Cooking Summer Camp
by CP MentorshipHands-on environmental science, art, kayaking, construction, music, bicycling, and outdoor challenges. Plus coding, public speaking and summer bootcamps.
1491 Hope St
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
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Hands-on environmental science, art, kayaking, construction, music, bicycling, and outdoor challenges. Plus coding, public speaking and summer bootcamps.
1491 Hope St
A leadership program for 8th-10th graders to develop mentoring skills, guide younger campers, and participate in sports action.
800 Embedded Way
Hands-on environmental science, art, kayaking, construction, music, bicycling, and outdoor challenges. Plus coding, public speaking and summer bootcamps.
1491 Hope St
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
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
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
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
A comprehensive 3-week math camp covering fundamental and advanced topics for AMC 10 and 12 competitive math exams.
San Jose, CA 95112
An intensive one-week booster program specifically designed for advanced students preparing for the AMC 10 math competition.
San Jose, CA 95112
Teaches the basics of data science, focusing on how to analyze data, find patterns, and communicate insights using Python.
1072 S De Anza Blvd Ste: B205
Students learn the building blocks of neural networks, develop intuition for training models, and explore optimization techniques.
1072 S De Anza Blvd Ste: B205
Explores how core machine learning algorithms work and how to apply them in Python to solve real-world dataset problems.
1072 S De Anza Blvd Ste: B205
An intensive programming camp covering Python levels 1 and 2, providing the essential foundation for students interested in Machine Learning and Computer Science.
1072 S De Anza Blvd Ste: B205
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.
San Jose, CA 95125
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
A focused summer dance intensive workshop held on a Saturday to develop performance skills and technique.
San Jose, CA 95112
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
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
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
Explore digital creativity through 3D modeling with Blender, photo editing with Adobe, and 3D printing.
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192
Explore digital creativity through 3D modeling with Blender, photo editing with Adobe, and 3D printing.
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192
A musical revue featuring songs from Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto, and Frozen II with a final performance at the Hoover Theatre.
99 Notre Dame Ave
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
Engaging hands-on STEAM camp for 1st and 2nd graders, exploring space, digital arts, and engineering through collaborative projects.
1975 Cambrianna Drive
Designed for 1st and 2nd graders, this camp explores science, space, and game design through hands-on activities and creative projects.
1975 Cambrianna Drive
Upper elementary students engage in complex STEAM challenges, Mission to Mars simulations, and digital art workshops.
1975 Cambrianna Drive
Older campers explore aerospace engineering, culinary arts in 'Food Truck' week, and media skills in the EDMO Newsroom.
1975 Cambrianna Drive
Inclusive summer camp at Casa di Mir Montessori focusing on STEAM themes like Aerospace Engineering and Scratch Coding integrated with social-emotional learning.
Casa di Mir Montessori
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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