Best Summer Camps in Sunnyvale & Mountain View 2026

Sunnyvale and Mountain View summer camps offer something you won't find in most Bay Area cities: a unique mix of tech-industry STEM programs, affordable city recreation options, and hidden gems like farm-based nature camps and world-class arts academies. These two neighboring cities share camp markets (many families cross city lines for the right program), so we're covering them together to give you the complete picture. Use KidPlanr's camp search to compare camps side by side and filter by age, price, and interest.

City of Sunnyvale Recreation Camps — Best Budget Option

The City of Sunnyvale runs over 90 summer camp programs through its Parks and Recreation department, making it one of the largest municipal camp offerings in the South Bay. Registration opened February 9 at 9 a.m., and popular sessions fill quickly — if you missed the initial window, check back regularly as spots do open up. For tips on timing, see our registration guide.

Programs span arts, sports, STEM, leadership, and traditional day camp formats. The city organizes camps by age group, so you can find options from preschool through teens. Pricing typically runs $200-$350 per week depending on the program type and duration — well below the average for private camps in the area.

Financial assistance and payment plans are available for qualifying families, making this an excellent starting point for parents on a budget. Check out our affordable camps guide for more options.

Ages: 3-17 | Cost: ~$200-$350/week | Hours: Varies by program | Register: sunnyvale.ca.gov or call (408) 730-7350

City of Mountain View Recreation & Deer Hollow Farm — Best for Nature Lovers

Mountain View's Recreation Division runs a strong lineup of summer camps, with the crown jewel being Deer Hollow Farm Wilderness Camp. Set in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, kids explore trails, interact with farm animals, learn wilderness skills, and study ecology — all within minutes of downtown Mountain View.

Deer Hollow Farm camps run for ages 6-14, with specialized sessions including a Wilderness Camp for teens (12-14) and an inclusive camp for campers with special needs (ages 6-17). Resident registration opened March 7, with non-resident registration starting March 18.

Beyond the farm, Mountain View Recreation offers dozens of camps at community centers and schools, including sports camps, arts camps, cheerleading, robotics, and more. The city also runs popular programs like Wacky Science Camp and the Spartans partnership camps. Financial assistance is available for eligible low-income Mountain View residents.

Ages: 3-17 | Cost: ~$200-$400/week | Hours: Half-day and full-day options | Register: mountainview.gov/register or call (650) 903-6331

Camp Galileo — Best for STEM & Innovation

Camp Galileo is one of the Bay Area's most recognized STEM camp brands, and they run locations in both Sunnyvale and nearby Cupertino. The Sunnyvale location operates out of local schools, serving grades K-8 with weekly themed sessions combining Innovator's Studio projects, Idea Lab challenges, and Outdoor Adventure time.

2026 Pricing (approximate):

Early bird pricing saves $50/week if you register early — or $525 off when booking six weeks. Extended care is available: $36/week for morning care (8-9am), $72/week for afternoon care (3-6pm), or $90/week for both. If you're comparing Galileo to other tech camps, check out our Galileo vs. iD Tech comparison.

Ages: 5-14 | Core Hours: 9am-3pm | Extended Care: 8am-6pm available

Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) — Best for Arts & Music

Located in Mountain View, CSMA is a nonprofit that's been serving the community for over 50 years. Their summer camps offer small-group instruction in visual arts, digital media, ceramics, musical theater, and performing arts — all taught by professional artists and educators.

2026 Camp Options and Pricing:

CSMA's Improv & Acting camp and Broadway Bound Theatre camp are standout options for kids who love performing arts. Class sizes are small (typically 8-12 students), so registration fills fast. Financial aid is available — CSMA's mission is making arts education accessible to all.

Ages: 5-15 | Cost: $470-$615/week | Location: 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View

Spartans Sports Camp — Best Multi-Sport Option

Run by Mountain View High School coaches and student-athletes, Spartans Sports Camp is a beloved local institution entering its 13th season in 2026. Kids rotate through basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball, swimming, and more — all on the Mountain View High School campus.

The camp builds athletic fundamentals while emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship. It's one of the best values in the area for a full-day multi-sport experience, and local families consistently give it top reviews. Register by March 15 to save up to $25 per session. For more athletic options, see our sports camps roundup.

Ages: 6-13 | Cost: ~$350-$400/week | Hours: Full day | Location: Mountain View High School

Maker Nexus — Best for Hands-On Builders

Maker Nexus is a community makerspace in Sunnyvale that runs week-long summer camps where kids get hands-on with 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics, woodworking, and robotics. Unlike screen-heavy coding camps, Maker Nexus emphasizes physical making — kids walk away with tangible projects they built themselves.

Camp options include Aspiring Maker Camp for younger kids and more advanced sessions for teens. The makerspace environment is unique in the South Bay — it feels more like an inventor's workshop than a classroom.

Ages: 6-17 | Cost: ~$400-$500/week | Location: 1330 Orleans Dr, Sunnyvale

Code for Fun & Coding Camps — Best for Future Programmers

Sunnyvale is home to a dense cluster of coding and tech camps, which makes sense given its location in the heart of Silicon Valley. Code for Fun runs camps at multiple Sunnyvale schools, offering Scratch, Python, robotics, and web development for ages 5-12.

Other notable coding camps in the area include:
- Code Ninjas (Sunnyvale) — $250/week for half-day game-building camps
- Applied Computing Foundation — Coding and robotics for ages 6-14 in both Sunnyvale and Mountain View
- iD Tech at Santa Clara University (nearby) — Premium coding and AI camps for ages 7-19

For a deeper look at tech camps across the region, check our STEM camps guide.

Ages: 5-19 | Cost: $250-$600/week depending on provider

YMCA of Silicon Valley — Best for Working Parents

The YMCA of Silicon Valley runs summer day camps at multiple locations serving the Sunnyvale and Mountain View area. Their traditional day camps combine sports, arts, field trips, and social activities in a full-day format that works well for working parents who need extended hours.

YMCA camps stand out for three reasons: generous financial assistance (no family turned away for inability to pay), long hours that accommodate work schedules, and a values-based program that emphasizes character development. If cost is a barrier, the Y should be your first call.

Ages: 5-15 | Cost: Varies (financial aid available) | Hours: Full day with extended care options

Quick Comparison: Sunnyvale & Mountain View Summer Camps at a Glance

Nearby Camps Worth Knowing

Sunnyvale and Mountain View families often look beyond city limits for the right fit:

• Cupertino camps — Strong STEM and robotics options, just 10 minutes south
• Palo Alto camps — Stanford-area camps with academic and athletic options
• Santa Clara camps — iD Tech at SCU, plus affordable city programs
• San Jose camps — The largest selection in the South Bay
• Fremont camps — East-side options with strong STEM programs

For the full regional picture, start with our Bay Area summer camps hub.

Registration Tips: What Sunnyvale & Mountain View Parents Need to Know

Timing is everything. Sunnyvale city registration opened February 9, and Mountain View resident registration opened March 7. Private camps like Galileo and CSMA started taking registrations even earlier. If your target camp is full, get on the waitlist — cancellations happen regularly in April and May.

Budget strategy. Mix and match: book 2-3 weeks of affordable city rec camps ($200-$350/week) and splurge on 1-2 weeks of a specialty camp like CSMA or Camp Galileo. This keeps total summer costs manageable while giving kids variety.

Extended care matters. If you need 8am-6pm coverage, check extended care options before booking. City rec camps often end at 3pm, while camps like YMCA and Camp Galileo offer add-on extended hours.

Don't overlook financial aid. Both cities, plus YMCA and CSMA, offer assistance programs. Apply early — aid budgets are limited.

Ready to find the perfect camp? Search and compare camps on KidPlanr to filter by age, price, location, and interest — all in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does summer camp registration open in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale city recreation camp registration opened February 9, 2026 at 9 a.m. Private camps like Camp Galileo and CSMA open registration even earlier, sometimes in the fall. Check our registration timing guide for details.

How much do summer camps cost in Mountain View?
Mountain View camps range from about $200/week for city recreation programs to $615/week for specialty arts camps at CSMA. The average across all camp types is approximately $350-$450/week. Financial aid is available through city programs and the YMCA.

Are there affordable summer camps in Sunnyvale?
Yes. Sunnyvale city recreation camps run $200-$350/week, well below the Bay Area average. The YMCA of Silicon Valley also offers financial assistance so no family is turned away. See our affordable camps guide.

What age groups do Sunnyvale and Mountain View camps serve?
Most camps serve ages 5-14, but options exist from age 3 (preschool camps through city rec) through age 19 (iD Tech coding camps at nearby Santa Clara University). For the youngest campers, see our toddler and preschool camps guide.

Are there nature or outdoor camps near Sunnyvale?
Deer Hollow Farm Wilderness Camp in Mountain View is the standout outdoor option, set in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. It offers farm-based and trail-based programs for ages 6-14. See our outdoor camps roundup.

Do any camps offer extended care for working parents?
Yes. Camp Galileo offers care from 8am-6pm with add-on extended hours. YMCA camps also provide full-day coverage. Some city rec programs offer aftercare add-ons. See our extended care guide for the full list.

Is it too late to register for summer camps in Sunnyvale and Mountain View?
As of March 2026, many camps still have availability, though popular sessions may be waitlist-only. Non-resident Mountain View registration opens March 18. Check individual camp websites for current availability, or browse open spots on KidPlanr.