CodeREV Kids
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Age: 6 to 15 years old
Length: Day camp
Cost: Starting at $549
With 13 locations in Los Angeles and Orange County, CodeREV offers weeklong summer tech camps, with topics including game design, app development, 3D modeling and more. Camp mentors have two to 14 years of experience teaching tech to kids, and at least one year's experience working in a tech field. After tackling challenging projects at camp, students are also encouraged to take home their creations and continue improving them after camp ends. The camp also shares files and instructions about software with parents. Camps focus on programs like REV robotics, web design and virtual reality. Campers take four breaks each day and spend that time playing fun outdoor games.
South Coast Chinese Cultural Association
2 of 10
Age: Kindergarten to 6th grade
Length: Half-day and full-day camp, with extended care available
Cost: Starting at $170
Camps at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Association immerse children in Chinese culture, with language instruction and lessons about the arts, music and history. Camps have a cultural theme each week, including Chinese Architecture, Calligraphy, Chinese Opera, Little Chinese Chef, Inventor/Creators and more. Camp also includes instruction in Chinese orchestra, featuring traditional instruments like flute, percussion, gu zheng and erhu.
UCLA Sports Camps
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Age: 6 to 18 years old
Length: Day camp; Overnight camp
Cost: Varies by camp
Each UCLA sports camp provides detailed instruction in your child's chosen sport, with work on fundamentals, individual and team competition and offensive and defensive technique. UCLA coaches and collegiate players staff each of the 19 different sports camps available. With day camps available for the youngest campers, and residential programs and academies available for advanced and elite athletes, there is a camp for every skill level. Residential campers are housed in UCLA dorms for a taste of college life.
California Junior Lifeguard Programs
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Age: 6 to 17 years old
Length: Half-day and full-day camp
Cost: Starting at $230
California Junior Lifeguard Programs run several camps, with instruction in ocean safety, lifeguarding skills, surfing and SUP classes. Instructors are professionals in ocean safety and related areas and some are even world-class surfers. Back Bay Camp, for 6 to 12-year-olds, introduces kids to the ocean in a sheltered environment, with both water-based and land activities. Junior Guard Camp, which runs for three weeks, introduces campers to CPR, ocean safety and rescue techniques, as well as surfing, paddling and beach games. This camp does require a tryout. Stand Up Paddleboard Camp teaches the basics of paddling, like foot placement, paddle strokes and steering. A combination of SUP and Junior Guard Camp is also offered.
Foothill Country Day School
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Age: Kindergarten to 6th grade
Length: Day camp, with extended care available
Cost: Starting at $550
Age-specific camps at Foothill Country Day School work to build academic skills, creativity and imagination in children. There are camps that teach kids to go green, with projects centering around conservation, sustainability and biospheres—kids can even learn how to make rainforest chocolate. In STEM camps, campers make slime, build a NASA rocket and use the Makerspace lab. During Global Leadership camps, students learn how to build tolerance and kindness, designing a culminating project that has real-world impact.
AbilityFirst — Camp Paivika
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Age: 9 years old to Adult
Length: Overnight camp
Cost: Starting at $690 (scholarships available)
Camp Paivika is one of the first fully accessible camps in the United States. Ability First runs weeklong camps for kids and adults with mild to severe developmental and physical disabilities. Programs at Camp Paivika include horseback riding, swimming, adaptive sports, campfires, cookouts, performing arts and crafts. Camp counselors work to adapt all activities and encourage participation and fun. Staff are also trained to assist with transfers, bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding and personal care.
First Touch Soccer
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Age: 4 to 18 years old
Length: Half-day and full-day camp
Cost: Starting at $175
First Touch Soccer provides summer camp programs that emphasize fun and skill development for interested teams and individuals. There are introductory camps, camps for recreational and advanced players, goalkeeper camps, girls-only camps, strength and conditioning camps and team camps. FTS aims to provide players and coaches with the best soccer education, teaching and training possible.
Young Actor's Studio
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Age: 8 to 18 years old
Length: Half-day and full-day camp
Cost: Starting at $700
Opened in 1996, Young Actor's Studio is an acting school that helps students develop their craft and create a unique character, all in a supportive environment. Three-week summer programs work on acting technique, voice, movement, on-camera work and improvisation. Students also have the opportunity to perform in a full production. Using conservatory style training, campers learn to tell stories using television, film or theater as their medium. Camps are divided into age groups.
Outdoor Journeys (Camp Nawakwa)
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Age: 8 to 17 years old
Length: Overnight camp
Cost: Starting at $502 (scholarships available)
Camp Nawakwa is located on a 12-acre site in the San Bernardino Mountains, surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. Overnight programs have a variety of activities, so campers can choose a week that suits their interests. While camps include topics like STEAM, Amazing Race, Wild Survival and Splash Down, all campers participate in traditional camp fun like fishing, canoeing, arts and crafts and the camp's evening programs. Outdoor Journeys also hosts Operation Kids Camp, a one-week long camp for kids whose parents are in the military or work as first responders. Another program, Teen Academy, combines camp with service learning and leadership training; teens finish the camp with 30-plus hours of community service and hands-on work experience.
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