I'm happy to present our fourth Sleepaway Camp Guide for Bay Area families as a companion to our East Bay Day Camp Guide. Be sure to tell us in the comments your favorites that we missed. Now, pack up your giant duffle and let's go! Browse or use our new filtering tools. See also our Day Camp Guide. Please note that all camps with logos are paid sponsors.
Amplify Sleep Away Camp For Girls (Ojai Valley)
A music and creative arts camp for girls located on the Ojai Valley. Choose between learning an instrument, forming a band, and writing an original song, photography and film making or journalism. Also Rock Climbing, Swimming, Zip Lining, Screen Printing, and more.
Camp Duration: 6 days
Price: $1099
Grade entering: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Discount for {510} Families readers
Save 5% OFF fees with code 510families18 at check out (expires 3/1/18)
What people say:
"My daughter had an amazing time learning how to play the drums, bass guitar, and learning about feminism, diverse cultures, and social conscientiousness. She also made several good friends." ~ Derek Olson
Gaia Girls Passages Overnight Camps
Gaia Girls Passages offers Artemis Village Camp for Girls and Moms and Wilderness Immersion Backpacking Trips for Teens. Enjoy natural crafting, animal tracking, campfires stories and songs, coming of age ceremonies, and emotional intelligence practices in an all-female community.
Camp Duration: 1 week-10 days
Price: $1125 for Artemis, $1,125-$1,800 for Backpacking, early discounts available until March 1st.
Grade entering: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Discount for {510} Families readers
Save $100 with code 510FAMILY at online checkout
What people say:
“Our experience at camp was profound and utterly magical. This camp and Gaia Girls Passages has strengthened my bond with my daughter by plugging her into the energy of her source and the knowledge of who she is, as a girl emerging into a woman and as a human being.” ~ Amy, Gaia Girl mother
Trackers Earth: Bay Area
Trackers Earth offers the most adventurous camps around! Choose from backpacking camps visiting Point Reyes, Big Basin Redwoods, or the Sierras. Or, join an 11-day Sequoia-to-Sea mobile adventure. Also offering teen leadership training for grades 8-12.
Camp Duration: 5 - 11 days
Price: $985, early discounts available until March
Grade entering: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
What people say:
"So much wild life and so many stories! Kudos to the team for a well-organized and well-executed adventure." ~ Jin Y., Berkeley
Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp
A co-ed, traditional sleepaway camp for kids age 7 to 16, uniquely located on a 900 acre ranch in the Sierras north of Lake Tahoe. Limited enrollment allows for a more personal camp experience and family-like feel that bring all of the camp family together. Easy chaperoned flights to / from Oakland via Reno. 62 Summers family owned and operated.
Camp Duration: 2 and 4 week sessions offered throughout the summer
Price: Seasonal rate changes every three months; current winter rate for 2 weeks $3150, 4 weeks $5900 till 1/30/18
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
What people say:
"My boys had a great time and came home more confident and self-sufficient, and exhausted! Honestly you guys do it all and you do it well!" ~ Happy Parent from 2017
YMCA Camp Loma Mar
Week-long, co-ed overnight camps among the redwoods of the Pescadero Valley. Activities include swimming, archery, arts and crafts, climbing wall, zip line, sports, campfires, games and more! Ages 7 to 15. Camp offers a tiered-pricing model to encourage more families to come and offers optional bus service from Oakland and Richmond.
Camp Duration: 1-week sessions
Price: $560 to $680 per week based on need
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
YMCA Camp Ravencliff
Week-long, co-ed overnight camps that help campers develop skills and values, fostering imagination and building friendships in a safe and supportive community. Activities include swimming, canoeing, hiking, sports, crafts, campfires, games and more! Tiered pricing and offers free bus transportation from Richmond and Santa Rosa. Ages 8 to 14.
Camp Duration: 1-week sessions
Price: $560 to $680 per week based on need with FREE bus
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
URJ Camp Newman
Building a foundation for a vibrant Jewish life with sessions from 9 days to 8 weeks at the beautiful Cal Maritime campus. Campers choose from a mix of fun activities, experience the magic of Judaism and Shabbat, and build lifelong friendships.
Camp Duration: 9 days to 8 weeks
Price: Starting at $1,725 with many discounts, scholarships and grants available
Grade entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
What people say:
"My childrens' camp experience was moving beyond measure. They both returned with a new level of joy and excitement about being Jewish." ~ Camp Parent
Camp Tawonga (Groveland, near Yosemite)
For over 90 years, Tawonga has served as a leader in Jewish camping, fostering in children a deep connection to nature, community and Judaism within a welcoming and inclusive environment. Tawonga runs programming at our premier residential camp near Yosemite.
Camp Duration: 1-3 weeks
Price: $1,345/week
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Common Ground (Occidental, CA)
Camp Common Ground brings racially and economically diverse middle-schoolers together to develop deep friendships, empathy, and leadership skills. Overnight in the redwoods, campers bond over swimming, hiking, archery, GaGa-ball, and campfire traditions. Tuition covers three reunions during the school year.
Camp Duration: 13 days, 12 nights (Monday, June 18 - Saturday June 30)
Price: $50—$2,400 Sliding Scale (dependent on family income)
Grade entering: 7th, 8th, 9th
Mountain Camp (Eldorado National Forest)
Mountain Camp is a traditional, co-ed, sleep-away camp only 3.5 hours from the Bay Area. Offering non-competitive, adventurous, and creative activities in an accepting, energetic, and joyous community. Bus transportation available from 3 locations around the Bay.
Camp Duration: 1 and 2 week sessions (longer is available)
Price: $1950 for 1 week. Multi-week, early bird, sibling discounts available
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Unalayee (Trinity Alps Wilderness)
Camp Unalayee has been taking kids on outdoor adventures since 1949. Activities include archery, crafts, swimming, boating, arts, rock-climbing, and music. Each base-camp session also includes multi-day backpacking trips. The hikes are planned to be compatible with campers’ age, interests and abilities.
Camp Duration: 15-days, 10-days
Price: $2100. Multi session, family, and bring a friend discount - $300. Early Bird - $200. Financial aid available in all shapes and sizes.
Grade entering: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
JCC Maccabi Sports Camp
Jewish sports camp located in Atherton. Campers develop skills in their chosen sport: baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, softball, dance, or lacrosse. Daily routine also includes plenty camp activities mixed in with the core values of a Jewish summer camp experience.
Camp Duration: 2 weeks
Price: $3395/ 2 weeks
Grade entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Discount for {510} Families readers
Yes, $150 Off
Frontier Ranch (Scotts Valley)
Rising 4th graders through junior high campers will combine adrenaline sports with getting to know God. Many activities available (some, like surfing, require an additional fee)
Camp Duration: One week sessions
Price: $425
Grade entering: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Hidden Villa (Los Altos Hills)
Resident program begins for those entering fifth grade and is a 12-day camp with wide array of activities and a focus on social justice. Registration begins in January.
Camp Duration: 5-day for those entering 4th and 5th grades; 12 day program for older campers
Price: varies
Grade entering: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Kennolyn Camps (Soquel, CA)
Offering specialty camps in equestrian, surfing, adventure, or good old-fashioned resident camp, Kennolyn is located on 300 acres of redwood forest, with close proximity to the beach.
Camp Duration: Session length varies throughout the summer.
Price: $3,695/ 2 weeks
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Skylark Ranch Girl Scout Camp (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Traditional camp adventures and specialty programs just for girls. Activities include horseback riding, ocean aquatic adventures, ropes courses, field trips, and wilderness skills. You need not be a Girl Scout to register.
Camp Duration: 4- to 12-day sessions
Price: Unlisted
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Bar 717 Ranch (Trinity County)
Bar 717 Ranch offers children ages 8-16 the opportunity to spend the summer on a beautiful mountain ranch. Campers choose activities including horsemanship, river swimming, arts/crafts, photography, music, archery, blacksmithing and more.
Camp Duration: One week, two week, four week sessions
Price: Unlisted
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Bothin Girl Scout Camp (Fairfax, Marin County)
Traditional camp adventures and specialty programs just for girls. Programs include ropes course, performing arts, field trips, animals, STEM, and art. For girls entering 1st through 12 grade. You need not be a Girl Scout to register.
Camp Duration: 4- to 12-day sessions
Price: Unlisted
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Cazadero Music Camp (Sonoma County)
‘Caz’ brings the love of music and learning to young musicians. Campers work closely with skilled Conductors, talented Music Faculty, and a devoted Camp Staff. Young musicians program starts at age 6 for children with at least one year's instrument experience.
Camp Duration: 1 and 2 week options
Price: $810 to $1805
Grade entering: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Full Belly Farm (Capay Valley)
One hour NW of Sacramento is the farm camp you wish you could get into. Preference is given to CSA members. Campers become “farm kids” for a week by farming, milking cows, collecting eggs, and harvesting for their meals. Evenings are filled with campfires, game playing, and skits.
Camp Duration: One week sessions
Price:
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Point Reyes (Point Reyes National Seashore)
Camp programs combine outdoor adventuring with environmental education techniques, marine and coastal field excursions, and traditional summer camp activities. Ages 7-12 do nature science camp and ages 12-17 take on adventure camp.
Camp Duration: varies
Price: $665 to $860
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Wanderers
Wanderers offers outdoor education-focused day and overnight camps throughout northern California for kids, ages 8-14. Active one-week summer camp with days spent touching tide pool starfish, finding huckleberries, and camping and backpacking in some of California's most magnificent wilderness areas.
Camp Duration: 5, 6, or 7 day trips
Price: varies based on age and activities
Grade entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Woodward Tahoe Skateboard Camp
Top pro skateboarders and instructors will be on the call to help you dial in your next move. With 35 additional activities and delicious food when you need a break from riding. As if. Located in Soda Springs. Co-ed for ages 7 to 19.
Camp Duration: ~ 6 days
Price: $1099 to $1199
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Young Actors’ Theatre Camp
The YATC Overnight Summer Camp sessions encourage all levels of aspiring thespians with drama camp with no drama. Located in Santa Cruz Mountains.
Camp Duration: 11 days/10 nights
Price: Unlisted
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
YMCA Camp Campbell
For ages 7-16, Camp Campbell offers a traditional sleepaway camp experience in cabins with a wide range of activities from singing, reading and jewelry-making to tennis, ultimate frisbee, and football.
Camp Duration: From 4 day mini-camp to 2-week sessions
Price: $1190 for 2 week program with discounts and prorations available
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Deer Crossing Camp (Eldorado National Forest)
An outdoor adventure for 8-17 year olds in Northern California's High Sierra with emphasis on skill-building and wilderness safety in a Daniel Boone location (where campers hike in and gear is boated in).
Camp Duration: one-, two-, and four-week sessions
Price: $3200/ 2-week session
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Echo Lake (High Sierra)
Campers ages 7 to 13 can enjoy a five-day overnight summer camp available in three single-week August sessions at this camp in the foothills of Lake Tahoe. Activities include: canoeing, swimming, sports, all-camp games, fishing, archery, arts & crafts and hiking. Bus service is provided to/from Berkeley. Family camp also available.
Camp Duration: 5-day sessions
Price: Unlisted
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
What people say:
As of 12/1 only 2017 data was up
Gold Arrow Camp
In a beautiful setting on Huntington Lake, in the heart of the Sierra National Forest, campers have a chance to enjoy a traditional outdoor camp, complete with rustic living and nightly campfires and getting “unplugged.” For ages 6 to 14.
Camp Duration: one week; two week; three week sessions
Price: $2,000/1-week; $3850/2-weeks; $5400/3-weeks
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Winnarainbow
Stilts, trapeze, drama, juggling, unicycle, martial arts, swimming, singing, dancing, hot cocoa, the labyrinth, hanging out and more for campers ages 7–14. There will be a final show for parents and friends on the last day of every two-week session.
Camp Duration: one- or two-week sessions
Price: $940/1-week; $1440/2-weeks
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Walton’s Grizzly Lodge
Campers ages 7 – 14 choose daily from over 40 activities including water sports, horseback riding, craft activities, athletics, archery and ropes course activities with a 500 foot zip line across the private lake.
Camp Duration: one- or two-week sessions
Price: $1900/1-week; $3400/2-weeks
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Two Rivers Soccer Camp (Graeagle)
Boys and girls age 7 to 17. Camper fee includes all soccer instruction, housing and meals. Bay Area shuttle provided for a fee.
Camp Duration: one- or two-week sessions
Price: $1695/1-week; $3740/2-week (soccer plus)
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
SkyLake Yosemite Camp (Wishon)
Skylake Yosemite Camp is a classic co-ed summer camp on Bass Lake, near Yosemite, with small cabin groups and activities from Horseback riding to Waterskiing. Family Camp also available. (Chartered buses provide transportation from San Francisco)
Camp Duration: two- and four-week sessions
Price: $3600/2-weeks; $6400/4-weeks
Grade entering: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Sugar Pine Girl Scout Camp (Calveras County)
In the Sierra Nevada Foothills, traditional camp experiences for girls. Programs include ropes climbing, archery, horseback riding, caving, white water rafting, wilderness skills, and family camp. You need not be a Girl Scout to register. Bus from Alameda or Pleasanton.
Camp Duration: 4- to 12-day sessions
Price: Unlisted
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Augusta
Camp Augusta is about FUN with all of the activities you’d expect, but also based on child development philosophies to help children find their own growth zones. Programs for ages 8 to 18.
Camp Duration: Mini, 1-week, and 2-week programs available
Price: $3,085 for 2 weeks
Grade entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
View all overnight camps A to Z
Thanks again to our sponsors:
- Amplify Sleepover Camp – Girls age 10 to 17 in the Ojai Valley
- Trackers – Kids entering grades 5th to 12th, locations vary
- Gaia Girls Passages – Girls entering grades 4th to 12th, locations vary
- Mountain Meadow Ranch – Kids age 7 to 16 in the Northern Sierras near Reno
- Camp Newman URJ – Kids entering grades 3rd to 12th at Cal Maritime
- YMCA Camp Loma Mar – Kids age 7 to 15 in the Pescadero Valley.
- YMCA Camp Ravencliff – Kids age 8 to 14 in the town of Redway.
We work really hard to make sure that prices and descriptions are accurate but they can change; please check with vendor for current rates and availability; and tell ‘em 510families sent ya!
All decisions for this guide were made by Heather and Whitney, founders of 510families.com, we apologize for any errors or glaring omissions. Promotional consideration was paid by sponsored listings as indicated. If you’d like to be considered for future Camp Guides, please contact us at ads@510families.com for information.
If you are interested in an immersive academic camp this summer, consider Education Unlimited. We offer single-subject focus camps for 4th-12th grade students on the campuses of UC Berkeley and Stanford. In addition, we have programs beyond the bay area at UCLA, Cal Tech, MIT, Georgetown and more! Visit our website for more details. Make sure to sign up for our emails to receive some of our best savings! All camps come with either a day, extended day, or overnight option.
My family loves loves loves Camp Gilboa! Near Big Bear Lake in Southern Calif. Transportation organized for Bay Area kids, and many from the Bay Area attend.