General Summer Camps in the San Francisco Bay Area

children petting goat

General Camps are what many parents experienced as children... sports, games, arts & crafts, swimming and often a weekly field trip. Fortunately, many camps still offer this type of summer fun for your children.

Featured General Day Camps

California Adventure Camps ~ Walnut Creek
California Adventure Camps offer summer day camp fun for ages 5-18. Adventure / Exploration, Skateboard, Television Production, Movie Making, Newsroom and Journalism, Specialized Athletic Training and Soccer, Flag Football, Quarterback and Receiver, Beginner Lacrosse, Tackle Football, Baseball and Basketball. Extended Care and Transportation also available.

Camp Edmo ~ Peninsula, South Bay, San Francisco, Marin & East Bay Locations
Get more out of camp this summer! Camp Edmo is for kids pre-K—entering 4th grade to explore, create, have fun and grow. Our Arts & Science and Animation activities are designed by Edventure More in partnership with the California Academy of Sciences, Children’s Creativity Museum and MOCHA.

Camp EdTech ~ Peninsula, South Bay, San Francisco, Marin & East Bay Locations
Make your summer, make digital media art! Camp EdTech teaches entering 5th – 9th graders how to create their own video games, digital movies, photographs, soundtracks, graphic designs, and animations. Taught by industry pros and designed by Edventure More in partnership with the Children’s Creativity Museum, the Bay Area’s premier digital arts museum!

Camp Galileo ~ 21 locations in San Francisco, Marin, East Bay, South Bay and the Peninsula
Camp Galileo is the only Bay Area summer day camp for pre-K to rising 5th graders that encourages kids to brainstorm, create and think like innovators through the Galileo Innovation Approach. Each week-long summer camp session centers around an imaginative story or theme, which inspires art, science and outdoor projects for campers to explore. Summer 2012’s four brand-new themes include Galileo Olympics - Greek Art and Celebrate the Golden Gate Bridge – SF Art and Bridge Engineering.

Galileo Summer Quest ~ 10 locations in Corte Madera, Oakland, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Mateo, Saratoga, Lafayette, North Fremont, Sunnyvale and Woodside
Designed especially for 5th to 8th graders, Galileo Summer Quest is an immersive and exciting Bay Area summer camp that lets campers dive deeply into majors they love. Fantastic mentors and small, team-oriented classes inspire campers to pursue a new craft, create new friendships and build the skills to make their ideas reality. Summer 2012 features brand-new unique curriculum especially created for 5th-8th graders. Major options include Go-Kart Makers, Fashion Design, Video Game Design and Chefology.

Camp Lango ~ San Francisco Bay Area
At Camp Lango, kids ages 4-9 will “travel” to South American jungles, rain forests and mountain villages & have a summertime blast while learning Spanish! Campers learn Spanish during “Solamente Español” time (Spanish immersion periods), engage in outdoor games, arts & crafts and cultural-immersion activities throughout a fast-paced, fun-filled week. Half-, full- and extended-day options are available.

Roughing It Day Camp ~ Lafayette (transportation provided from San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and Contra Costa County)
Our 40th year! An all-outdoors lakefront Day Camp located in Lafayette for campers ages 4-16. Instruction in horseback riding, swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, sports, crafts, nature, and more. Helping children grow in wonderful ways since 1972. Friendships, growth and fun for every camper! Transportation provided and free extended care available.

Coastal Camp at NatureBridge ~ Sausalito
Everyday at Coastal Camp is an opportunity for adventure and discovery in the outdoors. Participate in games, beach time, hikes, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, and more in the Marin Headlands! Grades K-9. Daily Shuttles from SF, Mill Valley, and Sausalito.

iD Tech Camps ~ Stanford, Berkeley, Santa Clara, Moraga, Sacramento
Love gaming, programming, or filming? Develop hobbies and interests into so much more. Over 130,000 students ages 7-17 have learned to create iPhone apps, programs, video games, websites, movies, 3D models, robots, and films. Enroll in weeklong, day and overnight programs at 60 universities throughout the Bay Area and nationwide. Small classes (guaranteed max 8:1) taught by adult-only instructors with Teens, pre-Teens, and younger students separated into different classes. Check out Sports & Tech with Stanford Athletics as well as Teen Academies focused on Programming, Gaming and Filmmaking/Photography. Accredited Continuing Education Units available. Also, year-round learning opportunities.

iD Gaming Academy ~ Stanford
Are you a gamer? Imagine 250 hours living, dreaming & breathing gaming. Prove that gaming is more than a hobby & gain a competitive edge for college/future careers. Immerse in video game creation, build a portfolio, interact w/pros & play in game tournaments. Courses: 3D Modeling, Level Design, Programming for Xbox 360, or iPhone/Android Game Dev. 2-week overnight program for ages 13-18 w/small classes (guaranteed max 8:1) taught by top-tier instructors with impressive backgrounds. Held at universities including Stanford, Harvard, Emory, and more. Accredited Continuing Education Units available. Also, year-round learning opportunities.

iD Programming Academy ~ Stanford
Love programming or robotics? What can be better than spending two full weeks with other Teens who share your interests. iD Programming Academy is a 2-week, overnight program located at MIT, Yale, Stanford, Duke, UCLA, American, and LFC. Discover a potential programming career while interacting w/industry pros, building a portfolio for college & engaging in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. Courses: iPhone/Android App Dev., or Robotics Engineering. Learn in small classes (guaranteed max 8:1) taught by top-tier instructors with impressive backgrounds in programming, computer science, robotics, and app development. Accredited Continuing Education Units. Also year-round learning opportunities.

iD Visual Arts Academy ~ Stanford
Spend 2 weeks engaging in creative expression taking photos and making movies! Teens beginner to advanced use Photoshop, After Effects or Final Cut Pro to create portfolios. Explore historic cities & college campuses for the perfect backdrop. Photography and Filmmaking Courses: iD Film Studios 101 (pre to post-production filmmaking), Visual FX, or Professional Photography. Instructors with visual arts backgrounds teach in small classes (guaranteed max 8:1). Also, year-round learning opportunities. Held at Stanford & NYU.

Nueva Summer ~ Hillsborough
Nueva Summer offers a unique and dynamic camp environment where your child can Imagine, Create and Explore. Located on The Nueva School’s beautiful 33 acres, Nueva Summer puts a playful summer spin on Nueva’s mission of inspiring each child’s passion for learning, social emotional acuity and imaginative mind. We offer over 30 engaging, small camps for PreK-8th graders with themes and activities such as History’s Mysteries, Outdoor Adventures, Capoiera and Young Doctors to name a few!

JCCSF Summer Camps ~ San Francisco
JCCSF Kochav day camps for grades K – 5 are filled with fun – swimming, sports, art, music, drama, field trips and more. Kochav is a social experience where children build friendships, lasting memories, and confidence as they meet new challenges in age-appropriate activities. Children of all faiths and backgrounds welcome.

Digital Media Academy ~ Stanford
Accredited by Stanford University, Digital Media Academy has been ranked as one of the world’s best computer and digital arts summer camps for Teens (ages 12-18), and Kids (ages 6-12). No other camp offers DMA’s unique, high-tech experience. Instructors are industry professionals sharing their knowledge. Campers get hands-on experience while taking part in high tech adventures! Campers create and develop their own unique projects in a sophisticated and exciting learning environment. Enjoy day camp or residential experiences that provide a pre-college environment at locations across the US and Canada.

Marin Horizon Summer Camp ~ Mill Valley
Six weeks of fun for all children, ages 3-8 yrs! Gymastics, Swimming and Capoera lessons every day plus Field Trips on Fridays. Summer teachers are Marin Horizon year-round teachers with ECE units with a 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Activities include: soccer, arts & crafts, music, nature hikes, drama, cookouts, off-campus nature walks & field trips.

Mountain Camp Woodside ~ Portola Valley
Mountain Camp Woodside offers both Day and sleep-away Resident Camp (ages 5 - 15). Our camp is in beautiful Portola Valley and our activities include: swimming, tennis, dance/yoga, drama, soccer, baseball/softball, arts & crafts, archery, outdoor skills, horseback riding and much more Our one-week sessions run throughout the summer and many campers enroll for multiple weeks.

Pacific Coast Kids Summer Camp ~ Palo Alto & Los Altos
Pacific Coast Kids offers three camp themes: Lego, Science, and Jewelry, Fashion & Artistic Design Camps. Kid-loved and parent-recommended, our camps bring a special experience to the campers by extending learning into the summer through fun-filled projects and activities. Unique in design and taught by credentialed and experienced teachers, our innovative camps will bring excitement to your child all summer long. For children entering grades K-6.

Summer Discovery Camps ~ Sausalito
Creative day camps in the arts, sciences & environment for kids ages 3-8. Small classes, big fun! Join the Bay Area Discovery Museum for summer camps full of non-stop fun and adventure. Kids can sign up for a different Discovery Camp each week to celebrate the joy of guided exploration and open-ended creative play. Facilitated by experienced educators and camp counselors, Discovery Camps engage young developing minds and bodies through innovative, interactive learning experiences which inspire creative thinking.

Roughing It Outdoor Explorers ~ Lafayette (transportation provided from San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Contra Costa County)
1-week outdoor adventures for 1st-6th graders. Campers spend all week at the Lafayette Reservoir learning outdoor skills and exploring the natural world. Activities include fishing, boating, hiking, wilderness living skills, outdoor cooking, crafts, and sports. Group activities daily and 13 choice periods each week! Transportation provided and free extended care available.

Urban Adventure Camps ~ Oakland
Urban Adventure Camps is unique week-long day camp for children ages 8-15. Camp begins each morning at Rockridge Bart in Oakland where campers meet their group and begin their day’s adventure. Groups visit museums, parks, galleries, and various other urban attractions and citycenters. Public transportation is used to travel between locations, thereby developing the campers’ knowledge and confidence when travelling within a city. Each session focuses on one of the following subject areas: physical science, natural science, history and art.

Head-Royce Summer Program ~ Oakland
As an extension of Head-Royce School, the Head-Royce Summer Program carries our School's 120+ year commitment to excellence, tailored perfectly for summer. In our K-8 division we provide a balance of academics, Red Cross swim lessons, recreational swim, athletics, the arts, and traditional summer fun... all on one beautiful campus. Our Summer High School division offers excellent preparatory and for-credit courses, including SAT Prep with Compass. At Head-Royce we believe that experience is everything. Nurturing, teaching, and leading these ages is our expertise and joy.

College for Kids ~ San Bruno and San Mateo
College for Kids is an award-winning academic enrichment program celebrating its 20th year! A three-week fun summer camp in a college setting, the program enhances basic aptitude and encourages the development of new skills through classes in computers, creative art, math, sciences, sports and language arts. Offered at Skyline College & College of San Mateo. Visit www.CollegeForKids-smccd.com or call (650) 574-6149 for more information.

More General Camps ~ San Francisco
Camp Galileo - San Francisco
Stretch the Imagination - San Francisco
Steve & Kate's Camp - San Francisco
Camp Edmo - San Francisco
Buena Vista Summer Camp - San Francisco
Children's Day School - San Francisco
GLO Summer Adventures - San Francisco
House of Air - San Francisco
Katherine Michiels School Summer Camp - San Francisco
Nanny Camp - San Francisco
Playmates Cooperative Nursery School - San Francisco
Randall Museum Summer Camp - San Francisco
Richmond District Neighborhood Center Camps - San Francisco
The San Francisco School - San Francisco
St. James School Summer Program - San Francisco
Star of the Sea Summer Camp - San Francisco
UCSF Discovery Camps - San Francisco

More General Camps ~ North Bay
Fairyland Camp at Magical Garden Preschool - Corte Madera
Camp Galileo - Corte Madera
Stretch the Imagination - Corte Madera
Steve & Kate's Camp - Kentfield, Mill Valley, Novato, Santa Rosa
MP&MS Preschool Camp - Larkspur
Camp Edmo - Larkspur
Marin Horizon Summer Camp - Mill Valley
Mt. Tam Adventure Camps Beach Camp - Mill Valley
Camp Doodles - Mill Valley, San Rafael
Novato Youth Center - Novato
San Domenico - San Anselmo
Bay Area Discovery Museum Camps - Sausalito

More General Camps ~ Peninsula
Camp Galileo - Belmont, Burlingame, Hillsborough, Los Altos, Menlo Park Palo Alto, Woodside
Footsteps Summer Camp - Belmont, Redwood Shores
Serendipity School - Belmont, San Mateo
Prime Time Kids' Camp - Burlingame
Camp Edmo - Burlingame, Los Altos, Palo Alto
Steve & Kate's Camp - Burlingame, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, San Carlos, San Mateo
Peninsula Jewish Community Center Summer Camps - Foster City
Crystal Springs Upland School - Hillsborough
Waldorf School - Los Altos
Camp Fremont - Los Altos Hills
Peninsula School - Menlo Park
Jefunira - Palo Alto
Pacific Coast Kids Summer Camp - Palo Alto
Palo Alto Community Child Care - Palo Alto
Mountain Camp Woodside - Portola Valley
Woodland School Summer Adventure - Portola Valley
Pacific Athletic Club - Redwood City
Camp Happy Hall - San Bruno
Camp Creekside at Bridge Point Academy - San Mateo
Safari Run - San Mateo
College for Kids – San Mateo, San Bruno
Gateway School Summer Program - Santa Cruz
Camp Count-me-in - Stanford
iD Tech Camps - Stanford
Pirate Camp - Stanford

More General Camps ~ South Bay
Camp Edmo - Cupertino
Bright Horizons - Cupertino, San Jose
Camp Galileo - Cupertino, San Jose, Saratoga, Sunnyvale
Hillbrook School - Los Gatos
Mulberry School - Los Gatos
Steve & Kate's Camp - Los Gatos, San Jose, Sunnyvale
India Community Center - Milpitas, Sunnyvale
Full of Life Summer - San Jose
iD Tech Camps - Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
Saratoga Springs - Saratoga
Kennolyn - Soquel

More General Camps ~ East Bay
Camp Edmo - Alameda, Morago, Oakland
Park'n It Summer Day Camp - Antioch, Fremont
Camp Ere - Berkeley
Camp Habitot - Berkeley
A World of Peace Summer Camp - Berkeley
Camp Galileo - Berkeley, Danville, Fremont, Lafayette, Oakland
iD Tech Camps - Berkeley, Moraga, Davis
Steve & Kate's Camp - Berkeley, Danville, El Cerrito, Fremont, Pleasanton, Oakland, Walnut Creek
Monkey Business - Berkeley, Oakland
Kids Care Plus - Castro Valley
Athenian School - Danville
Kids' Country - Danville, San Ramon
Extended Day Child Care Center - Dublin, Pleasanton
Windrush School Summer Camp - El Cerrito
Camp Roughing It - Lafayette
Husky House - Lafayette
Camp Saklan - Moraga
Camp A.C.E at Peralta Hacienda - Oakland
Head-Royce School - Oakland
Montclair Community Play Center - Oakland
Renaissance School - Oakland
Urban Adventure Camps - Oakland
Carden West Summer Program - Pleasanton
Quarry Lane School - Pleasanton
Eagle's Nest Back to Basics Summer Camp - Sunol
Adventure Day Camp - Walnut Creek
Arts, Adventures & Academics - Walnut Creek
California Adventure Camps - Walnut Creek
Camp Shelanu - Walnut Creek
Seven Hills Summer Day Camp - Walnut Creek

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