335 camps found • Ages 3–19 • Prices from $100/week
Berkeley's summer camp ecosystem is one of the most intellectually varied in the Bay Area, shaped by UC Berkeley's presence, a strong progressive community ethos, and the Tilden Regional Park system in the hills. Families in Berkeley tend to be highly engaged with camp selection, and the market reflects that — you'll find programs here that simply don't exist elsewhere in the region.
UC Berkeley is the defining anchor. The university runs summer programs through Lawrence Hall of Science — one of the Bay Area's premier science education institutions — with camps for ages 5–17 spanning biology, physics, engineering, and environmental science. The Cal Sports Camps program uses university athletic facilities to run one of the strongest youth sports camp lineups in the East Bay, including swimming, soccer, gymnastics, and basketball. Registration for Lawrence Hall and Cal Sports camps opens in early January and competes with parents from across the East Bay.
Tilden Regional Park defines Berkeley's outdoor camp scene. The Little Farm, Tilden's steam train, and the park's extensive trail network serve as the backdrop for nature-based camps from providers who have operated in these hills for decades. Environmental Volunteers and several other East Bay Regional Park District programs use Tilden for summer programming. The Tilden Merry-Go-Round area near the Environmental Education Center is a reliable hub for younger kids' nature camps.
In the Elmwood and Rockridge neighborhoods (Berkeley-Oakland border), families have strong access to arts programs — ceramics, printmaking, figure drawing, and theater. The Berkeley Rep Theatre runs summer theater programs that are among the most competitive in the Bay Area for serious young actors. The Berkeley Art Center also runs seasonal programs.
Berkeley's independent school community (The Crowden School, Black Pine Circle, Crestmont) runs summer programs open to outside families, often with an arts or Montessori focus that's harder to find in more suburban markets. The Berkeley YMCA's Camp Lair O' the Bear in the Santa Cruz Mountains is a beloved week-long residential option for older kids.
Financial aid is more broadly available in Berkeley's camp ecosystem than almost anywhere else in the Bay — a reflection of the community's values. Many providers don't advertise this prominently, so ask directly when you inquire about a program.
Last updated: 2026-05-03
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We are a Dance studio located in Berkeley where we offer Ballet/Pointe/Jazz/Tap/Hip Hop/Modern/Contemporary/Contemporary Ballet/Gymnastics/Competitive Team/ Repertoire/Choreography/Anatomy/ Ballet workout . We teach from ages 3 to adults
1539 Shattuck ave
Students craft BattleBots, work with sensors and microcontrollers, and delve into autonomous driving using VEX robotics technology.
5100 Sierra College Blvd
Campers build Roblox obbys, create Minecraft mods, and design professional-grade 3D levels using Unreal Engine.
351 Charles E Young Drive West
Campers build Roblox obbys, create Minecraft mods, and design professional 3D levels using Unreal Engine in an immersive campus environment.
5100 Sierra College Blvd
Build Roblox obbys, create Minecraft mods, and design 3D levels with Unreal Engine in this immersive game development experience.
1200 E California Blvd
An advanced game creation class for older students to develop multi-level games using professional programming concepts.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Advanced high school course designed for students with previous experience to master fast-paced, evolving crisis-style MUN committees.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Advanced high school course designed for students with previous experience to master fast-paced, evolving crisis-style MUN committees.
Berkeley, CA 94704
High school beginner camp focused on conquering public speaking, developing global solutions, and learning the art of negotiation.
Berkeley, CA 94704
High school beginner camp focused on conquering public speaking, developing global solutions, and learning the art of negotiation.
Berkeley, CA 94704
An intermediate program for middle schoolers with MUN experience, focusing on advanced public speaking and resolution writing.
Berkeley, CA 94704
An intermediate program for middle schoolers with MUN experience, focusing on advanced public speaking and resolution writing.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Designed for middle school beginners, this camp focuses on public speaking, research, and negotiation as students solve global issues.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Designed for middle school beginners, this camp focuses on public speaking, research, and negotiation as students solve global issues.
Berkeley, CA 94704
A beginner-level virtual program where students aged 9-10 step into the shoes of ambassadors and peacemakers to build confidence and public speaking skills.
Berkeley, CA 94704
A beginner-level virtual program where students aged 9-10 step into the shoes of ambassadors and peacemakers to build confidence and public speaking skills.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Flexible weeklong camps striking a balance between STEM skill development and summer fun, including sports and outdoor activities.
UCLA Campus
Students create unique websites from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript while learning to think like developers.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Designed to teach the basics of windsurfing, including rigging, balance, steering, and tacking through classroom instruction and water time at the Berkeley Marina.
124 University Ave
Designed to teach the basics of windsurfing, including rigging, balance, steering, and tacking through classroom instruction and water time at the Berkeley Marina.
124 University Ave
Bay Area Role Playing Games hosts D&D games for all ages in the Bay Area, offering camps, private sessions, and birthday parties in a safe and inclusive environment.
2727 California Street
Bay Area Role Playing Games hosts D&D games for all ages in the Bay Area, offering camps, private sessions, and birthday parties in a safe and inclusive environment.
2510 Durant Ave
Writers explore rhyme as a tool across hip hop and performance poetry, learning how rhythm and word choice shape meaning and flow.
2121 Berkeley Way
Helps students move past basic essay formulas to develop a voice that sounds professional and confident in academic writing.
2121 Berkeley Way
Guided 3-day and 4-day backpacking trips through the Desolation Wilderness designed for both beginners and experienced teen backpackers.
Lot #7 Echo Lakes Rd.
A week-long sleepaway camp at Echo Lake where kids engage in nature exploration, hiking, swimming, archery, and arts & crafts.
Lot #7 Echo Lakes Rd.
A 4-week intensive production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, where students explore feline mischief through music, choreography, and professional staging.
2640 College Avenue
Students participate in rehearsals and a mandatory tech week to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical Cats on the Julia Morgan stage.
2640 College Avenue
Students participate in rehearsals and a mandatory tech week to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical Cats on the Julia Morgan stage.
2640 College Avenue
Campers enter the world of the Animal Kingdom by tracking forest animals, dissecting owl pellets, and meeting live reptiles and zoo animals on field trips to the Oakland Zoo and Lindsay Wildlife Museum.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Showing 30 of 335 camps
Yes — Lawrence Hall of Science runs one of the Bay Area's top science camp programs for ages 5–17, covering biology, physics, engineering, and environmental science. Cal Sports Camps uses Cal's athletic facilities for swimming, soccer, gymnastics, and basketball. Both open registration in January and fill quickly.
Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley Hills hosts several nature-based camps through East Bay Regional Park District programs. The Environmental Education Center at Tilden is the main hub. Several independent providers also run trail and wilderness programs in the hills above North Berkeley and Kensington.
Berkeley camp prices range from $200–$350/week for city programs and nonprofits to $500–$700/week for private specialty programs. Lawrence Hall of Science camps run approximately $400–$550/week. Many providers offer financial aid — Berkeley has one of the highest rates of aid availability in the Bay Area.
Berkeley has some of the best arts programs in the East Bay. Berkeley Rep Theatre runs summer intensives for youth actors. The Berkeley Art Center and Crowden School of Music offer summer sessions. The Elmwood and Rockridge areas have several small-batch studio arts programs in ceramics, painting, and printmaking.
Lawrence Hall of Science and Cal Sports Camps open in January — register immediately as they sell out within weeks. City parks programs open in February or March. Independent arts programs vary, but most open January to March. Berkeley is a competitive market; don't wait until spring.
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