Things to Do in West Hills

The male and female firearm experts of American Home Defense shape their shooting and self-defense classes around legal regulations with an emphasis on personal safety. In private shooting lessons, students learn to handle three of the most common handguns and home-defense classes equip participants with the know-how to protect their families from intruders or a neighbor's moat monster.

After a silent winter and spring, the rock-climbing wall and go-kart track are waiting impatiently for summer to arrive, eager for the influx of laughter and ebullient burst of life that comes with it. The empty cabins and sports fields spread across Camp Cottontail’s 200-acre land share the sentiment, as they’ve been locked in this cycle of yearning for summer since the camp’s construction in 1958. The sprawling camp finally comes alive once flocks of young campers take over, orchestrating a symphony of sounds of kids splashing into the pool, giggling over arts and crafts, and singing around a crackling bonfire as night unfolds around them. Following in the footsteps of generations of campers before them, the kids spend each balmy summer day immersed in well-planned daily programs comprised of high-energy activities.

A past camper whose influence is felt throughout the camp is Lynn Pedroza, who assumed ownership of Cottontail in 2009. Having spent every summer since 1984 as a staff member, Lynn bought the camp with the sole intent of upholding the previous owners’ dedication to granting campers the best summer possible. Her commitment to the camp’s tradition of excellence is reflected in her meticulously selected staff of counselors and instructors, all of whom undergo extensive background checks and are certified in CPR and first aid. The staffers take campers under their wings, teaching them new skills such as how to shoot an arrow or how to save a friendship with a meaningful lanyard bracelet. Optional offsite activities and special trips bolster the camp experience. While daily schedules are determined by each camper, the camp comes together for beloved events including Skit Night, Counselor Dress-Up, and the camp dance.

Holding certifications from organizations such as the American Mountain Guide Association, the guides behind OnRope Consulting formed the rock-climbing school to offer training for all levels of climbers. Held at one of the many mountainous locations surrounding Los Angeles, onsite classes range from introductory-level climbs to personal training. Beyond helping outdoorsman scale summits, the guides organize wilderness adventure trips, including sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, or backpacking across California's rugged, awe-inspiring terrains. For groups, they also lead team-building programs that bring people together through activities such as rope courses, camping, and hair-braiding circles.:m]]

Whether navigating Pebble Beach’s oceanside links or exploring the birthplace of golf at St. Andrews in Scotland, golfers know that a little rain can turn a trip of a lifetime into a water-logged disappointment. Players Club Golf removes sogginess from the equation; the center’s three full-screen golf simulators unlock instant access to more than 60 global courses without the hassles of commuting, fickle weather, and long round times. The facility smoothes the oft-difficult road toward better scores with practice configurations that allow players to immediately see a wealth of shot parameters on each swing, including launch angle, ball speed, and carry. The virtual driving range facilitates improvement through repetition and target practice, which also helps when trying to ring the doorbell of a neighbor across the street without getting off the couch.

When improvement reaches a plateau, players can enlist the expert instruction of teaching professional Brent Mann. Members also enjoy access to a facility gym stocked with $40,000 worth of equipment. Here, golfers improve their endurance on elliptical machines and strengthen postround handshake grips on a full complement of weight machines.

Channeling 12 years of chiropractic experience, the head instructor at Boulevard Pilates educates guests on the science of movement. He hosts private, semiprivate, and group classes for students of all abilities, from injured clients to total beginners to athletes training to catch fastballs with their abs. The sessions adopt a circuit-training style to involve multiple aspects of fitness, including cardio and strength-building routines. As he guides physiques through focused motions on Stott and Peak Pilates apparatuses, students can revel in benefits such as increased strength and flexibility, better posture and coordination, and weight loss with regular practice