Parents who are looking for summer opportunities for their kids have a seemingly endless array of options. We hope this listing will save some time and frustration in finding the activities that work best.
GET CREATIVE
Apples to Zucchini Culinary Camp
Children and their families are taught how to prepare delicious, nutritious and affordable meals made from real food. We are teaching live, in-person classes at two garden locations in Santa Barbara. Masks are worn, hands are washed and kids are learning how to make delicious, nutritious food that fuels their bodies as well as their souls. Classes and camps are available throughout the summer. Open to students grades 1-6. Starting at $175. Scholarships available, please inquire. Contact: www.atozcookingschool.org.
Art Camp SB
A magical outdoor setting above San Antonio Canyon. Daily arts and crafts projects include mixed media painting, drawing, 3-D construction, clay, fabric and found object assemblage. Breaks in the day are filled with exploring the canyon, park picnics and colorful grass games. Camp 1: Ages 5-8. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7-11. Camp 2: Ages 6-11. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21-25. Camp 3: Ages 12-16. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12-16. Camp 4: Ages 6-11. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26-30. Camp 5: Ages 8-12. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 9-13. All camps, $275. The Woods Art Studio, 4597 Camino Molinero. Contact: LeAnne Iverson at 646-369-7277 or www.thewoodsartstudio.com.
Art Studio 4 Kids Summer Camp
Your young artists will create projects inspired by different art movements using the same techniques, materials and concepts as the renowned masters. Each workshop will incorporate a wide variety of projects inspired by the week’s theme that will spark creativity and stimulate exploration through drawing, painting with different medias, sculpture (clay, plaster, papier-mache, building with recycled materials) and fiber arts (sewing, weaving or felting). Grades 1-6. June 14-18, June 21-25, June 28-July 2, July 6-9, Aug. 9-13 and Aug.16-20. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. $360 per session except session 4 ($288). Outdoor garden patio setting, 815 Puente Drive, Santa Barbara. Contact: artstudio4kids.com.
Cliff Drive Care Center
Camp for our elementary school-age children. We continue summer learning in active, exploratory and safe ways. Every year, we plan to do a variety of new and exciting adventures, a mix of fun, learning and exploring. We want Santa Barbara children to know their city and their environment better, to develop large and small motor skills, to find their own creativity, and to learn how to thrive socially. Incorporating both fun field trips as well as on-site activities such as cooking and crafts, we provide variety and new learning opportunities each day. Open for elementary school age children through 10 years old. 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm. Flexible drop-in schedule. Rates start at $57 (for 1-day drop-in). Weekly and monthly rates available. Contact: cliffdrivecarecenter.org.
Dance Kids
Dance Kids students do not compete; they learn basic technique as they strengthen their foundations as dancers, and instructor Leslie Sokol teaches them to “never to give up, and to work hard and you can accomplish any personal goal.” This popular dance and fitness program is for the child that wants to have fun and learn how to dance at the same time. Summer mini dance sessions start in June. Visit www.dancekidsfun.com for more information on sessions and rates.
Destination Dance
Destination Dance is the ultimate summer vacation! We will help your child find community and connection and enhance their self-esteem. Each week offers fun and inspiration for Youth (ages 5-8) and Tween/Teen Beginners (ages 8-17). Our STEP Accelerated Program helps intermediate and advanced dancers reach their goals while deepening their passion. All our camps are Monday-Thursday and culminate in a weekly virtual performance. Our toddler and preschool Mini classes and 1-day camps are themed to spark your child’s imagination and creativity. Youth 5-8: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., $200, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $385. Age 8 and up: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $400, ,9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $385, 12:30 p.m.to 4 p.m., $250. Santa Barbara Dance Arts, 531 E. Cota St. Contact: 805-966-5299 or sbdancearts.com.
Ecology and Arts Summer Camps
Our experienced educators are committed to providing your child with an extraordinary summer camp! The Explore Ecology Summer Clubhouse will foster environmental stewardship, focus on experiential learning, and inspire your child to connect with nature. June 14-18, June 21-25, July 12-16, July 19-23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Watershed Resource Center at Arroyo Burro Beach. Contact info@ExploreEcology.com or exploreecology.org for rates and to sign up.
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara: Camp Ignite!
Girls Inc. offers an exciting summer enrichment day camp program that supports whole-girl development. In our empowering all-girl, pro-girl environment, girls are free to focus on developing leadership and life skills, engage in hands-on minds-on experiential learning activities, and explore their curiosity and creativity. The summer program includes STEM activities, sports, literacy, dance, art, computers, gardening, gymnastics, cooking and more! With a 14:1 girl-to-staff ratio, girls enjoy trusting relationships with their mentors. Grades TK-6. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Session 1: June 21-July 16 and July 19-August 13. Registration Fee: $35/child, $225/week or $900/session. 10% off sibling discount. Visit www.girlsincsb.org.
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara: Camp Ignite for Teens!
Now a Learning and Enrichment Center to support teens’ remote and hybrid learning needs during the pandemic. Teens bring their remote learning devices and school materials each morning and log on to their online classes while their parents are working. Girls Inc. facilitators are emphasizing physical movement and creative “brain breaks” for youth throughout the day, all in a pro-girl and safe environment. Strong (healthy), smart (educated) and bold (independent) programming supplements the remote learning as the various school schedules allow. Visit www.girlsincsb.org.
Girls Rock S.B. Amplify Sleep-Away Camp
Girls will choose a creative arts track (music, photography, journalism, music production or DJ) and spend the week learning technical, creative and communication skills individually and as a group. Grades 5-10. Session 1: June 27-July 10, $3,650, Session 1: July 11-24, $3,650, Session 3: July 25-31, $1,950. Visit www.girlsrocksb.org.
Gustafson Dance Camp
A variety of weekly summer camps are available for a variety of ages and skill levels. In Dance Camp, students engage in a full theater experience, while in Junior Intensives the students will focus more on their development as dancers. Ages 3-18. Gustafson Dance, 2285 Las Positas Road. Contact: 805-563-3262 or gustafsondance.com/summer-programs/.
Inspired Dance Camps
A variety of weekly camps for both boys and girls with lessons in ballet, arts and crafts, and performance. Ages 3-18. Schedule and prices vary. Contact: 805-770-5295 or www.info@inspiredancesb.com.
Momentum Summer Dance Camps
Regardless of your age or skill level, there is a sizzlin’-hot dance camp for everyone. Camps include jazz, hip-hop, tumbling and ballet in a high-energy and encouraging environment. These fun and fanciful camps have a new theme every week and combine dance, arts and crafts, and imagination with an end-of-the-week performance. Boys and girls welcome. Ages 3-18. Dates and prices vary. Momentum Dance Company, 316-A State St. Contact: 805-364-1638, www.momentumdancesb.com or momentumdancesb@gmail.com.
Santa Barbara Education Foundation Classes
Variety of summer programs including music and steam sessions. For more information, visit sbefoundation.org.
S.B. Kindermusik with Kathy & Friends
Weekly half-day camps have small, intimate music instruction and dynamic fun in groups of no more than 10, where budding musicians will get a lot of personal attention. Children can play the ukulele, xylophone, percussions, drums and keyboard and learn multicultural music, including dance and choir singing. Ages 4-9. Various prices. Santa Barbara Camps at Elings Park, at Cappello Picnic area and Carpinteria Camps at Carpinteria Community Church, on the grassy front area. Contact: KindermusikwithKathy.com, 805-680-0749 or kindermusikathy@gmail.com.
Salvation Army Summer Day Camp
Each week as COVID-19 precautions permit, the children will enjoy educational and fun field trips, arts and crafts, recreation activities and trips to local parks, beaches and the UCSB Pool. In addition, our staff provides weekly chapel, music, science and gardening classes. June 7-July 30. 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breakfast served 8 to 8:30 a.m. daily. $200/week, partial scholarships available. Visit santabarbara.salvationarmy.org/santa_barbara_corps/summer-day-camp
Young Singers Club
Students can sing, dance, and grow their performance skills through a variety of classes and perform at a variety of venues. Ages 5+. Twice weekly July 6-Aug. 5. $275/summer session. (Prices vary from $195 to $275 for early sign-up — see website) 4713 Chandler St. Contact: 805-280-9802 or www.youngsingersclub.com.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MORE!
California Learning Center
Various academic camps and workshops will be offered this summer to help students with writing or math skills, SAT preparation or even college applications. Grades 3-12. California Learning Center., 3324 State St., Suite L. Contact: 805-563-1579 or www.clcsb.com.
Moxi Museum
Discover. Explore. Create. Join us for a one-of-a-kind summer of creativity and innovation at MOXI Summer Camp. Sessions and prices vary. Contact: 805-770-5012 or www.moxi.org.
Terrific Scientific Camps
Through discovery-based learning and design thinking, youth in our camps carry out experiments, engage in team activities, build and program robots, learn new technologies, and see how art, science and engineering work in the real world! Grades K-8. Staggered times available. Full day camps at Providence School and Half-Day camps at Art Explorers Studio. Visit terrificscientific.org.
GENERAL AND VARIOUS INTERESTS
Buellton and Solvang Parks and Rec
Various specialty summer camps are offered through Buellton Rec Center. Contact: buelltonrec.com. Visit www.cityofsolvang.com/179/Parks-Recreation for more information as it becomes available through the City of Solvang.
Camp Elings
Elings Park offers a variety of week-long camps: Sports Activities, Nature & Games, Tennis, BMX, Lacrosse and Inclusion Camp, a partnership with PeerBuddies, for kids and teens with special needs. Ages 5 and up. Schedules and rates vary. Elings Park, 1298 Las Positas Road. Contact: 805-569-5611, info@elingspark.org or www.elingspark.org/summer-camps.
Camp Haverim
This camp offers art, music, journalism, drama, maccabia games, swimming and a full array of sports, among other activities. Grades K-8. Monday-Friday, July 6-31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prices vary per session. 1960 Cate Mesa Road, Carpinteria. Contact: 805-895-6593 or camphaverim.com.
Camp Wheez
Campers learn about their asthma while they participate in recreation and arts and crafts. Aug. 2-5. 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Veronica Springs Church/First Baptist Church, 949 Veronica Springs Rd. Contact Info: 805-681-7500 x8754 or sansumclinic.org/camp-wheez.
Dunn School Summer Programs
Dunn created its Learning Strategies Center in 1973 to serve bright, college-bound students who learn differently. The center now offers a unique summer boarding program. Students entering eighth, ninth or 10th grade are invited to apply to this residential summer session. July 10-Aug 6. Dunn School, 2555 W. Highway 154, Los Olivos. Visit dunschool.org/summer.
Fairview Gardens Farm Camp
Each week we will engage in fun activities, meet new friends and taste food directly from where it’s grown! This year, alongside our traditional farm camp, we will be offering specialty camps focused in cooking, art and science. Additionally, we will be offering an overnight Outdoor Skills Camp for third through fifth graders! Schedules and prices vary.
Fairview Gardens, 598 N. Fairview Ave., Goleta. Contact: 805-967-7369 or fairviewgardens.org.
Mission Rowing
These two-week sessions teach athletes the skill sets necessary to maneuver the rowing shells on the water. Athletes learn how to sequence their bodies properly and boat handling skills to navigate around the lake and with other boats. After one full session, athletes are encouraged to continue to refine their skills and build friendships by continuing with Experienced Sessions throughout the summer. Youth Learn To Row Session Dates: June 7-18, June 21-July 2, July 6-16, July 19-30, Aug 2-13.
The experienced sessions are for those athletes that have finished a Learn To Row or have rowed previously. Experienced sessions are divided up to match athletes with similar skills and maturity, so all athletes are engaged in a challenging, engaging, and fun environment.
Experienced Youth Sessions Dates: Sessions run weekly starting June 7th-11.
Montessori Center School Summer Camps
Montessori Center School offers thematic camps for children that include kitchen science, arts and crafts, nature, baking, culinary arts and outdoor adventures. Ages 3-12. Monday-Friday, June 15-July 30. 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $300-$375 weekly. Montessori Center School, 401 N. Fairview Ave., Suite 1, Goleta. Contact: 805-683-9383 or mcssb.org.
Ocean Explorers
Enjoy a week of ocean sports and marine education. Ages 7-14. Monday-Friday, June 21-Aug 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $299-$325/week. Paddle Sports Center, Santa Barbara Harbor. Visit paddlesportsca.com/camps.
Orca Summer Camp
Participants will enjoy a fun beach camp with a dynamic program of building confidence in the water, body boarding, surfing, kayaking, beach games, tide pools, dolphin days and driftwood designs. Ages 6-14. July 6-Aug. 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $350-$375 per week or $90 daily drop off fee. Rincon and Santa Claus Lane. Contact: 805-448-3308 or orcacamp.org.
Peak2Pacific Outdoor Day Camp
Youth and teen adventurers with a passion to explore will be inspired by nature and challenged by choice through a variety of adventures. They explore Santa Barbara through the creative eyes of an artist, the inquisitive mind of a scientist, challenge their bodies in adventure, and deepen their hearts as environmentalists. Ages 5-14. CITs 15-18. Monday-Friday, June 7-July 30 with different camps each session, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $400 week, $100/day drop-in. Santa Barbara Mission Rose Garden. Contact: 805-689-8326 or www.peak2pacific.com.
Santa Barbara Parks and Rec
The city of Santa Barbara offers more than 40 summer camps with full- and half-day options for a variety of interests including cooking, theater, sports, dance, Legos, art and many more. Contact: 805-564-5418 or sbparksandrec.org/all-summer-camps/.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Traditional camp includes hands-on science activities, games, crafts, snack and lunch time, up-close animal encounters and a guided zoo tour. Specialty camps cater to specific interests such as junior veterinarian, backyard biologist and the new Aussie Adventure camps. June 8-Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (full day) or 9 a.m. to noon for half-day, for ages 3-12. Prices range from $195 to $285/week. Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Ninos Drive. Contact: 805-962-5339 or https://www.sbzoo.org/learn/zoo-camp/.
YMCA Day Camp and Sleepaway Camp
Campers will enjoy days full of fun and activities geared to their age group. Catch the perfect summer vibe for your family. The YMCA has camps to ignite that sense of adventure, exploration, discovery and fun for everyone. Grades PreK-8. Various times and dates throughout the summer. Various prices. Registration now offered online. Contact: ciymca.org/camp.
SPORTS
Cate Sports Academy
Participants will experience an emphasis on both athletic advancement and personal development in a variety of sports from baseball, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball and more. Schedules and prices vary. Cate School, 1960 Cate Mesa Road, Carpinteria. Contact: 805-684-4127, ext. 134 or cate.org/csa.
one. Soccer Camps
one. Soccer Schools offers Elite Residential and Day soccer camps and
clinics. Known for player development, one. camps offer a challenging environment where players play, learn, improve and have a blast. Various ages, dates, times and locations. Contact: www.onesoccerschools.com.
US Sports Camps
Snow Valley Basketball Camp, along with Nike Camps for baseball, tennis, soccer, softball and volleyball can all be found on the US Sports Camps website: www.ussportscamps.com.
Refugio Junior Lifeguards
Participants learn how to be safe in the ocean, what to do in an emergency, how to respect and care for the environment, and the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Four-week session. Ages 15-17. Monday-Friday, June 21-July 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refugio State Beach, Goleta. Contact: 805-331-8018 or visit https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22375.
Santa Barbara Lacrosse Camps
Players can participate in a camp that fits their age and ability level. Both day and overnight camps offered for boys and girls. July 15-18. Prices vary depending on chosen camp. UCSB. Visit sblaxcamp.com.
Kayak, Paddleboard or Sailing Camp
Develop sailing or kayak/paddleboard skills while having fun. Ages 7-15. Weekly Monday-Friday Times and dates vary. $245/session per child. S.B. Sailing Center, between public boat launch ramp and Marina 4. Contact: 805-962-2826, anchor@sbsail.com or sbsail.com.
Learn-to-Sail Summer Camp
The Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation is a nonprofit that develops self-reliance, responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship with a constant awareness of safety. Ages 5 and up. June 7-18, June 21-July 2, July 6-16, July 19-30, Aug. 2-13. Two-week sessions, $375, All 5 sessions, $1,250. Morning sessions, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Afternoon sessions, noon to 4:30 p.m. Visit sbysf.org or 805-965-4603.
Surf Happens
Instructors systematically introduce the lifestyle and sport of surfing through progressive lessons. Students learn technical skills while participating in fun activities throughout the day. Ages 4-17. Weekly Monday-Friday, June 7-Aug 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fees are $550 (new students); $450 (returning students). Day South Side Santa Claus Lane Beach, Carpinteria. Contact: 805-966-3613 or surfhappens.com.
Westmont Summer Camp
Westmont College Athletics offers day camps for kids who want to develop in a sport in a safe and fun environment. Kids of all ages and skill levels will get to work with some of our college coaches and student-athletes as they learn. Experienced coaches will help kids grow current skills as well as introduce sports to those who are just beginning. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ages 5-13. June 8-July 31. $215. Westmont College, 955 La Paz Road. Contact: athletics.westmont.edu/sports/2017/3/9/summer-camps.aspx.
Wolf Wigo’s Turbo Santa Barbara Water Polo Camp
This camp is designed to help prepare athletes for the rest of their water polo career. The camp is designed to have a direct impact on your overall game and let you have fun doing it. While fitness is a key aspect to a great water polo player, our camp philosophy focuses on fundamental position, ball skills and scrimmaging. Santa Barbara Water Polo Camp staff is made up of Olympians, NCAA Division I coaches and U.S. National Team players. Ages 12-18. Various weeks throughout summer. Various prices. Day and overnight camper options available. UCSB Campus Pool. Contact: www.santabarbarawaterpolocamps.com or goletapolo@yahoo.com.
