San Diego 2024 Camps & Summer Programs

Rebecca Hastings

An age-by-age guide to the Best Camp Experience

Summer camps offer more than playtime—they offer transformative experiences that shape a child’s growth and independence while building cherished memories. For each age group and stage of development, kids’ experiences at summer camp have different benefits and considerations.

While San Diego County has a plethora of camp options, think about your child’s unique needs, interests and goals. A first grader’s camp experience should look very different from that of a preteen. Take the following into consideration for each age group:

Early Childhood (ages

4-6)

At this age, summer camps focus on encouraging curiosity and fostering skills (social and otherwise) through playful activities. Camps often offer themed weeks—ranging from nature exploration to arts and crafts—where little ones engage in imaginative play, outdoor adventures and storytelling.

These day camps typically prioritize a nurturing environment that introduces teamwork, sharing and cooperation through fun-filled games and activities.

Important considerations:

Comfort and familiarity : Ensure the camp environment is nurturing and familiar, allowing for a smooth transition. Familiar faces or activities help ease separation anxiety.

Safety measures (important at every age and stage): Verify the camp’s safety protocols, especially regarding supervision, allergies and basic medical needs.

Communication: Choose camps that prioritize communication with parents when needed or requested.

Play-based learning : Look for camps that emphasize play-based learning to nurture curiosity and social skills in a fun and engaging way.

Elementary Kids (ages 7-10)

As children step into the elementary years, summer camps offer a broader spectrum of activities. Sports camps are popular, providing fundamental skills training in activities like soccer, basketball, gymnastics or swimming. Adventure camps introduce thrilling experiences that include rock climbing, ziplining and camping, encouraging a sense of courage, confidence and resilience.

Specialized camps also emerge at this age, catering to specific interests such as coding, robotics or theater. Camp is a great way to nurture budding passions and talents or explore new ones. Teambuilding activities and structured games further develop social skills and cooperation among peers as developing relationships becomes more important.

Important considerations:

Interest alignment : At this age, include children in the decisionmaking process and discussion of hobbies/sports they’re interested in or passionate about.

Balanced activities: Seek a balance between structured activities and free time for social interaction and personal exploration.

Friendship opportunities: Ask if the camp facilitates teamwork and bonding among campers through group activities and team sports.

Independence development: Encourage camps that foster independence through small responsibilities and decision-making opportunities.

Preteens (ages 11-13)

Entering the preteen phase, camps focus on honing skills and providing opportunities for personal growth. Leadership camps empower adolescents through workshops, discussions and challenges that cultivate self-confidence and decision-making abilities. Wilderness camps push boundaries with outdoor excursions, fostering independence and resilience through survival skills and exploration.

Creative arts camps delve into various art forms, offering more specialized instruction and advanced techniques to develop talent and encourage self-expression. Individual growth and the ability to develop strong friendships is essential at this age.

Important considerations:

Challenges and growth: Look for camps offering appropriate challenges that encourage personal growth and selfconfidence.

Specialized interests: Consider specialized camps that cater to your child’s interests and talents, providing opportunities for skill development.

Communication and support: Ensure the camp has mechanisms that support preteens navigating social dynamics and offer open communication with counselors.

Balance and rest : Acknowledge the importance of downtime amidst more intensive activities to prevent burnout.

Teens (ages 14-17)

The teen years mark a shift towards more immersive and specialized experiences. High schoolers can opt for camps tailored to their career interests or college goals, such as STEM camps, journalism workshops or entrepreneurship programs, providing hands-on experiences and mentorship.

Overnight adventure camps for teens include wilderness expeditions, whitewater rafting and international travel programs. These experiences challenge teens physically and mentally, fostering resilience, adaptability and a global perspective. Community service camps allow teens to contribute meaningfully through volunteer work, promoting empathy and social responsibility.

The social component is essential for teens, but it can take on different

forms. While some kids enjoy a teambuilding extroverted camp experience, others prefer programs that focus on independent growth or learning a new skill. Make sure your teen is comfortable with the level of social interaction offered.

Important considerations:

Goal alignment: Select camps that align with your teen’s future goals or career interests for a more focused experience. Or, if your hard-working student needs a break, look for a more relaxed experience doing something completely out of the ordinary.

Independence and responsibility : Encourage camps that promote independence and responsibility, allowing teens to make decisions and navigate challenges.

Mentorship and guidance: Look for programs with experienced mentors or instructors who can provide guidance and support to teens exploring their passions. You never know where they may find the perfect person to write a recommendation letter for a college application.

Community impact: Consider camps that involve community service or global initiatives to instill a sense of social responsibility and global awareness.

Did you miss our article about preteens and teens becoming summer camp counselors? Find great tips and local programs at www.sandiegofamily.com/ resources/summer-camps-and-programs/ counselor-in-training.

The Best Camp Experience

Regardless of age, summer camps serve as transformative spaces where children and teens develop essential life skills, forge lasting friendships and create cherished memories. As your family explores and chooses camp experiences for every age, consider your child’s evolving needs for the best camp experience. v

Rebecca Hastings is a freelance writer.

Helen Woodward Animal Center

Explore San Diego’s premier animal camp with daily interactive experiences for kids.

Program Highlights

Get ready for a summer of wild adventures at our Summer Critter Camp! This year, we’re bringing back our most popular themes: ‘Animals in STEM’ and ‘Surrounded by Super Heroes’. Whether your camper is exploring the wonders of science or discovering the heroics of our animal friends, each day promises hands-on animal interactions, themed games, and creative crafts. Plus, for our 7th and 8th graders, we have an exclusive ‘Critter Careers’ camp where they’ll dive into the world of animal professions! With scholarships, extended care options, and discounts available, there’s no better time to secure your spot. Don’t miss out on the excitement – enroll today and let the summer fun begin!”

Dates & Times: June 3 – August 23. Pre K: 9 am – 1 pm, K–8th: 9 am – 3 pm

Ages: Pre K – 8th grade

Rates & Discounts

15% for Military. Scholarships are available.

Area: 6461 El Apajo Rd, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Phone: 858-756-3954

email: omarim@animalcenter.org

website: www.animalcenter.org/programsservices/education/

www.facebook.com/hwaceducation

Summer Critter Camp offers the unique combination of hands-on animal interactions plus thrilling games, teambuilding activities, fun crafts, and silly songs! Your kids won’t want to miss out on the chance to create lifelong memories and connect with awesome animals.

Check out our themes this year:

Explore the ways nature is involved in science, technology, engineering, art, and math, and how today we can start to prepare solutions for tomorrow.

Each animal has amazing adaptations that make them real life superheroes, not to mention their abilities to improve our lives and our planet!

Discover the different ways you can work with animals, meet professionals in the animal industry, and develop lifelong leadership skills.

9:00am-1:00pm 9:00am-3:00pm

Camp Carmel Creek

Program Highlights

Camp Carmel Creek is on a mission to fill childhood summers with joy, curiosity, adventure and community. Camp Carmel Creek is a unique specialty camp with a classic camp feel, which is to say that our campers can expect to have all the experiences they love in a day camp, while getting to choose the activities they are most passionate about doing each day. We also know summer camp isn’t just for kids. Parents are always in-mind as we create our summer camp experiences. We provide flexible scheduling, a state-of-the-art safe facility and top-tier staff and camp leadership. San Diego parents have many camp choices and put hours of thought into planning summer activities. We want to make that choice a little easier - you won’t even need to pack a lunch!

Dates & Times: June 10 - August 2, 9 am - 4:30 pm

Ages: 5-12

Rates & Discounts: Click here for rates and discounts

Area: Carmel Valley

11860 Carmel Creek Rd.

Phone: 848-704-3700

adam@campcarmelcreek.com

www.campcarmelcreek.com

Facebook

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090495485434

NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

Program Highlights

US Sports Camps is all about connecting young athletes with the best coaches, facilities, and instruction in the country. We are passionate about working with our top rated camp directors and site facilities to establish programs that will make your kids better, promote a deeper love of their sport, and for them to have fun. Serious. Fun. Jump on our site today - Select your sport, explore our programs around San Diego, CA.

Dates & Times

June through August

Ages

6-18 years old

Rates & Discounts

www.ussportscamps.com

Area

All over San Diego and Orange County

Nike Sports Camps

San Diego

Phone: 800-645-3226

mailto: info@ussportscamps.com

website: www.ussportscamps.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ussc1975/

Watch the camp preview video. Click here now!

Program Highlights

The City of Poway offers an amazing variety of high-quality, affordable, and unique specialty camps that include something for everyone this summer! Specialty camps are generally held over the span of one week, and the programs offered include skateboarding, dodgeball, laser tag, woodshop, creative and performing arts, technology, science, cooking, STEAM/STEM, fencing, cheerleading, archery, sewing, and much more. Specialty camps are presented through independent contract instructors, full of passion and eager to share their expertise and talents. One parent said, “We love City of Poway camps! My kids always have fun – they learn new skills, make friends, and ask to go back every year! It also doesn’t hurt that the camps are so reasonably priced.” Families can also create a full-day camp experience by taking advantage of Summer Camp Lunch Hour! With over 100 summer camps, will you join in on the fun?

Dates & Times: Weekly starting June 10 - August 16; times vary depending on half- & full-day options

Ages: 3-17

Rates & Discounts: Rates vary by camp

Area:

address:

13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway

phone: 858-668-4570

email: activenet@poway.org

web: www.poway.org/classes

www.facebook.com/cityofpoway/

Encore Creative Arts Camp

Experience Art at Encore Creative Arts CampVisual, Performing, & Media Arts

Program Highlights: Nine jam-packed weeks of activities that your kids will love with enough hands-on experiences to keep them engaged while they’re learning.

There will be focused on classroom as well as outdoor activities. .

This year’s camps include Miniature Craft, Musical Theatre, Mad Science, Anime, Magic Camp, Filmmakers, Content Creators, Photography, Dance Fusion, Mad Scientist, Maker Innovation, and more!

Encore Creative Arts students will have hands-on opportunities to create, perform, and have an Artist Reception for friends and family at the end of each camp.

Imagine all of the elements of the ideal arts camp that you want your child to attend and you have Encore Creative Arts & Enrichment Summer Camp!

Dates & Times: FUN full day camps & after care are from June 10-August 9. Our program hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with additional after care programs from 3:15-5:15 pm. Drop off starts at 8:30 am.

Each camp is one or two weeks, so you can sign up for as little as one week or all summer long!

Ages: Encore Creative Arts Camp specializes in Visual, Media, and Performing Arts programs for kids ages 7 to 15, plus special Camps for 4-6 year olds.

Rates & Discounts: Coupon: FAM5024, $50. One per Family

Location: 8253 Ronson Rd San Diego, CA 92111

Phone: 858-652-3264

email: info@encorecreativeartscamp.com website: www.encorecreativeartscamp.com

Instagram: instagram.com/encore_creative_arts

Facebook: www.facebook.com

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