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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A healthy mix of project-based coding, digital art, and design -- plus teamwork-building activities, outdoor games, and activities in the park. CodeREV Kids Tech Camps provide a one-of-a kind camp experience for campers ages 6-17.
4050 Middlefield Rd
Best in Class students benefit from individual attention, active instruction in small groups, and engaging course material aligned with common standards. Our programs move K-12 students of all abilities towards the top of their class.
490 California Ave. Suite 100
Tennis instruction and programs offered in partnership with Palo Alto Swim and Sport.
777 Embarcadero Road
Go under the sea for a week of magical underwater dance adventures and mermaid-themed crafts.
4000 Middlefield Rd
We are a licensed, home-based preschool providing a supportive and engaging environment for children. Play based and nature based.
4133 Wilkie Way
A half-day camp for rising fifth graders and middle school students to learn essential bicycle safety and handling skills from certified instructors.
3700 Middlefield 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
A healthy mix of project-based coding, digital art, and design -- plus teamwork-building activities, outdoor games, and activities in the park. CodeREV Kids Tech Camps provide a one-of-a kind camp experience for campers ages 6-17.
4050 Middlefield Rd
Campers use Minecraft to explore 3D design, redstone circuitry, and collaborative building on private servers.
50 Embarcadero Road
A healthy mix of project-based coding, digital art, and design -- plus teamwork-building activities, outdoor games, and activities in the park. CodeREV Kids Tech Camps provide a one-of-a kind camp experience for campers ages 6-17.
4050 Middlefield Rd
A healthy mix of project-based coding, digital art, and design -- plus teamwork-building activities, outdoor games, and activities in the park. CodeREV Kids Tech Camps provide a one-of-a kind camp experience for campers ages 6-17.
4050 Middlefield Rd
Sophisticated non-contact games, weekly challenges, and adventures developed specifically for middle school aged youth.
3700 Middlefield Rd
City of Palo Alto Mitchell Park Day Camp for ages 8-10. Amazing summer adventure at Mitchell Park Community Center featuring fun crafts like tie-dye, friendship bracelets, lanyards, and scratch art, plus games, sports, and outdoor activities.
3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Outdoor games, local adventures, scavenger hunts, and crafts for older elementary youth at Mitchell Park.
3700 Middlefield Rd
City of Palo Alto Mitchell Park Fun Camp for ages 5-7 at Mitchell Park Community Center. Summer adventure in the heart of Palo Alto with games, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. Part of the Enjoy! summer camps program.
3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Campers enjoy non-contact outdoor games, local adventures, scavenger hunts, and cool crafts at Mitchell Park.
3700 Middlefield Rd
Money $$$, Investments, and Entrepreneurship Camp with a focus on: 1) Banking and Money, 2) Budgeting and Planning, 3) Global Economy, 4) Investing fundamentals, 5) Entrepreneurship
4000 Middlefield Rd
MTBX offers small group rides for kids supervised by our expert Director and staff. Sessions are catered to the rider’s skill sets.
600 E Meadow Dr
Dance to Broadway hits like Hamilton and Wicked and create your own props in this musical theater camp.
4000 Middlefield Rd
Dance to Broadway hits like Hamilton and Wicked and create your own props in this musical theater camp.
4000 Middlefield Rd
This summer, come explore the world of singing, dancing and acting!! Everyone will get their chance to shine. In just 1 week we will put on an entire show:We build sets, create costumes, make props, learn great songs from the Broadway classics!
50 Embarcadero Road
A high-energy 1-week intensive musical theatre program where students ages 6-14 put on a professional Broadway-style musical complete with sets, costumes, and a live band. The camp features singing, dancing, acting, daily dress-up themes, and a final theatrical performance.
50 Embarcadero Rd
A player-centric soccer camp focusing on technical mastery, goalscoring, and game intelligence with age-specific groupings for Playmakers (ages 6-10) and Performance (ages 11-14) players.
155 El Camino Real
Campers learn essential culinary skills like knife techniques and food preparation while cooking complete meals, supplemented by art projects and outdoor play.
3024 Bryant Street
Arts and crafts, sports, weekly swimming, STEM projects, field trips, and Friday Shabbat celebrations
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA, 94303
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
PACCC offers Afterschool Kids' Clubs at various locations in Palo Alto, providing recurring care and enrichment for elementary-aged children during the school year and on PAUSD holidays.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Recurring infant and toddler care programs focused on physical development, health, and a whole-child approach to learning.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
A seamless bridge from school to home located on the elementary school site, offering academic support, SEL curriculum, and daily enrichment activities.
650 Addison Avenue
PACCC's Preschool Centers offer a year-round, recurring program focused on social-emotional, language, and literacy development for young children.
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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