What ages does California Dreaming accept?

California Dreaming is open to children ages 16–18. 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 California Dreaming cost?

California Dreaming publishes $3,350/week for the standard session. USD, approximate weekly rate calculated from 14-day total Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are California Dreaming's hours?

California Dreaming runs full day. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Who runs California Dreaming?

California Dreaming is operated by a private business, with 42 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does California Dreaming provide lunch?

California Dreaming 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.

▌ Adventure · Ages 16–18

California Dreaming

Travel program through San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego, California · $3,350/week · ★ 4.7 (13 reviews)

California Dreaming is a 14-day active teen travel program exploring major California cities and attractions, focusing on adventure and cultural immersion.

▌ Editor's read The Westcoast Connection 'California Dreaming' program website loads successfully and provides extensive details about this 14-day active teen tour. The company, Westcoast Connection, was founded by Owen and Mona Marcus and has been operating for 42 years, indicating significant experience in teen travel. They explicitly state a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:6 and mention that all staff undergo extensive background checks and training. The program is an overnight travel experience, moving through San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego. While Westcoast Connection is not listed as ACA accredited, they are a well-established for-profit company. Google reviews for 'Westcoast Connection' generally show a high rating, often above 4.5 stars, with many parents praising the well-organized trips, engaging itineraries, and caring staff. Social media handles for Westcoast Connection are @westcoastconnection on Instagram and 'WestcoastConnection' on Facebook.

⌬

Since 198442+ years operating

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 16–18

California Dreaming serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: 1984 (42 years)
Operator: Private business
Staff-to-camper ratio: Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Adventure
Ages: 16–18
Hours: full day
Address: 75 South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (800) 767-0227
Cost notes: USD, approximate weekly rate calculated from 14-day total

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about California Dreaming

What ages does California Dreaming accept?: California Dreaming is open to children ages 16–18. 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 California Dreaming cost?: California Dreaming publishes $3,350/week for the standard session. USD, approximate weekly rate calculated from 14-day total Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are California Dreaming's hours?: California Dreaming runs full day. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs California Dreaming?: California Dreaming is operated by a private business, with 42 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does California Dreaming provide lunch?: California Dreaming 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 California Dreaming with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
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 California Dreaming.

Camp Condor · null · Ages 11–16
Hole-in-One Junior Golf Camp - Maple Moor · White Plains Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor URL of the camp info page: https://parks.westchestercountyny.gov/children-camps/golf-childrens-camp Registration URL: https://parks.westchestergov.com/webtrac/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?module=AR&primarycode=1GOL0001 · Ages 7–16 · $295/week
Hole-in-One Junior Golf Camp - Maple Moor · White Plains Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor URL of the camp info page: https://parks.westchestercountyny.gov/children-camps/golf-childrens-camp Registration URL: https://parks.westchestergov.com/webtrac/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?module=AR&primarycode=1GOL0001 · Ages 7–16 · $295/week
Bright Horizons at Westchester · Ages 3–5
Camp Chickadee · null · Ages 5–12
Camp Chickadee · White Plains · Ages 5–12
Camp Panawok · null · Ages 5–13
Camp Panawok · White Plains · Ages 5–13