Camp · Specialty · Ages 5–16 · $750/week
Directory · United States · California · San Francisco
▌ Specialty · Ages 5–16

Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp

San Francisco · $750/week · ★ 4.5 (18 reviews)

Tinkering School offers day camps in San Francisco where children aged 6-17 engage in collaborative, hands-on building projects using real tools and materials.

▌ Editor's read The Tinkering School website loads as a legitimate camp site, detailing its day camp programs in San Francisco for ages 6-17. The camp was founded by Gever Tulley, who is also the author of '50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do)', indicating a philosophy of hands-on, experiential learning. The website states the Tinkering School has been operating for 20 years, since 2005. While not ACA accredited, the site mentions that all staff undergo background checks. The program is a day camp, focusing on collaborative building projects. Google reviews for 'Tinkering School' show a strong rating of 4.9 stars from 100 reviews, with parents frequently praising the unique projects, the development of problem-solving skills, and the supportive staff. Social media handles found are @tinkeringschool on Instagram and 'tinkeringschool' on Facebook, both actively showcasing camp projects and activities.
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Since 200620+ years operating
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–16

Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right specialty fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
2006 (20 years)
Operator
Not listed
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Specialty
  • Ages: 5–16
  • Hours: of operation: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
  • Address: 682 Schofield Rd, San Francisco, CA 94129
  • Cost notes: USD.

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp

What ages does Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp accept?
Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp is open to children ages 5–16. 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 Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp cost?
Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp publishes $750/week for the standard session. USD. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp's hours?
Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp runs of operation: 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.
Does Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp provide lunch?
Tinkering School - Summer Day 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.
How does Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp compare to other specialty camps in San Francisco?
Tinkering School - Summer Day Camp is one of 14 specialty camps in San Francisco 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.

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