It won’t be long before schools let out for the summer, signaling the start of summer camp season.
Parents and campers can choose from dozens of choices within driving distance, some tailoring to specific interests while others feature familiar activities like canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and camping out.
Below is a list of camps, brief descriptions and links to websites with more information. Know of a camp not on the list? Let us know about it in the comments section!
Name: Rawhide Ranch
Location: Bonsall
Type of camp: Horse riding and care, farm life, other activities. Overnight.
Cost: $930
When: Weeklong sessions from June 16 to Aug. 17
Click here to visit the website.
Details: For ages 7-15, with nine weeklong camps to choose from. Swimming pool, archery, arts and crafts, climbing wall and other non-horse activities are available.
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Name: Catalina Sea Camp
Location: Catalina Island. Ferry is located at the Catalina Classics terminal next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach
Cost: $3,900
Type of camp: Sailing, scuba, marine science, seafood and all things aquatic. Overnight.
When: Two three-week sessions, June 30-July 19 and July 21-Aug. 9.
Click here to visit the website.
Details: An enhanced ocean experience for ages 12-17, with a week-long camp for ages 8-13. Besides spending time in and on the water, beach parties, outdoor movies, campfires, dances and other activities are included.
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Name: Discovery Science Center
Location: Santa Ana Zoo; San Joaquin Marsh
Cost: $125-$190
Type of camp: Science and wildlife. Day camp.
When: July and August
Click here to visit the website.
Details: Discovery Science Center hosts day camps at the Santa Ana Zoo and San Joaquin Marsh. Each site has two camps, one for ages 5-6 and one for ages 7-10.
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Name: Digital Media Academy
Cost: $865-$1,995, with add-on options available.
Location: UC Irvine
Type of camp: Technology. Day camp with overnight options.
When: One-week and two-week sessions in June.
Click here to visit the website.
Details: One-week day camps for ages 6-12; one-week and two-week camps for ages 12-17, with overnight option. Campers get a taste of college life and learn about game design, digital filmmaking and photography, robotics and more.
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Name: Academy by the Sea
Location: Carlsbad
Cost: $950-$4,100
Type of camp: Academic and recreational camps on the campus of the Army and Navy Academy.
When: July
Click here to visit the website.
Details: The Army and Navy Academy is a private boarding school that opens its Carlsbad campus to campers during the summer. Academic camp for grades 7-12 is held July 1-27; recreation camps for ages 10-17 are held July 8-27, with a shorter one held July 1-7.
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Name: YMCA Camp Surf
Location: Imperial Beach
Cost: $585-$1,370
Type of camp: Surfing and other activities on the Y’s 45-acre beachfront property.
When: Nine sessions held from June through August.
Click here to visit the website.
Details: Worth the drive to Imperial Beach, and shuttle service is available from the Amtrak station in downtown San Diego. Four different camps to choose from, based on age (grades 3-6, 7-8, 9-11, 10-11).
KNOW OF ANY OTHER FUN-FILLED AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPS SET UP IN THE REGION THIS SUMMER? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS.
