338 camps found • Ages 1–22 • Prices from $21/week
Palo Alto's summer camp market is shaped by two forces: Stanford University and a highly engaged parent community that researches and registers early. The result is a camp ecosystem that emphasizes academic enrichment and STEM, but also has genuine depth in arts, sports, and outdoor programming — particularly for families willing to look beyond the headline names.
Stanford's campus is the defining feature of Palo Alto's camp landscape. The university hosts a range of summer programs through its schools and departments — from the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies academic intensives to the Bing Nursery School's summer sessions for young children. Stanford's sports facilities also host independent sports camps in swimming, tennis, and soccer that draw families from across the Peninsula.
The Palo Alto City Camp system is one of the most organized in the Bay Area. Parks & Recreation runs structured programs at Mitchell Park, Rinconada Park (with its community pool), and Greer Park. These programs are competitively priced compared to private options and serve as a backbone for many Palo Alto families who spread a summer across city camps and one or two private weeks.
In the College Terrace and Barron Park neighborhoods, several independent camp providers run programs from private school and community center facilities. The Palo Alto JCC (Jewish Community Center) operates one of the larger local camps, open to all families and covering arts, sports, and enrichment tracks for ages 3–15.
Technology programs are naturally strong here — iD Tech's presence in the area, robotics programs from providers like iFly Science, and coding camps targeting middle schoolers are all well-represented. Parents of middle schoolers specifically should investigate Stanford's Online High School summer sessions, which run in-person intensives on campus.
One practical note for Palo Alto families: parking and drop-off at Stanford-adjacent programs can be constrained. Many families use the Caltrain Palo Alto station for older kids in camps near University Avenue. Register early — Palo Alto is one of the fastest-selling camp markets in the Bay Area, with popular programs selling out by January for the following summer.
Last updated: 2026-05-03
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An optional musical theater enrichment hour led by teaching artists for deeper training in voice, acting, and dance.
50 Embarcadero Rd.
Make media with us in our camps, classes, workshops and after school programs! Programs in Filmmaking, Acting and Digital Animation.
900 San Antonio Road
Explore choreography for jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and hip-hop while creating your own pieces.
4000 Middlefield Rd
A high-energy camp exploring all styles including jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and hip-hop.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Experience adventure at Foothills Nature Preserve through daily hiking, tracking animals, and canoeing.
11799 Page Mill Rd
Woodworking and model building teaches kids how to use tools and create from scratch.
2729 Middlefield Road
Master the art of vlogging, filmmaking, and screen capture to create engaging content for YouTube.
50 Embarcadero Road
Interact with animal residents and birds while learning about behavior, habitat, and zookeeping husbandry.
1451 Middlefield Road
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Stanford hosts multiple summer programs for K-12 students, ranging from sports camps using university facilities to pre-collegiate academic intensives for high schoolers through Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. The Bing Nursery School also runs summer sessions for young children. Check Stanford's specific program websites as registration processes vary.
Palo Alto camps run $400–$750/week for full-day private programs, reflecting the area's high cost of living. City parks programs are more affordable at $200–$350/week. Stanford-affiliated academic programs for older kids can run $800–$1,500/week. Financial aid is available at the JCC and several other providers.
Register by January for the most competitive Palo Alto programs — this is one of the earliest-selling camp markets in the Bay Area. City parks programs open in February. If you missed January registration, waitlists at top programs often move in March as families consolidate their plans.
Yes — Foothills Park (Palo Alto residents only) hosts nature programs. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District runs programs in the hills above Palo Alto. Several providers use the Arastradero Preserve for outdoor adventure camps. These programs tend to be smaller and fill quickly.
Ages 6–12 have the widest selection in Palo Alto, with strong options in STEM, arts, and sports. Ages 13–17 have excellent academic and technology programs, particularly through Stanford-affiliated providers. Younger children (ages 3–5) are well served by JCC, city parks, and several preschool-run summer sessions.
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