How We Research Camps

Where our data comes from, how we verify it, and what we do (and don't do) with camp listings.

Data sources

Every camp in the KidPlanr database comes from a primary source: the camp provider's own website, a city recreation department portal, a school district listing, or a community organization's published schedule. We do not accept user-submitted listings without verification.

Our data collection covers:

  • City recreation departments across the Bay Area (San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Fremont, and more)
  • Private camp providers and specialty academies
  • Nonprofit and community organization programs
  • School district summer enrichment programs
  • University and college youth programs

What we collect

For each camp, we collect and verify:

  • Program name and provider
  • Age ranges (minimum and maximum)
  • Pricing (per week or per session, including early-bird and sibling discounts where published)
  • Session dates and times
  • Location (address, city, with geocoded coordinates for map search)
  • Categories (STEM, sports, arts, outdoor, academic, etc.)
  • Registration links (direct to the provider's signup page)
  • Financial aid availability

How we keep it current

Camp information changes throughout registration season: sessions fill up, prices adjust, new programs get added. We re-check source websites continuously and update our database as providers publish changes. During peak registration season (January through May), our database is refreshed multiple times per week.

If you notice outdated information for a specific camp, let us know and we'll verify and correct it.

How we write blog content

Every camp mentioned in a KidPlanr blog post is cross-referenced against our database. The pricing, age ranges, and program details cited in articles come from verified provider sources, not estimates or aggregated averages from third-party sites.

When we write city guides or category roundups, we include camps based on data quality and relevance to the topic. Our editorial decisions are independent of any camp provider.

What we don't do

  • No paid placements. Camps do not pay to appear in search results or blog posts. Listings are based on data, not sponsorship.
  • No affiliate commissions. We link directly to provider registration pages. We don't insert affiliate tracking or earn commission on signups.
  • No fabricated reviews. We describe programs based on published information. When we include subjective assessments, they're clearly identified as such.

Questions about our research process? Learn more about who we are or reach out through the feedback button in the app.