Animals, Nature & Outdoor Camps are a great way to combine learning, fun and fresh air!
Your children can spend time in the woods or on the water learning about the plants and animals of the Bay Area or developing their riding skills at a Horsemanship Camp.
Tribal Wisdom Academy Day Camps ~ Los Gatos
50-acre private forest ranch with very easy Hwy-17 access. Over a hundred kids get together for two-week day camps to become a traditional forest village. Choose dates from 10 available summer weeks! Kids build treehouses, rope ziplines, blacksmith tools, learn archery, bow carving, BB gun safety, Tomahawks, campfire cooking, and barter with Tribal Coins. View our camp video. Take-home Maker Projects include inventing your own projects in outdoor woodshops with 8-to-1 staff ratios for ages 8 to 10. And siblings ages 5-7 may join our “Wild Kid” Horse and Nature Camps! Location: https://www.TribalWisdomAcademy.com/location
BEan IN NATURE ~ Morgan Hill, San Jose, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Woodside
Summer camps with early bird savings! Build confidence and independence! New 4th grade-high school camps: ceramics and Jugger strategic historical warfare. Pre-K: Fledgling Forest. K – 4th/5th: ancestral survival skills, co-ed fairies, elves, dragons, girls fairy camps, leaders in training for tweens & teens w/ community service, fishing, carving safety, tree climbing safety, hiking, exploring, investigation, fiber arts, wild crafting, medicinal & edible creations, ninja forest skills, fire by friction, and campfire cooking! Professional, CPR-certified educators, inquiry-based play, natural history science, child-led, social-emotional safety. Refer & save! June – August. www.beaninnature.com
City Kid Camp ~ San Francisco
City Kid Camp combines the great outdoors with sports-centric, active play to create lasting summer memories. Open to ages 8-12, we’ll be leading up to 20 kids on trips ’round the city, providing the know-how to safely access the natural beauties of San Francisco – the Presidio, Lands End, Golden Gate Park, Stern Grove, and more. High-character staff specialize in team-building and group play, fostering trust and communication while having fun – at an extremely affordable rate!
TeeterPal Camps ~ San Francisco, San Ramon, Fremont, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Cruz
TeeterPal is a Nature education organization that specializes in providing outdoor education. We have organized Outdoor Summer Camps in the Bay area for children aged between 5 to 15. Each day of the camp is packed with nature hikes, group activities, and engaging hands-on projects. This offers a distinctive experience for kids to detach from technology and urban life, and engage with nature. Both Day Camp and Overnight Camp options are offered, and further details can be found on our website at www.teeterpal.com/camp.
Hidden Villa ~ Los Altos Hills
Hidden Villa Summer Camp has been bringing kids together since 1945. Offering Day and Overnight programs for campers in Grades K – 12, we are a farm and wilderness preserve where campers get their hands dirty in garden and farm spaces, care for animals, turn strangers into lifelong friends, practice contributing to an open-minded and diverse community and grow as individuals. Other activities: pool time, archery, high ropes course, backpacking, hiking, cooking and crafts. June 16th-Aug 1st.
Call of the Wild Outdoor Nature Camps ~ Vacaville, Berkeley, Oakland, Los Gatos, Cupertino/Los Altos Hills
At Inspire Behavioral Learning, K-5th graders enjoy forest camps in the summer, fall, winter, and spring. Kids spark a love of nature, hike, explore, read, write, create nature-inspired art, make friends, and play! Academic nature camps blend outdoor education, recreation, and child-centered learning, engaging the whole child – head, heart, and body. Theme weeks: Enchanted Forest Reading, Enchanted Forest Art, Enchanted Vegan Nature, and Enchanted Forest Writing! Discounts and scholarships are available and may be combined.
Kennolyn Day Camp ~ Soquel
Located on 450 acres of privately owned redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Kennolyn Day Camp is just a bus ride away with stops in Campbell and Los Gatos. Your child will thrive at this full day, outdoor, authentic camp. And after a day of exploring the fields, pond, and miles of trails, they’ll be happy-tired! Activities include archery, high ropes, climbing, BMX, fencing, swimming, horseback riding, and more! Nurse on duty. 1:4 ratio.
Gaia Guides Kids Camp ~ Alameda
Gaia Guides, formerly Adventures 4 Kidz, is designed for ages 6-14, providing adventures like paddleboarding, kayaking, and exploring marine life. Guided by experienced instructors, campers build confidence, teamwork, and environmental stewardship in a safe, supportive environment. A women-owned business in Alameda, CA, we offer enriching kids’ summer camps and nature-focused experiences for all ages. With over 20 years of experience in outdoor education and running youth camps, we bring unmatched knowledge and adventure!
Run for Fun Adventure Day Camp ~ Palo Alto
Run for Fun in Palo Alto combines kids’ love for sports, nature, creativity and play. We pride ourselves on offering a highly personalized experience. Our counselors understand the importance of connecting with the campers on both an individual and a group level. Our Summer offerings provide memorable experiences that are safe and allow kids to grow. Summer Highlights Include: Dodgeball, Capture the Flag, Gaga Ball, Crunchy Slime, Tie-Dye, Olympic week. We also offer optional Adventures to Santa Cruz for beach day and Camp Jones Gulch for archery and games in the woods. Learn more here.
YMCA Camp Loma Mar ~ Loma Mar
YMCA Camp Loma Mar, the East Bay’s oldest overnight camp, has provided unforgettable adventures since 1914. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains among towering redwoods, campers enjoy activities like zip lining, archery, swimming, and rock climbing. Our dedicated staff creates a fun, supportive environment where friendships flourish and lifelong memories are made. Open to 2nd–12th graders, Camp Loma Mar offers the ultimate outdoor experience. Financial assistance is available to ensure access for all.
Camp Gold Hollow ~ Nevada City, CA (free bus service from Vallejo)
Traditional overnight camp with innovative programming! Community and belonging are waiting at our little camp nestled among the pines on beautiful Lake Vera. Engaging outdoor activities connect campers with nature (swimming, canoeing, crafts, star gazing, outdoor skills) plus friendships, singalongs, games and fun campy role-models. Run by the experts at Camp Fire, welcoming campers since 1944. Camp Bus from the Bay Area. Camperships available. Kids thrive here!
