Summer Camps

Camp provides experiences that will benefit your child into adulthood and let’s not forget – camp is really fun! Look forward to seeing your children become more confident, independent and responsible as they make new friends and learn important skills.

A huge variety of summer camps are offered in the Bay Area. Click on the categories below to find fun and enriching camps for children of all ages and interests.

Click on the categories below to find fun and enriching camps for children of all ages and interests.

Zero-in on the camps closest to you with our San Francisco, North Bay, Peninsula, South Bay and East Bay summer camp directories.

Check out Winter Holiday, February, and Spring camps offered during school breaks.

Finding the Right Camp
Finding the right camp starts with identifying goals for your child’s camp experience and evaluating your child’s needs, personality and interests. There are an amazing variety of camps to meet the needs and interests of most children including day camps, overnight camps, general camps, specialty camps and more.

Once you’ve identified potential camps for your children, you’ll want to evaluate each camp to verify that it’s a quality camp that will provide a positive experience for your child. Consider staffing, schedules, costs, safety procedures and reviews when choosing a camp.

Ages & Stages
Your child’s age is just one factor in determining his readiness for camp. His maturity, comfort level with new situations, ability to get along with others in a group environment, and willingness to follow instructions are also important factors.

Many camps are designed for specific age groups and will only accept children within this range. The age requirements are often higher for specialty and overnight camps than general day camps. Most school-age children are ready for a day camp environment. When in doubt consider a half day camp or a series of short summer classes (art, sports, etc.) to test the waters.

Overnight Camps
Overnight camp can be a big step for children. In general, children should be at least 8 years old before considering overnight camps. Before going to overnight camp your child should be comfortable spending the night away from home. Do some test runs at friends or relatives. She should also be able to get herself ready for the day and for bedtime without help, including changing clothes, tying shoes, brushing teeth, and showering. Most importantly, your child should be enthused about going to an overnight camp.

Camps for Teens
Teens generally have more options for summer than younger children, including college classes, internships, and jobs. However, summer camp can still be an important part of your teen’s summer. Discuss summer camp goals and options with your teen. If your teen has enjoyed summer camp in the past and likes being around children, he may want to become a Counselor In Training.

Camp Costs
Camp costs can add up quickly, especially if you have more than one child or need to fill most of the summer with camps and after camp care to accommodate your work schedule. Camp costs vary widely, but usually start at $200 per week per child and can exceed $1000 per week for specialty, overnight camps. The lowest cost camps tend to be offered by schools, city recreation departments, churches, YMCAs and other non-profit community groups.

As expected, day camps are usually less expensive than overnight camps. By contrast, specialty camps, such as computer, horseback riding, or elite sport camps, are often expensive due to equipment and staffing requirements. However, some camps offer scholarships or discounts for families who are unable to afford the full cost.

Camp Registration
The registration process varies by camp and popular camps fill up quickly. As stressful as this sounds, with a little advance planning you can successfully register your children for the camps they want to attend with minimal fuss. Plus, there are plenty of good camps that allow registration nearly until camp begins. Check the web sites of the camps you’re considering for registration information, including earliest and latest registration dates, and put these dates on your calendar. Request to join camp mailing lists, so you’ll receive updates and reminders.

Identify the forms you need to complete and have these ready to submit when registration opens. If your child needs a physical or signed medical forms, schedule the necessary appointments well in advance. Pay deposits and final payments by the specified deadlines to hold your space.

Camp Supplies
Packing for day camp is usually pretty simple and similar to packing for school. Most overnight camps will provide a detailed packing list upon registration.

Your child will probably need lunch and a water bottle most days. Ask the counselor when a swim suit and towels are needed. Remember to apply sunscreen to your child if she’ll be outdoors for even part of the day. Put all your child’s supplies in a colorful and distinctive bag or backpack to help keep her organized and make it easy to find her things at pick-up time. Label camp items to increase the chance of finding misplaced items.

Some camps, particularly low-cost community camps, may ask you to bring specific items on particular days, such as shoe boxes for a craft project or hotdog buns for a cookout. These needs are usually communicated on a board near the check-out area or in a handout sent home with your child.

Camp Safety
A large part of ensuring your child’s safety at camp is achieved by selecting a quality camp that is appropriate for you child’s age and maturity. Plus, most of what your child has already learned about being safe at school and in the community also applies to summer camp safety. However, it’s still a good idea to review general safety tips with your children before they go to camp and also discuss any potential safety issues that may be unique to your child’s camp environment or activities.