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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Hands-on cooking camps featuring baking, bread and croissants, cake decorating, chocolate tempering, and simple dinners
904 Cowper St, Palo Alto, CA, 94301
Improve chess tactics and strategies through expert instruction and competitive play.
50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Personalized, one-on-one year-round private tutoring in STEM and specialty subjects tailored to each student's ability level.
50 Embarcadero Road
Learn the ins and outs of content creation, including filming, editing, and channel management for YouTube.
Palo Alto High School
Entertaining and enriching LEGO® summer, spring & school break camps and LEGO® birthday parties for children ages 4 to 12 years old in the San Francisco Bay Area.
4000 Middlefield Rd #D6
Entertaining and enriching LEGO® summer, spring & school break camps and LEGO® birthday parties for children ages 4 to 12 years old in the San Francisco Bay Area.
4000 Middlefield Road #D5
Entertaining and enriching LEGO® summer, spring & school break camps and LEGO® birthday parties for children ages 4 to 12 years old in the San Francisco Bay Area.
4000 Middlefield Road #D5
Light Soccer Camp is looking to grow and enhance the development of every player who attends. We want to create an atmosphere that is innovative, lively, fun, competitive, and positive!
480 east meadow drive
A fun-filled camp for younger children focused on team building, interactive games, science, sports, and creative group projects.
500 E. Meadow Drive
Each day is filled with ballet and jazz dances, arts & crafts projects, LOL Surprise toys, and lots of fun!
4000 Middlefield Rd
A combination dance class for children ages 3-5 focusing on Ballet and Hip Hop, culminating in a recital performance at the San Mateo Performing Arts Centre.
2635 Middlefield Road
A combined Contemporary and Ballet dance class for ages 7-13 that includes a performance at the San Mateo Performing Arts Centre in May.
2635 Middlefield Road
An intensive hip hop program starting in January, culminating in a recital at the San Mateo Performing Arts Centre. This is an invite-only class requiring concurrent enrollment in other classes.
2635 Middlefield Road
A high-energy combination class for ages 6-10 that explores both Hip Hop and Jazz dance styles, culminating in a spring recital performance.
2635 Middlefield Road
A recurring jazz dance program for ages 8-13 that includes registration and costume fees for a season-ending recital at San Mateo Performing Arts Centre.
2635 Middlefield Road
A Jazz/Contemporary dance program for ages 8-11 focusing on technique and performance, culminating in a spring recital. Note: This class is listed as a private pod.
2635 Middlefield Road
A high-energy Jazz Funk dance class for children ages 7-12. The program begins in January and includes participation in a spring recital at the San Mateo Performing Arts Centre.
2635 Middlefield Road
A drop-off dance pod program meeting on Wednesdays that includes registration and costume fees for a spring recital at the San Mateo Performing Arts Centre.
2635 Middlefield Road
A children's drop-off dance class starting in January that includes a costume and participation in a May recital at the San Mateo Performing Arts Centre.
2635 Middlefield Road
A private dance pod session offering drop-off classes once a week on Fridays.
2635 Middlefield Road
A drop-off, invite-only dance program that runs from January to May and includes a costume and recital performance at the San Mateo Performing Arts Centre.
2635 Middlefield Road
A high-energy hip hop dance class designed for teens ages 13 and up, including participation in a spring recital.
2635 Middlefield Road
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
An engineering camp where students design and build whimsical Rube Goldberg machines and inventive projects using MakerSpace principles.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
An engineering camp where students design and build whimsical Rube Goldberg machines and inventive projects using MakerSpace principles.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
A creative workshop where kids can design, build, and experiment with various materials.
City of Palo Alto Make X Summer Camp for ages 12-14 at Mitchell Park Community Center. Maker and STEM camp where teens design, build, and create using tools and technology. Hands-on engineering and design challenges.
3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Advanced Master Camps designed for players ages 7-17 with USCF Rating 800+ (or 1400+ Online).
Unit. Univ. Church of Palo Alto
Advanced training for competitive players rated USCF 800+ or 1400+ online. Designed for serious improvement for players ages 7-17.
Unit. Univ. Church of Palo Alto
Elite chess instruction for tournament-ready players at the Palo Alto location.
505 E Charleston Rd
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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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