Summer Camps in Los Angeles 2027: Where to Enroll Your Child (and When Spots Open)
Updated: Oct 22
Where to enroll your child in summer camp in Los Angeles comes down to four easy starting points: your neighborhood City of LA recreation center, the YMCA, free school-based programs like LA's BEST, and the specialty camps you book directly with each camp. Our sister site, SummerCampsInLA.com, lets you search them all by age, neighborhood, and type.
Summer 2027 planning is already underway. A handful of camps have posted 2027 dates, popular sessions can sell out, and city and school programs will share their schedules in the months ahead. Below, we walk you through where to sign up, what's open now, and our favorite camps across LA for every kind of kid.
Key Takeaways
🌞 Where to start: Search SummerCampsInLA.com by age, neighborhood, and camp type, then register on each camp's own website.
🌞 Budget-friendly options: City of LA recreation centers and the YMCA run neighborhood day camps, and YMCA camps are open to nonmembers.
🌞 Free options: LA's BEST is free for families at participating LAUSD elementary schools, and LAUSD Beyond the Bell will share its summer 2027 plans later.
🌞 Already open for 2027: Camp Ocean Pines and Amplify have posted 2027 sessions, and PlanetBravo opens regular enrollment later this year.
Where to Enroll Your Child in Summer Camp in Los Angeles
Think of summer camp enrollment in LA as mix-and-match: a few weeks at a budget-friendly neighborhood camp, plus a week or two of something your child is truly excited about. Here's where LA parents sign up.
Online camp directory for Los Angeles and Southern California
Search anytime
Our camp directory is the fastest way to compare options in one place. You can filter camps by age, location, and category, and see which ones offer extended days, lunch, or a daily pass. Jump straight to the type of camp you need:
Parent Tip: Shortlist three to five camps now, add each one's registration date to your calendar, and ask about sibling discounts, early-bird rates, and financial aid.
Neighborhood recreation centers across Los Angeles
Summer 2027 dates: TBA
The City of Los Angeles runs day camps at recreation centers all over town. Start with the Day Camps page, find the recreation center closest to home or work, and check that center's page for ages, dates, fees, and how to register.
Each center sets its own schedule and enrollment, so details vary from site to site. If you're juggling a commute, a camp near the office can be just as handy as one near home.
YMCA branches across Los Angeles
Summer 2027 dates: TBA
The Y runs classic summer day camps for kids roughly 4 to 11 (campers must be at least 4 years, 9 months old on the first day), plus Club Good Times for middle schoolers in grades 6 to 9, sports and specialty camps, and leadership programs for teens. Some sites even fold swim lessons into the week.
You don't need to be a Y member to sign up; nonmembers pay the community rate. Sessions and age ranges vary by branch, so check your nearest Y for 2027 dates once registration opens.
Participating LAUSD elementary schools
Summer 2027 dates: TBA
LA's BEST is free for families and serves elementary students at its partner LAUSD schools. Use the Find a Site tool to search by school name, ZIP code, or region, then apply online for your child's school.
Each school manages its own enrollment and availability, so the school's main office or the LA's BEST site coordinator is your best contact for questions about summer spots.
LAUSD schools across Los Angeles
Summer 2027 dates: TBA
Beyond the Bell runs LAUSD's expanded learning programs, which are offered at no cost to families. Summer 2027 details haven't been posted yet, so call Beyond the Bell at (213) 241-7900 or check its website for updates.
When Does Summer Camp Registration Open for 2027?
Some LA-area camps are already open for summer 2027, while others are still finalizing their schedules. Here's where things stand right now:
🌞 Camp Ocean Pines: This Cambria sleepaway camp for ages 7 to 18 has posted its 2027 sessions, running from June 13 to August 6, and a $300 non-refundable deposit holds a spot. See Camp Ocean Pines' 2027 sessions.
🌞 Amplify: The Ojai music and creative arts camp is taking registrations, including Juniors Sleepaway (June 20 to 26, 2027) and Juniors Day Camp (June 21 to 25, 2027). Explore Amplify's 2027 camps.
🌞 PlanetBravo: Summer 2027 is its 25th season and brings a new Basecamp program for grades K to 5. Regular 2027 enrollment opens later this year. Visit PlanetBravo's camp page.
🌞 Got Game Camp and The Artist Lab: Both have flagged their 2027 summer camp details as coming soon. Keep an eye on Got Game Camp and The Artist Lab's summer art camp.
Most other camps, including city recreation centers and school programs, haven't announced 2027 dates yet. We'll keep updating this guide as new details come in.
Parent Tip: Join the email list for every camp on your shortlist. It's usually the first place early-bird pricing and registration dates show up.
Our Favorite Summer Camps in Los Angeles for 2027
These LA camps are favorites with local families. Unless we note otherwise, 2027 dates and prices are TBA, so check each camp's website for the latest details before you register.
Got Game Camp ️⚽ 🤾♂️⛹️️
Got Game Camp unleashes a wild party for campers of all ages across Mid-City, West LA, and San Fernando Valley, packing each week with turbo-charged sports, zany arts, mind-blowing science, epic games, and crazy-creative projects! Kids choose their daily dose of fun, teaming up with pals in age-appropriate groups to dive into whatever sets their hearts racing—think slam-dunk showdowns or wacky dream-world adventures.
The camp’s “We Speak Kid” coaches are fun-tastic superheroes, bursting with energy and genius tricks to make every day a blast. Whether a camper’s a sporty speedster, an artsy oddball, or an all-around thrill-chaser, Got Game Camp delivers a rip-roaring good time they’ll beg to join again!
RAZ Land Summer Art Camp 🎨🌈🖌️🌍
Raz Land is a vibrant cultural art studio in Los Angeles where global wisdom, storytelling, and creativity come together to inspire the next generation of builders. At Raz Land, they believe art is a universal language that connects people across cultures and generations.
Through hands-on creative experiences, children are encouraged to explore their ideas, discover their unique voices, and build confidence as they learn about the world around them. This summer, Raz Land invites kids ages 5–12 on an unforgettable artistic adventure around the globe.
Campers "travel" to a new country each week and discover its culture through sculpting, building, painting, mixed media, fashion, design, music, and dance at the studio at 1046 S Robertson Blvd in Los Angeles. Summer 2027 dates and prices are TBA, so check RAZ Land's website for updates.
Sunrise Surf Academy 🏄🏻🏄🏻♀️🌊🌞
Ready to ride the waves and soak up the California sunshine? Sunrise Surf Academy is LA’s go-to summer surf camp where kids ages 5-16 can learn to surf safely while building confidence and having a blast! With stunning locations in Venice, Palisades, and Zuma, campers dive into small-group, hands-on lessons led by CPR-certified instructors — all with an incredible 3:1 camper-to-coach ratio. From beginners catching their first wave to seasoned groms refining their skills, every child is supported to grow, connect, and make unforgettable memories on the sand and sea.
Sunrise Surf Academy offers full-day, half-day, and daily options at Venice Beach, Will Rogers State Beach in the Palisades, Zuma, and Santa Monica. Kids ages 5 to 16 learn surfing fundamentals and ocean safety in an outdoor classroom, and extended care is available for families who need extra hours. Summer 2027 dates are TBA.
Calling all young performers! The Actors' Gang runs summer theater camps for kids and teens packed with theater games, character work, and an original play to cap off each session. Summer 2027 dates and age groups are TBA, so check The Actors' Gang website for updates.
At The Actors’ Gang summer camps, participants engage in The Actors’ Gang's signature Style of ensemble theater making and explore Commedia dell’Arte characters with four states of emotion: happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.
Participants learn vocal and physical warmups and play theater games in a safe, creative space. Each program culminates in an original play. The Actors’ Gang Education Department began in 2000 and is dedicated to introducing theater's joy and transformative power to the diverse youth of Los Angeles and beyond.
Camp Integem 👨🏾💻🎮🟩⛏️
Camp Integem blends STEM, art, coding, AI, robotics, design, 3D, animation, and game design into hands-on augmented reality projects for kids and teens ages 6 to 18. Campers turn their wildest ideas into interactive, holographic creations, and no coding experience is required.
Recent LA-area camps have included San Marino/Pasadena, the South Bay, and Santa Monica, with more sites in Irvine and Orange County. Summer 2027 locations and dates are TBA.
No need to be a coding ninja, art guru, or design pro—Camp Integem’s got every camper covered! With tiny class sizes and rockstar instructors, it’s all about custom-made, hands-on awesomeness. Kids and teens dive in, unleash their inner genius, and strut out ready to conquer the universe—one holographic masterpiece at a time!
Camp CodeRev 🤖 👩🏻💻🌐
Unleash your kid’s inner innovator at CodeREV STEAM Camps, where creativity and tech collide in a whirlwind of fun! Expert instructors—tech rockstars with a passion for wow—lead campers through epic on-and-off-screen projects, teaching next-level skills in innovation and creation while they build jaw-dropping masterpieces and romp through STEM-charged outdoor adventures.
Weeklong camps light up summer at Encino, Santa Monica, Westwood, or Irvine/Newport Discovery Launch spots, blending hands-on building with new-friend shenanigans for memories that pop! From brainy breakthroughs to outdoor blasts, it’s the ultimate playground for your child’s genius to soar!
Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp brings kids ages 4½ to 14 to the sand at Santa Monica and Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades for ocean games, water sports, team sports, and arts and crafts. Upbeat counselors and a low camper-to-staff ratio keep the energy high, and every day ends sandy and happy.
From shredding waves with water sports to spiking balls in team showdowns, crafting cool creations, or mastering solo skills, there’s a blast for every flavor of awesome! FBS is all about sparking that “whoa, I can do this!” moment, letting kids of all levels unleash their inner champs while soaking up the sandy, salty goodness of the beach. It’s a nurturing, action-packed party where unique talents shine brighter than the California sun!
Camp Ocean Pines 🌲🚣🏻♀️🌞🌊
Tucked away on California’s Central Coast, Camp Ocean Pines is the sleepaway hotspot where quirky, bold, and wildly imaginative kids collide in a tight-knit crew of 81 campers! With a 1-to-4 staff-to-camper ratio, this inclusive fam knows every kid by name, wrapping them in a big, warm hug of acceptance. From nailing bullseyes in archery to rocking tie-dye masterpieces and splashing through beach escapades, campers call the shots on their schedules, unleashing their inner trailblazers!
Ditching screens for real-deal connections, Camp Ocean Pines is a tech-free zone buzzing with outdoor thrills and epic group vibes. Families jump in on the fun too—hauling gear on move-in day and chowing down at end-of-session BBQs while geeking out over slideshows of their kid’s adventures. In this chill coastal paradise, it’s not just about killer memories—it’s a launchpad for compassion, self-discovery, and a whole lot of funky, feel-good magic!
HAWKs LA is the all-outdoor extravaganza where kids ditch the indoors and dive headfirst into LA’s wild side, igniting their sense of wonder for nature! This camp hooks them up with the lowdown on local plants and critters, levels up their hiking game with trail safety and Leave No Trace skills, and plants a big, fat love for the outdoors deep in their souls. From rugged trails to secret critter hideouts, it’s a full-on, dirt-kicking adventure that turns every step into a “that’s cool!” moment.
Picture this: LA’s diverse biomes as epic outdoor classrooms, with rockstar naturalist teachers leading the pack on foot, dishing out fun, safe ways to connect with the wild! These pros keep the good times rolling with daily switch-ups—hiking, herping, bird-watching, journaling, whipping up nature crafts like dream catchers and seed bombs, playing nature-fueled games, foraging, and more, all tailored to the crew’s vibe. HAWKs LA is the ultimate wonder-chasing blast that leaves campers buzzing with outdoor stoke and ready to rule the wild!
Pedalheads Bike Summer Camps 🚴🏻♀️🚴🏾
Zoom into the raddest ride of summer with Pedalheads, the bike camp that turns training-wheel tots (ages 2-12) into road-ripping champs! Their crew of pedal-pushing pros works magic, boosting confidence so even the shyest riders are zooming solo in just one week. Got a mini daredevil ready for more? Advanced camps kick it up a notch, prepping first-time road riders to cruise like pros in no time flat!
Why roll with Pedalheads? Since 1995, they’ve been the real deal—most kids ditch the training wheels in a week, and they’ve snagged Parents Choice Awards for being the coolest kids’ day camp around! Pick from half-day, all-day, or 1.5-hour Tots sessions all summer long, with spots popping off across the LA Metro—Brentwood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and more. It’s a two-wheeled blast your little shredder won’t forget!
The Crow’s Comedy Camp for Kids struts in with over 20 years of laugh-master expertise, blended with a hefty dose of youth camp know-how and school theater flair! They’ve whipped up a custom stage just for your pint-sized comedians, setting the scene for a riot of stand-up, improv, sketch, storytelling, writing, and mega stage swagger. Kids get to crack the code of killer jokes, uncover their own goofy voice, and unleash it all through zany games and activities!
Every day’s a wild mash-up of team vibes, performance pizzazz, outdoor shenanigans, artsy-crafty chaos, and—yes—master-level fart joke training! It all builds to a grand finale: a live Friday night show on The Crow’s main stage, where campers strut their stuff for family and friends. It’s a week-long giggle-fest that’ll have your young jokester stealing the spotlight!
Professor Egghead Science Academy brings hands-on science camp to Los Angeles and Orange County for kids ages 4.5 to 10. Campers dive into volcanoes, gooey slime, soaring rockets, and wild experiments that get them buzzing about science.
Half-day or full-day, these mini-geniuses morph into Astronauts, Explorers, Inventors, Superheroes, Doctors, Secret Agents, and Detectives with fresh, epic themes every week! They’ll be elbow-deep in nonstop experiments, snagging cool take-homes by Friday, and banking lifelong memories of science wizardry that’ll spark “whoa!” moments for years. Weekly camps run all summer long—let the mad scientist vibes roll!
Azusa Pacific University is unleashing a summer camp that’s pure gold for outdoor fanatics—a total thrill-fest packed with hiking, bouldering, geocaching, canoeing, kayaking, and team-building challenges that’ll have campers high-fiving like champs! They’ll level up with wicked skills too—think designing fishing rods, whipping up shelters, and harnessing solar energy like nature’s own superheroes.
But wait, there’s more! This camp cranks up the fun with STEM-tastic adventures and field trips that dive into swimming and wild water slide action. It’s not just a camp—it’s a full-on, memory-making extravaganza that’ll leave every outdoor enthusiast buzzing for weeks!
Art fanatics, brace yourselves for a summer explosion of creativity at the Artist Lab, where weekly themed Fine Art camps are ready to blow your mind! A squad of pro artists and instructors will hook you up with wild new mediums and mad skills to turn your brain’s wildest visions into epic masterpieces. You’ll be churning out 10-15 jaw-dropping projects a week, making buddies and epic memories, all with a slick 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio that’s all about YOU!
Every day includes an hour of Academic Art plus a big weekly group project, and the camp welcomes kids ages 4 to 15 at its Wilshire Boulevard studio near Hancock Park. Summer 2027 info is coming soon.
Yo, yo, little champs! Sick of bullies raining on your parade? No sweat—Anti Bullying Camp’s swooping in to save the day with some next-level awesomeness! With a Camp Director who’s been rocking child development and martial arts for over 30 years, this place is your VIP pass to mastering slick communication tricks, killer social skills, and self-defense moves that’ll have bullies bouncing outta your way!
This ain’t no snooze-fest camp, fam! You’ll dive into personal space vibes, boundary-setting swagger, and the 411 on all things bullying—while busting a move with Bollypop Dance, cracking up in improv, chilling with yoga, and leveling up with mindful meditation. Oh, and you’ll score new crewmates and strut out with self-esteem so high, you’ll be unstoppable!
Planet Bravo 🎮🛰⚒️
PlanetBravo has been running tech camps since 2003, and summer 2027 marks its 25th season. Kids in grades K to 9 mix hands-on tech projects with outdoor play, and the new Basecamp program welcomes grades K to 5.
They’re calling the shots, diving into a buffet of mind-melting options like Coding, Minecraft Modding, YouTube glory, Roblox 3D Game Design, and a whole lotta other epicness! It’s a no-holds-barred tech takeover where their wildest ideas explode into reality, leaving ‘em buzzing with next-level stoke and ready to rule the digital universe!
Designer Camp 👜 🧶
Designer Camp is crashing Southern California as the only all-in, design-jamming summer blowout for ages 11-17, unleashing five mind-blowing camps across Los Angeles and Orange County! Linking up with mega-famous designers and top-tier brands, this camp’s here to toss young visionaries into a hype squad that cranks their unique genius to eleven and spills the tea on a gazillion career paths waiting to be owned!
Each day’s a full-throttle dive into hands-on action with design pros dropping knowledge bombs, plus killer trips to showrooms, swanky stores, design dens, and biz hotspots shaping the style game! It’s a wild, no-limits creative takeover where teens turn their boldest brainwaves into pure fire and strut out ready to dominate the design universe!
Day Camps in Los Angeles for Summer 2027
Elio Academy offers courses that are designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge in biomedical-related subjects. Elio conducts guided group discussions where instructors guide students through literature and publications. They teach your kids how to identify the core question and pursue solutions in a systematic, scientific way. One-on-one meetings with instructors let students explore potential college majors and elective subjects and discuss career options. Instructors are happy to chat about academic plans for the future. Students can start building college portfolios early by learning and developing a deeper understanding of complex advanced subjects.
Summer at The Center ⚽️👩🏻🍳🎮
Rising kindergarten through 8th graders, listen up, we've got exciting news! Summer at The Center is calling your name, and you won't want to miss out on the fun. At The Center, you can design your own day camp adventure and mix and match activities to create the ultimate summer experience. Want to learn a new language, sink some hoops, brush up on math, design a robot, or dance your heart out? Whatever you choose, you can do it all at The Center this summer.
And let's not forget the amazing features The Center offers. You'll have access to state-of-the-art classrooms, outstanding athletic facilities, and nurturing staff who are ready to make your summer unforgettable. Plus, expert teachers will guide you through each activity, so you'll learn and have fun at the same time.
Summer at The Center has it all: arts, science, inventions, athletics, drones, architecture, cooking, Minecraft, robotics, crafts, language arts, mathemagic, dance, drama, and more. With one- and three-week programs available, you can choose the perfect summer camp experience.
Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) is a conservatory-style theater program for teens ages 11 to 18, held for decades on the campus of California State University, Northridge. Students build real stage skills and perform in full productions. Summer 2027 shows and dates are TBA.
CodeREV STEAM In-Person or Virtual Camps inspire innovation through project-based experiential adventures in STEAM learning and excitement. CodeREV Kids build amazing projects that teach them next-level industry skills in technology creation while inspiring creativity, friendship, and awesome camp memories. Livestream is now available for half-day and full-day Summer STEAM Camp! Campers can enjoy CodeRev's famous Online Summer Camp classes with the same live, expert instructor, but while interacting in a safe, online classroom in a live setting led by an experienced teacher in a controlled environment from home. Summer Camp is offered at various locations. Extended care is available.
Pura Vida Peace Camp offers youth a bilingual summer day camp experience in Costa Rica for two weeks that explores an array of subjects from eco-sustainability and global peace practices to adventure and cultural activities like surfing, sports, arts, cooking and more! From 9 am to 3 pm daily youth are engaged in fun learning experiences at camp while their parents enjoy free time to explore, work, or simply nap by the pool!
Each week campers will embark on a unique field trip experience and a beach day for horseback riding and surfing. Past field trips have included a visit to a sustainable family-run farm, a boat tour through the estuary to see monkeys, birds and crocodiles, and a trip to a local festival to watch traditional Costa Rican dances and taste homemade foods!
Your daughter will LOVE the Empowerment Summer Camp for Girls. Each day, they will introduce one extraordinary woman from the past or the present and discuss her leadership and achievements with the campers. While they have a blast in various fun activities, they focus on a specific topic that will be incorporated into the games, class discussions, workshops, and mat chat. Activities include self-defense training, charter development workshops, yoga, dance, meditation, water sports, core workouts, beach days, and fun outdoor sports and games.
The International School of Los Angeles’ Ecole du Soleil summer camp runs for 5 weeks on the School’s Los Feliz campus. La Petite Ecole du Soleil is for campers entering preschool and pre-kindergarten, while La Grande Ecole du Soleil is for campers entering kindergarten through 5th grade.
The objective is to introduce children to the French language and culture at an early age while they still have a linguistic openness to easily learn a second language. Previous exposure to French is not required. École du Soleil provides a unique learning context in which your children will learn at their own pace in a fun, genuine French summer camp environment. Other activities include sports, music, dance, improv, arts & crafts, and field trips.
Atwater Photo Camp is a super fun and exciting 5-day photo adventure that inspires kids to explore their world in a deeper way. Through games and activities designed to challenge perspective, campers will learn to build skills with camera, light, and storytelling. Camp begins with a basic overview of camera functions. Then through practice, your kids will learn how to make images, rather than take them. Each day the teachers will review their work, and on Friday they host an exhibit where campers showcase their work for friends & family.
Digital Dragon’s summer camp program will have kids working and creating in Game Design, Roblox, Robotics, Film Production, Digital Production, Digital Illustration, and a suite of Minecraft camps – Minecraft: Build a Theme Park, Minecraft: Minigames, Minecraft: Redstone Engineering, and Minecraft: SMP.
Camp Wildcraft grows creative, curious, confident campers who feel at home in nature. They are small by design and a warm place where kids unplug from technology and connect to the community. At their two sites in Calabasas and Malibu, the adventurous art and nature camp empowers kids to discover the hidden natural world—and their hidden strengths.
Campers choose from a changing menu of creative and fun activities including theatre, baking, games on a sports field, and more. Every day at camp is an opportunity to find joy and wonder in the wild places around us.
Get funky this summer with Funky Divas & Dudes Rockstar Beach Camp located at Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar! FD&D allows kids to express themselves through music and movement while building self-esteem. The beach camp is designed to keep kids active, healthy, and happy. Learn dance routines to your favorite pop tunes, go on silly scavenger hunts, build sandcastles, play in the ocean, make art projects, dress up for theme days, and even take a walk to the Pirate Ship Playground! Campers will receive a music video to keep. If you want to ROCK OUT at the BEACH, this is the camp for you!
This summer, Adventures in Nature Day Camp returns to the Natural History Museum! Whether it’s exploring dinosaurs or the nature all around us in new ways, Adventures in Nature Camps have provided three decades of unique, hands-on experiences for campers— giving them up-close access to 4.5 billion years of life on Earth. With so much adventure, your child’s camp memories will surely last a lifetime! Extended care is also available.
Build amazing eco-friendly creations at reDiscover Tinkering Camp! Tinkering Camp teaches children the skills they need to turn their wildest imaginings into robust items made from wood, plastic, metal, and fabric. While practicing social distancing with their own workbench and set of tools for the week, the group will have activities that encourage socialization and cooperation while building projects on their own to a group theme.
This Spanish summer Camp is designed for students currently attending Spanish Immersion programs or with prior Spanish experience. During the day, children rotate through different classes and activities with small class sizes and specifically designed to place a high emphasis on oral fluency. Spanish is spoken during camp 100% of the time. Click here for more information about this camp.
Moe and his staff work with your children to build strong, fundamentally sound athletes by practicing skills every day. The sports program is fun and competitive consisting of basketball, football, soccer, hockey, dodgeball, capture the flag, catch-10, ultimate ball, ultimate Frisbee, fourth down and much more. Each week two trips are arranged to different places including the beach, bowling, mini-golf, Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, Hurricane Harbor, and much more. Click here to learn more about this camp.
Camp X is a space for budding designers, programmers, artists, and entrepreneurs ages 9-14 who want to explore and develop an innovator’s toolbox. Each week-long workshop gives participants the opportunity to work with experts to learn the strategies the industry professionals use. Open studios give campers the opportunity to create to their heart’s desire with the tools and supplies of the Milken MakerSpace. Whether you are interested in building a robot, computer game, film, or financial portfolio, Camp X is the right place for you. Click here to learn more about this day camp.
Outdoor, STEM and Writing Day Camps in LA for Summer 2027
Camp Manu focuses on experiencing the wilderness, nature and conservation and protection of our environment. Your kids will discover and learn about geology, ecology and local fauna in various locations around Los Angeles and surrounding mountains. To learn more about this camp, click here.
Join Project Scientist for a hands-on immersive STEM experience that takes summer camp to a whole new level! The small class sizes provide girls ages 4-12 a personal and intimate learning experience that will challenge and inspire them to be innovative scientists and problem solvers! Project Scientist is here to help your daughter make gains in both math and science through a virtual yet hands-on program, in line with Next Gen Science Standards. To learn more about this summer camp, click here.
A team of authors, musicians, teachers and curriculum experts set out to create a writing camp that turns the notion of “writing camp” on its formerly-stuffy head. For elementary campers, lessons are delivered as songs, and new writing skills are practiced by writing rap songs. Rising first graders develop story skills, while campers entering grades 2-5 publish their own eBooks. Middle school campers create their own blogs filled with technology-driven content. To learn more about this day camp, click here.
This summer teen Photography workshop is a comprehensive creative photography course that engages young photographers to fully understand their camera technology and enable them to create great photographs through their individual vision. The workshop is designed for beginners to advanced students who want to take their photography skills and vision to the next level. To learn more about this camp, click here.
Chess, Modeling and Art Day Camps in LA for Summer 2027
All the programs at Chess & Game Design Camp are designed to help develop critical thinking skills and improve creativity that is, so important to the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. To learn more about this day camp, click here.
Modeling Camp offers summer modeling camps and year-round modeling workshops for girls! If you want to 'discover the model in you, or just experience the industry for a week - Modeling Camp is the place to get started! To learn more about this camp, click here.
Kids will enhance their creative ability and become little Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Jackson Pollock, and Michael Angelo, using Mixed Media, drawing and painting, real clay, clay sculpture, wood sculpture, canvas painting, face painting, jewelry designs, cooking, music, Lego & Magnet Tiles Extravaganza and much much more! Click here to learn more about this day camp.
Film, Science and Multi-Activity Day Camps in LA for Summer 2027
SOCAPA offers Summer Program intensives in Filmmaking, Acting, Music, Dance, Photography and Screenwriting, helping teen artists learn and grow. Residential and day camps are offered for all experience levels! Situated across Griffith Park from Studio City and Universal Studios Hollywood, Occidental’s Eagle Rock neighborhood has a cozy, suburban feel while being close to all the action. Click here to learn more about this day camp.
STAR in Los Angeles is the largest summer camp and you are invited to take part in the epic offering they have planned this summer. They have over 40 wonderful options such as The World Famous EcoStation, Fashion: Sunshine Unicorn Dream, Entrepreneurship: Food Truckin’, Magician’s Junior Academy, RockSTAR: Into the Studio, Tech City: Code It w/Kano, and STAR Woodworking Academy: Inventions Through Time, and much more. Click here to learn more about Star Day Camps.
Mad Science offers a variety of camps for children between 6 and 12 years of age. Each camp is designed to engage active learning, promote inquiry-based interaction with our scientists, and entertain the imagination. The camps are comprised of structured curriculum and content and incorporate various themes including space, rocketry, robotics and robots, the environment, biology, kinesiology, and much more. To learn more about this day camp, click here.
To find more day camps for this summer, please visit our summer camp website. You can search the summer camps, by age, location, category, if they offer extended days, if they provide lunch, and if they provide a daily pass.
Sleepaway Camps Near Los Angeles for Summer 2027
Camp Ocean Pines 🌲🚣🏻♀️🌞🌊
Nestled in California's Central Coast, this sleepaway camp celebrates diversity, welcoming quirky, bold, and imaginative children to its tight-knit community of 81 campers. With a 1 to 4 staff-to-camper ratio, every child is known and embraced in their inclusive family atmosphere. From archery to tie-dye and beach outings, campers craft their schedules, fostering independence and exploration. Tech-free and focused on face-to-face connections, Camp Ocean Pines prioritizes outdoor adventures and shared experiences. Families are integral, participating in move-in day and enjoying end-of-session BBQs and slideshows. In this serene coastal setting, Camp Ocean Pines not only creates cherished memories but also cultivates values of compassion and self-discovery.
Summer 2027 sessions run from June 13 to August 6, with one- and two-week options.
Are you ready to rock this summer? Look no further than Amplify Sleep Away Camp for Girls! This award-winning music and creative arts summer camp has been empowering girls from around the world since 2012 in Ojai, California.
With immersive tracks to choose from, like learning an instrument and forming a band or photography, and over 50 fun weekly activities, including pool time and karaoke, Amplify is truly one-of-a-kind. And for Angeleno families, they even offer a shuttle to and from LA! But the fun doesn't stop there. They have overnight campouts, beach days, field days, and more! Plus, they hold super fun camp-wide events, like guest performances, dance parties, pool parties, and a big final showcase!
At Amplify, every girl gets the chance to be their most authentic self with positive role models and lifelong friends in a safe and supportive environment. There's no pressure, just good vibes, and uplifting encouragement all day long.
For 2027, Amplify's Juniors Sleepaway runs June 20 to 26 and Juniors Day Camp runs June 21 to 25, with longer sleepaway sessions for older campers.
Indian and Forest Acres is a community where campers between the ages of 7 and 16 develop physical, social and leadership skills. Indian Acres Camp for Boys and Forest Acres Camp for Girls are separate brother-sister camps, located two miles apart along the Saco River in Fryeburg, Maine. To learn more about these sleep-away camps, click here.
Located in the foothills of the majestic Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in Fresno County, California, campers get a break from their digital lives, and build friendships and community, while learning to develop a love and respect for the nature around them. To learn more about this sleep-away camp, click here.
Gold Creek Center is beautifully tucked away at the foot of the magnificent mountains of the Angeles National Forest, just 20-30 minutes from the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley, and Santa Clarita and less than 45 minutes from the Conejo Valley and West Los Angeles. The 270+ acres include a pool, ball fields, basketball courts (indoor and outdoor), air-conditioned indoor program spaces, and so many fun activities for kids 8 to 18. To learn more about this sleep-away camp, click here.
The Witherbee Wilderness Camp is a unique opportunity for campers entering grades 9-12 to experience camp in a whole new way. Offered in partnership with Outward Bound California, this 10-day program features time at Camp Bob Waldorf plus a rugged 7-day backpacking trip through beautiful landscapes such as Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Yosemite National Park. No electricity, no electronics, no plumbing…just the campers, their guides, and the great outdoors! To learn more about this sleep-away camp, click here.
Griffith Park Boys Camp is the best-kept secret in Los Angeles. The camp offers swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, sports, challenge activities, campfire programs, archery, outdoor living skills, nature awareness, field trips, themed sessions for variety, and special events to highlight each week. To learn more about this sleep-away camp, click here.
More Sleepaway and Specialty Camps for Summer 2027
This girls' sleep-away camp just under the Hollywood sign has swimming, a climbing wall, outdoor living skills, nature awareness, field trips, and themed programs that include meals, lodging, snacks, equipment, and supervision. During the course of the day, campers choose activities by cabin groups, age groups, and individually. All activities are taught by trained and experienced staff. To learn more about this sleep-away camp, click here.
The week-long summer seminars in Oxford are condensed versions of 4-week study abroad programs. The Seminars enable small groups of aspiring scholars to plunge into subjects they love. They offer 12 courses, including topics such as Business, Economics and Genetics. Alongside their classes, students attend academic talks and take part in workshops specifically designed to exercise their learning skills and assist with their university applications. In the afternoons and evenings, students immerse themselves in Oxford’s remarkable cultural scene from outings to Shakespeare plays to visiting historic sites such as the Bodleian Library and Blenheim Palace.
In an age where STEM jobs—specifically in technology—are the highest paid and fastest-growing in the world, iD Tech is an investment in your child’s future. With over 20 years of experience and unmatched expertise, they provide the best of the best locations, instructors, and tools for long-term student success. To learn more about this stay-away camp, click here.
UCLA Athletics hosts hands-on summer camps for kids focusing on detailed fundamental instruction, lectures on the proper offensive and defensive techniques, as well as individual and team competitions. At the UCLA Bruins summer camps, campers learn how to become well-rounded, team-oriented players, just like the legendary UCLA Bruins. To learn more about this stay-away camp, click here.
To find more sleepaway and overnight camps for summer 2027, visit our summer camp website, where you can search by age, location, category, extended days, lunch, and daily passes.
Special Needs Summer Camps in and Near Los Angeles for 2027
Many camps offer specialized care or tutoring for kids with special needs or learning disabilities.
Located in the San Bernardino Mountains of California, Camp Conrad Chinnock offers recreational, social, and educational opportunities for youth and families with diabetes. Campers are taught diabetes self-management skills in a fun, interactive, and safe environment. To learn more about this special needs camp, click here.
LA Speech & Language Therapy Center offers two summer camps: Say N’ Play and Drama Kings & Queens. The Say N’ Play Summer Day Camp is the most popular program. An intense speech-and language-based program, it’s taught by licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and behavior interventionist support staff who assist the children who present behavioral challenges. The innovative camp is organized thematically and includes weekly field trips to places like the Aquarium of the Pacific, Los Angeles Zoo and AdventurePlex. Some children receive individual or group pull-out speech therapy twice a week. To learn more about these special needs camps, click here.
Camp Nugget at Cal State Long Beach is a low-cost summer day camp for kids and teens ages 5 to 17 with disabilities, with swimming, sports and games, fitness, and relaxation activities. Summer 2027 dates and fees are TBA. Learn more about Camp Nugget.
Wayfinder Family Services' Camp Bloomfield has been sharing the joys of the outdoors with kids since 1958, with sessions for youth ages 7 to 17 who are blind or visually impaired. Session locations can change from year to year, so check for 2027 dates and sites. Learn more about Camp Bloomfield.
Find Summer Camps Near Me by Category
Summer Camps with Transportation
Summer Camps with Day Passes
Please check with each camp for registration dates, opening dates, and rates.
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Takeaway
Where to enroll your child in summer camp in Los Angeles gets a lot easier when you break it down: neighborhood recreation centers and the YMCA for budget-friendly weeks, LA's BEST and Beyond the Bell for free school-based programs, and specialty camps for the passions your kids can't stop talking about. Make your shortlist now, watch for 2027 registration dates, and use SummerCampsInLA.com to fill in the gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Camps in Los Angeles
Where can I enroll my child in summer camp in Los Angeles?
Start with SummerCampsInLA.com to compare camps by age, neighborhood, and type, then register directly on each camp's website. For budget-friendly options, check your City of LA recreation center and the YMCA, and look into free school-based programs like LA's BEST and LAUSD Beyond the Bell.
When does summer camp registration open in Los Angeles for 2027?
It depends on the camp. Camp Ocean Pines and Amplify have already posted 2027 sessions, and PlanetBravo opens regular enrollment later in 2026. Many other private camps, city recreation centers, and school programs haven't announced 2027 dates yet, so join each camp's email list to hear first.
Are there free summer camps in Los Angeles?
Yes. LA's BEST is free for families at participating LAUSD elementary schools, and LAUSD Beyond the Bell's expanded learning programs are offered at no cost, though its summer 2027 details aren't posted yet. You can also filter for free or low-cost camps on SummerCampsInLA.com.
What age can my child start summer camp in Los Angeles?
Many LA day camps start around age 4 or 5. YMCA day camps take kids who are at least 4 years, 9 months old, and the YMCA's Palisades-Malibu preschool camp serves potty-trained 3- and 4-year-olds. Sleepaway camps like Camp Ocean Pines start at age 7.
How do I find a summer camp near me in Los Angeles?
Search SummerCampsInLA.com by neighborhood, age, and category, including day camps, sleepaway camps, special needs camps, and camps with transportation. You can also check the City of LA's Day Camps page for the recreation center closest to home, or use LA's BEST's Find a Site tool to search by ZIP code.
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