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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A vibrant athletic program focused on dribbling, shooting techniques, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork to build mental toughness and physical fitness.
Berkeley, CA 94704
In this immersive Minecraft camp, kids unlock the mysteries of coding and game design while crafting their own thrills within the sandbox world, balanced with outdoor action and team sports.
University of California
A university-based camp for older students focused on advanced game design and coding using popular platforms like Minecraft and CodeCombat.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Campers merge physical activity and technology by using Unruly Splats for active coding challenges and Scratch for interactive game design and storytelling.
University of California, Berkeley
Campers explore engineering and design thinking by building LEGO structures, zip lines, and egg-drop machines, while also participating in daily active sports and group games.
University of California, Berkeley
Students engineer imaginative machines using physics principles to perform simple tasks, paired with daily sports activities for physical development and teamwork.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Supercharge your child’s summer with a mix of coding, Minecraft, animation, and sports adventures designed for grades K-8 across Discovery, Adventure, and Explorer tiers.
Berkeley, CA 94704
A comprehensive summer program featuring Discovery (K-2), Adventure (3-5), and Explorer (6-8) tracks. The curriculum includes STEM experiments, Minecraft, animation, and sports adventures designed to enrich every facet of a child's development.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Brushstrokes teaches pottery, sculpting, fusing glass, painting, and more in inspiring outdoor settings.
745 Page Street
Brushstrokes teaches pottery, sculpting, fusing glass, painting, and more in inspiring outdoor settings.
745 Page Street
Hiking, nature exploration, biology enrichment, reading and creative writing, art projects, scavenger hunts, and outdoor play
10060 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA, 94611
A high-intensity program designed for high school athletes focusing on conditioning, stroke improvement, and mental fundamentals for competitive singles and doubles play.
2200 University Ave
Designed for tennis players of all skill levels, this program focuses on improving physical fundamentals including strokes, footwork, and strategy through drills and point play.
2200 University Ave
Sport-specific instruction, drills, and scrimmages led by Cal coaches and athletes on UC Berkeley facilities
2214 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704
community, art, make, and play
2420 Channing Way
community, art, make, and play
2420 Channing Way
community, art, make, and play
2420 Channing Way
Campers explore and learn about the Big Sur redwoods, Mendocino coast and Sierra Nevada mountains.
2434 McKinley Ave.
Camp Galileo combines traditional summer camp excitement with a lasting innovative curriculum based in art, STEM & STEAM. For K – 10th graders at locations in the SF Bay Area, Southern California, Chicago, Seattle and Denver.
Location TBD
Imagination-oriented Jewish summer day camp at Tilden Park in Berkeley since 1967. Singing, hiking, swimming, sports, plays, and theme days for grades K-10.
A leadership-focused program for middle school students to assist KIDS for the BAY staff with camp activities while enjoying science and nature exploration.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A leadership-focused program for middle school students to assist KIDS for the BAY staff with camp activities while enjoying science and nature exploration.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A leadership and science program for youth ages 12-13 to assist younger campers (ages 5-7) while exploring bay shorelines, creeks, and lake ecosystems through hands-on investigations.
1771 Alcatraz Ave
A leadership and science program for youth ages 12-13 to assist younger campers (ages 5-7) while exploring bay shorelines, creeks, and lake ecosystems through hands-on investigations.
1771 Alcatraz Ave
Leadership training for 7th-9th graders to build work experience and support staff in daily activities while enjoying team-building workshops and camp fun.
1414 Walnut St
Leadership training for 7th-9th graders to build work experience and support staff in daily activities while enjoying team-building workshops and camp fun.
1414 Walnut St
Focuses on basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball with an emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership.
Berkeley, CA 94704
An engaging summer camp experience for youth with special needs involving sports, games, arts & crafts, nature exploration, and field trips.
1720 8th Street
Build skateboarding skills and learn new tricks with guidance from experienced instructors; CIT track available for teens.
Berkeley, CA 94704
An enrichment program for middle schoolers featuring art, games, and field trips.
Berkeley, CA 94704
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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