Families in Orange County have a wide variety of Summer Camps to choose from for their active youngsters. Whether you’re looking for a camp about horses or robotics, Legos or gymnastics, Orange County has something to suit all students interests and abilities with camps for all ages from pre-k through 12th grade. Here is a list of some of the summer camps available in OC.
Camp Discovery – Santa Ana
Location: Discovery Cube Orange County – 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana and Santa Ana Zoo – 1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana
Ages: Entering Grades K – 8
Dates & Times: June 17 – August 2; Monday through Friday 9:00 – 4:00
Highlights: Young explorers with a love for science won’t want to leave Camp Discovery. Campers will embark on animal adventures, take off on space explorations, learn about the world of superheroes, and conquer coding challenges in a variety of themed summer camp sessions. Two additional sessions take place at San Joaquin Marsh. Each camp experience includes hands-on learning, games, projects, and more.
Camp Newport – Newport Beach
Location: Various parks, beaches and community centers in Newport Beach
Ages: Preschool – 17
Dates & Times: Week-long camps run June 3 – August 30
Highlights: Camp Newport is run by the City of Newport’s Parks & Recreation department and there are a variety of themed and special interest camps. From science and sports to art and music, there is something every child will enjoy. Techies can expand their engineering and coding skills in a Brainstorm camp and animal lovers can explore life under the sea in the Ocean Adventure Program.
Camp Pinniped Summer Camp – Laguna Beach
Location: Pacific Marine Mammal Center – 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Ages: 8-13
Dates & Times: Week-long camps run from June 10 – August 16. Camp runs Monday – Thursday 9:00 – 3:30, and Friday from 8:30 – 11:00 at an offsite location.
Highlights: Campers at Camp Pinniped will go behind the scenes at the rehabilitation center and learn about the importance of care and conservation for marine mammals like seals and sea lions. They’ll get the opportunity to care for the animals by making fish smoothies, weighing fish, and cleaning pens. Campers’ learning will be reinforced through arts and crafts, games, science labs, and more. Daily themes offer a well-rounded exploration and education of the ocean environment.
Catalina Island Overnight Camps
Location: Howlands Landing, Catalina Island
Ages: 1st Grade – 10th Grade
Dates & Times: June 17 – August 5
Highlights: Catalina Island Camps offer overnight camp experiences for campers in 1st through 10th grade. Sessions range from one week for the youngest campers to four weeks when you combine sessions. There is a Campers In Leadership Training Session for 10th graders. All campers will get the opportunity to learn and participate in many activities including diving, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, sailing, archery, ropes courses, gardening, and more.
Environmental Nature Center Summer Programs – Newport Beach
Location: Environmental Nature Center – 1601 E. 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA and Back Bay Science Center – 600 Shellmaker Rd, Newport Beach, CA
Ages: Pre-K – 8th Grade
Dates & Times: Weekly sessions from June 24-August 15; 9:00 – 3:00 (Half-day campers will leave at 1:00) Camp is Monday through Thursday.
Highlights: The Environmental Nature Center hosts a variety of summer camps for kids. Little Naturalists Summer Camp and Summer Adventure Nature Camp will be held on site at the nature center with campers engaged in outdoor activities and learning scientific concepts with hands on activities, arts and crafts, games, stories and more. Weekly themes include Oceans and Wetlands, Awesome Animals, Mad Science, and Legends and Myths. Campers in 4th-8th Grade will head to the Back Bay Science Center for an outdoor, science themed camp with activities like canoeing, working with marine animals, collecting field data, and creative projects. Weekly themes include Ocean Defenders, Tidepools Uncovered, Shark Week, Estuary Extravaganza, and Marine Mammals.
Inside the Outdoors Summer Camp – Huntington Beach
Location: Shipley Nature Center – 17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Ages: 6 – 11
Dates & Times: July 8 – August 2; 9:00 – 2:00 (extended camp available until 4:00 for an additional fee)
Highlights: The week-long summer camps are offered by the Orange County Department of Education in a partnership with Inside the Outdoors. Four weeks will be held at Shipley nature Center in Huntington Beach. There will be a one week session will be held at Rancho Sonado from June 24-28 and a one week session at Irvine Regional Park from August 5 – 9. Weekly themes for the outdoor, science-focused day camps are Biggest, Brightest, Best Week Ever, Outdoor Superstars, Get Your Scientist On, Water Week, and Scales, Feathers, and Fur.
Ocean Institute Summer Camp – Dana Point
Location: Ocean Institute – 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, CA
Ages: 5 – 17
Dates & Times: June 17 – August 16; Monday through Friday 9:00 – 4:00
Highlights: The Ocean Institute in Dana Point offers engaging, hands-on learning all summer long. Campers will experience the learning labs, tidepools, and unique maritime vessels in the week-long sessions. Camps are organized by age groups and activities are geared to each age group. Activities include meeting live animals, learning new songs and games, arts and crafts, using scientific tools, solving mysteries, taking a boat ride, kayaking, and much more.
RiseUp Athletics Gymnastics Summer Camps – Los Alamitos
Location: Rise Up Athletics – 10712 Reagan St, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Ages: 3-13
Dates & Times: Monday through Friday 8:00 – 12:00
Highlights: Campers are grouped by age and skill level and participate in an engaging selection of activities including cheer and gymnastics instruction, games, arts and crafts, interactive play, obstacle courses, and more. Rise Up Athletics camps are perfect for improving motor skills and encouraging strong, active bodies.
Sea & Sage Audubon Summer Nature Day Camps – Irvine
Location: San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary – 5 Riparian View Road, Irvine
Ages: 7 and up
Dates & Times: Week-long sessions in June and July; 9:00 – 3:00 or 3:30 depending on the camp session.
Highlights: Sea & Sage Audubon Nature Day camps give campers the opportunity to get hands-on in nature and enjoy outdoor activities. Campers will enjoy bird walks and observations, journaling, games, songs, arts and crafts, dissections, presentations, learning about bugs, plants, and animals, scavenger hunts, and more.
Stratford Schools Summer Camp – Mission Viejo
Location: 24741 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo
Ages: Pre-school – 8th Grade
Dates & Times: June through August; 8:15 – 3:45
Highlights: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) based summer camps provide engaging hands-on learning opportunities for campers. Younger campers learn and explore with engaging hands-on educational activities, and elementary-aged campers work together to learn how to solve real-world problems through academic principles and concepts in a fun and encouraging setting. Middle School aged campers will participate in subject-based enrichment, receive test prep for high school entrance exams and more.
YMCA Summer Camps
Location: Locations throughout Orange County
Ages: All ages
Dates & Times: Full and Half Day Options
Highlights: Summer camps at the YMCA are packed full of activities and exciting adventures. Camps include educational STEAM curriculum, special clubs like cooking, coding, and art, service learning projects, games, crafts, and more. Weekly themes set the pace for the week such as Splish Splash, Globe Trekkers, Team Player, and Foodielicious. Campers will also enjoy field trips to fun destinations such as Soak City, Aquarium of the Pacific, Medieval Times, bowling, the beach, and more.
