Summer camps that offer outside play and communing with nature are a balm in our increasingly digital world. This roundup of summer camps also includes cool East Bay camps that involve caring for and observing animals as well as the wilderness. Find more summer camps in our Annual Camp Guide.
Thanks to our wild and wonderful sponsors:
Wild Child Nature Camps are 100% outdoors encouraging nature exploration, arts & crafts, field games, songs, and hikes for grades K to 3 in Oakland.
Call of the Wild Camps explore biology and language arts, hiking, reading, writing with kids ages 5 to 10 in Berkeley and Oakland.
Trackers Earth Camps teach wilderness survival, archery, fishing, woodworking, and blacksmithing through action-packed role-playing for grades K to 9 in El Cerrito.
Monkey Business Camp is 100% outdoors classic day camp with emphasis on nature, crafts, games, and songs. Three-week sessions for grades K to 10 in Tilden Park
Black Oak Wilderness School activities include survival skills, archery, and blacksmithing for middle and high school students in Oakland.
East Bay camps that emphasize Nature and Animals (2023)
Click through to find all the details on their respective websites.
Monkey Business Camp
Classic day camp, 100% unplugged and outdoors. Join the 25th summer full of nature exploration, arts & crafts, field games, songs, hikes, board games, storytelling, food projects, and community building. 3-week sessions help build connections between staff, campers, and the land in Tilden Park.
Camp Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:30 pm
Price: $1,908-$2,388 sliding scale per 3-week session | Shorter sessions pro-rated | no fee payment plans, financial aid available
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
The Lawrence Summer Camps
Campers become budding engineers, biologists, and astronomers when they immerse themselves in our classrooms, exhibits, and other learning spaces. Sign your aspiring young scientist up today for a fun summer of exploration and discovery at UC Berkeley's public science center!
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $1,395 per two-week session
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
One Generation Camp
An outdoor music and dance camp for ages 5-10, and a CIT program for ages 11-18: West African Dance and Hand Drumming, Cuban Dance, Body Percussion, Brazilian Capoeira, and hiking. Kindness, community, and culture through music and dance.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $525 per week or $1000 per 2-week session. Early Bird, Sibling, and Single Parent Discounts plus scholarships available
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10
Black Oak Wilderness School
Black Oak Wilderness School is a nonprofit outdoor and experiential education organization focused on raising money to support students from historically excluded backgrounds. Activities include survival skills, archery, and blacksmithing. (Find camps under CLASSES)
Camp Hours: 8:30 to 3:30
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:30 pm
Price: $500
Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17
Summer Discovery Camps at BADM
Campers will have a blast with one and two-week camp sessions of robust programming that provides the perfect blend of Bay Area Discovery Museum's exhibits and the surrounding Fort Baker National Park.
Camp Hours: 9 am - 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $650 per week; $1300/ 2-week session
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Trackers Earth Camps
Trackers teaches wilderness survival, archery, fishing, woodworking, and blacksmithing through action-packed role-playing stories with secret agents, dinosaurs, elves, and dragons. In these award-winning camps, kids get outdoors, find friends, and learn real skills with expert Guides.
Camp Hours: 8 am to 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 07:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:45 pm
Price: $595 per week for Basecamp (onsite) / $695 per week for Adventure (transported)
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7, Week of Aug. 14
Wild Child Nature Camps
100% unplugged and outdoors, join a summer of nature exploration, arts & crafts, field games, songs, hikes, and board games. This outdoor camp is designed to engage children and help them connect with not only nature, but also other campers, staff, and the surrounding beauty in Oakland.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 2 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $385 per week, $90 per day with 2-day minimum per week. Aftercare available for an added fee of $20 an hour.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31
Berkeley Day Camp
This traditional outdoor day camp is held at the Berkeley marina. Campers explore shoreline habitats, canoe, make arts and crafts, and play at the acclaimed Adventure Playground with some day trips. Many former campers are now part of the awesome staff.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm with extended care from 7:30 am to 6 pm
Earliest Drop off: 07:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: Resident: $269 per week | Non-Resident: $323 per week. AM Care: Res. $57 | Non-Res. $68. PM Care: Res. $88 | Non-Res. $106
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31
Call of the Wild Camps
At Inspire's Call of the Wild outdoor education camps, kids ages 5-10 connect with nature in Berkeley and Oakland forests. Kids enjoy enrichment in biology and language arts, hiking, reading, writing, exploring, learning, playing, creating games, and making friends.
Camp Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:30 pm
Price: $607.35 per week. Save $50 for early registration, siblings, friend referral. Early bird ends 2/28/23. Discounts may be combined.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Saddle Up Academy Horse Camp
Saddle Up Academy Horse Camp offers a mix of equestrian basics from horse behavior, anatomy, and riding. All levels welcome, hands-on, and completely outdoors. Come decorate the horses. Kids get a bunch of ride time.
Camp Hours: 10 am to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 10:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $650 per week
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 26, Week of July 10, Week of July 31
Swings and Wings Kids Camp
Travel to the world of dinos and fairies, become pro chefs and authors, and camp under the sea and stars. With activites for gross and fine motor exploration, science, crafts and fun projects, these camps are mighty fun!
Camp Hours: 9 am to 1 pm or 3 pm with option of extended care to 5 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $297.50 per week of half days or $422.50 per week (until 3) . Multiple camp/sibling discount available!
Grades: ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31
Wild Ones Art Camp
Wild Ones art camp invites 6- 10 years old on an outdoor adventure this summer. They will explore local East Bay parks to learn about local wildlife, discover new plants and trees, and make nature-inspired art.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:45 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:15 pm
Price: $459 per week | $125.00 per day. Discount for early bird or siblings
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of July 10, Week of July 17
Save 5% with code 510families. Expires 3/21/23
Ad Foris Outdoor Summer Camp by TeeterPal
As Foris means "to nature". Each day is packed with nature hikes, group activities, and engaging hands-on projects so kids can detach from technology and urban life. Both Day Camp (age 5-12) & Overnight Camp (9-15) are available.
Camp Hours: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $795 per week. multi-weeks discount: $50 off the third week, sibling discount: $15 off per week the 2nd kid, referral discount: $15 refund for both.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023): Week of May 29, Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7, Week of Aug. 14
Save 5% with code 510families. Expires on May 31
Always Learning and Growing Forest Camp
Camp Hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 02:30 pm
Price: $400 per week or $85 per day
Grades: ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 31
East Bay SPCA Summer Animal Camp
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $415 per week, scholarships are available.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31
Gaia Passages Monarch or Herbal Medicine Camps
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $550 per week, discounts available
Grades: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 26, Week of July 17, Week of July 24
Lindsay Wildlife Wild Adventure Summer Camp
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:30 pm
Price: $725 per week for non-members or $650 members
Grades: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 19, Week of July 10, Week of July 24
Metro Skate Camp
Skateboarding and animals
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $615 per week
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31
Neptune Nature Camp
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm or half-days from 9 am to 1 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $900 per 2-week session of full days, other rates for other configurations
Grades: ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 17, Week of July 24
Riveropolis Maker Camp: Land of Tree People
Riveropolis campers construct a fantastic model river world with rain, waterfalls, lakes, and islands.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $990 for a 9-day session in Berkeley | $1215 for a 9-day session in SF
Grades: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24
Twirl Summer Camp
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $425 per week or $100 per day
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 3, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Urban Adamah Summer Camp
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm + After-camp Program 3:30-5:30 M-Th
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $625 per week
Grades: ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 5, Week of June 12, Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 10, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Words in the Wild
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $1100 per 2-week session
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 19, Week of June 26, Week of July 17, Week of July 24, Week of July 31, Week of Aug. 7
Thank you again to our sponsors: Monkey Business Camp, Call of the Wild Camps by Inspire Behavioral Learning, Wild Child Nature School, Trackers Earth Camps, Black Oak Wilderness School