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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Online course where students read short stories and creative nonfiction to learn techniques for building unforgettable characters and unexpected scenes.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Students learn fundamentals of reporting and writing news stories, personality profiles, and opinion pieces for the public eye.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Activities include nature and artistic exploration, outdoor fun, swimming days, and field trips.
1720 8th St
A specialized art-focused track within the JCC summer programs for rising TK-4th graders.
1414 Walnut St
Leadership training for 7th-9th graders, combining hands-on work experience with counselors and group activities with traditional summer camp fun.
1414 Walnut St
A well-rounded summer experience blending music, art, sports, swimming, and nature education through a partnership with Wilderness Torah.
1414 Walnut St
The Lawrence Hall of Science (The Lawrence) is a renowned resource center for preschool through high school science and mathematics education, as well as UC Berkeley's public science center, with exciting hands-on experiences for learners of all ages.
1 Centennial Dr
A blend of physical activity and technology teaching foundational coding skills using Unruly Splats and Scratch.
130 Memorial Pkwy
Blends physical activity and technology using Unruly Splats and Scratch to teach foundational coding and game design skills.
2465 Bancroft Way
Junior campers learn belay skills, knot-tying, and technique at outdoor local parks and the indoor climbing wall at the Recreational Sports Facility.
2301 Bancroft Way
Junior campers learn belay skills, knot-tying, and technique at outdoor local parks and the indoor climbing wall at the Recreational Sports Facility.
2301 Bancroft Way
Kairos Music Academy, Berkeley’s premier youth choir, has been offering comprehensive music education to children ages 6-15 in the Bay Area and celebrates 30 years.
1953 HOPKINS STREET
Environmental education day camps exploring Bay Area watersheds, gardens, and shorelines. Hands-on science and nature activities.
A specialized outdoor program for older campers focused on nature exploration, environmental science, and developing leadership in the outdoors.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A leadership track for older students to assist staff, mentor younger campers, and learn environmental education skills.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Campers explore the habitats of the Pacific Ocean, investigate marine organisms like squid and sea anemones, and learn about marine biology and conservation through hands-on experiments and field trips to Rodeo Beach and the Berkeley Marina.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Young campers explore bay and ocean shorelines, hike along creeks, and study ecosystems through hands-on science investigations.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Campers explore various animal habitats, meet local wildlife, and take a special field trip to the California Academy of Sciences to discover rainforests, kelp forests, and rocky reefs.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Explore the unique habitats of the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, including the intertidal rocky shore and ocean beaches. Campers investigate marine organisms, adaptations, and food chains while learning about marine plastic pollution.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Explore San Francisco Bay habitats like rocky shores, sandy beaches, and mudflats. Campers investigate marine organisms, conduct experiments with field microscopes, and participate in either a boat ride or dock-side exploration.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A leadership program for youth ages 12-13 to assist younger campers and explore nature while strengthening science knowledge and leadership skills.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A hands-on science and nature camp where children explore the outdoors, conduct environmental experiments, and learn about local ecosystems in the Bay Area.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Campers explore stream habitats, identify unique features like riffles and pools, and study aquatic invertebrates. Activities include water quality testing, nature-boat crafting, and stream art creation.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Campers explore the animal kingdom through fossil creation, animal tracking, and field trips to the Oakland Zoo and Lindsay Wildlife Museum.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
An outdoor environmental science camp where campers explore local ecosystems like the Berkeley Marina and Blake Garden through hands-on science, nature play, and field trips.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A fun-filled week of hands-on science experiments and environmental explorations, featuring visits to the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley campus, and local nature sites to study everything from dinosaurs to honey bees.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Hands-on, science-based day camps in the outdoors where campers explore local creeks, the bay, and the ocean through nature-based activities and exploration.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A leadership development program for older youth to gain experience in environmental education and camp leadership.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
A leadership development program for older youth to gain experience in environmental education and camp leadership.
1771 Alcatraz Ave.
Build and program robots using LEGO sets and Strawbees Micro:bit to develop structural integrity and mechanics skills.
130 Memorial Pkwy
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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