What ages does Pre-Kamp accept?

Pre-Kamp is open to children ages 3–5. 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 Pre-Kamp cost?

Pre-Kamp publishes $230/week for the standard session. USD Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are Pre-Kamp's hours?

Pre-Kamp runs 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Pre-Kamp 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 Pre-Kamp provide lunch?

Pre-Kamp 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.

▌ Community/Rec Center · Ages 3–5

Pre-Kamp

Shoreview Center · $230/week · ★ 4.5 (2 reviews)

Pre-Kamp is a day camp offered by the City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department for children aged 3-5, focusing on social development and play.

▌ Editor's read The provided website, https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/619/Summer-Camps, loads successfully and details various summer camps offered by the City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department, including 'Pre-Kamp.' Pre-Kamp is specifically designed for children aged 3-5, emphasizing social development, play, and an introduction to a camp environment. The program is a day camp, running from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with an option for an extended day until 2:00 PM. The camp is owned and operated by the municipal parks department. There is no mention of ACA accreditation on the website, nor is there specific language about staff background checks. Google reviews for 'City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation' show a rating of 4.3 stars from 127 reviews, with comments generally positive about various programs. The City of San Mateo's Facebook page is 'CityofSanMateo', but a specific Instagram handle for the Parks and Recreation department or Pre-Kamp was not found.

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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 3–5

Pre-Kamp is geared toward early-childhood campers — ages where ritual, repetition, and short activity blocks land better than long instructional sessions. community/rec center programs at this age work best when the day length matches the child's attention threshold and the staff knows how to handle separation moments without escalating them.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Day camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: Not listed
Operator: Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Community/Rec Center
Ages: 3–5
Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Address: 950 Ocean View Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: (650) 522-7400
Cost notes: USD

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Pre-Kamp

What ages does Pre-Kamp accept?: Pre-Kamp is open to children ages 3–5. 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 Pre-Kamp cost?: Pre-Kamp publishes $230/week for the standard session. USD Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Pre-Kamp's hours?: Pre-Kamp runs 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Pre-Kamp?: Pre-Kamp 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 Pre-Kamp provide lunch?: Pre-Kamp 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 Pre-Kamp 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 Pre-Kamp.

MoMo Camp (Korean Heritage) · MoMo Camp · Ages 5–14
Camp MATEO - Beresford Recreation Center · San Mateo · Ages 5–12 · $475/week
Camp MATEO - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center · San Mateo · Ages 5–12 · $475/week
Camp Mateo · Beresford Recreation Center · Ages 5–11 · $475/week
Myriad Music School and Dance Academy Preschool Performance Arts Camp · 2250 Palm Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403 · Ages 3–4 · $595/week
Myriad Music School and Dance Academy Zootopia Express! Camp · 2250 Palm Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403 · Ages 5–7 · $595/week
Myriad Music: Preschoolers Performing Arts · Myriad Music School · Ages 3–4 · $439/week
Myriad Music: Preschoolers Performing Arts · San Mateo · Ages 3–5 · $439/week