Animal Heroes Camp with SANTA CRUZ SPCA
SUPER PAWS – Animal heroes camp (ages 6-9 and 10-13)
This summer, kids will discover the real-life superpowers of animals — from lightning-fast speed and clever problem-solving to incredible survival skills and heroic ways animals help us every day. Campers will explore what makes each species unique while celebrating animals as true superheroes of the natural world.
Children will create superhero profiles and origin stories for our shelter animals, design heroic identities, and help train them for exciting “adventures” — all while giving them plenty of love, enrichment, and positive socialization.
Through games, creativity, and hands-on experiences, campers will learn how kindness, understanding, and compassion are the greatest superpowers of all!
Choose your week(s):
Week 1: June 1 - June 5, 6-9 years
Week 2: June 8 - June 12, 10-13 years
Week 3: June 15 - June 19, 6-9 years
Week 4: June 22 - June 26, 10-13 years
Week 5: July 6 - July 10, 6-9 years
Week 6: July 13 - July 17, 10-13 years
Week 7: July 20 - July 24, 6-9 years
Week 8: July 27 - July 31, 10-13 years
Hours: 9am-3pm
Fees: $395/week
https://spcasc.org/events/summer-camp-2026/ ~ 2601 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz ~ 831-566-3753 ~ ruth@spcasc.org
Be Natural Music is a Jazz and Rock music school program in Santa Cruz and Cupertino, California, established 1988.
Directed by Matthew Pinck, AKA "yoga Matt" on stage, our school offers private lessons for numerous instruments, Real Rock and Jazz Band classes, workshops, concert performances, and music camps.
At Be Natural Music Summer Camp, kids and teens join a band, compose original music, script music videos, and at the end, record their song in a professional recording studio! We produce the final music video in high quality and display it on our YouTube channel for everyone to enjoy!
If your child has ever dreamed of performing their original music on stage or starring in their very own music video, check out our summer camps in June and July to turn that dream into a reality.
Two one week sessions in June and July.
http://www.benaturalmusic.live ~ 831-515-8369 ~ info@benaturalmusic.live
Info and Registration coming soon!
Day Camp - Summer means lots of time in the great outdoors, making memories with friends old and new, learning and trying new things, and having a blast at camp! Day camp offers your child adventures, outdoor exploration, and the chance to make friends while developing new skills. Campers exercise their independence and decision-making skills while learning caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Family Camp - Family Camp weekends remove distractions and allow families the freedom to focus solely on one another. Families get to know each other outside of homework, after school activities, technology, and day to day business. Bring your family closer together through outdoor fun and teamwork. Enjoy cabin accommodations and a variety of activities in the heart of the redwoods – an ideal way to foster connections in a safe, beautiful and supportive environment. Families of all forms are welcome at the Y, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-families, single parents, LGBTQ+ families and more.
Overnight Camp - Overnight Camp is full of traditional outdoor activities like campfires, hikes, skits and the chance to sleep under the stars. Campers disconnect from technology and distractions of outside life, offering an unforgettable positive experience. Here at camp, our number one priority is providing a safe, positive camper experience. We believe that campers are most successful when given the opportunity to push themselves out of their comfort zones and discover in themselves resiliency, responsibility and confidence.
Camp Capitola is now available to 4 & 5 year old Lil' Campers.
Camp Capitola, is a summer day camp serving youth ages 4-14. It is held at Jade Street Park and uses the outdoor environment and the Capitola Community Center. Camp Capitola offers a variety of activities including outdoor games, sports, arts and crafts, drama productions, and beach mornings. Your child must be 4 years old before the program starts.
Classic Camp (4-12yrs): Classic Camp Activities: Group Challenges, dodge ball, scavenger hunts, relay races, recreational sports, Art and Craft Projects, Beach Day, movies, and ice cream at the end of every session. Half day and all day options available.
Around Town Camp (11-14yrs): This is only offered 3 times during the summer with limited space. We will be exploring the local activities around town. More details to come. All day option only
https://www.cityofcapitola.org/recreation/page/camp-capitola
Campus Kids Connection Summer Program is for children who have completed 1 year of TK or Kinder up to children entering 6th grade
We host our CKC Summer Day Camps at three of our elementary school sites, each providing age-appropriate activities for children entering kinder through 6th grade in the upcoming fall. Our summer camps include daily activity options from crafts to sports to science. We provide two nutritious snacks and lunch daily.
Our weekly schedule includes field trips, special on-site activities, and a variety of themed clubs. Expect a mix of crafts, sports, music, cooking, dance, science, and games - all centered around our unique weekly themes. This year, CKC Campers will enjoy weekly special events and field trips. Special activities and trips may include: MB Aquarium, The Tech Museum, Rock Climbing Wall, Roller Rink, Movie Theater, Video Game Truck, Petting Zoo, and more!*
*Activities subject to change
Field trips will include visits to local parks, museums, libraries, and hiking trails. And the fun doesn't stop there! Everyday we will organize a special event for the day like face painting, carnival games, magic show, and much more!
Kinder Exploration Camp- Children who have graduated TK and Kinder have a separate onsite program, Kinder Exploration Camp. Instead of field trips, we will have extra special on site events for our younger campers!
https://www.campuskidsconnection.com/summer-camp ~ (831) 462-9822
| Main Street Elementary School & DeLaveaga Elementary School
9 weeks: June 1- July 31, M-F 8:00am-5:30pm |
CKC Summer Camp at Valencia Elementary School
3 Weeks: June 8- June 26 |
City of Watsonville's Parks and Community Services Department offers a wide range of health and wellness opportunities for the entire community. Get started on our website, where you can find information about:
- Seasonal Day Camps
- Police Activities League opportunities & Youth Center Access for a $15/yr. membership
- Sports Programs for All Ages
- Swim Lessons & Recreation Swim
- FREE Environmental Science Workshop Programs & Locations
- SPECIAL EVENTS
- Enrichment Classes
- Senior Center Offerings
- After School Programs
- Parks & Trails
- Facility Rentals
- Volunteer Opportunities
https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/595/Parks-Community-Services - 831.768.3240
231 Union St., Watsonville, 768-3240, pcs@cityofwatsonville.org
Critter Camp
Campers at Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Camp meet guest speakers from animal welfare professions and get to know a wide variety of animals. There are behind the scenes shelter tours and animal-themed arts and crafts projects, including art that helps showcase pets waiting to be adopted. Through engaging activities, children learn about being responsible stewards, both for animals and the world around them. SCCAS’ summer camp fosters understanding, respect and empathy toward all living beings.
All proceeds from this program benefit our county’s only Open Admission Shelter, serving animals in need in our community. Please contact Erika Smart erika.smart@santacruzcounty.us (831) 454-7229 with any questions!
Summer Critter Camp 2022 will be held at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter located at 1001 Rodriguez St. This camp is designed for students between the ages of 7-11 years old. Camp will be held from 9am-1pm on scheduled dates. Summer Camp 2022 is sponsored by New Leaf Community Markets and they will provide vegetarian lunches everyday for the camp students!
There are two full weeks of camp, one partial week of camp, and three day camp opportunities!
Week #1 Camp: May 31st-June 3rd (Short week camp due to holiday) $300 per student. FULL
Day Camp #1: June 6th $75 per student *please only sign up for one day camp*
Day Camp #2: June 7th $75 per student *please only sign up for one day camp*
Day Camp #3: June 8th $75 per student *please only sign up for one day camp*
Week #2 Camp: July 18-22 $375 per student FULL
Week #3 Camp: July 25-29 $375 per student FULL
All scholarships have been filled. Thank you!
If you have any questions about camp registration, please contact Erika Smart at erika.smart@santacruzcounty.us
Campers meet guest speakers from animal welfare professions and get to know a wide variety of animals. There are behind the scenes shelter tours and animal-themed arts and crafts projects, including art that helps showcase pets waiting to be adopted. Through engaging activities, children learn about being responsible stewards, both for animals and the world around them. SCCAS’ summer camp fosters understanding, respect and empathy toward all living beings.
All proceeds from this program benefit our county’s only Open Admission Shelter, serving animals in need in our community. Please contact Erika Smart erika.smart@santacruzcounty.us (831) 454-7229 with any questions!
The beautiful setting and open philosophy of Hidden Villa make for an especially memorable experience for children of all ages. The camp is designed to grow with children and adjust to meet their needs, introducing them to wilderness and farm activities, fostering leadership skills and responsibility, and emphasizing respect for the environment and for others.
In 1945, Josephine Duveneck started the first multi-racial residential summer camp in the United States here at Hidden Villa. Our summer camp program remains rooted in the Duveneck family legacy of social justice and environmental stewardship, bringing together a diverse group of campers and staff, unplugged from the busyness of everyday life, and giving them the unique opportunity to build a better community through shared experience.
26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, info@hiddenvilla.org, (650) 949-8650, https://www.hiddenvilla.org/
Into the Heart of Nature Summer Camp at Tara Redwood
June 24 – July 19
Tara Redwood School offers a great summer camp.
Into the Heart of Nature Summer Camp is located in an extraordinary setting nestled in the Nisene Marks Forest near a calm creek.
We offer cooperative games, creek exploration, habitat studies, playful skits, and nature-themed art. Kids explore the various elements that support all life.
Tara Redwood School’s summer camp educators are highly experienced in outdoor activities and wildlife studies.
Children learn social skills and kindness. Your child will make new friends, develop mindfulness, and learn how to help others.
Children have access to several hiking trails for daily play and to absorb some of our core tenets for happiness through developing a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of nature to all parts of life.
The program is best if experienced in its entirety. Children have the opportunity to fully connect, learn new skills and complete special tasks. Please do reach out to us if you have special suggestions or concerns. office@tararedwoodschool.org
Ages 4-7
Preschool: 8:30am-2:30pm, $100/day, M-F, June 22-July 17 and July 20-14, aftercare available
TK-Elementary: 9am-3pm, $2,000, M-F, June 22-July 27
5810 Prescott Rd, Soquel, 831-462-9632, https://tararedwoodschool.org/summer-camp/ ~ office@tararedwoodschool.org
Kennolyn Day Camp
Ready to get your child away from technology and into a nourishing community of fun, friends, and the great outdoors? Give your child a healthy dose of GRATITUDE, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, and GROWTH at Kennolyn Day Camp!
On 450 acres of privately owned redwood forest only 4 miles from town, Kennolyn Day Camp is just a short bus ride away with stops across Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. Your child will thrive in this fun, active, supportive environment, and you will get a break (or at least be able to work without interruption). And after a day of exploring the fields, pond, and miles of trails, they’ll be happy-tired after each fun day!
Amazing activities keep your camp busy all day: high ropes course, climbing wall, BMX, fencing, pool time, horseback riding, animal care, archery, crafts, and more!
Campers grades K-9 are placed in coed groups based on their grade with two well-trained adult counselors.
Campers entering 10-11th grade may apply for our Leadership Development program.
Groups follow a planned schedule with some choice built in from Monday through Thursday. On Friday Fun Day, campers grades 2+ choose their own activities during the morning. The afternoon wraps up the week with a fun event based on a different theme each week. This is a great change of pace for campers who spend multiple weeks at Kennolyn.
Nowhere else in the local region will you find a more complete, authentic summer day camp experience. Just ask your friends and neighbors.
8205 Hacienda Lane, Soquel ~ (831) 479-6714 ~ https://www.kennolyncamps.com/santa-cruz-day/ ~ camps@kennolyn.com
Summer on the Mountain
Summer day camps on Mount Madonna School’s 380-acre redwood-forest campus offer weekly sessions:
- Nature explorers age 3-6, June 22-July 31
- Mountain Explorers age 6-9, July 6-July 31
- Redwood Explorers ages 9-13, July 6-July 31.
Students enjoy arts and crafts, hiking, sports camps, STEAM projects, astronomy, team-building and an overnight camp-out for Redwood Explorers. Horse camp option available for campers 7+.
Play in nature, cultivate relationships, build skills, and more – unplugged, outdoors, and active!
Camps are Monday through Friday, 9am-3:30 pm. Transportation is available.
Details and registration online at:
www.mountmadonnaschool.org/hawk-life/summer-on-the-mountain/~ 408-408-2717 ~ summerprogram@mountmadonnaschool.org ~ 491 Summit Road, Watsonville
Mount Madonna School is a Preschool through 12th grade Independent School, fully accredited by WASC and CAIS. We are a community of learners. We support our students to become caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers.
Located between Gilroy and Watsonville, Mount Madonna School pursues our mission and values through the integration of Academic Excellence, Creative Self-Expression and Positive Character Development. This integration brings depth, meaning and enthusiasm to learning.
Through exploration, experimentation, and experiences outdoors the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History hopes to inspire future scientists during our weekly day camps. Join us to discover a passion for nature, learning, and community. All Nature Explorers camps connect campers to their environment in fun and exciting ways that engage their natural sense of curiosity while supporting academic success.
The Museum offers week-long 5-day camps during Summer, Spring and Winter breaks for K-6th.
- General Pricing: Varies depending on length of camp
- Discounts: Sibling & Museum Members $20 Off (Family Level & Above)
- Times: Drop-off 8:30-9:00 am | Pick-up 3:00-3:30 pm
Summer Theme Camps: Santa Cruz Safari ~ Magnificent Museum ~ Can You Dig It? ~ Surviving Santa Cruz ~ Wild World of Santa Cruz ~ Biomimicry ~ Incredible Invertebrates ~ Vivan Los Vertebrados ~ Art and Science in Nature ~ Experiments in Nature ~ Beginning Botany ~ World of Birds Details
https://www.santacruzmuseum.org/camp/ ~ 1305 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz ~ camp@santacruzmuseum.org ~ (831) 420-6115
Reduce the Cost of Camp
We accept scholarship requests beginning 1 month prior to registration opening, and will notify you of your acceptance before registration begins. If you are awarded a scholarship, it is your responsibility to register your camper using the link provided.
The Scholarship Fund is made possible by generous donations by members of the community. We hope to reduce barriers to enriching experiences such as our science camps for families in our community who would otherwise not be able to afford such opportunities.
Quaker Center Camp is amazing.
There is nothing like summer camp at Quaker Center - an unforgettable experience of friendship, service, art and fun in the redwoods. Campers are also introduced to Quaker practices such as collective silence and group decision-making.
Our small camp is under the care of Friends (Quakers) and takes place in a Friendly setting of peace, inclusivity and mutual respect. However, campers do not have to be Quaker to attend. Everyone is welcome at Quaker Center camp!
Our camps are divided into two sessions:
The first session, for rising 5th to 7th graders, includes many of the most well-loved elements of QC camp: art projects, a service project, visits to a river and a swimming pool, and a wonderful day and sunset at the beach. Back at Quaker Center, campers will enjoy lots of games, hiking (including a silent night-hike to the labyrinth), campfires and the famous QC camp dance party.
The second session, for older teens rising 8th to 10th graders, includes traditional QC Camp pieces (you’re never too old for hiking, beach sunsets and campfire songs). Campers will travel together to social justice organizations in our area and get a chance to learn about them and participate in their work.
For decades, Quaker Center has offered unique overnight summer camp experience for children and young people. Coming to Quaker Center Camp is an unforgettable experience of friendship, service, art and fun in the redwoods. Campers are also introduced to Quaker practices such as collective silence and group decision-making.
Quaker Center Camps are a collaboration between the Ben Lomond Quaker Center and the Youth Programs of Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
While this special camp is under the care of Friends (Quakers) and takes place in a Friendly setting of peace, inclusivity, service and mutual respect, campers do not have to be Quaker to participate. Everyone is welcome at Quaker Center camp!
2026 Quaker Center Camp dates
Session 1: June 14-20, 2026 – for rising 5th to 7th graders
Session 2: June 21-28, 2026 – for rising 8th to 10th graders
Times for Both Camps: 3-4:30pm camper drop-off time and a 10:30pm-12am pick-up
Contact us with any questions: https://quakercenter.org/camp/ ~ (831) 336-8333 ~ mail@quakercenter.org
Wildflower Adventure Camps are joyful, play-based experiences where children explore the world through curiosity, imagination, and freedom to follow what excites them most.
Each day brings a new outdoor location somewhere around the county: from forests and fields to beaches and hidden nature gems — giving children endless opportunities to discover, create, and connect with the natural world.
Our days are guided by the kids themselves, with caring facilitators supporting their ideas, questions, and spontaneous adventures.
Whether they’re building forts, observing wildlife, inventing games, or simply wandering and wondering, every moment is rooted in exploration, friendship, and the magic of childhood.
Dates: Every week June 1- August 28
Days: M-F or choose individual days
Hours: 10-3
Ages 3.5-10
Adventure Summer Camps will normally be at these locations: Monday: Seabright Beach and Park
Tuesdays: UCSC arboretum
Weds: Fredrick St. Park
Thursdays: De La Veaga Park
Fridays: Wilder Ranch
https://sites.google.com/view/wildflowerlearningcircle/home ~ odetoheather@gmail.com ~ 707-477-8663
