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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Summer camps, cooking parties, and classes offered by Le Toque de Cindy focus on hands-on culinary experiences.
Chef Kitchen
We provide engaging and unique learning enrichment activities including camps, classes, events, and pop-up maker spaces on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area.
303 Parkside Drive
A leadership program for teens entering 9th grade and older to gain theatrical leadership skills, assist with rehearsals, help with tech crew, and perform in the show.
50 Embarcadero Rd
A leadership and theatre training program for older students to assist with summer camp sessions and learn the arts from a production perspective.
50 Embarcadero Rd
We provide engaging and unique learning enrichment activities including camps, classes, events, and pop-up maker spaces on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area.
303 Parkside Drive
Dancers will learn ballet, hip hop, and contemporary technique while working on a week-long art project.
2635 Middlefield Road
Dancers will learn ballet, hip hop, and contemporary technique while working on a week-long art project.
2635 Middlefield Road
A week dedicated to various styles of jazz dance and the fundamentals of acrobatics.
4000 Middlefield Rd
A graceful dance style focused on precise movement, balance, and control, building strength and technique from preschool through advanced pointe levels.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Perfect for Broadway fans: dance to songs from The Greatest Showman, Matilda, and Six while creating props and costumes.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Explore Broadway favorites like Matilda, Frozen, and Mamma Mia with dancing, costumes, and prop-making.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Expressive dance genres combining modern, jazz, and classical ballet. Lyrical requires concurrent ballet and jazz training.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Head to Arendelle for the summer! Includes Frozen-themed dancing, arts & crafts, and games.
4000 Middlefield Rd
A week of fun dancing, sparkly dress-up, and magical arts & crafts for all fairy princesses.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Supplemental training for dancers including flexibility, strength conditioning, acrobatics, and yoga.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
A popular modern dance style emphasizing rhythm, coordination, and athletic movement.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Learn different hip-hop styles, fun tricks, and enjoy superstar crafts in this high-energy camp.
4000 Middlefield Rd
High-energy jazz classes ranging from classical to modern rhythm styles, offered for all experience levels.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dance to your favorite K-Pop songs and enjoy K-Pop themed arts and crafts projects.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Join us as we laugh out loud this summer! Each day is filled with ballet and jazz dances, arts & crafts projects, and LOL Surprise toys.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Go under the sea for a magical underwater adventure filled with dancing, play, and mermaid arts & crafts.
4000 Middlefield Rd
A jazz-based class teaching dance, vocal training, and acting skills to develop 'Triple Threat' performers for musical plays.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Celebrate Broadway with hits from Hamilton, Mean Girls, Six, and Wicked! Includes prop-making and choreography.
4000 Middlefield Rd
An introductory dance program for preschool-aged children focusing on foundational ballet and tap movements.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Personalized dance instruction available in jazz, contemporary, ballet, pointe, tap, hip hop, break dance, and theatre dance.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Join Bluey and friends for the ultimate Puppy Party! We’ll dance and do crafts inspired by Paddington and PAW Patrol.
4000 Middlefield Rd
A comprehensive recreational dance program for the Fall-Spring season, offering instruction in various styles with classes culminating in an end-of-year performance.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
For sparkle-loving little ones: a week of dancing, sparkly dress-up, and magical unicorn crafts.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Combine hip-hop with special acrobatic tricks just like your favorite superheroes!
4000 Middlefield Rd
A percussive dance style where students use tap shoes to create rhythmic sounds and patterns.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Showing 30 of 338 camps
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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