Most date ranges given are for weeklong camps. Contact the organization for details.
Adventure Rocks! Camp at Mesa Rim
In addition to top-rope climbing and bouldering, activities at this four–day camp include yoga, a scavenger hunt, knot tying, and arts and crafts. Kids bring their own lunch, but snacks like Clif Bar Zbars are provided.
Ages 7–14; 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; $335; reservation required
Camp Fire
Camp CaHiTo spring and summer day camps offer traditional group activities that alternate daily, including archery, arts and crafts, hiking, sports, and swimming.
Ages 5–13; $150–$225; 3101 Balboa Drive, Balboa Park
Carlton Oaks Summer Junior Golf Camp
At Junior Golf Camp, kids learn putting, chipping, and play over four consecutive mornings on the course, but also have time to let loose on an obstacle course and in the pool.
Ages 6–14; $125; July 24–27 and August 14–17; 9200 Inwood Drive, Santee
Circus Camp
Campers hone their circus performance skills, such as aerial silks, clowning, juggling, partner acrobatics, tightwire, trapeze, and tumbling.
Ages 5–16; $325; Weekly June 26–August 25; San Diego Circus Center, 2050 Hancock Street, Mission Hills
Critter Camp at Helen Woodward Animal Center
During this weeklong camp, animal lovers meet and learn about a variety of creatures, including dogs, alpacas, turtles, and more.
Ages 4–12; General camp hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. apply to kids in Kindergarten to 6th grade, with extended hours available for a nominal fee. (Preschool hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., no extended hours available.)
Harbor Sailboats Youth Sailing Course
Learn sailing and safety basics aboard a Capri 22. In addition to instruction, sailors enjoy games and a “friendly race around the bay.”
Ages 7–16; June 19–23; 2040 Harbor Island Drive
Junior Golf at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
Is your kid the next Jason Day or Lexi Thompson? Led by PGA Class A6 instructor Heidi Richardson, kids get video swing analysis and skill challenges, learn rules and etiquette, play games, and more.
Ages 6–16; $225 and up; 1275 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
Mad Science Camp
Mad Science offers camp programs on anatomy, astronomy, chemistry, engineering, robots, and the wilderness at 25 locations in San Diego County.
Ages 4–12; price varies by location; June 5–August 25
The New Children’s Museum Camp
It’s a museum takeover with creative games, hands-on art activities, open play in the galleries, and playtime in the park.
Ages 4–12; $56–$63 daily, $150–$315 weekly; April 10–April 14 and June 12–August 25; 200 West Island Avenue, Marina District
Outpost Summer Camps
For two, three, or five days a week, campers participate in time-honored traditions such as group hikes, nature-based crafts, scavenger hunts, skits, songs, and water games.
Canyonside Community Park, Rancho Peñasquitos (grades 1–9) and North City Presbyterian Church in Poway (ages 3–5); $195–$1,430; June 19–August 18
Outside the Lens
Learn photography and filmmaking during one-week camps specializing in digital media. Special focuses range from street-style journalism to stop-motion animation.
Grades 3–12; $140 and up; June 23–August 25; 2750 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station
San Diego Junior Theatre Camp
For campers who love the stage, San Diego Junior Theatre teaches four lessons daily covering acting, dance and movement, voice, and a specialty course.
Grades K–6; $150–$205; March 27–April 14; 1650 El Prado, Balboa Park
SeaWorld Camp
Campers get a behind-the-scenes look at the theme park with animal shows, rides, trips to animal habitats and aquariums, boogie boarding, and kayaking.
Grades K–12; $170–$310 daily, $750–$1,050; June 18–August 18; 500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay
Secret Agent Squad by Brain Bounce
Send your little sleuth on a secret mission with fellow junior spies at this unique summer camp that embraces kids’ inquisitive nature and inclination for adventure. Launching its San Diego location this summer, the San Francisco–based camp features action-packed weekly activities like gadget design, self-defense and awareness, walkie-talkie training and call signs, and spy escape tactics.
Ages 7–11, 1721 Hornblend Street, Pacific Beach
The Watersports Camp
Kids can spend summer on Mission Bay, studying marine science or learning how to kayak, sail, surf, wakeboard, water-ski, or windsurf. A swim test is required on the first day.
Ages 6–17; $255 and up; June 12–August 25; Mission Bay Aquatic Center, 1001 Santa Clara Place, Mission Bay
Wildlife Day Camp
Kids can learn about conservation, science, and wildlife through animal encounters, arts and crafts, games, outdoor and career exploration, and role-play.
Ages 4–18; $47–$260; The Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista
Youth Media & Tech Camps at Digital Gym
This is just the ticket if you’ve got a little Spielberg or DuVernay in your midst. Campers learn tools of the filmmaking trade, such as storytelling, character design, and acting. The week ends with their film premiering on the big screen, in the Digital Gym theatre.
Ages 6–14; 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; $245, less for Digital Gym members
Youth Programs at La Jolla Playhouse
The Tony Award–winning La Jolla Playhouse offers a variety of youth acting programs that help build character on and offstage. Expert teachers help aspiring actors improve their techniques and gain confidence and social skills. There are three levels of classes for performers, plus a one-week theatre tech class for lighting, costumes, props, and scenic design.
Grades 3–12; June 19–July 21; prices vary; 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Zoo Summer Camp
For a walk on the wild side, campers can feed animals, learn about jobs at the zoo, study animal behaviors, explore animal habitats, and more. Offered at both the San Diego Zoo (2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park) and Safari Park (15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido).
Ages 4–17; $149–$274; June 19–August 25
19 Kids Camps in San Diego
