My name is Kayla and I live in North Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Along with snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, and golfing, I love to read, write, and drink coffee.
As a full-time freelance writer, I regularly contribute to The Tahoe Weekly, the Sparks Tribune, and Enjoy magazine. To see samples of my work, view all of my recent articles here. I’ve also written a few eBooks.
I'm also excited to announce that I co-authored a book with Stuart Thornton titled Northern California Road Trips out in stores now! It is the perfect companion for a trip around Northern California, spelling out where to go, what to see, and what to do in the state's coastal and inland regions. This comprehensive guide also includes a variety of maps, images, and information about national parks such as Lassen, Crater Lake, Yosemite, and more. I hope you enjoy reading Northern California Road Trips as much as I enjoyed writing it and that you find a place (or a few) that you connect with.
I'm currently working on the second edition of this book, set to be released in Summer 2023.
In The News – United for Action discusses violence prevention, Toys for Tots, Thanksgiving at October meeting
November 7, 2023 | Kayla Anderson
Originally Published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune 11/03/2023, Written by Kayla Anderson
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – One of the main virtues of most faith-based organizations in North Lake Tahoe is to “love thy neighbor”, and a lot of work goes into helping community members in need. United for Action is a North Lake Tahoe/Truckee community coalition of local activists and faith-based congregations who collaborate with other nonprofits, family resource centers, governments, health agencies, and more to foster peace and elevate the quality of life for everyone in Lake Tahoe.
While there is a lot of discussion at every meeting trying to find solutions for the housing and homelessness problem in the area (United for Action made that a primary focus for the years 2021-23), the October meeting also covered topics such as the recent Winter Warmth & Wellness event; the upcoming Toys for Tots initiative; the 2023 community Thanksgiving dinner; the Sierra Community House’s violence prevention/youth empowerment efforts; and more.
In The News – Tahoe Transportation District votes to dissolve IV Mobility Hub Committee.
October 22, 2023 | Kayla Anderson
Originally Published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune 10/22/2023, Written by Kayla Anderson
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – On October 16, 2023, the Tahoe Transportation District and Tahoe Transportation Committee held a two-hour meeting to discuss several items related to current transit projects in the area. Budget amendments to the 2024 Work Program with a SR-28 state line to state line bikeway project were talked about, as well as a Spooner Mobility Hub Project and the possible purchase of diesel bus replacements.
One of the most contentious items that drew the several public comments was Item VII.A. about the “Incline Village Mobility Hub Project Update and Adjustment of the Public Outreach Process, Including Consideration of Dissolvement of the Incline Village Mobility Hub Committee”.
At the beginning of the meeting, Incline Village resident and Mobility Hub committee member Carole Black encouraged the District to keep the group saying that it hasn’t had access to important data related to the mobility hub site study that would allow the group to give any real input in the process of helping to find a viable site.
In The News – Washoe County School District holds heated meeting about how Incline schools fit in its facility plan
October 20, 2023 | Kayla Anderson
Originally Published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune 10/20/2023, Written by Kayla Anderson
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – More than 50 people including parents, Washoe County School District staff, board members, local teachers, and longtime residents filled the Duffield Theatre at the Incline Village High School on the evening of October 12 to discuss the School District’s Facility Modernization Plan in the hopes of creating some guidelines for a working group that can help move the District forward regarding its capital improvement options for Incline’s schools.
The District has held more than two dozen public meetings throughout the region over the past year to discuss the FMP and its potential outcomes while also collecting input from the community before any decisions are made.
The District hired CannonDesign to help complete a comprehensive facility assessment and assist in a transparent planning process with key stakeholders. At the October 12 meeting, outside consultant Margaret Schultz facilitated the meeting, showing a presentation that noted the key takeaways from the April 5 and May 3 meetings and ensured the audience that “any change that takes place needs your input”. She then said that the goal of the meeting was to create guidelines for a working group, and wanted the audience’s input on who the membership should be.
Top 10 Halloween Happenings in Incline Village & Crystal Bay
October 18, 2023 | Kayla Anderson
Cute costumes, candy, pup parades, Nevada Day, haunted houses, parties, and more are on the docket for this year’s Halloween in Incline Village/Crystal Bay. Here are the events to watch out for:
IVGID (Incline Village General Improvement District) is again hosting the fun Trail of Treats and Terror for the littles leading up to the big day. Music will be available as well as food, drink, and merchandise to purchase from 3:30pm-5:30pm. Reserve your spot online at yourtahoeplace.com and be sure to bring proof of your Incline Village/Crystal Bay residency.
Take the kids trick or treating in the safe and well-lit areas within the Country Club Center from 4pm-6pm before heading over to Mill Creek. FUMO, Cool Mess, Austin’s, Incline Spirits, Mountain High Sandwich, and other businesses will have candy.
Based in San Francisco, this high-energy band has been playing shows, weddings, and events all over the country, creating a fun and passionate atmosphere for its audiences. Playing together for more than 10 years, this five-person ensemble dabbles in all kinds of instruments, including the guitar, percussion, and piano. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; the music starts at 9pm. This is a 21 and older show.
If you’re an adult looking for something to do on Halloween night, then the CBC has you covered. The Lil Smokies and Town Mountain will be playing in the Crown Room along with Two Runner. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of; doors open at 7pm.
OCT. 28: METAL ECHO PLAYS AT THE HAUNTED DOLL HOUSE ON 931 TAHOE BLVD.
Once again creepy live dolls will be hanging from the rafters at Alibi Ale Works-Incline Public House on Oct. 28th with Metal Echo playing all your favorite rock, alternative, and 90s grunge hits. Find beautiful, broken, eerie Tahoe Flow Artists flying around and have a chance to win a prize for your best doll-themed costume. The show goes from 7:30pm-10pm, is kid-friendly, and costs $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
OCT. 30: HOWL-O-WEEN DOG PARADE AT THE HYATT REGENCY LAKE TAHOE
Does your pup like to get into the Halloween spirit, too? Then consider entering them in the dog parade to be hosted at the Hyatt from 4:30pm-5pm. This event is always a hit and benefits the Pet Network.
OCT. 28: TAKE A TOUR THROUGH THE HAUNTED HYATT HOUSE
On October 28th the Hyatt fills up with ghosts, goblins, and monsters to take guests and visitors on a tour of the haunted hotel. Family-friendly scares happen between 4:30pm-5:45pm and full-on frights are available for people ages 14 and older from 6pm-9pm.
OCT. 27: NLT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB HARVEST FEST IN KINGS BEACH
From 5-8pm families can dress up and enjoy food, monster trucks, a glow room, a haunted house, carnival games, face painting, and more to celebrate Halloween. Admission is free, and the memories are priceless at the Clubhouse on 8125 Steelhead Avenue in Kings Beach.
OCT. 28: SPOOKY SATURDAY WITH SNEAKY CREATURES AT TAHOE BACKYARD IN KINGS BEACH
A message from host Amie Quirarte: Tahoe! I am so dang excited to share that I am hosting a FREE event at The Tahoe Backyard on October 28th. I have been desperately wanting to put together a community event in Kings Beach for a while, and this is the perfect debut! If all goes well, it is something I hope to do every year. Sneaky Creatures will be playing from 3:30-5:30pm; Men Wielding Fire will be serving up delicious food at 50 percent off; Chickadee Art Collective will have a Halloween crafts table set up for the kiddos; and costumes are encouraged! And most of all, we can all be together, having fun, dancing, and drinking beers as we say goodbye to fall and hello to winter!
OCT. 28: NEVADA DAY PARADE, CARSON CITY
Lucky for us, Nevadans get an extra holiday right around Halloween to celebrate the founding of the Silver State (it was deemed the 36th state admitted into the Union on October 31, 1864). Head down to Carson City on the Saturday beforehand for a day full of festivities, including the famous Nevada Day Parade downtown that travels in front of the capitol building.
Other noteworthy events in nearby communities:
If you have Friday, October 27th off for Nevada Day, then consider heading over to Truckee for a Halloween Parade at the Train Depot at 4:30pm and ending at the Community Arts Center at 6pm. Costumed kids of all ages are welcome to trick or treat.
There’s a lot going on in Tahoe City on Halloween, too. Local businesses will be passing out candy, Watson Cabin will be open for viewing (and serving apple cider), and the Tahoe City PUD will have a Huntin’ for Pumpkins contest going on from 4pm-6pm. Sign up at Heritage Plaza.
Whatever you do, be safe, brush your teeth after eating all that candy, and take the TART Connect if you’ve had too much fun and need a safe way to get home. Happy Halloween!
Originally Published in The Sierra Sun 9/01/2023, Written by Kayla Anderson
While the pandemic changed the way that some restaurants and bars do business now, there are still several places around the Tahoe basin that offer patrons some of their most popular food and drinks at amazing prices near the end of the workday. Here are some of the best midweek (and sometimes weekend) après-activities food and beverage deals around the lake that invite you to come eat, drink, and be happy:
Incline Village
Glasses Wine Bar
On Tuesdays-Fridays from 3pm-6pm, head over to Glasses Wine Bar on 760 Mays Boulevard #8 to get 15% off all wine, including the ones you can pour yourself out of the various wine dispensers. Sit at the bar and you can also try four wines for just $15. Ladies can get 20% off wine selections on Thursdays all day long, and Glasses opens at 3 p.m.
The snow melted and the chickadees are singing, marking the time for residents and visitors alike to come out of their dens and start enjoying the outdoors. But there is so much to do between biking, kayaking, and paddleboarding…where to start?
It usually depends on what kind of equipment you have, who you’re with, and the easiest/safest way to get to the beach.
Fortunately, Tahoe Multisport is a small locally owned business located in the upper corner of the Village Shopping Center (on 797 Southwood Boulevard Unit #10 next to Tahoe Family Solutions in Incline Village) run by JP Donovan and Belinda Quené. They are both passionate about the outdoors, extremely knowledgeable about the East Shore (and greater Truckee/Tahoe basin) and are open year-round to ensure that you and your friends have a good time.
On a warm sunny afternoon, Quené is outside rearranging their quiver of kayaks and paddleboards. Inside is an inviting reception area and rooms of equipment including cross-country skis, poles, boots, paddles, and e-Bikes.
Many people in the IV/CB area know of JP Donovan, who grew up in Incline Village and spent a lot of his life running cross-country and competing in triathlons. Quené was born in South Africa and relocated to the United States with her parents when she was young, then moved to Lake Tahoe in 2014 after college when she got a job at Northstar California.
“I came here to ski, and liked the idea of living by a lake,” she says. After that first winter season, she stayed in the area and continued working seasonal jobs until she met Donovan at the climbing gym the following year.
Before Donovan met Quené, he was renting out paddleboards as a side job, storing them at his house, and delivering them to customers when they booked the gear online. As his side hustle grew, he acquired more SUPs and eventually needed more space to store them all.
“Then we started doing this full-time,” he says. Seeing what Backroads was doing, Donovan also had the goal of hosting tours and needed gear to do that. At that time, stand-up paddleboarding began taking off and he responded to the growing trend by investing in some inflatable ones.
“The equipment has gotten better in the last 10 years and there are a lot of advantages to paddleboarding- it’s easier to get on the water and you’re able to see down to the bottom of the lake. I also saw the advantages to inflatables- I like that you can take them in a backpack and not have to get one only on a beach,” Donovan adds.
However, he says he felt stifled in putting on tours while trying to keep up with purchasing enough equipment, so he decided to rent out the equipment first. “Then I met Belinda, and we started working and growing the business together,” Donovan explained.
They opened their brick-and-mortar business in March of 2021, and being in a place like Tahoe and operating an outdoor multisport company during the pandemic helped sales (when businesses were allowed to reopen).
“We got busy when covid hit,” Quené adds. Tahoe Multisport started renting out SUPs first, but then found that when the lake got colder their customers preferred kayaks since there was less of a risk of falling in.
Providing not only the boards, boats, and bikes but other accessories as well (like bike trailers, baby seats, and dog carriers), Tahoe Multisport noticed that people would bike down to the beach with a kayak trailer or inflatable SUP. Customers were renting multiple types of equipment in one transaction, which is how they came up with their business name.
“The other day we had people renting snowshoes, kayaks, and bikes all in the same day,” Donovan reiterates, back in the springtime when we still had an abundance of snow.
“When we moved into this shop, we bought a bunch of bikes to offer an activity when it’s windy out, too,” Quené says.
No matter where they’re coming from, people tend to rent equipment and take it to the beach or on the bus that runs to Sand Harbor, as Tahoe Multisport is conveniently located next to the temporary/future transit center as well.
Considering that the local beaches are always a bit vague on how many people they let in, when, and who, Tahoe Multisport can also be a vital resource for how to best enjoy the lake or surrounding trails no matter what time they arrive.
“People come here and don’t know where to go, and we can help save the day…if parking is full or it’s a busy time and people just drove from a long way away to experience Tahoe,” Donovan says. Especially when taking a tour with someone who intricately knows the area.
Open year-round, Tahoe Multisport also provides winter equipment. The owners have rented out cross-country equipment to the Gateway Mountain Center, different Boys & Girls clubs around the Tahoe area, Tahoe Expedition Academy, and Strider Gliders. Tahoe Multisport has equipped the Incline middle school high school with snow equipment, and they store winter gear for UNR at Lake Tahoe.
At that moment, a local guy brought back a pair of kids’ cross-country skis that he rented for the season, grateful that he didn’t have to buy and store them at his house.
Since business was picking up even when there was still a lot of snow on the ground, I wondered if they ever ran out of equipment.
“We do sell out of bikes sometimes, but we offer online bookings for all tours and rentals. We accept rentals as far as a year out, and we do last-minute walkups. There’s about a 50/50 of each [people booking online and just coming in],” Donovan says.
“Unless it’s a holiday weekend, you can usually reserve gear the night before,” Quené adds.
With the ease, convenience, and accessibility to Tahoe’s East Shore beaches, going to Tahoe Multisport for all your summer outdoor equipment needs is a no-brainer.
“We’re set up to be the emergency last minute outfitter for the outdoors,” Donovan says.
The Top Can’t Miss Special Events in IV/CB This Summer
June 13, 2023 | Kayla Anderson
While there are plenty of things to do all summer long in this northeast corner of Tahoe, there are a few prominent events in Incline Village that are worth carving out time in your calendar for. Between drone shows, art hikes, theatre performances, and classical concerts with the nation’s top musicians, here are a few one-of-a-kind experiences to take part of this summer:
July-September: Take in Tahoe’s classical music at its best with TOCCATA
Following its early summer Classy Classics concert series and “Soiree Musicale” fundraising events, TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony Orchestra is gearing up for its Red White and Tahoe Blue concert on July 2nd, an August concert series, and a 9/11 memorial concert. Visit https://toccatatahoe.org/ for an updated schedule.
July 2-4: Take part in the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration presented by the IVCBA
Our very own Incline Village Crystal Bay Business Association is organizing the 4th of July Celebration this year with pancake breakfasts, a BBQ, flag retirement ceremony, and more. Be sure to catch the parade that goes down the main street of Incline Village starting at 10am on Sunday, July 2nd and the July 4th SkyShow activities from 7pm-11pm at the Incline Village Ridgeline Ball Fields. http://ivcba.org/events/local-heroes/
June 30-August 20: See Little Shop of Horrors at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has been around since 1972 and each year it has just gotten bigger and better. In 1979 a stage was built exclusively for the festival at Sand Harbor State Park, and hundreds of Shakespeare fans came to see the nine performances. Nowadays upwards of 33,000 attendees catch one (or a few) of the many productions held there, and the D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program reaches more than 8,500 children in the Tahoe basin. This year’s featured show is the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors; to see a schedule of events or to buy tickets, visit https://laketahoeshakespeare.com/ .
July 9-August 17: Sway to the music with Classical Tahoe at UNR at Lake Tahoe
Every summer, the nation’s top classical musicians come together in Incline Village for a 16-concert series at the intimate outdoor pavilion located at UNR at Lake Tahoe. In this year’s four-week series, musicians from the MET Opera Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and more will delight and entertain attendees by playing beautiful tunes that match the peaceful Tahoe setting. For more information or to buy tickets, visit https://classicaltahoe.org/ .
Walking into Thania’s Juice Bar on one of the warmer Incline Village afternoons, Thania Medina and her mom Julia are surrounded by fresh fruits and veggies that are just waiting to be blended up into smoothies, juices, or made into healthy meals.
Thania’s Juice Bar has been around for several years, opening before the COVID pandemic in July 2019. Although the pandemic did hinder business, it was a time when people were looking for healthy sustenance to boost their immunity. With delicious drinks like the Detox (made up of carrot/beet/apple/celery) and Stamina Booster (pineapple/carrot/turmeric/orange), you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu if you need something to help get through the rest of the day.
Thania was originally born in Mexico and later emigrated to Carson City when she was a teenager to be with her mother. She attended Carson High School and Western Nevada College, then worked at Lupita’s for 10 years. Thania always wanted to work for herself, though, while staying in the service industry, so Julia encouraged Thania to open a Mexican-style juice bar.
It took Thania two years to remodel the space and get it open but then she ran into kind of an odd problem- she didn’t know how to explain to people what an authentic Mexican juice bar was.
“I wanted to serve traditional Mexican fruit snacks and aguas frescas with an emphasis on made-to-order, good-for-you, healthy food. I wanted to show off my culture because I’m proud to be Mexican,” Thania says. Customers that were coming in started suggesting items that were doable but not on the menu, so Thania paid attention, researched, and adjusted the menu to meet their requests.
“I listened to people coming in and saw that they loved the smoothies and the juices. They suggested acai bowls, avocado toast, and matcha drinks,” she says.
Gesturing towards the chalkboard on the wall, Thania says, “Everything on the menu, it’s like the customers said they wanted it, and I figured out how to make it my own.”
It’s obvious that she’s passionate about the food as she talks about how she came up with a protein bowl full of a green mix, cucumbers, shredded carrots, apples, and celery topped with her own homemade vegan organic dressing. Thania added food items that are gluten and dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian, crafting a menu that appeals to the locals.
Sipping on a creamy Chocolate Monkey smoothie, Thania explains that when she was growing up, her grandmother had papaya and lime trees, cactus, herbs, chickens, and the eggs that they laid. Her offerings at the juice bar are heavily influenced by her grandmother and time in Mexico and she hopes that the atmosphere will carry over, too.
“My grandmother believed in natural medicine. She had homemade remedies for everything. She would say, ‘You want to lose weight?’ And hand me pineapple, nopales, orange and celery blended together. And she had aloe vera to cure almost everything.
“I want people to feel when they come here like I felt at my grandmother’s house, and to be able to cook and have a conversation at the same time. I want this to be their living room with their family, their second home away from home, and for them to remember our juice, and come back to Tahoe just for that.”
Thania’s Juice Bar is on 868 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 7 in Incline Village and is open Monday-Saturday from 8am-3:30pm.
It’s officially summer camp sign-up season! Here are some local summer camps to keep an eye on designed to engage, inspire, entertain, and educate your young ones while they’re out of school! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can visit it again, as we will update this page with updated details.
IVGID
The Incline Village General Improvement District’s recreation venues offer all kinds of fun entertainment for kids and teens, ranging from multi-day golf, tennis, basketball, and volleyball camps to skateboard, paddle, lifeguard, and leadership camps. Summer camp season at IVGID basically kicks off in the final weeks of June and many of the sessions run through August. There are different camps for different age groups appealing to kids and teenagers 5-19 years old.
Seven weeks of summer camp to choose from! Ages 5-14. 6/19-6/23 – Community Service Week 6/26-6/30 – Happenchance Sports Week 7/10-7/14 – Around the World Week 7/17-7/21 – Endurance Sports Week 7/24-7/28 – Individual Sports Week 7/31-8/4 – Team Sports Week 8/7-8/11 – Balance Sports Week
Multi sport – rock climbing, mountain biking, community service, outdoor education, Dance, martial arts, rugby, fencing, soccer, fitness, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, power boards & more!
Full week & or individual day registration available.
The Incline Village Library kicks off summer with its first ever Block Party and Summer Reading program on June 3rd. From 11am-2pm, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and claim a free book, play some cornhole, and enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, and more with your friends, fellow librarians, and neighbors. In early June, Teen Movie Nights will also start to be held at the library every other Tuesday (June 6, June 20, July 11, and July 25) where they can watch a blockbuster movie at the library while snacking on free popcorn at 4pm. Be sure to check out the IVCBA Community Event Calendar for upcoming library events.
On June 20-22nd, kids can participate in the All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp. In this multi-day camp, kids ages 10 and up will learn how to follow a recipe, measuring out ingredients, basic knife skills, kitchen and food safety, and basic cooking techniques to create healthy and delicious meals. The All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp takes place from 1pm-2:30pm all three days; registration for this camp opens on Tuesday, May 23rd.
Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe (BGCNLT)
The Boys & Girls Club runs several daily and multi-day specialty camps at its locations throughout North Lake Tahoe, as well as manages the Duffield Youth Program summer camp in Incline Village that runs for seven weeks in the summer. It usually starts at the end of June or a week or two after school gets out. Get all the details here >
Tahoe Family Solutions Camp Explore
Tahoe Family Solutions also holds Camp Explore summer sessions for five weeks starting at the end of June and running through the beginning of August. In these 5-day/4-night camps, participants go out into the wilderness and learn valuable life skills. TFS admits kids in the 3rd-8th grade and 30 participants are accepted each week. Since these camps are free, they fill up extremely fast. Registration opens in late April or early May.
Lake Tahoe School Summer Camps
Lake Tahoe School offers a whole slew of summer camps that run June 19th through August. In Fairy Fest Camp, kids hear stories and make fairy-related crafts in the woods while the older kids in grades 4-6 make bath soaps and essential oils using natural materials that they can then take home to their families. Storybook and Bobcat Adventure camps incorporate all sorts of activities that are so much fun that the kids won’t even realize that they’re learning.
For the more active students, the Nike girls volleyball camp for ages 10-18 to be held June 26-29 help athletes practice skills and fundamentals allowing them to reach their full potential on the court, and the Nike Basketball Camp held July 10-13th is for both girls and boys where they will practice their footwork, shooting, defense, and offense skills. Tennis and sports camps held June 19-23 and August 7-11th are taught by Incline favorite LTS teachers and coaches Mr. Kris and Mr. Jon and attendees play soccer, lacrosse, basketball, capture the flag, tennis, and more.
Last month, Tahoe Tutoring (located on Southwood Boulevard in Incline Village) launched a survey asking parents with kids in grades K-5 what they’d like to see in its summer academic camps. You can take the survey here! Its summer program usually launches at the end of June and are held for the following eight weeks.
North Tahoe Arts
North Tahoe Arts, Kids Art Camp, is a summer day camp for kids ages 5-12, designed to expose campers to a variety of styles of art and different mediums. They lead hands-on fun in a supportive environment where campers get creative alongside their peers, lead by experienced, kind, and warm staff of art teachers. Campers will explore all kinds of art making, including ceramics, drawing and painting, sculpture, collage, and more!
Saturdays in Tahoe are made for adventure! We will meet at a trailhead each Saturday and have an awesome day filled with wonder and adventure. With the Lake Tahoe Basin as our classroom, we will learn and grow together. All classes will help us learn in some way, how to care for ourselves, our friends, and our environment. Ages 2-9, Saturday 9 am – 4:30 pm.
Tahoe Trail Blazers’ Saturday camps include snacks and enrichment classes such as yoga, tai chi, and local flora/fauna specialists.
Cornerstone Church is offering 2 exciting a fun summer camp this year!
Ambassadors Soccer Camp is back! Cornerstone Community Church is excited to partner with Ambassadors once again to bring this wholesome and unique camp to our community in Incline Village. International coaches will travel to Incline Village to bring a camp that will sharpen your soccer skills, promote good character, deepen your knowledge of the gospel, and spark new friendships.
Vacation Bible School is also back! Cornerstone Kids and Village Christian Church are bringing you 4 days of summer FUN solving the mysteries of the parables told in the Bible. Get ready to put your detective badges on and find clues as we play epic games, create beautiful art, munch on snacks, and make new friendships!
I know it’s hard to think of summer right now with all of this snow, but having the kids home for Spring Break may have you wondering how you’re going to keep them entertained when they have even more time off during the summer. Therefore, here are some local summer camps to keep an eye on designed to engage, inspire, entertain, and educate your young ones while they’re out of school! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can visit it again, as we will update this when more details are released.
IVGID
The Incline Village General Improvement District’s recreation venues offer all kinds of fun entertainment for kids and teens, ranging from multi-day golf, tennis, basketball, and volleyball camps to skateboard, paddle, lifeguard, and leadership camps. Summer camp season at IVGID basically kicks off in the final weeks of June and many of the sessions run through August. There are different camps for different age groups appealing to kids and teenagers 5-19 years old.
Registration for IVGID’s summer youth camps opens in mid-April and you’ll want to get on it fast because they usually fill up quickly. Visit https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/recreation/youth-camps in the upcoming weeks to view the schedule, prices, and more information when it is released. Here’s a first look at the schedule –
Washoe County Library System- Incline Village
The Incline Village Library kicks off summer with its first ever Block Party and Summer Reading program on June 3rd. From 11am-2pm, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and claim a free book, play some cornhole, and enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, and more with your friends, fellow librarians, and neighbors. In early June, Teen Movie Nights will also start to be held at the library every other Tuesday (June 6, June 20, July 11, and July 25) where they can watch a blockbuster movie at the library while snacking on free popcorn at 4pm. Be sure to check out the IVCBA Community Event Calendar for upcoming library events.
On June 20-22nd, kids can participate in the All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp. In this multi-day camp, kids ages 10 and up will learn how to follow a recipe, measuring out ingredients, basic knife skills, kitchen and food safety, and basic cooking techniques to create healthy and delicious meals. The All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp takes place from 1pm-2:30pm all three days; registration for this camp opens on Tuesday, May 23rd.
Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe (BGCNLT)
The Boys & Girls Club runs several daily and multi-day specialty camps at its locations throughout North Lake Tahoe, as well as manages the Duffield Youth Program summer camp in Incline Village that runs for seven weeks in the summer. It usually starts at the end of June or a week or two after school gets out. At the time of this publication, the summer schedule has not been released yet, but registration usually opens in early April.
Tahoe Family Solutions Camp Explore
Tahoe Family Solutions also holds Camp Explore summer sessions for five weeks starting at the end of June and running through the beginning of August. In these 5-day/4-night camps, participants go out into the wilderness and learn valuable life skills. TFS admits kids in the 3rd-8th grade and 30 participants are accepted each week. Since these camps are free, they fill up extremely fast. Registration opens in late April or early May.
Lake Tahoe School Summer Camps
Lake Tahoe School offers a whole slew of summer camps that run June 19th through August. In Fairy Fest Camp, kids hear stories and make fairy-related crafts in the woods while the older kids in grades 4-6 make bath soaps and essential oils using natural materials that they can then take home to their families. Storybook and Bobcat Adventure camps incorporate all sorts of activities that are so much fun that the kids won’t even realize that they’re learning.
For the more active students, the Nike girls volleyball camp for ages 10-18 to be held June 26-29 help athletes practice skills and fundamentals allowing them to reach their full potential on the court, and the Nike Basketball Camp held July 10-13th is for both girls and boys where they will practice their footwork, shooting, defense, and offense skills. Tennis and sports camps held June 19-23 and August 7-11th are taught by Incline favorite LTS teachers and coaches Mr. Kris and Mr. Jon and attendees play soccer, lacrosse, basketball, capture the flag, tennis, and more.
Diverse group of children playing with puzzle game indoors, focus on blonde little boy, copy space
Tahoe Tutoring
Last month, Tahoe Tutoring (located on Southwood Boulevard in Incline Village) launched a survey asking parents with kids in grades K-5 what they’d like to see in its summer academic camps. You can take the survey here! Its summer program usually launches at the end of June and are held for the following eight weeks.
Although this may feel like the endless winter, sunny days are on the horizon so happy camping!
