The Ultimate List of Sleepaway Summer Camps for LA Kids (2027)
Sleepaway summer camps for LA kids are where the magic happens: campfire songs, cabin friendships and the first time your child paddles across a mountain lake without you watching from the shore. The good news is that Los Angeles families have a huge range of overnight camps within a few hours' drive, from Catalina Island and Big Bear to Idyllwild and Yosemite.
Here's the bottom line for summer 2027: many sleepaway camps already have dates and tuition posted, and the first early-bird deadlines arrive Oct. 31, 2026. Below are 27 sleepaway camps, organized from closest to farthest, with ages, session lengths, prices, bus options, and registration dates.
Key Takeaways
Closest to home: Griffith Park Boys' Camp is right in LA, and Camp Bob Waldorf is in the Verdugo Hills near Glendale.
Register now: Many camps already have 2027 dates and prices, and early-bird deadlines start Oct. 31, 2026.
Cost: Prices run from about $575 for a church-group week to more than $7,000 for a three- to four-week traditional camp, and The Painted Turtle and Camp Ronald McDonald are free for eligible kids.
Getting there: Pali Adventures, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps, Kennolyn, Camp Stevens, and several Sierra camps run buses, and Catalina camps travel by boat.
First-timers: One-week and mini sessions are an easy way to test the waters before a longer stay.
Sleepaway Camps in Los Angeles County
Want your camper close to home for their first sleepaway? These overnight camps are right in LA County, so pickup is never far away.
4730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027
Ages: Boys 7 to 14 (leadership program for ages 15 to 17)
Sessions: Mostly Monday-to-Friday weeks; summer 2027 dates TBA (2026 ran June 15 to Aug. 7)
Cost: $650 to $800 per session, including meals and lodging
Yes, there's a sleepaway camp right in Griffith Park. Boys sleep in air-conditioned cabins, tackle a 30-foot climbing wall, a high ropes course, archery and the pool, and some weeks include a field trip to places like Universal Studios or Knott's.
Parent Tip: 2026 registration opened online in March on a first-come, first-served basis, so watch the city's website in early 2027. It's a great first sleepaway because home is just minutes away.
Verdugo Hills near Glendale (see the website for directions)
Grades: 2nd through 12th grade
Sessions: Seven overnight sessions; summer 2027 dates coming soon
Cost: Tiered pricing starting at $600, with financial aid for every family on a sliding scale up to full scholarships
Run by Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles and open to kids of all backgrounds, this 112-acre camp has a ranch program with horseback riding and animal care, a challenge course with a climbing wall and a pool. The whole campus is nut-free.
Parent Tip: A camp director talks with each family before camp to make sure it's a good fit, which is reassuring for first-timers.
Angeles National Forest (see the website for directions)
Grades: 2nd through 12th grade
Sessions: Mini camps (4 to 5 nights), 11-night and 18-night sessions; summer 2027 info coming soon
Cost: $1,200 to $1,560 for mini camps, $3,135 to $3,285 for 11 nights and $4,380 to $4,530 for 18 nights
This Jewish camp's summer home sits on more than 270 acres in the Angeles National Forest, with a double zip line, a climbing wall, an organic garden and a horse center nearby. Meals are kosher-style, and kosher meals are available on request.
Parent Tip: Last year's early-bird deadline was in mid-December, and One Happy Camper grants of $700 or $1,000 helped first-time campers.
17000 Elizabeth Lake Rd. Lake Hughes, CA 93532
Ages: 7 to 16 with an eligible serious medical condition
Sessions: One-week sessions, each focused on one medical condition; summer 2027 dates TBA
Cost: Free
Part of the SeriousFun Children's Network founded by Paul Newman, The Painted Turtle lets kids living with serious illnesses ride horses, canoe and take the stage in theater shows, with medical care built right into camp.
Parent Tip: Acceptance depends on a medical review, so call admissions at (661) 724-1768 to ask about 2027 sessions.
Ventura County Sleepaway Camps: Simi Valley and Ojai
Head north and west for horse trails, oak-studded hills and some of SoCal's most beloved Jewish camps, plus a boarding-school camp in charming Ojai.
1101 Peppertree Lane Brandeis, CA 93064
Grades: Entering 2nd through 11th grade, depending on session
Dates (2027): June 15–July 11, June 15–27, June 29–July 11, July 14–Aug. 3 and a mini session Aug. 4–8
Cost (2027): $1,500 for the five-day mini session up to $5,950 for 27 days
American Jewish University's camp sits on the Brandeis-Bardin Campus near Simi Valley, where campers ride horses, climb the alpine tower and ropes course, tend an organic garden and learn Israeli dance.
Parent Tip: Registration is open now, and enrolling before Nov. 30 saves $100. Demand is high, so some sessions go to a waitlist quickly.
385 Fairview Rd. Ojai, CA 93023
Grades: Rising 3rd through 11th grade
Dates (2027): Session 1, June 16–July 12; Session 2, July 15–Aug. 9; plus two-week Gesher sessions for rising 3rd to 5th graders
Cost (2027): $7,160 per session ($6,910 with the early discount); Gesher $3,850 ($3,700 early)
On 450 acres next to Los Padres National Forest, Ramah mixes Jewish community with circus arts, Krav Maga, woodworking and musicals. Its Tikvah program welcomes campers with disabilities.
Parent Tip: New families save $250 and should apply by Dec. 31, 2026. Families who apply for need-based aid by December hear back by March.
Ojai, CA (see the website for the campus address)
Ages: 8 to 15
Dates (2027): June 27–July 16, July 18–Aug. 7, or the full six weeks
Cost: $5,400 for three weeks or $9,640 for six weeks
Campers live in dorms on a real boarding-school campus and can specialize in horseback riding. There's a weekly walk into downtown Ojai and Saturday field trips, too.
Parent Tip: A bus runs from LAX, and at least one session is already full, so reach out soon.
Catalina Island Sleepaway Camps
Nothing says adventure quite like taking a boat to camp. These island camps trade cabins in the pines for coves, snorkeling and starry skies over the Pacific.
Howlands Landing, Catalina Island
Grades: 1st through 9th for one-week sessions, 2nd through 9th for two-week sessions, and a leadership program for 10th graders
Dates (2027): June 15–21, June 22–28, June 30–July 12, July 14–26 and July 28–Aug. 9
Cost (2027): $2,750 to $2,900 for one week; $5,300 for two weeks
This family-run traditional camp has welcomed campers to a quiet cove on Catalina since 1995. Kids snorkel, hike the Trans-Catalina Trail, and Session 3 even gets a view of the Fourth of July fireworks.
Parent Tip: Register before Dec. 1, 2026, to save $150 to $300. Campers travel by boat from the Catalina Express terminal in San Pedro.
Toyon Bay, Catalina Island
Ages: 8 to 13 for one-week sessions; 12 to 17 for 2.5-week sessions
Dates (2027): One-week sessions June 12–18, June 19–25 and June 26–July 2; 2.5-week sessions July 5–22 and July 24–Aug. 10
Cost (2027): $3,750 for one week; $6,350 for 2.5 weeks
Ocean-loving kids can earn scuba certification, sail and kayak at this ACA-accredited marine science camp, and the charter boat from Long Beach is included.
Parent Tip: Enroll by Oct. 31 to save $300 to $400. The 2.5-week sessions are already close to full.
Catalina Island
Ages: 8 to 17 (teen weeks for ages 12 to 17)
Sessions: One-week sessions; summer 2027 dates TBA (2026 ran June 28 to Aug. 8)
Cost (2026): $1,150 per week
The Glendale YMCA's island camp is one of the most affordable ways to spend a week on Catalina, with ocean swimming, paddleboarding and a ropes course.
Parent Tip: Every 2026 session filled up, so keep an eye out for 2027 registration.
Big Bear and San Bernardino Mountains Sleepaway Camps
Pine trees, mountain lakes and cooler summer air are about two hours from LA. This is classic sleepaway camp country.
359 Thousand Pines Rd. Crestline, CA 92325
Grades: Kids Camp for 3rd to 6th grade, plus junior high and high school weeks
Dates (2027): Junior high and high school weeks June 21–25, June 28–July 2, July 12–16 and Aug. 2–7
Cost (2027): $575 per camper with your own group counselor, or $775 with a camp counselor
This Christian camp near Lake Gregory has a ropes course, zip line, skate park and paintball, plus trips to Lake Gregory Water Park.
Parent Tip: Most campers come with church groups, but families can email info@thousandpines.com to ask about joining a week.
30778 CA-18 Running Springs, CA 92382
Ages: 8 to 16, plus Mini Camp for ages 6 to 8
Dates (2027): Nine one-week sessions from June 13 to Aug. 14, plus 4-day Mini Camp sessions
Cost: The regular 2027 rate isn't posted yet; the early rate was $2,750 per session
Pali lets kids choose from 27 specialties for three hours every morning, like trapeze, aviation, culinary arts and Rock Star, then spend afternoons on classic camp fun. It's about 90 minutes from LA.
Parent Tip: A charter bus leaves from Aidan's Place near the Federal Building on Sepulveda Boulevard for $85 each way, and you can ask about sibling discounts at (909) 867-5743.
40000 Valley of the Falls Dr. Forest Falls, CA 92339
Grades: Wild Rock Children's Camp for 3rd to 6th grade; middle and high school camps for 6th to 12th grade
Dates (2027): Children's camp sessions of 3 to 5 nights from June 13 to Aug. 4
Cost (2027): $599 for most children's sessions ($415 for Aug. 1–4); $809 for middle and high school
This Christian camp is famous for giant water slides, the Blob, a big leap off the climbing tower, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Parent Tip: Many 2027 sessions are already sold out, especially for middle and high school, so book soon.
31701 Rim of the World Dr. Fawnskin, CA 92333
Ages: 7 to 17
Sessions: One-week sessions assigned to LA YMCA branches; summer 2027 dates TBA (2026 ran June 14 to Aug. 15)
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles' camp above Big Bear Lake keeps things classic: swimming, hiking, climbing, crafts and campfires, with up to 10 kids and two counselors in each cabin.
Parent Tip: You register through your local YMCA branch, so ask your branch which week is yours.
Big Bear area (see the website for directions)
Ages: 8 to 17, plus a counselor-in-training program for ages 15 to 17
Sessions: One-week sessions; summer 2027 dates TBA (2026 had one session, Aug. 2–8)
Cost (2026): $875, including transportation, meals, a T-shirt and a yearbook
About two hours from LA, Camp Oakes has a zip line, mine-chute slides, canoeing and astronomy.
Parent Tip: Financial assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Idyllwild and San Diego County Sleepaway Camps
From science under the stars to art in the pines and beach days in Carlsbad, these camps are worth the extra drive.
26800 Saunders Meadow Rd. Idyllwild, CA 92549
Ages: 7 to 13 for one-week camp; 12 to 17 for two-week camp
Dates (2027): One-week sessions June 12–18, June 19–25 and July 25–31; two-week sessions June 27–July 9 and July 11–23
Cost (2027): $2,900 for one week; $4,600 for two weeks
Hands-on STEM meets outdoor adventure at this ACA-accredited camp. Two-week campers also go on overnight camping trips and enjoy traditions like a Renaissance Festival and a talent show.
Parent Tip: Enroll by Oct. 31 to save $250 to $400. A charter bus runs from Ontario Airport for $75 each way.
Idyllwild, CA (see the website for the campus address)
Ages: Boarding starts at age 10 (entering 5th to 12th grade)
Dates (2027): Examples include the Junior Dance Intensive, July 4–10, and Drawing & Painting for Junior Artists, July 11–24
Cost (2027): $2,700 residential for one week; $5,400 residential for two weeks
Young dancers, painters and musicians live on campus in the pines and spend their days in studio workshops. Programs for younger kids are day-only.
Parent Tip: Need-based scholarships are available, and the balance is due June 1.
Mountain Center, CA (near Idyllwild)
Ages: 9 through high school graduation, for kids who have or had cancer and their siblings
Sessions: Six-day sessions; summer 2027 dates TBA (2026 ran June 27 to Aug. 1)
Cost: Free
A pediatric oncologist and nurses are on site 24 hours a day, so kids can simply be kids, and brothers and sisters can come along too.
Parent Tip: Apply online through Ronald McDonald House Southern California.
Carlsbad, CA (2026 location; check the website for 2027)
Grades: 2nd through 12th grade
Dates (2027): 22-day sessions June 16–July 7 and July 11–Aug. 1, plus 15-day and shorter sessions
Cost (2027): $7,200 for 22 days, $4,900 for 15 days and $1,950 to $2,600 for short sessions
Home of Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop, this Reform Jewish camp has held summer away from Malibu since the 2018 fires, most recently on a beachfront campus in Carlsbad. Teens can also join an eight-day surf program.
Parent Tip: Buses leave from Wilshire Boulevard Temple in LA, and need-based aid and One Happy Camper grants are available.
1108 Banner Rd. Julian, CA 92036
Ages: 8 to 15 (International Odyssey for ages 12 to 17)
Sessions: One-week sessions; summer 2027 dates TBA (2026 ran June to August)
Cost (2026): $845 to $1,365, with families choosing a price tier
This inclusive Episcopal camp about three hours from LA has a farm, gardens, scratch-made food and at least one night of sleeping under the stars each week.
Parent Tip: A charter bus picks up in Los Angeles, and camperships are available.
Julian, CA
Ages: 7 to 17
Dates (2027): Nine sessions from June 6 to Aug. 6
Cost: 2027 rates are on the website; the deposit is $300 per week
Campers live in six grade-based villages, and older teens can join a four-day backpacking trip on Catalina Island.
Parent Tip: 2027 registration is open now, and military-connected kids ages 8 to 15 can attend free Camp Corral sessions.
Farther Away: Central Coast and Sierra Nevada Sleepaway Camps
These camps take more travel, but they're bucket-list summers: Yosemite day trips, high-Sierra lakes and Central Coast tide pools. Several run buses from Southern California.
1473 Randall Dr. Cambria, CA 93428
Ages: 7 to 15
Dates (2027): One-week sessions June 13–18, July 4–9, July 25–30 and Aug. 1–6; two-week sessions June 20–July 2 and July 11–23
Cost (2027): $2,050 to $2,550 for one week; $3,200 to $3,700 for two weeks, with tiered pricing
On the Central Coast, campers boogie board, explore tide pools and sea kayak, and families pick the tuition tier that fits their budget.
Parent Tip: Save $200 by Nov. 13, 2026, or $100 by Dec. 11, 2026.
64144 Hume Lake Rd. Hume, CA 93628
Ages: Wagon Train for ages 8 to 11; Meadow Ranch for 6th to 8th grade; Ponderosa for high school
Dates (2027): Wagon Train weeks from June 6 to Aug. 7
Cost (2027): Wagon Train $1,029 with a camp counselor ($789 with your church's counselor); Meadow Ranch and Ponderosa $1,149 ($949)
In Sequoia National Forest, younger campers sleep in covered wagons, explore a three-story island fort, zip line over the pond and rappel.
Parent Tip: Many middle and high school weeks are already waitlisted, so register soon.
Huntington Lake, Sierra National Forest
Grades: Kindergarten through 9th grade
Dates (2027): Two-week sessions June 21–July 3, July 5–17, July 19–31 and Aug. 2–14; Mini Camp Aug. 16–21 or Aug. 23–28
Cost (2027): $5,750 for two weeks; $2,550 for Mini Camp
Running since 1933 on Huntington Lake, Gold Arrow is a classic Sierra camp with wakeboarding, horseback riding and rock climbing.
Parent Tip: 2027 enrollment is open, and grades 5 to 8 fill fastest. Charter buses stop in Southern California, so call (800) 554-2267 for LA pickup details.
Huntington Lake, Sierra National Forest
Grades: 6th through 11th grade
Sessions: One-week sessions in July 2027
Tweens and teens sail, water-ski, wakeboard and go on star hikes at this high-Sierra lake camp.
Parent Tip: A bus leaves from the Walmart at 25450 The Old Road in Stevenson Ranch on opening day for $150 round trip. Check the website for current session dates and tuition.
37976 Road 222 Wishon, CA 93669
Ages: 7 to 15
Dates (2027): Two-week sessions June 20–July 3, July 4–17, July 18–31 and Aug. 1–14; four-week sessions June 20–July 17 and July 18–Aug. 14
Cost (2027): $5,425 for two weeks; $9,850 for four weeks
About 15 miles from Yosemite, campers take day trips into the park, backpack in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and ride horses, all phone-free.
Parent Tip: New-camper applications are processed starting Nov. 1, 2026, and a charter bus runs on opening and closing days for $100 each way.
Tuolumne River, near Yosemite
Grades: 2nd through 10th grade (fall 2027 grades)
Dates (2027): Taste of Camp June 13–18; Session 2 June 20–July 2; Session 3 July 4–23; Session 4 July 25–Aug. 10
Cost (2027): $1,795 for Taste of Camp up to $6,825 for three weeks
This Jewish camp on the Tuolumne River offers boys', girls' and all-gender cabins, plus adventure quests for older campers.
Parent Tip: Open registration starts Nov. 17, 2026. There's no LA bus, so plan to fly into Oakland or drive.
Free Sleepaway Camps for Kids With Medical Needs or Disabilities
Every kid deserves a summer at camp. These programs are built for kids with medical needs or disabilities, and several are completely free:
The Painted Turtle: Free one-week sessions in Lake Hughes for kids ages 7 to 16 with serious illnesses (No. 4 above).
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times: Free camp near Idyllwild for kids who have or had cancer, and their siblings (No. 18 above).
Camp Bloomfield: Wayfinder Family Services' free camp for blind and visually impaired youth ages 7 to 17. It lost its Malibu site, and 2026 youth sessions were held at Lions Camp in Wrightwood.
Camp Paivika: AbilityFirst's adaptive summer camp in Crestline for campers with disabilities.
Camp Ramah's Tikvah program: Overnight camp in Ojai for campers with disabilities (No. 6 above).
Summer 2027 Sleepaway Camp Registration Dates and Early-Bird Deadlines
The best sleepaway camps fill months ahead, so put these dates on your calendar:
Oct. 31, 2026: Early discounts end at AstroCamp ($250 to $400 off) and Catalina Sea Camp ($300 to $400 off).
Nov. 1, 2026: Skylake Yosemite Camp starts processing new-camper applications.
Nov. 13, 2026: Camp Ocean Pines' $200 super early-bird discount ends.
Nov. 17, 2026: Camp Tawonga opens registration to everyone.
Nov. 30, 2026: Camp Alonim's $100 early discount ends.
Dec. 1, 2026: Catalina Island Camps' biggest early-bird savings end.
Dec. 31, 2026: Camp Ramah's new-family deadline for $250 off.
Spring 2027: City-run camps like Griffith Park Boys' Camp typically open registration (it opened in March in 2026).
How to Choose a Sleepaway Camp (and Know if Your Kid Is Ready)
Picking a first sleepaway camp feels like a big deal, because it is. These tips make the decision easier:
Start short: One-week and mini sessions, like Pali's Mini Camp, Alonim's five-day session or Catalina Island Camps' one-week sessions, are perfect for first-timers.
Look for accreditation: Camps like AstroCamp, Catalina Sea Camp, Pali, Skylake and Camp Ronald McDonald are accredited by the American Camp Association.
Plan the travel: Buses and boats make drop-off easy, but they often cost extra, so add them to your budget.
Ask about aid: Many camps offer need-based aid, tiered pricing or One Happy Camper grants for first-time campers at Jewish camps.
Practice at home: A sleepover at a friend's or grandparents' house is a great test run, and letting your child help pack builds excitement.
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Takeaway
Sleepaway summer camps for LA kids range from a city camp in Griffith Park to island coves on Catalina, pine-filled weeks in Big Bear and Idyllwild, and bucket-list summers near Yosemite. Many camps already have 2027 dates posted, and early-bird deadlines start Oct. 31, so now is the time to shortlist your favorites.
Dates, prices and bus details change every year, so always confirm on each camp's website before you enroll. Whichever camp you choose, get ready for a kid who comes home taller, more confident and full of campfire stories.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleepaway Summer Camps for LA Kids
What age should kids start sleepaway camp?
Many kids are ready between ages 7 and 9. Several camps on our list start that young, including Griffith Park Boys' Camp (age 7), YMCA Camp Whittle (age 7) and Catalina Island Camps (1st grade). Starting with a one-week or mini session helps first-timers build confidence.
How much does sleepaway camp cost in California?
Prices range widely. Church-group weeks like Thousand Pines start around $575, one-week traditional camps like Catalina Island Camps run $2,750 to $2,900, and two-week Sierra camps like Gold Arrow cost $5,750. The Painted Turtle and Camp Ronald McDonald are free for eligible kids.
When should I sign up for summer 2027 sleepaway camp?
Now is the time. Many camps opened 2027 registration this fall, and early-bird discounts end as soon as Oct. 31, 2026, at AstroCamp and Catalina Sea Camp. Popular sessions at Forest Home, Hume Lake and Gold Arrow are already filling, so try to enroll by December.
Which sleepaway camps have buses from Los Angeles?
Pali Adventures runs a bus from West LA, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps' buses leave from the temple, Kennolyn's Huntington Lake camp picks up in Stevenson Ranch, and Camp Stevens has a Los Angeles stop. Catalina camps travel by boat from San Pedro or Long Beach.
Are there free sleepaway camps for kids in LA?
Yes, for kids with medical needs. The Painted Turtle in Lake Hughes serves kids with serious illnesses, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times serves kids who have or had cancer and their siblings, and Camp Bloomfield serves blind and visually impaired youth, all at no cost.
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