Camp · STEM · Ages 5–12 · $310/week
Directory · United States · California · Berkeley
▌ STEM · Ages 5–12

Shorebird Nature STEM Camp

Berkeley · $310/week · ★ 4.6 (13 reviews)

Hands-on science and ecology activities, including canoeing, birdwatching, and fort building.

▌ Editor's read The Shorebird Nature STEM Camp is part of the Berkeley Summer Camps program, operated by the City of Berkeley Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department, suggesting a well-established municipal program. The camp focuses on nature and STEM activities for children aged 5-10, with specific themes like 'Nature's Engineers' and 'Wildlife Explorers' (Source: Camp descriptions on the Berkeley Summer Camps page). The staff-to-camper ratio is clearly stated as 1:10 for this age group, which is a positive indicator for supervision (Source: 'General Camp Information' section). The website explicitly mentions that 'All staff are fingerprinted and background checked,' demonstrating a commitment to safety (Source: 'General Camp Information' section). The camp is a day camp, running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended care options available. The program leverages local natural resources, including Shorebird Park, for its activities.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Shorebird Nature STEM Camp fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given stem program.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Money & Policies

Financial aid
Available · Need-based, Sliding-scale Apply →

Scholarships can cover half or all the program costs, depending on family size and income.

Session lengths
5-day (full week)

Details

  • Category: STEM
  • Ages: 5–12
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Address: 2012 McKinley Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703, USA
  • Phone: (510) 981-5150
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: AM Extended Care starts at 7:30 am.

↗ What parents like

  • Hands-on science and ecology
  • Canoeing and birdwatching

↘ Watch for

  • Extended care costs extra

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: Yes
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Shorebird Nature STEM Camp

What ages does Shorebird Nature STEM Camp accept?
Shorebird Nature STEM Camp is open to children ages 5–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Shorebird Nature STEM Camp cost?
Shorebird Nature STEM Camp publishes $310/week for the standard session. That sits 43% below the $547 median for stem camps in Berkeley, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. AM Extended Care starts at 7:30 am. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Shorebird Nature STEM Camp's hours?
Shorebird Nature STEM Camp runs 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Shorebird Nature STEM Camp?
Shorebird Nature STEM Camp is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Shorebird Nature STEM Camp provide lunch?
Shorebird Nature STEM Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Does Shorebird Nature STEM Camp offer extended care?
Yes — Shorebird Nature STEM Camp offers extended care alongside the main program day. Extended care is usually billed separately from the core session; ask whether single-day drop-in is allowed or if it requires a full-week commitment.
Does Shorebird Nature STEM Camp offer financial aid?
Yes — Shorebird Nature STEM Camp offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
How does Shorebird Nature STEM Camp compare to other stem camps in Berkeley?
Shorebird Nature STEM Camp is one of 5 stem camps in Berkeley that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Shorebird Nature STEM Camp with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Shorebird Nature STEM Camp.