California summer camps.

Pick a metro to zoom in.

More local camps across smaller California communities.

Weekly camp pricing in California.

Across 2,443 California camps that publish per-week pricing, the median is $549/week. Most camps cluster between $300 and $875. The 95th percentile sits at $2,425 — premium overnight, adventure, and elite STEM programs.

Prices reflect publicly listed weekly rates as of the most recent catalog refresh. Not every camp publishes a weekly rate, so the sample size (2,443) is smaller than the total camp count.

Common questions about California camps.

How many summer camps run in California?

California has 3,634 active camps in our directory across 16 metros as of the most recent catalog refresh. The directory is updated nightly from operator-published sessions; counts shift modestly as 2026 registration opens and closes.

What does a typical week of summer camp cost in California?

Across 2,443 California camps that publish weekly pricing, the median is $549/week. The 25th–75th percentile range runs $300 to $875/week. Specialty programs (overnight, adventure, premium STEM) sit above the 75th percentile; community-rec and city-park day camps cluster below the 25th.

Do California camps offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes — many California camps offer need-based scholarships, sliding-scale tuition, or partial financial aid; the directory's financial-aid filter surfaces them on each metro hub. Camp Adventure (the federal IRS dependent-care FSA) is also widely accepted, plus state-level subsidies in some jurisdictions. Check each camp's registration page for current-year aid availability.

When does California summer camp registration usually open?

Most California camps open 2026 summer registration between November 2025 and February 2026, with the highest-demand specialty and overnight programs filling waitlists by mid-January. Community day camps with rolling admission stay open into spring. Each camp listing in our directory links to its operator's registration page so you can see live availability.

Are California summer camps regulated for safety?

California licenses day camps through Title 22 (CCR §§ 101151–101220). Overnight camps that take minors register with the state Department of Social Services or are subject to a county health permit. ACA accreditation is voluntary and recognized but not required.

What's the difference between a day camp and an overnight camp in California?

Day camps run during the workday — typically 9 AM to 3 or 4 PM, Monday through Friday — and most include extended-care add-ons. Overnight (sleepaway) camps run continuously for 1–8 weeks; campers live on-site, programming is integrated with shared meals and cabin life, and staff-to-camper ratios are higher. Filter the California directory by "Day Camp" or "Overnight" to compare like-for-like.

Where can I find camps near a specific California city?

Open the California directory and select a metro tile — each city hub lists every active camp in that metro with filters for camp type, age band, features, and month. The directory uses geographic bounding boxes (not just postal-code matching), so camps in adjacent suburbs surface alongside city-center options.