Ultimate Guide to San Diego Summer Camps 2023
An unbelievable summer is just a few clicks away when you sign up for one of our favorite San Diego summer camps
As we collectively spring forward, the promise of summer fun for children (and a few stolen moments of calm for adults) is front and center on everyone’s mind. Enter summer camps! San Diego camps fill up fast, so booking early is important. To make sure your kiddo makes the most of their well-earned time off and that you don’t have to scramble at the last minute, here’s a list of summer camps offering all sorts of fun and adventure. Whether your camper loves art, sports, science, or hanging out in nature, we’ve got a San Diego camp that will help make this summer the best one ever!
PS: The prices below are typically based on a full week of camp. Many of the summer camps offer half-day camp options as well as discounts for booking multiple weeks.
Looking for more summer adventures? We’ve got 100 ideas around San Diego for you, including our Tinybeans summer bucket list.
1. Tech Revolution with Lavner Education
Prepare your camper to change the game in tech, and have a blast doing it. Camp Tech Revolution’s 60+ cutting-edge courses offer the hottest topics in tech, where campers are introduced to valuable in-demand skills like programming, content creation, 3D modeling, and more. Kids can design their own Minecraft worlds, create a website, work with AI, and even design customer Converse & Vans. The possibilities are endless at Tech Revolution!
Ages: 6-16
Dates: Weekly sessions, June 19-August 11
Cost: Starting at $699
Location: University of San Diego
Online: lavnercampsandprograms.com
2. Encore Creative Arts Camp
Science, musical theater, and filmmaking are just a few of the camp experiences offered at Encore Creative Arts & Enrichment Camp. The 30,000-sq.-ft. campus includes indoor and outdoor facilities, low camper-to-staff rations, a full range of hands-on experiences, and educational opportunities for every kid’s interest. Encore is a great option if you’re looking for a one-stop shop camp experience for your little creative.
Ages: 7-15
Dates: Camps run all summer except for the week of July 4th
Cost: $375/week
Location: The Encore Event Center & Spark TV Studios
Online: Encorecreativeartscamp.com
3. Camp Jaycee
Kids of all ages can find something to love at Camp Jaycee. The summer camp at the Lawrence Family JCC offers a safe and happy place that families return to year after year. Their ACA-accredited camp features camp types covering a wide range of interests, including traditional, sports, theatre, and much more for toddlers to teenagers. Their comprehensive camp guide outlines their full range of options. Note most camps are broken up into (2) four-week sessions.
Ages: 18 months to 11th grade
Dates: June 19-August 11, with pre and post-session dates also available
Cost: Varies by camp
Location: The Lawrence Family JCC
Online: campjaycee.com/at-a-glance
4. Yoga Rascals Summer Camp
Young yogis can “om” their way to a relaxing (and fun!) summer vacation practicing yoga under giant willow trees. Kids will learn how to balance like a tree, greet the sun on the mountaintops, and use their breath to relax and feel calm and peaceful. Campers will also enjoy yoga games, yoga stories, and a yoga nap, as well as arts and crafts, creating a journal, and more. Yoga Rascals’ founder Sünje O’Clancy developed this camp to “create an atmosphere of kindness, inclusion, and mutual respect where everyone feels appreciated.” Count us in!
Ages: 5-10
Dates: Varies by location
Cost: $266/week
Location: La Mesa Community Center or Leo Carillo Ranch (Click the links for dates, more details, and to register)
Online: yogarascals.com/summercamp
5. Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium is ready to ignite curious minds this summer. Sign your kiddo up to explore underwater worlds and meet ocean creatures in a fun and safe week-long camp. Campers play games, create fun crafts, engage in science activities, surf, snorkel, and get up close to marine animals.
Ages: 4-13
Dates: June 26-August 18
Cost: $225-$250
Location: The Birch Aquarium
Online: aquarium.ucsd.edu/experiences/programs/summer-camps
6. Helen Woodward Animal Center
Critter Camp is the perfect animal adventure for your kids to put some magic into their summer break this year. They’ll enjoy some extraordinary encounters with various charming critters each day, get creative with crafts to take home and discover their skills with activities and games bound to forge new friendships. Summer Critter Camp has two themes that alternate each week, including “Adventure with Animals” and “The Magical World of Animals.”Come to both or just one; either way, you’re bound to have fun! Daily sign-ups, extended care hours, discounts, scholarships, and lunch options are available.
Ages: Preschool-8th grade
Dates: June 5–August 25
Cost: $300/week or $75/day
Location:
Online: animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/summer-critter-camp
7. San Diego Children’s Museum Camps
Calling all curious problem solvers! San Diego Children’s Discover Museum camps are one of San Diego’s best bets for summer fun. It’s a chance for kids to take a deep dive into their favorite pastime, whether it’s art, science, nature, or engineering. SDCDM also has kindergarten readiness camps for kiddos ready to embark on grade school in the fall.
Ages: 4-8
Dates: June 19-August 4
Cost: $350
Location: San Diego Children’s Discover Museum
Online: www.sdcdm.org/programs/camps
8. Padres Baseball & Softball Camps
This camp will really knock it out of the park for your little sluggers. The San Diego Padres baseball camps include an official Padres baseball camp uniform, a virtual meet and greet with a current or former Padres player or coach, and an autograph from a current or former Padres player or coach. The five-day camp features baseball instruction, competitions, and games. Camp sessions are offered at multiple locations throughout San Diego, so you can select the camp nearest you.
The Padres also offer two softball camps throughout San Diego county
Ages: Baseball, 4-12 / Softball, 5-11
Dates: June 12-August 18
Cost: $525-$626
Location: Locations Vary
Online:mlb.com/padres/community/play/camps
9. Little Fish Comic Book Studio
Young artists will relish the chance to attend a summer camp offered by Little Fish Comic Book Studio. Their specialized, highly-engaging camp experiences are available in-studio, where students will learn about panels, storytelling, creating characters and much more. All materials and a snack are included in the cost of camp.
Ages: 7-14+
Dates: June 15-August 18
Cost: $265 if registered by March 31st, $295 starting April 1
Location: Little Fish Comic Studio
Online: lilfish.us/camps
10. Mad Science Camp
Kids can become junior scientists for the summer and have so much fun that they’ll forget they’re learning! Checkmate Chess, NASA Space Academy, and Crazy-Chem Works are just a few of the fantastic summer camp themes offered by Mad Science. Camps take place throughout San Diego County at various recreation centers. Visit the website to pick the best location for your family. The sessions run weekly and typically occur in 3-hour increments. Prices vary by session and location.
Ages: 4-12
Dates: June 12-August 11
Cost: Varies
Location: Varies
Online: sandiego.madscience.org
11. Outpost Summer Camps
Because every wild child needs a place where they can roam free and disconnect, Outpost Summer Camps are 100% outdoors and 100% unplugged. Just pick a week this summer and commit to keeping the kids outside. This traditional summer experience includes hiking, tree forts, and endless adventures in nature. They offer programs for kids entering grades K-5 (Day Camp) and grades 6-9 (Senior Outpost), with four separate two-week sessions running from June through August. There will be 12 campers per group with 2-3 staff for the entire session. Outpost offers, “Our staff and campers really get to know each other–this feeling of belonging makes the Outpost experience so special for everyone involved!”
Ages: 4-17
Dates: June 19-August 11
Cost: Apply for more information
Location: Canyonside Community Park next to the Los Penasquitos Preserve
Online: outpostsummercamps.com
12. Museum of Photographic Arts
Learn to see the beauty in life through the eyes of a photographer. Campers at the Museum of Photographic Arts will learn about photography, video, animation and much more with creative professional artists at MOPA. Campers will discover the hidden worlds of Balboa Park and see the sights through the lens of a camera. Join MOPA on an adventure that will lead us through a Spanish village, cactus garden, palm canyon, and much more! Programs like these are important to help youth exhibit higher levels of confidence and encourage an interest in creativity.
*Cameras are provided, but campers are welcome to bring their own camera with an SD memory card if they’d like.
Ages: 9-17
Dates: June 19-August 11
Cost: $300 for members, $340
Location: Balboa Park Museum of Photographic Arts
Online: mopa.org/educate/summer-camps