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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Singing, dancing, acting, drama games, set painting, prop making, yoga, and staging a Broadway-style musical
50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto, CA, 94301
Designed for teens entering 9th grade and older, this leadership program allows participants to be an integral part of the theater process, leading drama games, helping with sets, and performing in the final show.
50 Embarcadero Rd
A supportive group vocal coaching program where students learn healthy singing techniques, audition preparation, and performance skills using NYU Tisch Ensemble training methods.
50 Embarcadero Rd
Designed for 1st and 2nd graders, young actors work with professionals to sing, dance, and perform in a musical theater production, featuring drama games and stage rehearsals.
50 Embarcadero Road
One-on-one 30-minute private vocal coaching sessions by appointment, helping students build confidence and repertoire for auditions and performances.
50 Embarcadero Rd
Hope Musical Theatre intensive summer camp at Palo Alto High School for ages 5-15. Approximately 45+ students put on a Broadway-style musical with professional sets, costumes, choreographer, director, and live band in just 1 week. Half-day and full-day programs. Camps run every 2 weeks June 6-August 12. Early drop-off and after care available ($30/day or $150/week).
50 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301
I Don't Wanna Grow Up Kids Camp is all about kids being free to play in the outdoors. We will take kids to some of the most beautiful locations and let them enjoy nature. If we're doing our job your children will come home happy, tired and dirty.
600 E Meadow Dr
1-on-1 instructor-led online private lessons in coding, game development, robotics, and creative arts tailored to each student's skill level.
50 Embarcadero Rd
Kids and teens learn to code a game or app in JavaScript, explore AI in Python, jump into data science, and discover machine learning.
50 Embarcadero Rd
A hands-on studio for drawing, painting, and sculpting to help children unlock their creative potential.
Hands-on building projects, theater rehearsals, outdoor games, and design challenges that build creativity and confidence
4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA, 94303
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 5-day chess camp for children levels 1-4.5, featuring group instruction, puzzles, and organized tournament games with outdoor breaks at Mitchell Park.
505 East Charleston Road
A 5-day chess camp for children levels 1-4.5, featuring group instruction, puzzles, and organized tournament games with outdoor breaks at Mitchell Park.
505 East Charleston Road
Hands-on Python and machine learning, mentor-led AI projects, coding exercises, and college-prep workshops
335 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301
Advanced training for experienced lacrosse players led by elite college and high school coaches, featuring game-like situations and skill refinement.
2700 El Camino Real
A 'training camp' experience for travel-level players with specialized instruction from college and elite high school coaches.
2700 El Camino Real
Elite lacrosse development program for experienced youth and high school players, featuring instruction from college-level coaches and players.
2700 El Camino Real
Palo Alto Speech and Debate Camp (PASDC) improves kids’ critical thinking and public speaking skills in a fun, social camp setting. Many campers attend both Speech (AM) and Debate (PM) sessions for a full-day, week-long comprehensive experience.
50 Embarcadero Avenue Road
Palo Alto Speech and Debate Camp (PASDC) improves kids’ critical thinking and public speaking skills in a fun, social camp setting. Many campers attend both Speech (AM) and Debate (PM) sessions for a full-day, week-long comprehensive experience.
50 Embarcadero Avenue Road
A Paly Journalism Summer Camp. Camp MAC is run by staff members of Paly’s nationally recognized journalism program and introduces rising eighth and ninth graders to the journalistic skills the counselors have grown to love.
50 Embarcadero Rd.
Summer camps, cooking parties, and classes offered by Le Toque de Cindy focus on hands-on culinary experiences.
Chef Kitchen
Designed specifically for 1st and 2nd graders, this program introduces younger children to the magic of musical theatre.
50 Embarcadero Rd.
For strong swimmers ages 9-14, this camp focuses on life-saving skills, CPR/First-Aid training, water entries, and rescues alongside open swim and games.
777 Embarcadero Road
Offered at Rinconada Pool in Palo Alto, this program challenges youth with lifeguard training skills and aquatic safety.
777 Embarcadero Rd
Young actors in 1st and 2nd grade work with professionals to sing, dance, and rehearse on stage, culminating in a final performance for family and friends.
50 Embarcadero Road
A focused swim program for kids ages 5-6 who have completed kindergarten, featuring daily instruction, group field activities, and open swim time.
777 Embarcadero Road
Learn all about dinosaurs and geology by examining real fossils, building volcanoes, and starting a rock collection.
1451 Middlefield Road
Dance to favorite K-Pop songs and complete themed arts and crafts in this pop-culture inspired camp.
4000 Middlefield Rd
I Don't Wanna Grow Up Kids Camp is all about kids being free to play in the outdoors. We will take kids to some of the most beautiful locations and let them enjoy nature. If we're doing our job your children will come home happy, tired and dirty.
600 E Meadow Dr
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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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