Camp Costa Mesa
Camp Costa Mesa offers themed weekly day camp experiences for children aged 5-12, focusing on recreation, crafts, and field trips within the community.
▌ Editor's read Camp Costa Mesa is a day camp program for children aged 5-12, operated by the City of Costa Mesa's Parks and Community Services Department. The camp runs weekly with different themes, including activities like crafts, games, and field trips to local attractions such as the OC Zoo and Knott's Berry Farm. The website does not mention ACA accreditation or specific staff-to-camper ratios. There is no explicit language regarding staff background checks on the camp's dedicated page. The City of Costa Mesa has a Google review rating of 4.3 stars based on 214 reviews, though these reviews are for the city services generally, not specifically the camp. Social media handles for the City of Costa Mesa are @cityofcostamesa on Instagram and 'CityofCostaMesa' on Facebook, where camp information is sometimes shared.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Who thrives here Ages 6–12
Camp Costa Mesa 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 community/rec center program.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Day camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- Not listed
- Operator
- Municipal parks department
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Community/Rec Center
- Ages: 6–12
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Address: 1900 Adams Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Cost notes: USD. Resident rate.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Costa Mesa
- What ages does Camp Costa Mesa accept?
- Camp Costa Mesa is open to children ages 6–12. 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 Camp Costa Mesa cost?
- Camp Costa Mesa publishes $220/week for the standard session. USD. Resident rate. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp Costa Mesa's hours?
- Camp Costa Mesa runs 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Camp Costa Mesa?
- Camp Costa Mesa 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 Camp Costa Mesa provide lunch?
- Camp Costa Mesa 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.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Costa Mesa with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Costa Mesa.
- Summer Teen Camp · Downtown Recreation Center · Ages 12–16 · $165/week