By SDCNN staff
San Diego is an ideal place for summer camps. With access to world-class sports fields, mountains, beaches and deserts, it is a fantastic place for sports and outdoor camps. With access to metropolitan museums and cultural institutions, it is great for arts and education camps. And the sunny weather is certainly a bonus, as well.
The following is a brief list of some of San Diego’s exciting, educational, active and enriching programs to keep your young ones busy and engaged this summer.
ARTS CAMPS
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet
Ballet classes are augmented with activities in arts and crafts, jazz classes and field trips to cultural institutions. Located at 1650 El Prado, San Diego. Visit sdcyb.org; email [email protected]; or call Danika Pramik-Holdaway at 619-233-3060.
City Ballet
The summer intensive course is three weeks long and provides superlative training for serious students at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Located at 941 Garnet Ave., San Diego. Visit cityballet.org; email [email protected]; or call Steven Wistrich at 858-274-6058.
Children’s Creative & Performing Arts Academy
Arts and education camp for preschool through high school students. Located at 3051 El Cajon Blvd., North Park, San Diego. Visit ccpaasd.com; email [email protected]; or call Janet Cherif at 619-584-2454.
Dance to EvOLvE
Dance and art classes at various locations around San Diego and North County for ages 3 through 12. Visit dancetoevolve.com; email [email protected]; or call 858-876-5327.
Drawn2Art
Fine art instruction in various mediums and styles for ages 4 and up. Located 13173-10 Black Mountain Road, San Diego. Visit drawn2artclasses.com; email [email protected]; or call Jaci Stern at 858-538-5278.
International Music Sessions
Elite program taught by all-star faculty of performing artists for children in grades two through 12. Located at 7715 Draper Ave., La Jolla. Visit imusicsessions.org; email [email protected]; or call Sara at 631-405-0166.
The Foundation Music & Arts Camps
A variety of music and arts camps for ages 5 through 13, featuring small class sizes and a focus on education. Located at the Foundation Music & Arts Center, 3323 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 100, San Diego. Visit foundationmac.com; email [email protected]; or call Sage Martin at 858-461-9088.
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
Hands-on science, art and world culture activities for children entering kindergarten through grade three. Located at 320 North Broadway, Escondido. Visit sdcdm.org; email [email protected]; or call Lindy Villa at 760-233-7755.
Museum of Photographic Arts
Instruction in photography, video, animation and more for grades one through 12. Located at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, San Diego. Visit mopa.org/camps; email [email protected]; or call Deborah Klochko at 619-238-7559.
Spanish Village Art Center
Art classes taught by the artists in Spanish Village for children ages 5 and up or students in grades two through eight. Located at the Spanish Village, 770 Village Place, San Diego. Visit spanishvillageart.com/classes; email [email protected]; or call 619-233-9050
San Diego Museum of Art
Weeklong summer camp or teen studio for students in grades one through 12 led by artist instructors that include hands-on art activities and trips to exhibitions at the museum. Located at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, 1450 El Prado, San Diego. Visit sdmart.org; email [email protected]; or call Gwen Gomez at 619-232-7931.
The New Children’s Museum
Weeklong camps for ages 4 through 12 designed to make children think, play and create. Located at 200 West Island Ave., San Diego. Visit thinkplaycreate.org; email [email protected]; or call Tomoko Kuta at 619-795-1463.
Intrepid Shakespeare Company
Camp Intrepid has three offerings for young actors — Young Actors Theatre Camp for ages 7 to 14, Musical Theatre Camp for ages 14 to 18 and the Shakespeare Camp for ages 14 to 18. Located at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Drive, Encinitas. Visit intrepidshakespeare.com; email [email protected]; or call Sean Cox at 760-295-7541.
SPORTS CAMPS
Little Rascalz Soccer
A mix of soccer play and other camp activities for children ages 3 to 6-ish at locations all around San Diego. Visit littlerascalzsoccer.com; email [email protected]; or call Beth Hooshidar at 619-309-9626.
NIKE Softball Camp, University of San Diego
Softball camp for girls ages 8 to 18 with low student-to-instructor ratio. Located at 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego. Visit ussportscamps.com; email [email protected]; or call Renee Chapman at 800-645-3226.
NIKE Baseball Camp, UCSD
Open to all levels of players. General Skills program is for ages 9 to 12 and High Potential program is for ages 13 to 18. Located at UC San Diego campus, 3432 Voight Drive, San Diego. Visit ussportscamps.com; email [email protected]; or call 800-645-3226.
NIKE Golf Camps
Co-ed golf camps for ages 7 to 18 featuring small group instruction at two locations — Riverwalk Golf Club, 1150 Fashion Valley Road, San Diego; and University of San Diego, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego. Visit ussportscamps.com; email [email protected]; or call Renee Chapman at 800-645-3226.
Contact Football, University of San Diego
Grossmont College head coach Mike Jordan runs this camp for boys ages 8 to 18. Located at University of San Diego, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego. Visit ussportscamps.com; email [email protected]; or call Renee Chapman at 800-645-3226.
UCSD Summer Soccer Camps
Boys and girls programs for ages 14 and up as well as youth programs for ages 5 to 13. Located at Warren field at UC San Diego campus, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0531, La Jolla. Visit ucsandiegosoccercamps.com; email [email protected]; or call Ryan Hernandez at 858-534-8165.
Watersports Camp
Sponsored by the Peninsula Family YMCA, this camp offers instruction in wakeboarding, surfing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, marine science and more. Located at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, 1001 Santa Clara Place, San Diego. Visit waterspotscamp.com; email [email protected]; or call 858-488-1000.
YMCA
There are 17 locations throughout San Diego County offering camps that nurture the potential of kids, help them live healthier lives and learn to support their communities. Visit ymca.org, or call 858-292-9622 for more information.
EDUCATIONAL CAMPS
Code REV Kids
Weeklong camps that focus on technology and computing skills. Located at the LePort School Solana Beach, 1010 Solana Drive, Del Mar. Visit coderevkids.com; email [email protected]; or call Evan Boorman at 310-450-4984
Museum of Man
Weeklong camps for kindergartners through fifth grade that dive into the worlds of myth, mystery and science. Located at 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. Visit museumofman.org; email [email protected]; or call Margaret Hartnett at 619-239-2001.
La Jolla Country Day
Summer programs feature academically advanced courses in science, English, math, visual and performing arts for students of all grade levels. Located at 9490 Genesee Ave., La Jolla. Visit ljcds.org; email [email protected]; or call Dan Wagner at 858-453-3440.
Ruben H. Fleet Science Center
Science activities for age groups ranging from pre-kindergarten to junior high school. Located at 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. Visit rhfleet.org; email [email protected]; or call 619-238-1233 ext. 806.
Salvation Army Kroc Center
There are several camps to choose from, including: Kroc Adventures featuring daily outings; Sports Camp with activities like rock climbing, skateboarding, swimming, etc.; Spiritual Discovery Camp with Bible studies; Pee Wee Camps for youngsters and more. Located at 6845 University Ave., San Diego. Visit sd.kroccenter.org; or call 619-287-5762.
RESIDENTIAL CAMPS
Pali Adventures
Campers age 8 to 16 design their own adventures including stunts, trapeze, secret agent and more. Located in Running Springs, CA; picks up in Fashion Valley Mall, San Diego. Visit paliadventures.com; email [email protected]; or call Amy Walker at 909-867-5743.
Endless Summer Surf Camp
Inclusive, overnight camp for surfers of all levels of expertise. Located at San Onofre State Park. Visit endlesssummersurfcamp.com; email [email protected]; or call Jason Senn at 949-498-7862.
Camp Stevens
Outdoor activities that are eco-friendly, safe, affordable and fun with programs for ages 8 to 18. Located at 1108 Banner Road, Julian. Visit campstevens.org; email [email protected]; or call Beth Bojarski at 760-0028.
— For a more complete list of summer camps throughout San Diego County, visit sandiegosummercamps.org.
