It’s time to start signing your little ones up for summer camps!
To make things easier for you, we have put together our top picks of
this year’s summer programs around the San Francisco Bay Area with their details for your consideration, as well as insider tips from our team.
Scroll on and happy camping!
A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory
Develop your young artist’s character with A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory. The YC is an internationally recognized professional theater training program for students in grades 3 through 12. We offer dynamic courses throughout the year for both beginners exploring acting for the first time, as well as young actors with previous experience.
“The Young Conservatory is the absolute best place for any hopeful young artist.”
—Darren Criss, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner, YC alum
DATE | July 6 – August 14
LOCATION | ACTYC Summer 2020
PHONE | 415.439.2444
JCCSF Summer Camp
Ready, Set, Summer! At JCCSF summer camp we transform groans of boredom into gasps of giddiness. Thanks to countless cool experiences like making movies, concocting culinary creations and riding roller coasters – to name just a few of our 60+ unique options. You’ll know they’ve won the day when they come home buzzing with stories of new activities and new friends, ready to do it all again tomorrow. Our camps are for everyone – from preschoolers all the way to teenagers. We also offer a youth inclusion program for campers with disabilities and a financial assistance program so the fun is affordable for all. Visit jccsf.org to kickstart a summer of nonstop camp fun for your kids.
DATE | 11 Weeks from June 3 to August 13
LOCATION | 3200 California Street
PHONE | 415.276.1537
Summer@PBS
At Summer@PBS our mission is to inspire students to deepen their academic learning, engage their curiosity and pursue their passions. Through our week long a-la-carte style camps, campers can explore and develop a wide range of interests in a student-centered and growth-oriented community. Choose from the many morning and afternoon camp options including; creative writing, gymnastics, carpentry, public speaking, and photography, to creating a unique and individualized summer experience! Summer@PBS is open to students entering Kindergarten through 5th grade and will run the weeks of June 15, June 22, July 6, July 13, July 20, and July 27.
DATE | Weeks of June 15, June 22, July 6, July 13, July 20, and July 27
LOCATION | Phillips Brooks School – 2245 Avy Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025
PHONE | 650.854.4545
Holographic AR Design & Programming Summer Camp
Kids and Teens ages 5-18 will create Holographic AR outer-space/nature adventures, game design, digital art, engineering innovation, 3D animation, news reporting, and/or interactive movies. Students will learn Holographic AR programming, STEM/STEAM concepts, computer animation, UX/UI Design, 3D modeling, artificial intelligence (AI), empathy, and visual communication. Great instructors, small classes! Students from 10 countries, and 150+ Bay Area schools have joined our camps.
DATE | June 6 – August 7
LOCATION | San Francisco, Peninsular, South Bay, East Bay, and Tri-valley area
PHONE | 408.459.0657
Seabird Preschool Summer Camp
Seabird Preschool summer camp invites children ages 2 to 5.5 to participate in fun summer activities. Weekly changing themes will let children explore nature, arts & crafts, science, outdoor physical activities, and so much more. Seabird Preschool has a private outdoor playground with organic garden where kids can safely and freely play and explore. It is adjacent to Financial District, North Beach and Chinatown – entrance on Pacific Ave next to NEMS Medical Center.
DATE | June 1 – August 13
LOCATION | 9 Pelton Pl San Francisco, CA 94133
PHONE | 415.932.6023
Circus Summer Camps
Weeklong romps through the world of circus,building self-confidence and joy in kids age 7-13. All camps meet Monday-Friday, from 9am to 3pm. Aftercare available.
DATE | June 3 – August 21
LOCATION | 755 Frederick St, SF, 94117, CA
PHONE | 415.759.8123
San Francisco Soccer Camp
San Francisco Soccer Camp (SFSC) at the University of San Francisco would like to offers so much more than your average soccer camp for players of all ability levels! SFSC has the most highly qualified and specialized camp staff in the San Francisco Area! Camps are led by the Elite University of San Francisco Men’s Soccer Coaching Staff, all of which played in MLS and beyond and supporting USF players to bring the camper to coach ratio down to 10:1. Full-Day camp options are perfect for all levels and ages 5yrs – 14yrs old and run from 9 AM – 4 PM with extended care options. We also offer Specialized Elite Training Sessions in the evenings from 6 PM-8 PM for players age 11-20yrs for a more advanced level of training. Convenient drop-off at the safe and secure Negoesco Stadium and kids enjoy an indoor environment for breaks and lunch.
DATE | June 15 -19, June 29 – July 3, July 13 – 17, July 27 – 31
LOCATION | Negoesco Field at University of San Francisco
Garden Camp
Garden Camp is an all-outdoors day camp for children entering 1st through 4th grades, with a new half-day program this year for campers 4 and up. Our camp is designed to connect children to plants through a combination of structured, themed activities and open-ended time. Through time in the Garden we help to develop curiosity, initiative, imagination and creativity. This summer’s themes include “Root Tips to Canopy Tops” and “Together We Grow”, both packed full of gardening, art, wellness, and ecology activities for campers.
DATE | Weekly June 3 – August 13
LOCATION | Golden Gate Park, 1199 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122
PHONE | 415.661.1316 x404
iD Tech 2020 Summer Camp
iD Tech is the world leader in summer STEM education, with over 450,000 alumni and 20+ years of experience. Virtual Tech Camps are the perfect, home-based option for students ages 7-19 seeking the collaborative spirit of our on-campus programs. Structured, weeklong sessions with 2 hours of live instruction per day + 2 hours of self-paced project development. Curriculum in Python, Java, Minecraft, Roblox, AI, Unreal Engine, Adobe, 3D modeling, and more. 5 students max per instructor, blending personalized learning and team interaction. Save $100 with code TOGETHER as long as social distancing is in effect.
DATE | June – August
LOCATION | https://www.idtech.com/virtual
Roughing It Day Camp
Roughing It Day Camp is an outdoor summer camp, located at the Lafayette Reservoir, where kids make lasting friendships, learn new skills and thrive outdoors. Campers ages 4 – 16 spend the summer with the same age group which builds camaraderie and community. We offer over 50 exciting outdoor activities with instruction for all ages and abilities in swimming, waterfront (fishing, rowing canoeing, kayaking), horseback riding, sports, crafts, nature exploration, outdoor living skills, cooking, team building and much more. Free extended care and free transportation from 33 central stops in the East Bay, Tri-Valley and San Francisco.
2, 4, and 8 week sessions from June 15-August 7, 9am-3pm with free extended care
Blue Bear Summer Camps
at Fort Mason
Whether they’re learning to be a rock star in a week with Rock U, flexing their DJ, Recording, or Songwriting skills, or raising their voice with Musical Theater-inspired camps, there’s a Summer Camp for everyone at Blue Bear, SF’s Original School of Rock Since 1971.
Our friends with San Francisco Bay Area Moms can take $25 off your enrollment with code: “SFMOM”!
Weekly, beginning the week of June 8th until end of August
German-American School of
Palo Alto Summer Camp
Summer, Sun and Fun in German! Full Immersion camp for students ages 3-12.
June 22 – July 10, 9am – 2pm with extended care (8-9am + 2-6pm) available
475 Pope Street (ALTO International School Campus)
650.520.3646
Enrich Play Learn
Summer Enrichment Camp
Each day includes structured and unstructured activities, outdoor time, quiet time, snack, lunch, yoga, and a 1-hour enrichment activity led by an expert provider from the community. We work with fellow early childhood providers such as San Francisco Art Center, Blue Bear School of Music, It’s Yoga Kids, Head Over Heels Gymnastics, and many more to bring your child a well-rounded and FUN experience at our camps! Our small class size and welcoming studio support your child’s transition into a new place. Ages 3-7. Capacity: 12
June 10- August 23, 5 days/week
2159 Filbert St. (in between Fillmore and Webster)
415.750.9990
Nature Nurture
Created and based on the same premise as Nature Nurture‘s core school-year ROOTS class for the past 15 years, Nature Nurture Summer CAMP is about Safety, FUN, and Respect in our signature size CAMP of six children and two teachers (plus one Jr. CAMP Leader or CIT) while children enhance, learn and practice the ever-important life skill and fine art of honoring (being kind) to all living things including others and themselves. Rich, exciting and personally chosen hands-on experiences with nature (and no man-made materials), knowledge, negotiation and the basic niceties of life provide your child with lots of opportunities to explore and expand their world, imagination and character, while creating life-long skills and memories…all within the amazing Presidio National Park!
June 8 – August 21
93 Moraga Ave., SF, CA 94129 (West side of Presidio Bowling Center)
415.939.8911
Camp EDMO®
At Camp EDMO, Pre-K – 8th grade campers are encouraged to accept themselves and others, push their boundaries with confidence and exude genuine kindness and compassion. It’s what kids need. Our camps also have what parents need: convenience, coverage, peace of mind and Sliding Scale Financial Aid should they need it. First Time Families SAVE $50. Use Code: FIRSTSFBAM20!
June – August (dates vary by location)
Camp EDMO is in 30+ Bay and Sacramento Area Locations
415.282.6673 / 877.993.6673
Asian Arts School
Art and Mandarin Camps
2020 Summer Weekday Online Art Classes from June 1 to August 7 (No class on July 4).
2020 Summer Evening and Weekend Online Art Classes from June 5 to August 9.
Crisis prices are $10 for a one-hour class and $15 for a two-hour class.
Summer (6/1-8/9)
Katherine Michiels School
Campers (ages 5 -11) go in depth into the subjects they love: the science of bubbles, carnival games, airplanes, movie making and more! Creativity and play are incorporated into every session while drawing inspiration from the culture of the Mission neighborhood we are located in.
2 week sessions from June 15 to August 21
Around the World
Passport Camp
Journey to new parts of the world, broaden your palates, and discover new dishes from far away countries! Learn to cook special delicacies from India, Japan, Brazil, Italy and beyond, and see how so many of our ingredients are universally used and enjoyed.
Baking Bliss
Passport Camp
Baking Bliss camp is everything that the name suggests: a week of delicious baked recipes, ranging from breads to pies and casseroles. Kids will learn the essentials of baking such as measuring, leavening and kneading, as well as experiment with some sweet and savory recipes.
Science in the Kitchen
Chemical reactions? Micro explosions? Unexpected color changes? For the first time we are bringing the science lab into the kitchen and creating an exciting camp for older kids to explore a different range of science concepts while making delicious dishes. From baking to flambéing and fermenting, science is everywhere.
Community Music Center
Music Camps
Choose from four music camps full of fun, friendship, and musical discovery, learning from some of the best music teachers in the Bay at Community Music Center: a trusted name in music education since 1921. Readers from SF Bay Area Moms receive 10% off. Use code SFMoms or contact a registrar and mention “SF Bay Area Moms.”
544 Capp Street SF 94110
June 15 – August 7 | 48834 Kato Road, Ste. 110A, Fremont, CA 94538 | camps@madsciencebayarea.com | 510.586.8757
Mad Science virtual summer camps cover a wide variety of scientific topics for your budding scientist, from My First Lab to our Jet Cadets, and chemistry to our esteemed Spy Academy, we have something for everyone! Mad Science camps provide hands-on, exciting experiments taught by professional instructors who make sure your young scientist gets the most out of camp every day.
Summer Special May 25 – July 4 | 5100 Clayton Road Suite A-10 | 925.288.0900
$399 for a 3 month membership with unlimited classes which includes, One Tribe t-shirt and kung fu pants.
1291 E Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404 | campinfo@techknowhowkids.com | 650.0638.0500
Voted Bay Area Parent Best Technology Camp 2019, TechKnowHow offers week-long LEGO® Building, Robotics and Coding camps. Camps feature unique STEM LEGO® projects, Minecraft adventures, Python and Java Coding, and a Girls STEAM camp. Many convenient locations, all with caring teachers and engaging tech. Ages 5-16.
June 15-July 31, June 22-Aug 7 | 13 locations in the Bay Area | summerimmersion@
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a free 7-week introductory computer science program for 10th-11th grade girls going into their junior or senior year of high school. During the 7-week program, participants learn about computer science, gain exposure to tech jobs, and join a sisterhood of girls who are using computer science to become change-makers.
Year Round | info@scholarahead.com | 650.648.3798
Scholar Ahead is a free online platform that helps connect students in grades K-12 with over 1,000 camps, summer enrichment programs, and internships across the country. Students are able to quickly and easily sort and filter opportunities based on their unique interests, location, grade level, and more.
June 19 – June 24 | usanfrancisco@campkesem.org | 415.935.0120
Camp Kesem is a free week of summer camp offered to kids age 6-18 who have been affected by a parent or guardian’s cancer. This year Kesem will be moving to an online format to offer continued support to families affected by cancer while staying safe during COVID-19.
Summer Camp Tips From Our Writers:
- Don’t over schedule your children, especially if they are super young and this is their first time at camp/ away from you. It’s summer time, and you don’t want your kids exhausted from too many things. Let them be kids and have down time too.
- If your child is starting preschool in the fall, do a “little” camp. This will help with the preschool transition and may help with school separation anxiety. That way, if your child freaks out and doesn’t really make it to camp that much, you didn’t waste money on a whole semester.
- Try something new. This is a great chance to try something before registering for it for an entire semester. Does your child like dance, basketball, or computers? Who knows? Summer allows you to give it a try. Exposure to different activities allows children to really find what they are interested in.
- Take advantage of the area we live in. Maybe your child will want to do coding or circus acrobats? These camps aren’t offered other places in the country like they are here. If you have an older child, camps like these stand out on college applications because they are unique.
- If your are trying to get into a particular school, register for their camp. It doesn’t hurt to get your family’s name out there and let the school get to know your child. It can only help!
- Don’t just do what your friends are doing. Do what’s best for your child. Use this guide to find something special for your child.
- Plan your camps around your vacations. It’s hard to plan in advance, but try to plan what you might be doing this summer from little day trips to maybe some bigger vacations (woo hoo!). You don’t want to pay for camp and then realize your child is going to miss a whole week for your cousin’s wedding on the East Coast.
- Location, location, location. Don’t sign up for a camp too far away. Just because this isn’t your child’s every day school, don’t forget you still might find it super inconvenient to drive a long distance every day over the summer to a camp.
- Dress your child in T-shirts that can be conversation starters. It’s hard to make new friends in a new environment. Maybe a SF Giants shirt, 49ers shirt, or an Elsa Frozen shirt (you get the idea) will help the kids realize they might like something in common and help them begin to chat.
- Don’t panic to sign up. Take your time to find the right camp. There are plenty of camps out there. It will all work out.
- Let your child take some ownership in their camp. Give them choices, ask them what they want to do, and then use this information to make a good decision.
- Remember to apply sunscreen and pack sunscreen for outdoor camps. Note whether your camp is allowed to re-apply or not and discuss this with your child.
- If you have a child that is just too young for camp make sure and carve out some “summer experiences” just for them so they don’t feel left out seeing their older siblings go to camp.
- If your child is independent, don’t be afraid of sleep-away camps. The goal is to raise children who will one day be capable of leaving us, right?
- Label EVERYTHING! Here are some of our favorite labels.
- Don’t let your child bring their “favorite” anything (water bottle, hat, whatever), even if it’s labeled. Items tend to go to home with the wrong camper and sometimes never make their way back. All kids have different schedules, and you may not see the same kids every day like you do in regular preschool.
 this year!){kind=link}