Best Summer Camps In California
The fantastic warm weather in California makes it the perfect place for summer camps. Activites like overnight camping, swimming, kayaking, ziplining, and other fun activities can be enjoyed at many of these traditional camps. Choosing between summer camps in California for kids can be challenging since there are so many. California has many different options, ranging from educational day camps to adventure overnight camps.
In this guide, we cover some of the best summer camps in California that offer exciting activities for children of all ages. Campers can participate in fun outdoor activities and receive educational opportunities.
Santa Rosa, CA
With its overnight camp and year-round programs, URJ Camp Newman is the perfect place for children to get a fantastic Jewish experience. They have strived to build a loving community where every camper matters.
You'll find all kinds of camp activities, from a ropes course to soccer, Israeli dancing, photography, swimming, and most sports you can think of. Sign students up for a 2- or 3-week, or up to 8-week session based on their grade. Older teens can attend the longest session of 8 weeks, while younger campers starting from 3rd grade can attend 2 to 4 weeks.
URJ Camp Newman offers open houses where parents and kids can try some of their fun activities,...
Running Springs, CA
Operating out of Running Springs, California, Pali Adventures provides a fun-filled summer experience for kids ages 8-16. This premier overnight camp has a large collection of activities in up to 28 specialties that your kids can choose from. Its Southern California location puts it at only 1.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Camp days are always a mix of play and learning at Pali Adventures, with participants engaging in different activities to improve skills across different areas. While mornings are spent on a chosen activity, kids can decide what to do in the afternoons.
And there are lots of things to do at Pali Adventure, which is accredited by the American Camp Association. Activities are split...
Ojai, CA
As an award-winning arts summer camp accredited by the American Camp Association, Amplify Sleepaway Camp is a safe place for girls to grow and prosper.
Its lovely campus is nestled right in the Topa Topa Mountains of Ojai. Their extensive facilities and an extensive support staff of talented instructors allow campers to grow their passion for theater, photography, dance, film, skateboarding, and music.
Kids can craft their own schedules to add additional activities like surfing, swimming, and screen printing. The all-girls summer camp challenges gender stereotypes and provides a safe space for girls to grow their confidence and skills. Girls can stay at the sleepaway camp each night or go home each day in the...
Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA
Welcome to Camp Tawonga, where Jewish traditions meet unforgettable outdoor adventures! Nestled in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains, at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park, this camp offers a transformative summer experience for rising 2nd to rising 12th graders. Camp Tawonga believes in fostering a vibrant, inclusive community where campers can explore their Jewish identity, build lifelong friendships, and connect with nature.
With over 100 years of experience leading the field of Jewish camping, Tawonga prides themselves on a rich history and commitment to excellence. Their loving and dedicated staff are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where every camper feels valued and supported.
Tawonga understands that financial considerations shouldn't hinder a child's opportunity to...
Southern California
Heights Christian Schools, a private school system in Southern California serving children from infancy through eighth grade for over 40 years, invites ALL kids from Kindergarten through 7th grade to join their Summer Fun program.
Whether or not students are enrolled at the school, campers are welcome participate in a variety of engaging and experiences, including tech, science, art, Bible studies, outdoor games, waterplay with waterslides and inflatables, sports, and exciting field trips.
Your child will have the opportunity to visit the Los Angeles Zoo, the American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park, the Thrill It Fun Center and much more. There are also on-site events covering topics and themes like Discovery Science, Foam Party, and OC...
Shaffer's High Sierra Camp
Tahoe National Forest, CA
Established back in 2000, Shaffer's High Sierra Camp is one of our favorites. It's situated in Tahoe National Forest, giving campers the perfect opportunity to interact with Mother Nature. Speaking of which, the camp accommodates both boys and girls between 8 and 17 years old.
If you're keen about choosing a well-established summer camp for your kid, this is the best place you can take them. Shaffer's High Sierra Camp has done so well over the years that it's even been recommended by Outside Magazine and the LA Times.
It has a zero Wi-Fi connectivity policy, which makes it easier to train kids to unplug from technology and instead focus on building relationships with people...
Camp Woodcraft
Mountain Center, CA
Camp Woodcraft is a diverse and affordable summer camp that takes place in in Mountain Center, near Idyllwild, California, only two hours from San Diego. At Camp Woodcraft, kids are separated into groups divided by age with the aim to build friendship and earn how to work together as a group.
Campers from any ethnicity, religion, and economic background are welcome to attend the camp where they will meet a diverse group of youth. The camp has been in existence for 99 years and has provided an amazing summer experience for campers since then.
Currently, they have four sessions where students get to enjoy the typical summer camp experience. Fun activities include things like archery,...
Camp Augusta
Nevada County, CA
Camp Augusta, located in Nevada County, is Northern California's premier overnight camp. They have a high number of activities so that all kids can find something they want to do. Some of the exciting activities include archery, ziplining, kayaking, wall and tree climbing, equestrian, plus a whole lot of other water and land-based activities.
Camp Augusta is all about providing fun experiences for kids while at the same time helping them become a better version of themselves. They continuously seek to improve the camp by taking feedback seriously, all in the name of providing the best summer experience for campers.
They also take professionalism to another level, with their staff training taking up to 3...
Fly Your Kite Camp
Nevada City, CA
Fly Your Kite Camp offers overnight summer camps in Nevada City, California. They offer thrilling activities that campers can participate in, like ziplining, archery, kayaking, swimming, among other sports. Kids can also learn new things like cooking, performing arts, exploring nature, and much more.
Kids receive a quality outdoor education while having fun and practicing essentials skills like leadership, public speaking, creativity, and adaptability. It offers a peaceful atmosphere where campers can envelop themselves in nature and receive motivation from the passionate staff that work there.
At their sleepaway camps, children are encouraged to challenge themselves in oder to grow as a person and make the best use of this amazing summer experience.
AstroCamp
Idyllwild, CA
AstroCamp is located in the stunning foothills of Mount San Jacinto in southern California. It's open to students ages 8-17 and makes for an ideal summer experience for kids interested in science and space.
There's an amazing array of activities and experiences campers will have during their time at AstroCamp. They can play around with rockets, conduct experiments to learn about pressure and temperature, or study electricity and magnetism.
Outside of the classroom, campers get the opportunity to get physical, explore the ropes course along with a zipline, or go on a hike through the surrounding mountains. There is also 3D printing, loads of games, and so much more.
One-week sessions are offered to ages...
Deer Crossing Camp
Loon Lake, CA
If you live in Northern California, Deer Crossing Camp is an excellent opportunity for children ages 8-17. It's strategically situated on the shore of Loon Lake so its surrounded by some of the most magnificent sceneries.
They divide their traditional summer camp activities into those that can be performed on land and in the water. This makes it easier for your child to choose the sport they want to explore. Camp waterfront activities include sailing, swimming, stand-up paddling, and canoeing. Land activities include archery, rock climbing, bouldering and orienteering. Don't forget to buy a camp trunk so they can pack all they need in it.
Deer Crossing Camp offers a welcoming and supportive environment where...
Catalina Island Camps
Catalina Island, CA
Situated at Howlands Landing, the Catalina Island Camps is another high-quality option in Southern California. It's approximately 22 miles off the coast, which means your child will enjoy some really scenic views all summer long.
But even more importantly, they'll have a ton of activities to participate in. Some of these are kayaking, stand up paddling, sailing among other power boat activities. One event that really sets this summer camp apart is the provision of snorkeling lessons. Your child can have an amazing experience learning how to snorkel in the cove.
They also offer plenty of land based activities including hiking, climbing, archery, riflery, gardening & composting, and high ropes course. This California summer camp...
Kennolyn Camp
Santa Cruz, CA
Kennolyn Camps offer quite a few camp options around California. One is set on 440 acres of land, made up of private Redwood Forest. The camp's location is actually very strategic as it's easy to access both from the Bay Area and Southern California.
Kennolyn Camps is designed to accommodate kids across all age groups. More specifically, it welcomes any child who is in grade 1 through 12. One aspect that makes this summer camp exceptional is that they have an array of programs in Orange County suited for different age groups.
So whether your kid is in elementary or just starting high school, they can participate in activities customized for their age. They recently...
Coppercreek Camp
Greenville, CA
Nestled in the small town of Greenville, California, Coppercreek is an excellent summer camp for kids. Since its establishment in 1965, it has been a safe haven for dozens of campers and their families.
This camp organizes its activities around four concepts: play, community, laughter and nature. Some of the activities you'll find at Coppercreek camp include high ropes course, skateboarding, archery, climbing, drama, arts and crafts and horseback riding.
Other than the activities, another feature they stand out in is their transparency and affordability when it comes to pricing. They have different packages depending on the length of time you want to enroll your child for.
If you enroll early, you can even get...
Young Actor's Theatre Camp
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Young Actors Theatre Camp receives creative campers ages 8-18 from all over California and the country each summer. They have programs in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a focus on filming and musical theatre, so youth can choose the one they're interested in the most.
They accept campers from all skill levels, so complete beginners are welcome to attend the overnight camps. Students are taught by highly qualified instructors with industry experience, so they're learning from some of the most talented teachers, including some with Broadway experience.
Students can attend any of their sessions running from July to August. Camp attendees stay in cabins separated by age groups and each supervised by a camp counselor....