South Bay

Summer Camps in San Jose 2026

571 camps found • Ages 1–18 • Prices from $50/week

San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area and home to one of the most diverse summer camp markets in Northern California. As the heart of Silicon Valley, the city naturally produces an outsized number of STEM and technology programs — but the camp scene extends far beyond coding. From the Guadalupe River Park trails to the lush grounds of Kelley Park, San Jose's geography supports a wide variety of outdoor adventure programs alongside the more structured academic camps.

Families in Willow Glen and Rose Garden gravitate toward arts programs at venues like the San Jose Museum of Art and the Children's Discovery Museum near the SAP Center. Almaden Valley parents often look south toward nature-based camps in the Almaden Quicksilver County Park corridor, while Berryessa and North San Jose families have strong access to YMCA and Parks & Recreation programs at the Alviso Environmental Education Center.

San Jose's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department runs one of the most extensive city camp systems in the Bay Area, with drop-in day camps at neighborhood recreation centers starting as low as $25/week for qualifying families. These programs are the best-kept secret for parents managing a tight summer budget — many fill up in February, so early registration is critical.

On the private side, Camp Galileo runs multiple San Jose sites with its signature project-based learning model targeting ages 4–10. iD Tech has a strong presence at San Jose State University and several private school campuses throughout the city, offering week-long intensives in coding, game design, and AI. Science camps from providers like Mad Science and California STEM offer half-day and full-day options for younger kids (ages 4–8) who aren't ready for a full week of tech immersion.

For sports-minded families, San Jose has strong youth soccer and basketball programs through organizations like Wolves FC and the YMCA Silicon Valley. Gymnastics-focused families will find several well-regarded programs in the Cambrian Park neighborhood. Baseball and softball camps affiliated with the San Jose Giants minor league system run throughout July at Excite Ballpark.

Transportation note: most San Jose camps do not include bus service, so plan for morning drop-off logistics. The city's VTA light rail serves some camp-dense corridors, but the majority of families drive. Register early — the most popular programs open in January and competitive spots are gone by mid-February.

Last updated: 2026-05-03

Quick Stats

Total Camps
571
Price Range
$50–$1200/week
Age Range
Ages 1–18
Financial Aid Available
23 camps
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571 Summer Camps in San Jose — Page 5 of 20

Cooking Summer Camp

by CP Mentorship
Ages 5–16 $595/week • Day

Hands-on environmental science, art, kayaking, construction, music, bicycling, and outdoor challenges. Plus coding, public speaking and summer bootcamps.

1491 Hope St

CP Mentorship

Ages 5–17 $595/week • Day

Hands-on environmental science, art, kayaking, construction, music, bicycling, and outdoor challenges. Plus coding, public speaking and summer bootcamps.

1491 Hope St

Crazy Contraptions

by Club SciKidz Silicon Valley
Ages 9–13 $499/week

Young engineers in grades 4-7 explore mechanical engineering, physics, and Newton’s Laws of Motion through hands-on building challenges using Keva Planks and engineering kits.

3800 Blackford Ave

Crazy Contraptions

by Club SciKidz Silicon Valley
Ages 9–13 $499/week

Young engineers in grades 4-7 explore mechanical engineering, physics, and Newton’s Laws of Motion through hands-on building challenges using Keva Planks and engineering kits.

3800 Blackford Ave

Crazy Contraptions Camp

by Club SciKidz Silicon Valley
Ages 9–13 $499/week

Young engineers in grades 4-7 explore mechanical engineering, physics, and Newton’s Laws of Motion through hands-on activities with Keva Planks and engineering kits.

3800 Blackford Ave

Creative Thinker's Camp

by Silver Creek Academy
Ages 5–15 $575/week • Day

Silver Creek Academy's award-winning programs feature differentiated curriculum, credentialed teachers, and individual support that will challenge students and build a strong academic foundation.

5619 Silver Creek Valley Road

CSD Adventure Club Summer Camp

by Center for Social Dynamics
Ages 5–18 $1200/week • Day

Evidence-based summer camp for children and teens with autism and developmental needs. Personalized activities grounded in ABA therapy with group social skills training, peer interaction, independence-building, and community outings.

Financial Aid Available

San Jose, CA 95125

Cucina Bambini Cooking Camp

by Cucina Bambini
Ages 3–17 Contact for pricing • Day

Cucina Bambini cooking summer camps in San Jose for ages 3-17. Week-long hands-on cooking camps including lil chef camps (ages 3-5), beginner and advanced camps for grade schoolers, tweens, and teens. Baking, international cuisine, culinary essentials, and cooking challenges. Morning camp (ages 4-10) and afternoon camp (ages 11-17).

1041 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

Destination Science Camp - San Jose

by Destination Science
Ages 5–11 $454/week • Day

Destination Science STEM summer camp in San Jose at Enlighten Enrichment School for ages 5-11. Top-rated hands-on science camp with week-long programs. Monday-Friday 9am-3pm with extended care. June-August 2026.

Enlighten Enrichment School, San Jose, CA 95129

Digital Art and Animation Summer Camp - San Jose

by Club SciKidz Silicon Valley
Ages 13–15 $529/week

Step into the world of professional digital art in our digital art and animation summer camp! This is your chance to master the tools the pros use. You'll move beyond the basics, learning about layers, lighting, and advanced animation principles to create stunning, fluid animations.

San Jose, CA 95112

Digital Art and Animation Summer Camp - San Jose

by Club SciKidz Silicon Valley
Ages 13–15 $529/week

Step into the world of professional digital art in our digital art and animation summer camp! This is your chance to master the tools the pros use. You'll move beyond the basics, learning about layers, lighting, and advanced animation principles to create stunning, fluid animations.

San Jose, CA 95112

Dragon Productions Theatre Camp

by Dragon Productions Theatre Company
Ages 6–17 Contact for pricing • Day

Dragon Productions Theatre Company summer camp in San Jose for ages 6-17. Improv, acting, stage combat, and production classes for children and teens in a professional theater setting.

San Jose, CA 95112

EDMO Summer Camp

by EDMO Summer Camps
Ages 6–7 $459/week

Engaging hands-on STEAM camp for 1st and 2nd graders, exploring space, digital arts, and engineering through collaborative projects.

1975 Cambrianna Drive

EDMO Summer Camp - TK-K

by EDMO Summer Camps
Ages 4–6 $459/week

A curiosity-driven camp for TK and Kindergarteners featuring weekly themes like bugs, engineering, and digital art at Casa di Mir Montessori School.

1975 Cambrianna Drive

Emergency Medicine

by Club SciKidz Silicon Valley
Ages 11–13 $579/week

A hands-on medical science camp where students learn life-saving techniques, triage, blood pressure monitoring, and wound stitching while dissecting specimens like a sheep heart.

1300 Campbell Ave

Showing 30 of 571 camps

Frequently Asked Questions — San Jose Summer Camps

How much do summer camps cost in San Jose?

Summer camps in San Jose range from free (city recreation programs for qualifying families) to $900/week for specialized STEM intensives. City Parks & Recreation programs run $25–$150/week. Private day camps average $350–$500/week. Half-day programs for younger kids typically run $150–$250/week.

When should I register for San Jose summer camps?

Most San Jose camps open registration in January or February 2026. City recreation programs and popular providers like Camp Galileo and iD Tech sell out by March. If you missed early registration, check back in April for newly added sessions or waitlist openings.

Are there free or low-cost summer camps in San Jose?

Yes. San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services offers subsidized programs starting at $25/week for income-qualifying families. Several YMCA branches offer sliding-scale pricing. Many camps also offer financial aid — filter by 'financial aid available' on KidPlanr to find them.

What age groups do San Jose summer camps serve?

Most San Jose summer camps serve ages 4–18, with the largest concentration of programs for ages 6–14. Half-day programs for ages 4–5 are available through city rec centers and some YMCA branches. High school programs (ages 14–18) are primarily STEM and pre-college academies.

What are the most popular types of summer camps in San Jose?

STEM and coding camps are the most numerous, reflecting San Jose's tech industry roots. Sports camps (soccer, basketball, gymnastics) and arts programs are also strongly represented. Outdoor/nature camps operating in the Santa Cruz Mountains or Almaden Quicksilver Park are popular with families in south San Jose.

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