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The San Diego Summer Camp Guide

Your Child's Resource To Educational Fun!

By Courtney Daly-Pavone April 10, 2019

2019 CAMP GUIDE

Camp gives children the opportunity to make new friends and have new experiences. It's an ahhh moment for kids. Most day camps are one week only, parents can select a variety of camps, or just stick with the one that works best. I know a mom that alternates between a week of camp, and a week at home. No matter the combination, there is a camp for every kid. Camp makes summer more manageable for parents. "It takes a village!" Parents, camp is your village, let children grow and experience the independence they yearn for in a safe setting.

Robotics & Math STEAM Camp @ Mathnasium Point Loma

Kids build robots using code, math, and creativity. It's learning disguised as pure fun! Camp takes place weekdays from 1 pm to 3 pm. Now enrolling for more information visit: https://www.mathnasium.com/pointloma



Summer Youth Athletic/Mindfulness Camp Ages 12-18

The Ultimate Athlete Mini Series Camp runs July 19-20 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at San Dieguito County Park in Del Mar. The two-day event, hosted by Prince Daniels, Jr. (NCAA record holder and former Baltimore Ravens Running Back), teaches youth athletes, ages 12-18, involved in any sport, a mind-body-spirit approach to fitness to help them to build and maintain the skills needed to excel on and off the field. Use the  promo code MACKIDSD50, the first 50 people to use the promo code will get 50% off! For details visit: http://princeoffitness.com/  Camp Location-San Dieguito Park 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Del Mar, CA 92014


iD Tech Summer Camp @ UC San Diego


iD Tech is the world leader in summer STEM education, with 400,000 alumni since 1999, and 150 prestigious campus locations including Stanford, Caltech, UW Seattle, UCLA, Emory, and NYU. Students ages 7-19 learn to code, design video games and Fortnite-inspired levels, mod Minecraft, create with Roblox, engineer robots, model and print 3D characters, work with AI and machine learning, and more! Weeklong, day and overnight summer programs that instill in-demand skills and embolden students to shape the future. Just 5-10 students per instructor (maximum 10) so students can enjoy personalized learning at their pace.  iD Tech Summer Camp is offered at 3 San Diego locations: San Diego State University, California State San Marcos, and UC San Diego. For more information visit iD Tech Summer Camp @ UC San Diego , or click https://www.idtech.com/locations/california-summer-camps/uc-san-diego

Looking For a Great Tech Camp? Discover Camp Invention!

Camp Invention @ Field Elementary School 4375 Bannock Ave. San Diego 7/8-7/12

Camp Invention®, a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame®, is coming to Field Elementary School in Clairemont! Let your child’s imagination run wild while exploring connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. The new Camp Invention® program, Supercharged™, allows campers to experience real-world problem solving and creative thinking! From robots and high-tech farms to superhero gadgets, campers will invent the future! Field Elementary is hosting Camp Invention. Visit Camp Invention or call 800-968-4332 to register! Use promo code PLAY15LISTING to save $15 (expires 5/10). Plan for summer fun today! 

Science Camps


Fleet Science Center Summer Camps 
Balboa Park - 619-238-1233 x806
www.rhfleet.org/events/summer-camps
Pre K-8th grade; June 17-August 23
The Fleet Science-themed summer camps provide exciting experiments, intriguing investigations and fantastic fun. The Fleet has something for all ages, from Pre-K through 8th Grade.


Comic Book Camp @ Little Fish Comic Book Studio

6822B El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115 Ages 7-17 

Little Fish is dedicated to developing animation skills and empowering students through a wide range of camp workshops for a variety of ages. Little Fish uses the standards of a traditional art school and the comic book industry in a relaxed studio. Little Fish aims to give each student, regardless of their prior educational backgrounds, age or identity, a realistic, working understanding of what it takes to be a professional comic creator, at a pace that works best for them. To see a list of summer camp workshops visit: https://www.lilfish.us/camps

Art Camps

Little Artists Summer Morning Classes
5 Locations including Clairemont/UTC - 858-268-2255
www.littleartists.com
Ages 4-18; June-August
Offering a variety of programs with convenient morning classes for all ages.

Pachis Art Studio Summer Camp

2820 Roosevelt Rd #102 San Diego, Ca 92106

Pachis Art Studio Camp in Liberty Station is offering camps for ages 3 to 10 years old. Some of the exciting workshops this summer include: Undersea Camp, Build and Make Camp, Nature Camp, Storybook Camp, Imagination Camp, Sewing and more! Pachis art classes are taught by professional artists that encourage children to think outside the “art box” and introduces them to new ways to make and experience art. Their art programs encourage self-expression, build self-esteem, and cultivate outstanding, creative individuals. My child dropped in on a class at Pachis and came home with lovely art made from mixed media. For more information visit: Pachis Art Studio Camp Email info@mypachis.com  Tel. 619-320-8057

Design Institute of San Diego Young Designers Camp
Sorrento Valley - 858-566-1200
www.disd.edu/camp
9th-12th grade; July 15-19
Creative week-long summer camp for high school students interested in interior design. Students explore design elements and principles, learn about sustainable practices, explore human-centered design, discover San Diego spaces, and engage in a hands-on team design project that they will present to the local design community.



Camp for Ages 3-12 Bright Horizons

4 San Diego locations including Tierrasanta-6090 Santo Road | San Diego, CA 92124

Join Bright Horizons® for a summer of fun! At Bright Horizons® our summer program not only features action-packed, weekly sessions to keep your child engaged, but offers flexible scheduling options and convenient hours for your family. Our teachers develop an exciting curriculum that uses the surrounding community and special visitors as an extension of the program. With the use of technology integrated throughout the programs, natural outdoor classrooms, engaging indoor classrooms and an on-site swimming pool, children can explore nature, experiment with science, engage in the creative arts, take swimming lessons, and enjoy free swim in a safe environment, all while learning about the world around them. Accepting registration for children 3 - 12 years old. Tel. 858-467-1800 Visit: https://campaigns.brighthorizons.com/redtri_sdsummer



Summer Critter Camp @ Helen Woodward Animal Center

6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Preschool-8th grade; June 10-August 30

I highly recommend camp at Helen Woodward Animal Center. My son loved this camp here's why- Kids can have hands-on animal interactions and summer camp activities, including animal-themed games, crafts, songs and more! Check out the Helen Woodward website to learn about new themes. Each camper who is signed up for a full week of camp will also receive a free Critter Camp T-shirt! This camp is educational, and your kids will have loads of fun! Call 858-756-4117 x 318 

Visit: https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/summer-critter-camp


SeaWorld Summer Camp

Mission Bay San Diego

Grades 1-6 July 9th, August 17th

https://seaworld.com/san-diego/educational-programs/day-camps/

For the past three years my child has attended camp at SeaWorld, and it is one of his favorite camps. SeaWorld San Diego's summer day camps offer fun, quality educational experiences along with superior safety standards and low counselor-to-camper ratios. Caring, well-trained counselors help ensure an action-packed week of laughing and learning for all. So if you're looking for a different species of Day Camp - you've found it. Day Camp includes but is not limited to:

  • Visits to animal attractions
  • Games, crafts and songs
  • Active, hands-on learning
  • SeaWorld attractions and shows


San Diego Zoo and Safari Park Summer Camp
Balboa Park and Escondido - 619-718-3000
www.sandiegozoo.org and www.sdzsafaripark.orgsdzsafaripark.org
Pre K-12th grade; June-August
Children that love the zoo can't get enough of this camp. My child attended Zoo Camp two years in a row, and can't wait to return. At this camp, kids visit the world of animals through summer camp adventures at the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park! Includes animal experiences, exclusive tours, games, crafts and more. These five-day programs offer different themes per grade level and are offered on different weeks throughout the summer.


LANGUAGE CAMPS

Bilingual Kids Spanish and Mandarin 
Spring/Summer Camps
Balboa Park - 619-366-3098
www.bilingualkids-sd.com
Ages 4-14; June 17-August 16 (9 weekly sessions)
This is Bilingual Kids 10th year offering full-immersion Spanish, Mandarin and ESL Summer Camps. All camps are conducted by qualified, native-speaking teachers through a fun and engaging approach. Students will take daily field trips to Balboa Park museums and The San Diego Zoo. Campers will be separated by age group as well as proficiency in target language (all activities are conducted in language of choice). Weekly sessions vary in themes.


Little Language Ambassadors Summer Camp
San Marcos - 760-510-9639
www.littlelanguageambassadors.com
Ages 18 mos.-7 yrs; June 24-August 22
The 100% Spanish immersion summer program offers a variety of fun, interactive and engaging activities. Sample activities include music, arts camp; crafts, show performances, traditional foods, water fun, dress-up days, outdoor activities, soccer, yoga and more. Call for more information and to schedule a tour. 


Circus Camp

Aerial Revolution Cirque Camp
Morena/Linda Vista and Miramar - 619-220-4909
www.aerialrevolution.com 
Ages 6-15; June 17-August 16
Cirque Camp by Aerial Revolution! Day camp includes ground and aerial acrobatics classes including: trapeze, lyra, pole, tumbling, handstands, flexibility and acrobatics. This camp is for kids with all levels of experience. Low student-teacher ratio, adult professional staff. Two convenient locations: Morena and Miramar.


Dance Camps

California Ballet School
Kearny Mesa - 858-560-5676
www.californiaballetschool.com
Ages 5-14; June-July
San Diego’s California Ballet School summer camps are designed to maintain students’ training that they receive during the regular school year so there's no summer slide!

City Ballet’s Dance Camps
Pacific Beach - 858-274-6058
www.cityballet.org
Ages 4+; July 1-26
The perfect summer camp for children and young adults with a passion for dance. City Ballet offers two separate sessions so Dance Camp can fit into students busy schedule in the summer.


San Diego Civic Youth Ballet Camps 
Balboa Park - 619-233-3060
www.sdcyb.org/summer-programs
Ages 4-10; July-August
The San Diego Civic Youth Ballet is an incredible resource for children. At this camp aspiring dancers take daily ballet classes and join in other camp activities like: arts & crafts, jazz classes, performance rehearsals and field trips to other cultural institutions in Balboa Park. All camp sessions culminate in an in-studio performance for family and friends. Camps enjoy small classes, professional instructors, and beautiful Balboa Park studios.  I highly recommend this camp, my child has taken classes with SDCYB and learned so much! Great place to study dance in a beautiful setting!

Vernetta’s Dance Studio
North Park - 619-260-1707
www.vernettadance.com
Ages 2 & up; All summer
Tap, ballet and tumbling classes. Classes are fun! Parents can have coffee and cookies while they watch their children dance away! There are even performing opportunities at fairs and festivals. First lesson free. 


ACTING CAMPS

CYT San Diego
Multiple Locations - 619-588-0206
www.cytsandiego.org/camps
Ages 5-12; June 17-August 9
Kids sing, dance, and have fun creating a musical they perform at  CYT musical theater. This week-long day camps throughout San Diego County run from June 17 to August 9.


North Coast Rep Summer Theatre Camp 
Solana Beach - 858-481-1055
www.northcoastreptheatreschool.org
Ages 4-19; July-August
The Theatre School at North Coast Rep offers offers campers a chance to learn and perform on stage. Students put together a short version of Annie, Magic Tree House and The Music Man. Students progress from the audition process to performance in a fast-paced, fun and creative environment. All camps focus on actor training.


San Diego Junior Theatre
Balboa Park - 619-239-1311
www.juniortheatre.com 
Pre K-12th grade; June 10-August 23
Kids can learn theatre at San Diego's premier children's acting program. Call or visit website to enroll today.


Scripps Performing Arts Academy
Scripps Ranch - 858-586-7834
Carmel Valley - 858-509-2624
www.scrippsperformingartsacademy.com
Ages 3.5-16; June 18-August 24
Summer camp at Scripps Performing Arts Academy provides a fun and creativity for every student! This camp ends with a performance the Black Box Theatre. 


Athletic Camps

APEX Summer Parkour Camp
Kearny Mesa - 858-260-3887

www.apex-sd.com/camps
Ages 5-14; June 12-August 23
Parkour helps kids focus their energy into fun and functional movements. Camps include activities like vaulting, front and back flipping, swinging, free-running, obstacle courses, perseverance training, self-discipline, character development, cooperative games and more!


San Diego Ice Arena
Mira Mesa - 858-530-1825
www.sdice.com
Ages 3+; June-August
Offering learn-to-skate programs, figure skating and hockey. Learn-to-skate programs run year round. Days and times will vary. If your child is interested in summer camp (day and week camps) you can sign up through your local YMCA. For more information visit www.sdice.com.


Aqua Pros Swim School         
Clairemont or Your Home - 619-209-2990
www.aquapros.org
Infants-adults; Year-round lessons
Aqua Pros strives for each individual to reach their full aquatic potential. Swimmers learn proper swim techniques and how to become competent in the water. Water safety is the #1 priority. Aqua Pros has staff trained to care for kids with special needs. 


Traditional Camp

Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego
www.sdyouth.org
Offering Ultimate Summer Camp Adventures at your local Boys & Girls Club of San Diego! 


2019 SLEEPAWAY CAMPS

Girl Scout Camps
Multiple Locations - 619-298-8391
www.sdgirlscouts.org/camp
Grades K-12
This day and resident camp has sessions to match every campers interests. Kids can enjoy horses, aquatics, outdoor skills, STEM, arts, hiking, archery, leadership and more. Financial aid is available for those that qualify.


YMCA Overnight Camps
Marston, Julian, Imperial Beach - 760-765-0642
www.ymca.org/camp
Ages 7-17; June 17-August 17
Three locations in San Diego County, Camp Marston in the mountains for summer adventures, Raintree Ranch exclusively for horseback riding near Julian, and Camp Surf on the Pacific Ocean. 


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