Northern California Overnight Camp Guide (2024) - 510 Families

Northern California Overnight Camp Guide (2024)

Ready to pack up your giant duffel bag? Scroll down to learn about Summer 2024 Sleepaway Camps for Bay Area kids. 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.

Youth Sleepaway Camps in California

ad for run for fun

Run for Fun Overnight Camp at Pinecrest Lake

Overnight Camp fun and play in the beautiful Stanislaus National Forest. Whether playing games/sports in the woods, kayaking on Pinecrest Lake,or going on the scenic horseback ride, your camper is sure to have a BLAST! 3 hours from East Bay.

Location: Sierra & Tahoe Region

Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Price: Prices vary by session length from $1025+. $50 sibling discount available
Camp Duration: One and two-week options
Camp Season (2024): Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 22, Week of July 29

ad for music camp

Jam Camp West

Music, dance, vocal program for 9-16 year-olds in redwoods, 1 hour south of SF with instrumentals, vocals, jazz and hip hop dance, percussion, ukulele, & songwriting. Nightly camper open mic, outdoor games, bonfires. All levels welcome. ONE WEEK ONLY.

Location: South Bay & Santa Cruz

Grade Entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Price: $1590 for the program. Save $50 before 4/30. Scholarships available.
Camp Duration: 7 days July 13-19
Camp Season (2024): Week of July 15

ad for augusta camp

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, Transportation provided from (510) or (925)

Grade Entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Price: $2275/week or $4495 for 2 weeks
Camp Duration: 1 and 2 Week Sessions
Camp Season (2024): Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5

ad for mountain meadow

Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp

A traditional sleepaway camp for ages 7 to 16, uniquely located on a 900-acre ranch in the Sierras north of Lake Tahoe. Family-owned and operated since 1956. Limited enrollment and tech-free policy allow for a more personal experience and family-like feel that bring all of the camp together.

Location: Sierra & Tahoe Region

Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $4,300 for 2 weeks and $8,500 for 4 weeks
Camp Duration: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Camp Season (2024): Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5

ad for skateboard camp

Skate Like a Girl Overnight Camp at Sequoia Lake

Located on a beautiful lake outside Sequoia National Park, this camp offers a unique connection to nature and community. Camp features 5 skate parks, a lakeside launch ramp, boating, arts, wilderness skills, and campfires. Youth camp for ages 8-17. Family camp offerings, too.

Location: Other

Grade Entering: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $799 per week
Camp Duration: Youth camp is July 28 to August 2
Camp Season (2024): Week of July 29

ad for farm camp

Farm Camp

Campers have the freedom to choose their activities every day as hands-on participants in a working farm community set on 500 acres of redwood trees, creeks, and rolling coastal foothills, 1.5 miles from the Ocean in beautiful Sonoma County.

Location: Marin & Northern Cal

Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Price: 1 week session - $2250 | 2 week session - $4500 | 4 week session - $8500
Camp Duration: 1 week, 2 week and 4 week sessions
Camp Season (2024): Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5, Week of Aug. 12

ad for echo lake youth camp

Berkeley Echo Lake Camp

Youth Camp at Echo Lake offers a week-long opportunity for kids ages 7 to 14 to engage with the natural world, build bonds and connections with their peers and counselors, enhance their confidence and social skills, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!  

Location: Sierra & Tahoe Region

Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Price: Berkeley Resident $806 | Non-resident $967
Camp Duration: 1 week sessions
Camp Season (2024): Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5, Week of Aug. 12

ad for caz music camp

Cazadero Music Camp

Cazadero Music Camp provides a nurturing, inspirational environment for young musicians ages 9-18. For more than 65 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: $930-$1,065 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 (2024): Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29

ad for caz music camp

URJ Camp Newman

At URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, campers in 2nd-12th grade learn, grow, and cultivate their own sense of pride and connection to being Jewish. No screens, no pressure, just sunny days, starry nights, and friends around a campfire.

Location: Marin & Northern Cal, Transportation provided from (510) or (925)

Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $695 for 4 days; $4295 for 2 weeks, $7,445 for 4 weeks. 1st-time campers at a Jewish summer camp are eligible for $700-1000 tuition grant for a 12+ day session; campers who are attending a 4-week session for the 1st time at Camp Newman are eligible for an additional $1000 tuition grant
Camp Duration: Programs vary: 4 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks
Camp Season (2024): Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5

ad for loma mar

YMCA Camp Loma Mar

A YMCA overnight camp, offering weekly camp sessions for rising 2nd -12th graders. Activities include Archery, Paintball Slingshots, Zipline, Rockwall, Pool, Creek Stomp, Tie Dye and Arts N Crafts, Color Chaos, Hiking, and other traditional camp experiences. Open to All!

Location: Other

Grade Entering: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: $986 per session. Camperships are available via application
Camp Duration: 6 Days
Camp Season (2024): Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22

ad for marine explorer camp

Adventure Marine Live Aboard Camp - Ocean Explorers

Join naturalists and ecologists an adventure at the Channel Islands National Park from a whole new perspective: snorkel expansive kelp reefs, swim among sea lions, play on sand dunes, kayak through sea caves, study the ecology of the island with 3 gourmet meals a day. All gear and wetsuit are provided.

Location: Other

Grade Entering: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Price: Regular Pricing $2,495
Camp Duration: 5 days/ 5 nights aboard the TRUTH Coasts Guard Expedition Vessel at the Channel Islands National Park
Camp Season (2024): Week of June 24, Week of July 8, Week of July 29

Sleepaway Camps in California

Other overnight summer camps that may or may not be running programs in 2024:

In years past, these folks have run wonderful overnight summer camp programs for kids.

Amplify Sleep Away Camp
Avid4 Adventure
Back to Earth W.I.L.D Camp
Bar 717 Ranch
Bay Area Jewish Camp Collective
Camp Be’chol Lashon
Camp BizSmart
Camp Chrysalis
Chrysalis Girls Adventures
Camp Common Ground
Deer Crossing
Digital Media Academy Tech Camps
Eden Village West
Education Unlimited
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 Supernova
Camp Tawonga
Two Rivers Soccer Camp
Ultimate Sierra Tahoe Dance 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:

  • Camp Augusta – Kids entering grades 3rd through 11th in Nevada City, CA.
  • Cazadero Music Camp – Musical kids ages 9 to 18 in Sonoma County.
  • Echo Lake Camp – Traditional sleepaway camp for kids entering ages 7 to 14 near South Lake Tahoe.
  • Farm Camp – Farm-centric sleepaway camp in Sonoma County for grades 2 to 11.
  • Jam Camp West – Ages 9-16 enjoy music, dance, vocal camp in the redwoods of Loma Mar.
  • Camp Loma Mar – Active YMCA camp near Pescadero Creek for grades 2 to 12.
  • Mountain Meadow Ranch – Traditional sleepaway camp for ages 7 to 16 near North Lake Tahoe.
  • Ocean Explorers Camp – Live aboard a Coast Guard Vessel in the Channel Islands National Park for ages 11-17.
  • Run for Fun Camp at Pinecrest Lake – Outdoorsy sleepaway camp for rising 2nd through 8th graders.
  • Skate Like a Girl Camp – Nature + skateboarding outside Sequoia National Park for rising 3rd to 12th graders. All genders welcome.
  • URJ Camp Newman – Jewish sleepaway camp near Santa Rosa for grades 2 to 12.

We work 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 [email protected] for information.

[Photo of Felton area redwoods by Casey Horner via Unsplash]

Get the {510} Families weekend planner in your inbox. It's free!

* indicates required

2 thoughts on “Northern California Overnight Camp Guide (2024)”

  1. Sleepaway camps are one of the best ways for children to experience independence while unplugging! I can’t recommend the concept highly enough – I was a camper as a kid, then a counselor as a teen, and now a parent of campers. Most kids are ready by age 10 for a weeklong experience; a few mature souls can handle it at 8 or 9, especially if there will be an older sibling or friend around. But in general, I’d discourage going with a friend from home because they will tend to cling together and miss out on the friend-making and gentle risk-taking that goes along with camp. There are some great camps on this list and it’s totally worth the parental anxiety to get your kid to one!

  2. There’s a wonderful, friendly music and dance camp for families sponsored by the Bay Area Country Dance Society, happening again this year at Monte Toyon near Aptos, June 23-29. Classes are offered for all age and skill levels in dance (English Country, Contra, Irish Step and Ceili, and Morris dance), plus camper band, singing, theater, circus arts and dance calling, with other events happening throughout the week: maypole dance, Teddy Bears’ picnic, informal jam instrumental and singing sessions, not to mention hiking in the beautiful redwoods. Plus family dances every evening, followed by more dancing, with roving babysitters to check on the kiddos so adults can stay up and have fun! Details at bacds.org/familyweek.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

We've got your instructions for family fun right here!
Sign up today and get a list of kid-friendly activities for East Bay parents every Friday.
Stay Updated
You can unsubscribe anytime.
close-link
logo
Scroll to Top