, arts & crafts, science, a variety of sports activities, nature exploration, hiking, camp-wide games, drama, performing arts, color wars, campfire with s’mores, dance, and more.

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Youth and Teen Sibling/Buddy Overnight Camp

A new offering at Camp Via West this year, youth & teens with disabilities can now enjoy activities with a sibling or friend in an inclusive setting. Located on 13.5 stunning acres in the redwoods of the Cupertino foothills, Camp Via West is full of activities for children and teens of all abilities, including swimming, arts & crafts, sports & games, guided hikes, creek exploration, gardening, cooking, performing arts, color wars, campfire with s’mores, dance, and more.

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Altitude

Altitude at Camp Via West provides experiences for youth entering 6th through 12th grade with social cognitive challenges such as autism and ADHD.  Altitude is a program where life skills grow and friendships blossom. We provide opportunities to build social skills, independence, and self-confidence to help prepare your child for the transition to young adulthood and the rest of their lives.  Camp programming includes but is not limited to: LARPing (live action role play), swimming, arts & crafts, science, generalized sports activities, nature exploration, hiking, camp-wide games, drama, performing arts, color wars, campfire with s’mores, dance, and more.

During the registration process campers will have the option of signing up for the Futures Explored Inclusion Film program where they will have the opportunity to help make a movie at camp…they’ll work on developing scripts, sets, filming, and acting!  This program will be run in collaboration with Futures Explored.

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Adult Respite

Camp Via West provides day and residential respite care with innovative programs that include indoor and outdoor learning experiences, independent living skills, and activities that are specifically designed to improve self-sufficiency. Camp programming includes but is not limited to: swimming, arts & crafts, a variety of sports activities, nature exploration, hiking, camp-wide games, drama, performing arts, color wars, campfire with s’mores, dance, and more.

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Covid-19 Policies and Protocols

Via West Campus Covid-19 Risk Reduction Procedures for Programs – Updated January 23, 2023

As the pandemic changes, these policies will be updated to reflect best practices or mandates from Federal/State/local authorities or recommendations from the ACA (American Camp Association).  Our Current Policies include:

• All employees are required to be fully vaccinated per guidelines from the Department of Social Services.
• We are strongly encouraging staff and campers wear a disposable mask while indoors and not participating in eating, showering/bathing or sleeping.  Camp Via West has a supply of both surgical and KN95 masks available to anyone who needs one on campus.
• Upon arrival, both staff and campers are required to take a rapid/antigen test. A negative test is required in order to remain at Camp Via West.
• Staff and campers presenting with Covid-19 symptoms or testing positive will not be able to stay.
• Camp Via West requires campers and their families to indicate their understanding of Covid-19 risks.

Current symptoms that prohibit participation in Camp Via West programs for both staff and campers are as follows:

• Positive Covid-19 test within the past five-day
• Fever-greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Sore throat
• Persistent cough that cannot be attributed to other causes such as asthma/allergies
• Loss of taste or smell
• Vomiting for non-behavioral reasons

Current symptoms prohibit participation in Camp Via West programs for both staff and campers when 2 or more symptoms are present:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Sneezing

Additional requirements:

• We ask that you, and especially your camper, practice as much physical distancing and mask-wearing as possible during the coming days in preparation for the camper’s stay at camp.
• While on campus, staff will continue to monitor for signs or symptoms of Covid-19.

Other steps taken to decrease risk:

• Increased cleaning frequency
• Increased space between campers in the cabins
• Encouraging people to maintain distance
• Encouraging frequent hand washing
• Waived all cancellation fees during the pandemic

Please be aware that although we are taking steps to limit the risk of contracting COVID19 while at Camp Via West, participating in group activities, such as camp, still poses a real risk of contracting COVID19.

PLEASE NOTE: Via West Campus is a peanut/tree nut free campus. Products containing nuts or that are prepared with nut products are not used or stored in our facilities. For the safety of our guests, campers, staff, and visitors with nut allergies, please take care to ensure that any food you bring on campus is nut free.