It’s that time of year: Spring Break! Families with school-aged children are either booking travel plans or arranging childcare for the days that schools are closed for Spring Break. Here is a list of programs that offer one-week sessions during the end of March and beginning of April.
The Crucible (Oakland)
The Crucible is the only place where kids can explore arts such as blacksmithing, glass flame-working, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, welding, and robotics, all under one roof. Week-long youth camps, for ages 8+, let imaginations soar while teaching hands-on skills overlapping science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Crucible campers get hands-on learning in the industrial arts and connect with creative mentors and new friends. Young artists experiment with different media, try new techniques, and design and complete projects such as welded sculpture, glass mosaics, gravity cars, lit neon signs, and more. Each week ends with a gallery walk where students proudly share their works of art.Campers as young as eight can try Extreme Gizmos, Woodcarving, Clay Critters, and Gravity Cars. Browse options online at theCrucible.org or call (510)444-0919.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7; 9am – noon or 1pm – 4pm; aftercare available until 6pm.
Location: Located 1 block from the West Oakland BART station.
Price: Varies depending materials. 10% discount for Crucible members.
More spring break camps to consider:
Albany Berkeley Soccer (ABSC) (Berkeley)
Open to all youth soccer players. Skills, drills, and fun games to improve ball-handling.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7 9am to 3pm (or half days)
Price: $260
Berkeley Playhouse Conservatory (Berkeley)
Grades K-2 will follow the yellow brick road to The Wizard of Oz! Grades 3-6 will explore Willy Wonka's chocolate factory through music. Both week-long camps will end in final showings for family & friends.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7 9am to 3pm
Price: $375
Crucible (Oakland) — pictured in this guide
Spring Break Classes are offered in age groups 8 to 11 and 12 to 17. Younger campers can try Extreme Gizmos, Woodcarving, Clay Critters, and Gravity Cars. Enroll online at theCrucible.org or call (510)444-0919.
Website >
Dates and hours: April 3 to 7; 9am – noon or 1pm – 4pm; aftercare available until 6pm.
Location: Located 1 block from the West Oakland BART station.
Price: Varies depending materials. 10% discount for Crucible members.
Edah (Berkeley)
Hebrew Adventure Spring Camp includes field trips to local parks and museums as well as projects in theater, sports, music, outdoors, craft and more. Open to the entire community regardless of participation in Edah afterschool.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7 9am to 4pm with aftercare available until 5:30
Price: $425 / Edah Members $375
Head Over Heels Gymnastics Camp (Emeryville)
Offers gymnastics and circus activities, arts and crafts, and games for potty-trained children ages 3 to 12.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7; April 10 to 14. Camp is available half day (9am-12noon) or full day (9am-4pm). Extended care available FOR FREE 8 to 5:30.
Price: Rates vary through $95/day to $425 for full days/full week.
MOCHA art camp (Oakland)
Weekly or daily art topics provide a variety of enriching and creative projects that are carefully crafted for each age group and led by professional teaching artists. For campers age 6 to 12.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7 from 9am to 3:30pm with extended care available
Price: $55/day $225/week
Monkey Business Spring Break Camp (Berkeley at Berkwood Hedge)
Good old-fashioned general day camp (with organic snacks, of course!) cooking, sewing, and playing for ages 4 to 10.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7 from 8:30-3:30 with extended care from 8am to 6pm
Price: Basic hours are $95/day
Sarah’s Science Spring Camp (Oakland near Lake Merritt or Berkeley at Black Pine Circle)
This week at camp will be devoted to the study of California’s wetlands through a series of hands-on lessons and play. For campers age 5 to 11.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7 from 8 am to 5.30 pm
Price: $115/day or $100/day for 3+ days
Trackers (Drop off in S. Berkeley)
Spring break camp offers day programs and activities for age 4 through 8th grade. Camp themes include ninjas, outdoor skills, fishing, and story-based adventure.
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Dates and hours: April 3 to 7 from 8 am to 4 pm with optional after-care until 6pm
Price: $95/day for most programs
Zoo Spring Camp (Oakland Zoo)
Choose among (or combine) a stand-alone Monday program; Tuesday/Wednesday two-day; or Thursday/Friday two-day workshops for in K through 5th grade. Kids get behind the scenes and up close with animals and sessions are designed so kids don't repeat lessons if they take more than one.
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Dates and hours: April 3; April 4-5; April 6-7 from 9 am – 4 pm with optional aftercare
Price: $75/day for current Oakland Zoo members / $80/day for non-members
Thanks to The Crucible for sponsoring this Spring Break Camp List for East Bay kids!
[Photos provided by The Crucible and used with permission]
We are incredibly excited to announce this year’s Spring Culinary Camp Series! Join us this spring break and get in on all the culinary action! We will be whippin’ up delicious creations with local top chefs from hotshot restaurants around the Bay Area! Each day features a medley of local chefs, restaurants, markets and farms. Your kiddo will learn the ins and outs of creating and hosting balanced, delicious meals for themselves as well as family and friends!
This year, we are hosting TWO Spring camp sessions so choose your favorite week. Or heck, join us for BOTH sessions!
San Francisco Spring Culinary Camp
Monday, March 27th – Friday, March 31st
11am – 5pm
East Bay Spring Culinary Camp
Monday, April 3rd – Friday, April 7th
11am – 5pm
Register at : http://www.sproutscookingclub.org/portfolio/spring-camps/