School Holiday Winter Camps in Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville

When kid schedules don’t line up with work schedules, we have to look to our favorite providers of kid’s activities for vacation childcare disguised as “camp”. 

Here are some options for this coming Winter vacation, all of which offer their days a la carte for families who need only spotty coverage.

Sarah’s Science Winter Camp offers an inventors workshop during the days before and after Christmas.
Location: The Berkeley site will be at Black Pine Circle School and the Oakland location is the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church.
Hours: 8 am to 5.30 pm
Price: $95/day
Ages: 5-11

Head Over Heels Gymnastics Camp offers gymnastics and circus activities, arts and crafts, and games.
Location: 4701 Doyle Street in Emeryville
Hours: Camp is available half day (9am-12noon) or full day (9am-4pm)
Price: Half day camp is $235 and full day camp is $275 for the entire week
Ages: 3-12

Oakland Zoo Winter Camp offers a different experience at the Zoo each day.
Location: Oakland Zoo
Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, Monday December 27 – Thursday December 30
Price: $60/day for non-members; $55/day for members
Ages: K-5th

MOCHA Art Camp offers a focus on a different physical material each day
Location: 538 Ninth Street, Downtown Oakland
Hours: 8.30-3.30 December 20–23, 27–31
Price: $75/day; 10% discount for members
Ages: 5-10

Monkey Business Winter Camp is a good old-fashioned general day camp (with organic snacks, of course!)
Location: Berkwood Hedge School in Downtown Berkeley
Hours: Basic hours are 8.30-3.30, but add on 8 am drop off or 6 pm pick up for extra fees
Price: Basic hours are $65/day before 12/10 with discounts for 4-day, 1-week, or 10-day committments (see details on their web page.)
Ages: 4.15-10 or “Youth Leaders” for 11+ who have attended Monkey Business before.

Circo Day Camps are put on by the Kinetic Arts Center. Children will engage in clowning, trapeze, juggling, acrobatics, climbing and general circus happiness.
Location: 785 7th St (7th and Brush Sts) in Oakland
Hours: 9 am-4 pm Monday thru Thursday, Dec 20 – 23, 2010 & Dec 27 – 30, 2010
Price: $65/day; $182 per 3-days (prices valid until December 11)
Ages: K-5