Wondering about the status of summer camp in San Diego? You’re not the only one! We’ve found several summer camps for kids that are sure to put a smile on the face of your happy camper. Depending on your needs, we’re sharing the scoop on virtual camps for kids as well as in-person camps. Kiddos can enjoy everything from baseball and hands-on animal interactions to music, art and science adventures. Read on and sign-up today.
Cosmoto Space Camp
Send your kids to Space Camp this summer! Created by a San Diego teen (yes, you heard correctly), this free camp program will take kids to outer space—without leaving their living rooms. There are new space-related themes each week, ranging from origins of the universe, the solar system and search for life on other planets. The videos also include art projects and science experiments for kids.
Cost: Free
Dates: Jun. 29 - Aug. 2020
Online: cosmotospace.org
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet Virtual Camp
SDCYB Virtual Ballet Camps will be on Zoom for two hours a day for five days, and consist of a daily ballet class, arts and crafts activities (materials provided by SDCYB!) and ballet storytime. The students will also learn a dance to perform on the final day of camp, taught by teachers with extensive experience in this Zoom format, who will be working hard to engage the students in the lessons. Note that in this virtual format, you do NOT need to be local to San Diego in order to become a student at this historic ballet school.
Camps for kids ages 4-6 and 7-10 are Jun. 29-July 3 and July 13-17.
Online: sdcyb.org/summerprograms
ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station’s Kids Summer Camps
Looking for fun and creative ways to keep the kids busy and entertained? Businesses from ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station are offering a variety of virtual and in-person summer camps, focusing on the arts. From animation, art to theatre and dance, there is something from everyone. To register and find links to each camp, click here.
Virtual Camps & Programs:
FX Dojo is offering an online animation camp no experience necessary. For young artists, ages 6-12 there is 2D Animation and for technical artist, ages 10-18 there is 3D Animation.
Malashock Dance is offering creative contemporary, modern jazz, ballet and advanced modern dance classes.
Theatre Arts School of San Diego is offering free and low-cost classes to inspire all artists from beginners to masters.
Monart School of Art has put together weekly camps for kids of all skills. Each week consists of an art project based around a different theme.
In-Person Camps & Programs:
If I Was A Bird Yoga & Youth Studio has put together a Yoga & Art summer camp program. Sign up for yoga, art camps, paddle board yoga camps and more.
Milk Oolong Studio is offering a two-hour pottery wheel class. Lead skills in the pottery wheel, sculpting, hand building and surface decoration to create a variety of projects.
San Diego Craft Collective has put together a craft summer camp. Lean skills in woodworking, sewing, paper craft, jewelry making and more! Kid Ventures has put together ten weeks of indoor and outdoor activities. Each week is a different theme ranging from dinosaurs to Star Wars and superheroes.
The Hot Spot: Pottery Painting and Candle Making is dedicating each day to special handmake project like painting, candle making, mosaics, fairy/gnome gardens and more!
Online: libertystation.com/do/arts-district-liberty-station-summer-camp
Helen Woodward Animal Center Critter Camp
Let the kids go wild (literally) this summer! The team at Helen Woodward Animal Center is excited to provide an opportunity for your happy campers to get out of the house and make meaningful connections with animals and their peers. They'll be offering a heavily modified version of their beloved Summer Critter Camp based on CDC guidelines and to ensure everyone's safety. This year's camp theme is "Surrounded by Superheroes" and activities will include hands-on animal-interactions, animal-themed games, crafts, songs and more.
Click here for a preview of Summer Critter Camp 2020.
Camps for kids in kindergarten-6th grade will be offered Jun. 8- Aug. 28.
Online: animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/summer-critter-camp
Encore Creative Arts & Enrichment Camp
After months at home, now your kids can experience this fun summer program in San Diego. Encore Creative Arts & Enrichment Camp is hosted in a gated, 45,000 sq. ft. campus which includes indoor and outdoor facilities. A 12 to 1 student to staff ratio and new distancing protocols allow for a camp community with security. Many hands-on experiences, educational opportunities, arts and much more are offered. There's a camp for every kid's interest!
Programs Include:
- Athletics (Archery, Badminton, Field Hockey, much more)
- Space Camp
- Musical Theater
- DJ School
- Survivor
- Hip Hop Dance
- Film Making
- Crazy Geology
- Guitar & Piano
- Culinary Arts
- Mad Science
- School of Wizardry
- Chess Club
- Walking with Dinosaurs
- Arts & Crafts
- Comic Book / Anime
- Hands on Photography
- Dungeons & Dragons Club
- Archeology & Anthropology
Online: encorecreativeartscamp.com
San Diego Padres Baseball Camps
San Diego Padres baseball camp is sure to be a home run for your lil' sluggers. Each 5-day session of baseball camp will include exceptional instruction, character development and a unique Major League experience that kids will treasure forever. Camp registration includes an official Padres baseball camp uniform, a meet and greet with a current or former Padres player or coach, an autograph from a current or former Padres player or coach, five days of baseball instruction, competitions, and games for campers ages 4-12 and two tickets to the Camp Reunion hosted at a Padres regular season game in August.
Good to know: Net proceeds from the Padres Baseball Camp program benefit the Padres Foundation and support the club's youth baseball and softball outreach efforts.
Covid-19 info: The San Diego Padres are actively monitoring the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape in the State of California with their partner, Rally Camps, who runs the Padres Summer Baseball & Softball camps. They are optimistic that camps will be feasible under Stage 3 of the Governor’s reopening plan, and they are currently working on proper health and safety protocols to provide a safe environment for all when that stage is reached. All families who plan to participate in the camps will be notified of those procedures in advance of their scheduled dates. If the camps are cancelled for any reason in the future, full refund and exchange options will be offered.
Camp sessions run Jun. 15-Aug. 14 at various locations around San Diego.
Virtual Birch Aquarium Summer Camp
Birch Aquarium is excited to share the ocean world with your kids this summer through new, virtual camps. All camps are live and taught by two of the Aquarium's expert instructors. Campers will create crafts, participate in experiments, learn about oceanography, and virtually interact with ocean animals. Camps are divided into two age groups for kids in kindergarten-2nd grade and for 3rd grade-5th grade graduates.
New this year: Their 1.5 hour long camps are available for a full week, or you can select individual days. Simply select your preference during registration.
Camps run weekdays from Jun. 22-Aug. 21, and campers can enjoy two full weeks of curriculum.
Virtual & In-Person Fleet Science Center Camps
Let science take center stage by enrolling your curious kiddo in either a virtual or in-person summer camp at the Fleet Science Center.
The Fleet is offering virtual camps for the duration of camp (Jun.-Aug.) if you wish for your child to experience fun science activities at the comfort of your own home.
Campers will pick-up a camp kit that's filled with new challenges, hands-on activities that can done using materials found in your home and has challenges aimed for students in grades 2–4. With four unique kits per week, campers can explore fields including biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, physics, robotics and much more! Sign up for one or bundle kits together and save.
Each Virtual Camp kit includes:
- Prepackaged materials ranging from craft supplies to specialty items packed by the Fleet's Science Educators
- Additional educational content and challenges
- Video content that introduces the challenge and provides strategies for caregivers in confidently facilitating these activities. Designated live virtual weekly meetings with a Fleet Science Educator to keep everyone connected, share results and ask questions.
In-person camps are designed for kids of various age ranges include themes such as: Chemistry with a Bang, Robotics Camp, Art-ology, Gross and Gooey and many more!
Covid-19 info: The Fleet is scheduled to commence in person camps starting in July while abiding by CDC regulations. But please note that due to the uncertain times we live in, everything is subject to change. In the event that all in-person camps become cancelled, the Education Coordinator will reach out to all parents and you will have a few options: get a refund, apply the difference to a virtual camp instead, or turn your camp balance into a tax-deductible donation that supports the Fleet’s mission. Other than that, regular cancelation guidelines will apply.
Camp sessions start Jun. 15 (virtual) and July 6 (in person).
Online: rhfleet.org/events/summer-camps
Virtual Mad Science Camp
Mad Science is offering fun and interactive virtual camps that kids can participate in from home. They use a protected Zoom portal and mail out materials before class so campgoers can easily join in the activities. There are so many awesome camp themes offered, so you're sure to find something appealing for your young Einstein in grades 2-6. From Jr. Detective which invites kids on a fascinating journey into the world of detection, forensics and classified information as they learn a code language to send secret messages as part of their mission, to Brixology which uses LEGO construction to teach kids about aerospace and mechanical engineering and Checkmate Chess which teaches the rules, strategies and tactics of one of the world's most popular games––these camps are sure to keep blossoming minds entertained and engaged.
Camps run now through July 17.
Online: sandiego.madscience.org
Virtual San Diego Children's Discovery Museum Summer Camp
Calling all creative, curious kids! San Diego Children's Discovery Museum has a camp with your name on it. Join the fun this summer for under-the-sea adventures, outer space journeys, dinosaur excavations, and other exciting expeditions... right from the comfort of your own home.
Each day of virtual camp includes:
- Private access to two daily science and art activities aligned to the camp theme, recorded specifically for campers by the Museum team.
- Specially curated camp kits (available for pick-up or delivery) with everything you need to complete the camp activities (science experiments, art activities, and more!)
- Two daily Zoom sessions with your camp educator to share information about the topic and facilitate the most fun part of camp: getting to know each other. Zoom calls include songs and games to help keep the camp experience as social as possible.
Recommended ages: 4-8 (entering Kindergarten-3rd grade)
Camp sessions run Jun. 15-Jul. 31.
ChIMES at Home Summer 2020 Session
Register now for ChIMES at home Summer 2020 session. This 8-week session is for parents/caregivers and kids ages 0-5 (and any other members of your household that would like to join in the fun too)! You and your little one will share meaningful music-making experiences together at home. Interactive LIVE classes and creative videos will have you singing, dancing, playing instruments and learning new skills.
Session includes:
- 2 live-streaming classes each week
- New video posted every week, plus at-home musical activities, tips and resources
- 1 Instrument Kit per family
- On-demand access to all ChIMES videos and live class recordings
- 1 live “ChIMES Check-In” session
Dates: Jun. 22-Aug. 14
Cost: $125 per family
Online: sdys.org/program/chimes
Editor’s note: Due to the ever-changing circumstances surrounding Covid-19, any information provided here is subject to change.
––Beth Shea
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