Spend summertime outside. Looking for camps for adventurous outdoorsy kids? There are So Many Great Choices whether your child wants to bike, hike, sail, explore, or climb.
This roundup of summer camps for kids who like to try new things is just a sampling of the diverse offerings available in the East Bay. Learn more about these and other East Bay camps in our Camp Guide.
Sarah's Science Camp
Each day at Sarah's Science Camp, kids make and take home a fun science project while exploring important science topics ranging from physics to chemistry and beyond. Camp also includes swimming, hiking, music, art, and active games. For children 4 and up. CIT program begins at age 11.
Sponsor
Camp Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $470 - $530/week. $120/day. Sibling, multi-week and early registration discounts available.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Avid4 Adventure
This summer, experience the power of authentic outdoor adventure. Avid4 Adventure teaches kids of all levels to climb, paddle, bike, hike and thrive in the outdoors. Locations in Oakland, Moraga, Burlingame, Mill Valley, and Palo Alto. Shuttles available to Oakland and Mill Valley locations.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $274 - $549. Save up to $50 per session when signing up for multiple weeks.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Monkey Business Camp
Monkey Business Camp offers art, cooking, storytelling, nature exploration, treasure hunts, carnival games, singing, and organic food! Expect an exciting week outdoors in Tilden Park with one day of swimming. Pre-K program for 3-4 year olds at indoor location near Tilden.
Camp Hours: 8:30 am-3:30 pm (some weeks shorter day option 8:30 am-1:30 pm)
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $480; multi-session, sibling, early tier & youth leader discounts-pricing as low as $385
Grades: toddlers (ages 2+), preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Girls on the Go Field Trip Camp
Campers, ages 9-13, travel by foot, bus, BART, & ferries to get to exciting destinations. Spontaneous and planned adventure, chances to try out new and familiar activities, and new friends. Empowering girls to be bold and compassionate is a goal of this award-winning program, part of Monkey Business Camp.
Camp Hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $480; multi-session, sibling, early tier & youth leader discounts-pricing as low as $385
Grades: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
KIDS for the BAY
KIDS for the BAY offers a fun-filled summer camp with science, friendship and nature exploration. Campers explore shorelines, hike through forests, kayak on the Bay, create nature art, investigate creek life, swim at Lake Anza, enjoy a twilight campfire, and more.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $390/ week | Save $25 on 2nd week or $50 on 3 or more | Leaders In Training = $330 | Additional Discounts: Save $15 early bird before 3/15/19, Save $15 for siblings
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Richmond Yacht Club Sailing Camp
Summer sailing camps are designed to encourage the safe enjoyment of sailing for kids of all ages and inclinations. Sailors will learn to sail confidently, understand the basic rules of sailing, right a capsized boat, and most importantly have a ton of fun!
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:45 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:45 am
Price: $815 for 2 week camp (includes boat use)
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT)
Bay Area Children’s Theatre teaches young performers to act, sing and dance while having a blast and making new friends. All programs focus on the importance of teamwork, ensemble, and building self-confidence through the power of live theatre.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:30 pm
Price: Starts at $340/week depending on program
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Roughing It Day Camp
Discover the Outdoors! Campers, ages 4 -16, enjoy the wonders of this lakefront location (Lafayette Reservoir): canoeing, fishing, hiking, nature and more. Swimming and horseback riding lessons included. Free transportation/home pick-up: Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, East Bay Neighborhoods. Free extended care.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 07:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: Prices Vary, see Dates and Rates 2019
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Oakland ZooCamp
Oakland Zoo takes great pride in creating age-appropriate programs for campers in Pre-K through High School. Expect an exciting week of outdoor nature discovery, animal adventurers, zoo tours, special behind the scenes and animal close ups!
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $369/week for non-members. Discounts available to members.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Adventure Day Camp
Adventure Day Camp is a traditional day camp for children ages 3-15 years old. Children gain confidence in arts, sports, swimming, kayaking, sailing, tennis, horseback riding, archery, and more! Three locations: Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Alamo with many East Bay bus pickup/drop-off locations.
Camp Hours: 8 am to 6 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: Varies
Grades: toddlers (ages 2+), preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Armada Swim and Adventure Camp
Camp is open to 7-12 year old swimmers looking to foster an active lifestyle filled with the love for swimming and the outdoors. Campers should have basic level proficiency for free and back strokes. Additional activities include rock climbing and boating.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $425 / week
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Trackers Earth
Trackers Earth offers some of the most engaging camps in the East Bay area. Day camps introduce your child to guided outdoor adventure, fantastic stories, and new friends.
Camp Hours: 8 am - 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $549. 10% Early Bird Discount Thru March.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Cal Youth Camps
Cal Youth Camps offers a variety of camps and sport/outdoor activities including swimming, soccer, skateboarding, rock climbing, gymnastics, basketball, martial arts, STEM, sailing & more for kids ages 4-17. Drop-ins, 1 & 2 week options available on the UC Berkeley campus. Payment plan & scholarships available.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm (Morning care included at no charge: 7:30-9 am)
Earliest Drop off: 07:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: Varies by program
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
The Renaissance School (TRIS) Summer Camp
TRIS offers a healthy mix of academic activities, creative adventures, and multilingual (French & Spanish) experience for a great summer. Activities include drama, basketball, Hungarian cooking, carpentry, mask making, hiking, ceramics, algebra, astronomy, juggling and so much more!
Camp Hours: 8 am to 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 07:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $700/ week includes extended day care (7:30 am - 6 pm)
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Sees the Day Summer Program
Sees the Day is committed to instilling in children a respect and appreciation for every person and the natural world. Activities include: Guest educators and performers, storytelling, beading, fairy houses, gratitude circles, cooperative games, imaginative play, and classic summertime fun!
Camp Hours: 8:45 am -3:45 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:45 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:15 pm
Price: $375 per week. $85 Daily drop in
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Kids' Club Summer Camp at Claremont Club & Spa
The Kids' Club at Claremont Club & Spa offers your little one days filled with fun and adventure. With everything from arts & crafts, to hiking and movies by the swimming pool-there is something exciting for everyone.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: Adventure Day Camp (5-9 years): Weekly $450/Daily $115. Counselor In Training (10+ years): Weekly $500.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Gaia Girls Passages (Herbal Medicine Day Camp & Seedlings)
Herbal Medicine: Learn to identify plant families and create herbal medicines from local plants! For girls entering grades 3-9.
Seedlings Camp: Girls explore the magical realms of nature, build fairy homes, and learn wilderness survival skills. For girls entering grades K-2.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price:
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Save $25 with code 510FAMILY
Learn-to-Row Camp with Berkeley High Crew
Learn-to-Row camps are a fun introduction for new or inexperienced rowers, ages 11 and up. No experience required. Campers learn the basics from the Berkeley High Crew team coaches and student-athletes. Camp develops basic skills using rowing machines, our 16-person training barge, and 8-person racing shells.
Camp Hours: noon to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 12:00 pm
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $250
Grades: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Urban Adamah
Campers play, plant, sing, work, and get to know life on an urban farm including eating fresh, delicious organic produce. Through group-building challenges and project-based learning, children learn about the natural world and explore the interconnectedness of all things.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $495/week
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Wildlife Camp at Sulphur Creek
Campers get close to animals like owls, opossums, and snakes in a serene park; weeks are based on a different theme. Half day 9am-12pm for ages 3 1/2 to 5 or 9:30-2:30 pm for ages 5-13. Extended care available select weeks.
Camp Hours: 9 am to noon (prek), 9:30 to 2:30 pm (school age) *
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 02:30 pm
Price: $170 - $250
Grades: toddlers (ages 2+), preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Lake Merritt Boating & Sailing Camps
Camps from basic boating to advanced sailing. Younger kids start with pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks then move to the Optis for sailing. Each camp builds skills and introduces new boats as campers progress from Lake Merritt to the Oakland Estuary.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm or 9:15 am to 3:45 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $250-$360/week
Grades: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Outside School
Education is 100% outdoors in beautiful Alvarado Park in Richmond exploring and respecting nature in a child led and teacher supported environment.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $300/week
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Sail Alameda
Discover Sailing Camp two-week course is a great introduction for those with less experience on the water. Campers learn the basics of rigging, launching, and sailing a small boat. More advanced camps available.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $695 for two-week session
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Green Stuff Camp @ UC Botanical Garden
Campers spend a magical week at the UC Botanical Garden's award-winning nature camp. From habitats of the world to garden animals, every day children explore, learn, grow, make, relax and enjoy the wonderful world of plants.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 2 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:50 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $350-$390/week; aftercare $100/week or $25 daily
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Find the perfect camp for your child in our East Bay camp guide. See many more adventurous options in our sleepaway camp guide.
[Photo provided by Trackers Earth]
