Ready to pack up your giant duffel bag? Scroll down to learn about Summer 2023 Sleepaway Camps for Bay Area families. Make sure to check all the camps’ websites for current information. Find East Bay Day Camps and Northern California Family Camps to round out your summer plans. Please note that all camps with logos are paid sponsors.
Sleepaway Camps in California
YMCA Camp Loma Mar
YMCA Camp Loma Mar is the East Bay's oldest and best-known overnight camp on over 100 acres of pristine mountain land next to Pescadero Creek. Activities include archery, crafts, and a zip line. A summer at Camp Loma Mar is full of adventure, fun, and friendships for campers ages 7-17.
Location: South Bay & Santa Cruz, Transportation provided from (510) or (925)
Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $840/week - YMCA members; $920/week - Non-YMCA members
Camp Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31
Avid4 Adventure
Outside>Online. Kids get a tech-free reset and learn the skills necessary to live and play in the backcountry. Avid4 instructors empower campers to adventure and grow in some of the country's most stunning, secluded natural spaces. Sibling + multiple session discounts!
Location: Other, Transportation provided from (510) or (925)
Grade Entering: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: Varies based on location and duration
Camp Duration: 1 week or 2 week sessions
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Save 5% on fees with promo code 510Family5. Expiration: 8/20/2023
Camp Common Ground
Join other middle and high school youth leaders committed to diversity and inclusion at this 2-week, overnight camp. Meet other youth from all backgrounds, learn empathy skills to build lifelong friendships, and become a leader of change. Transportation provided.
Location: Marin & Northern Cal, Transportation provided from (510) or (925)
Grade Entering: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Price: $3500 for full program. Multiple full and partial scholarships available as well as flexible payment plans. Money is never barrier for any of their campers.
Camp Duration: June 20 - July 1, 2023
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26
Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp
Co-ed, traditional sleepaway camp for ages 7-16 on a 900-acre ranch in the Sierras, a 1.5 hour drive from the Reno-Tahoe Airport. Family-owned and operated since 1956, limited enrollment and tech-free policy allow for a more personal camp experience.
Location: Sierra & Tahoe Region
Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Price: $4,300 for 2 weeks | $8,500 for 4 weeks. 10% refer-a-friend discount, 5% sibling discount
Camp Duration: 2 week and 4 week sessions available
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Camp Augusta
Discover the magic of Augusta! Campers explore 80 acres of pristine Sierra Nevada forest while discovering 150+ activities. Campers benefit from a 1:2 staff-to-camper ratio. Each day is unique, unforgettable, and filled with wish, wonder, and surprise.
Location: Sierra & Tahoe Region
Grade Entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Price: $2175/week or $4275 for 2 weeks
Camp Duration: 1 and 2 Week Sessions
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Cazadero Music Camp
Cazadero Music Camp provides a nurturing, inspirational environment for young musicians ages 10-18. For more than 60 years, Cazadero has offered a dynamic program that strikes a thoughtful balance between in-depth music education and carefree summer camp fun in the redwoods.
Location: Marin & Northern Cal, Transportation provided from (510) or (925)
Grade Entering: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $960-$1110 per week depending on session. Scholarships, pay-in-full, and multi-camper discounts are available.
Camp Duration: 6 day or 12 day sessions
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31
Echo Lake Youth Camp
Echo Lake Youth Camp offers a weeklong opportunity for kids to enjoy activities such as hiking, swimming, archery, arts & crafts, campfires, talent shows, group games, and amazing views. The location is only is short distance from South Lake Tahoe.
Location: Sierra & Tahoe Region
Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Price: $806/week for City of Berkeley Resident | $967 for non-resident
Camp Duration: 5-6 days
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7, Week of Aug. 14
ADTC Ultimate Sierra Tahoe CA Dance Camp
The ultimate overnight dance camp for girls ages 8-17 in the beautiful Sierra Mountains of North Lake Tahoe. Join their 20th anniversary year (21st summer! of dance, adventure, new friends & fun. No prior dance experience necessary.
Location: Sierra & Tahoe Region
Grade Entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $1848 per week. Save $150 before 4/15/23
Camp Duration: 1 or 2 weeks
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26
Save an additional $50 with code 510FIFTY before 4/15/23
Ocean Explorers Liveaboard Camp, Santa Barbara
Taking place on a custom-built expedition vessel at Channel Islands National Park, this ecology-based program is fluid and follows the weather, allowing campers to kayak through sea caves, snorkel through kelp forests, surf, and hike across the islands. ONE WEEK ONLY.
Location: Other
Grade Entering: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $2500 per week. Pay only $2,150 before 4/1/23 ; multiple camper discount is $250/camper (2 or more)
Camp Duration: 5 days (4 nights)
Camp Season (2023): Week of July 10
Camp Supernova
Camp Supernova is a week-long camp that offers both educational curriculum and outdoor activities at Green Mountain Retreat in Los Gatos with 66 acres of nature, swimming pool, basketball court, and an archery range. The theme this year is Leadership and Young Entrepreneurship, for 4th through 9th graders. ONE WEEK ONLY.
Location: South Bay & Santa Cruz
Grade Entering: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Price: $1,380 per week, 10% sibling discount
Camp Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Camp Season (2023): Week of July 24
Save 10% with code 510families
Other overnight summer camps that may or may not be running programs in 2023:
In years past, these folks have run wonderful overnight summer camp programs for kids.
Amplify Sleep Away Camp
Back to Earth W.I.L.D Camp
Black Oak Wilderness School
Bar 717 Ranch
Bay Area Jewish Camp Collective
Camp Be’chol Lashon
Camp BizSmart
Camp Chrysalis
Deer Crossing
Digital Media Academy Tech Camps
Eden Village West
Education Unlimited
Farm Camp
Fly Your Kite Camp
Camp Full Belly Farm
Frontier Ranch
Gaia Passages
Camp Gilboa
Girl Scout Camp
Gold Arrow Camp
Hidden Villa
iD Tech
Jam Camp West
JCC Maccabi Sports Camp
Kennolyn Camps
Mountain Camp
NatureBridge
Outward Bound California
Point Reyes
Project Ember
Camp Ramah Galim (Ramah NorCal)
Saint Andrew’s
Sierra Mountain Music Camp Choral and String Orchestra Camp
Skylake Yosemite Camp
Camp Tawonga
Two Rivers Soccer Camp
Camp Unalayee
URJ Camp Newman
Walton’s Grizzly Lodge
Camp Woolman
YMCA Camps
Young Actors’ Theatre Camp
Big thanks again to our overnight camp sponsors:
- American Dance Training Camp – Girls ages 8 to 17 enjoy the ultimate dance camp in N. Lake Tahoe.
- Avid4 Adventure – Active overnight camps in Colorado or California for grades 7 to 12.
- Camp Augusta – Kids entering grades 3rd through 11th in Nevada City, CA.
- Cazadero Music Camp – Musical kids ages 10 to 18 in Sonoma County.
- Camp Common Ground – Middle school & high school students start a 2+ year leadership academy.
- Echo Lake Camp – Traditional sleepaway camp for kids entering grades 2nd to 9th near South Lake Tahoe.
- Mountain Meadow Ranch – Traditional sleepaway camp for ages 7 to 16 near North Lake Tahoe.
- Ocean Explorers – Kids ages 11 to 17 explore the ocean off Santa Barbara.
- Camp Supernova – Kids in grades 4 to 9 explore leadership & entrepreneurship in Los Gatos.
- YMCA Loma Mar – Classic camp for kids age 7 to 17 among the Redwoods next to Pescadero Creek.
We work really hard to make sure that prices and descriptions are accurate but they can change; please check with the vendor for current rates and availability; and tell ‘em 510families sent ya!
Promotional consideration was paid by sponsored listings as indicated. Decisions were made by Heather and Whitney, founders of 510families.com, we apologize for any errors. If you’d like to be considered for future Camp Guides, please contact us at ads@510families.com for information.
[Photo of Felton area redwoods by Casey Horner via Unsplash]
1 thought on “Northern California Overnight Camp Guide (2023)”
Chrysalis Girls Adventures is a new outdoor education organization in the Bay Area, focused on empowering girls. We offer one-week expeditions for rising 4th-8th graders, and a Mother-Daughter Campout for ages 5+. We embrace the outdoor environment as a medium for empowering girls to build healthy relationships with one another, recognize and celebrate their strengths, and connect with the natural world. Students learn to live and travel outdoors, while engaging in curriculum centered around community-building, leadership development, diversity and allyship, self-awareness, positive body image, and healthy living. We celebrate our unique identities as bold & brave girls, while enjoying the breathtaking beaches & forests in Point Reyes National Seashore and Marin County!
Please join us for a virtual Info Session to learn more about our programs, including what to expect, how to enroll, what to bring, paperwork, and the payment process. Parents/guardians and students are both encouraged to attend.
Info Sessions are held on Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/ckj-rwhn-dcf
Dates & Times (Spring 2023):​​
Monday, 4/10, 6:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, 4/12, 5:30-6:30pm
Monday, 4/17, 7:00-8:00pm
Friday, 4/21, 4:30-5:30pm
Tuesday, 4/25, 5:30-6:30pm
Friday, 4/28, 4:30-5:30pm
See you on course!