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Summer Camps
Summer Camps
For the latest updates on each camp program, click on the links below to connect directly with your organization(s) of interest. This page is being updated as information is received.
Choose from a variety of venues with topics ranging from arts, science, culture, and more
Full-day and half-day camp options are available, for kids pre-K through 12th grade
Mix and match half-day camps to create a full-day experience
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Air & Space Museum
Summer Camp 2023 coming soon, Registration March 6, 2023
Astronauts in Training
Grades: 1-2
Description: Blast off to the moon and beyond as we learn the ins and outs of becoming an astronaut. Build rockets, create spacesuits, and learn all about life off planet.
Cost: $165 (Members $135)
Jun 26-30 9 am and July 31-Aug 4 1pmJunior Artists and Astronomers
Grades: 1-2
Description: Voyage into space and beyond as we use the cosmos for inspiration. Get messy as we paint, slime, color, and glue our way to fabulous art projects based on the work of astronomers.
Cost: $165 (Members $135)
July 10-14 9 am; July 24-28 1pmNeed for Speed
Grades: 3-5
Description: Rev your engines as we explore a need for speed. Engineer rockets, drive a race car, and explore the world of rovers and robots. Strap in for this half day camp.
Cost: $165 (Members $135)
July 10-14 1 pm Aug 7-11 9 amSuperheros Of Engineering
Grades: 3-5
Description: How does Iron man fly, discover Batman’s utility belt, and real-life innovators who are inventing engineering designs of the future. This half day program explores the superhero in you.
Cost: $165 (Members $135)
Jun 26-30 9 am Jul 31-Aug 4 9 amMoonBase
Grades: 3-5
Description: Travel to the moon and help set up a new colony. Use your design thinking to create rockets, habitats, space suits, and more.
Cost: $155 ($135 members)
Jun 19-23 1pm Jul 17-21 9 amG.I.R.L.S. in Engineering
Grades: 5-8
Description: G.I.R.L.S (Gender Inclusive Refuge for Learning STEM) Engineer your way to a brighter future by creating products related to aerospace, electrical, and civil engineering as we learn to solder, use basic tools, and meet with local experts.
Cost: $185 (Members $155)
July 17-21 1 pmAviation Simulations
Grades: 6-12
Description: Master the basics of flight, navigation, and instrumentation on our computer simulators, plus engineer prototypes of your own aircraft gliders. With instruction by actual pilots, this camp is great for the future aviator!
Cost: $185 (Members $155)
June 26-30 and Aug 7-11 1:00 pmHigh School Teacher Assistant
Grades: 9-12
Description: Would you like to volunteer to assist in the classroom during camp? We are looking for energetic, outgoing, and full of fun teens to help at our camps this summer. This is a great resume builder, and can help get those valuable volunteer hours. Perks include free admission to the museum, trying out teaching and the non-profit sector, helping students succeed and much more. To apply please send a cover letter and resume (even a short one of what you’ve done in your family or community) to education@sdasm.org. The application deadline is June 8, 2022 and TA orientation will be Saturday June 11, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
Cost: FREE
Camps run June 15 through August 19, Join for 1 week or manyAstro”tot”s
Grades: TK-K
Description: Blast off into space while we learn about the moon, the sun, rockets, and all things out of this world. This camp is for rising Tk and K members to come on their own without a caregiver. *Must be potty-trained Part of the Museum Little Engineers line up.
Cost: $135
Jun 19 and Jul 3 9:00-11:30 (Jul 4 no class) -
Fleet Science Center
Turn Your Curious Kids Into Happy Campers
ON SALE SOON!
Fleet Members: Wednesday, March 1, 2023Public: Monday, March 6, 2023The Fleet turns curious kids into happy campers! Our science-themed summer camps provide exciting experiments, intriguing investigations and fantastic fun. (Oh—and don’t tell the kids, but they’ll be learning a lot, too!) We have something for all ages, from Pre-K through 8th Grade. Summer camp topics vary each year, but check out the list below for previous topics.
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Japanese Friendship Garden
JFG invites campers to experience a taste of Japan! Our summer camps provide different activities within Japanese culture, wellness, and sustainability. We have camps available from grades 1st-8th. Capacity is limited, so registration for each grade level is first come first serve. Don’t miss out on an exciting opportunity!
Capacity is limited, so registration for each grade level is first come first serve. Completion of payment and the registration form are required to participate.
Each camp is five days.
Week 1-3: $240.00 for JFG Member | $250.00 Non-Member
Week 4 (STEAM Camp): $250 JFG Member | $240 Non-Member
Refunds will not be given less than 7 days before the camp.
Questions and other JFG Summer Camp inquiries can be e-mailed to education@niwa.org.
Registration Opens March 6, 2023!
Grades 1 & 2 | June 20th-June 24th | 9:00am-Noon
Day 1, June 20th
9:00 AM | Koi – One of the most iconic fish in Japan is Koi, also known as Nishikigoi. Koi carps are a very familiar fish among Japanese people, and they can be seen not only in aquariums but also all over Japan. For example, they can be found in shrines and Japanese gardens, even in the ponds of private homes! It is no exaggeration to say that koi has a central part in Japanese culture. But what kind of fish is the koi, and how did it come to be so popular in Japan? Koi Club SD will take you through a world of the koi, from their unique patterns to the symbolism held in Japan.
10:00 AM | Calligraphy – Calligraphy (shodō: “the way of writing”) is the art of writing beautifully. Most children in Japan learn calligraphy in elementary school, and it is also a popular hobby among adults. An interesting aspect of Japanese writing that carries over to calligraphy is the importance that is placed on the order in which the strokes of characters are drawn.
11: 00 AM | Kintusgi – Kintsugi, also known as kintsukuroi, is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Directly translating to “golden joinery,” as a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to conceal or discard. The thinking behind kintsugi is often likened to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, an embracing of the flawed or imperfect. Uplifting and hopeful, Kintsugi is an inspiring metaphor for dealing with the times we feel broken in life. It’s a reminder to find the gold to mend ourselves and appreciate our so called flaws.
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Day 2, June 21st
9:00 AM | The Secret Language of the Japanese Garden (Upper Garden) – A Japanese garden is filled with symbolism. Learning what these symbols mean is like learning a secret language. At JFG summer camp, we will explore this secret language to find out how rocks can become water, how a garden path can trick evil spirits and why bamboo is a symbol of strength and good luck. Join us to learn about the secret language of the Japanese garden at JFG summer camp!
10:00 AM | Kamishibai – Kamishibai is a remarkable way of telling stories with illustrations that was invented in Japan in 1929. The word literally means “picture-story.” Since 2012, Walter Ritter, a veteran stage actor, has presented approximately 3,000 kamishibai stories in classrooms, libraries, senior residences, and other venues including the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa. His program for JFG Summer Camp will include 2 stories, discussion, and a brief history of kamishibai including its present-day expansion to countries all over the world. Ritter is co-founder and executive director of Write Out Loud and a co-founder of the World Kamishibai Forum.
11:00 AM | TBA
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Day 3, June 22
9:00 AM | Survival Workshop – Join your Membership Coordinator for an hour long discussion, demonstration and practical application on living outdoors, knot tying, fire making and the basics of enjoying staying out of the house. Participants will learn the basics of knot tying, an improvised tent, and navigating by the sun. For grades 6-8, basic tools and fire making will be introduced in an outdoor setting. Various tents will be displayed and their purposes and durability in various seasons. Ending with a campfire lesson and safety rules.
10:00 AM | Taiko – In Japanese, taiko literally means “drum,” though the term has also come to refer to the art of Japanese drumming, also known as kumi-daiko. Taiko has been a part of the Japanese culture for centuries. Centuries ago, taiko was used predominantly in the military arena. As it evolved, Japanese Buddhist and Shinto religions gradually began to take it on as a sacred instrument. Historically, it has existed in a multitude of other environments, including agrarian, theater, and the imperial court. The art of kumi-daiko, performance as an ensemble, originated post-war in Showa 26 (1951). It was created by Daihachi Oguchi, a jazz drummer who serendipitously stumbled across an old piece of taiko music. Wondering why taiko were never played together, he broke with tradition by forming a taiko drum ensemble. More recently, taiko has enjoyed not only a resurgence of interest in Japan, where there are over 4,000 taiko ensembles, but also transplantation and evolution in North America.
11:00 AM | Koto – The koto, also known as “Japanese harp”, is a Japanese stringed instrument with a rich and detailed history. Unlike western stringed instruments such as violins and guitars, the koto actually consists of 13 strings that are strung over 13 bridges. Until the Meiji period, koto music was very popular within aristocratic circles. During and after the Meiji period when western musical styles started to influence Japanese culture, the koto lost some of is popularity.
Day 4, June 23rd
9:00 AM | The Secret Language of the Japanese Garden (Lower Garden Garden) – A Japanese garden is filled with symbolism. Learning what these symbols mean is like learning a secret language. At JFG summer camp, we will explore this secret language to find out how rocks can become water, how a garden path can trick evil spirits and why bamboo is a symbol of strength and good luck. Join us to learn about the secret language of the Japanese garden at JFG summer camp!
10:00 AM | Composting and Sustainability – Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away, and could be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
11:00 AM | TBA
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Day 5, June 24th
9:00 AM | TBA
10:00 AM | TBA
11:00 AM | TBA
Grades 3-5 | June 26th-June 30th | 9:00AM-Noon
Day 1, June 26th
9:00 AM | Koi – One of the most iconic fish in Japan is Koi, also known as Nishikigoi. Koi carps are a very familiar fish among Japanese people, and they can be seen not only in aquariums but also all over Japan. For example, they can be found in shrines and Japanese gardens, even in the ponds of private homes! It is no exaggeration to say that koi has a central part in Japanese culture. But what kind of fish is the koi, and how did it come to be so popular in Japan? Koi Club SD will take you through a world of the koi, from their unique patterns to the symbolism held in Japan.
11: 00 AM | Kamishibai – Kamishibai is a remarkable way of telling stories with illustrations that was invented in Japan in 1929. The word literally means “picture-story.” Since 2012, Walter Ritter, a veteran stage actor, has presented approximately 3,000 kamishibai stories in classrooms, libraries, senior residences, and other venues including the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa. His program for JFG Summer Camp will include 2 stories, discussion, and a brief history of kamishibai including its present-day expansion to countries all over the world. Ritter is co-founder and executive director of Write Out Loud and a co-founder of the World Kamishibai Forum.
11:00 AM | TBA
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Day 2, June 27th
9:00 AM | TBA
10:00 AM | Calligraphy – Calligraphy (shodō: “the way of writing”) is the art of writing beautifully. Most children in Japan learn calligraphy in elementary school, and it is also a popular hobby among adults. An interesting aspect of Japanese writing that carries over to calligraphy is the importance that is placed on the order in which the strokes of characters are drawn.
11:00 AM | Kintsugi – Kintsugi is the art of golden repair. This traditional Japanese craft highlights the skill & effort it takes to rebuild while respecting the piece’s original creation. Kintsugi appreciates the life it has lived & celebrates how it continues to live on. We will highlight the golden philosophies behind the lifelong craftsmanship of repair.
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Day 3, June 28th
9:00 AM | Kamishibai – Kamishibai is a remarkable way of telling stories with illustrations that was invented in Japan in 1929. The word literally means “picture-story.” Since 2012, Walter Ritter, a veteran stage actor, has presented approximately 3,000 kamishibai stories in classrooms, libraries, senior residences, and other venues including the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa. His program for JFG Summer Camp will include 2 stories, discussion, and a brief history of kamishibai including its present-day expansion to countries all over the world. Ritter is co-founder and executive director of Write Out Loud and a co-founder of the World Kamishibai Forum.
10:00 AM | TBA
11:00 AM | Koto – The koto, also known as “Japanese harp”, is a Japanese stringed instrument with a rich and detailed history. Unlike western stringed instruments such as violins and guitars, the koto actually consists of 13 strings that are strung over 13 bridges. Until the Meiji period, koto music was very popular within aristocratic circles. During and after the Meiji period when western musical styles started to influence Japanese culture, the koto lost some of is popularity.
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Day 4, June 29th
9:00 AM | TBA
10:00 AM | Taiko – In Japanese, taiko literally means “drum,” though the term has also come to refer to the art of Japanese drumming, also known as kumi-daiko. Taiko has been a part of the Japanese culture for centuries. Centuries ago, taiko was used predominantly in the military arena. As it evolved, Japanese Buddhist and Shinto religions gradually began to take it on as a sacred instrument. Historically, it has existed in a multitude of other environments, including agrarian, theater, and the imperial court.
11:00 AM | Ikebana – Ikebana is one of the traditional arts in Japan. Ikebana involves arranging a wide array of materials including blooming flowers, branches, stems, leaves and moss in vases or other containers to create a visually appealing work of art. In this summer camp, students will create their own design with their imagination, ideas and expressions using flowers, leaves and branches. It will be lots of fun.
Day 5, June 30th
9:00 AM | Composting and Sustainability – Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away, and could be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
10:00 AM | TBA
11:00 AM | TBA
Grades 6-8 | July 3, 5-6, 8-9 | 9:00AM-Noon
Day 1, July 3rd
9:00 AM | Koi – One of the most iconic fish in Japan is Koi, also known as Nishikigoi. Koi carps are a very familiar fish among Japanese people, and they can be seen not only in aquariums but also all over Japan. For example, they can be found in shrines and Japanese gardens, even in the ponds of private homes! It is no exaggeration to say that koi has a central part in Japanese culture. But what kind of fish is the koi, and how did it come to be so popular in Japan? Koi Club SD will take you through a world of the koi, from their unique patterns to the symbolism held in Japan.
10:00 AM | Taiko – In Japanese, taiko literally means “drum,” though the term has also come to refer to the art of Japanese drumming, also known as kumi-daiko. Taiko has been a part of the Japanese culture for centuries. Centuries ago, taiko was used predominantly in the military arena. As it evolved, Japanese Buddhist and Shinto religions gradually began to take it on as a sacred instrument. Historically, it has existed in a multitude of other environments, including agrarian, theater, and the imperial court.
11:00 AM | TBA
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Day 2, July 5th
9:00 AM | TBA
10:00 AM | TBA
11:00 AM | Koto – The koto, also known as “Japanese harp”, is a Japanese stringed instrument with a rich and detailed history. Unlike western stringed instruments such as violins and guitars, the koto actually consists of 13 strings that are strung over 13 bridges. Until the Meiji period, koto music was very popular within aristocratic circles. During and after the Meiji period when western musical styles started to influence Japanese culture, the koto lost some of is popularity.
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Day 3, July 6th
9:00 AM | Composting and Sustainability – Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away, and could be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
10:00 AM | Calligraphy – Calligraphy (shodō: “the way of writing”) is the art of writing beautifully. Most children in Japan learn calligraphy in elementary school, and it is also a popular hobby among adults. An interesting aspect of Japanese writing that carries over to calligraphy is the importance that is placed on the order in which the strokes of characters are drawn.
11:00 AM | Kintsugi – Kintsugi is the art of golden repair. This traditional Japanese craft highlights the skill & effort it takes to rebuild while respecting the piece’s original creation. Kintsugi appreciates the life it has lived & celebrates how it continues to live on. We will highlight the golden philosophies behind the lifelong craftsmanship of repair.
——
Day 4, July 8th
9:00 AM | TBA
10:00 AM | Kamishibai – Kamishibai is a remarkable way of telling stories with illustrations that was invented in Japan in 1929. The word literally means “picture-story.” Since 2012, Walter Ritter, a veteran stage actor, has presented approximately 3,000 kamishibai stories in classrooms, libraries, senior residences, and other venues including the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa. His program for JFG Summer Camp will include 2 stories, discussion, and a brief history of kamishibai including its present-day expansion to countries all over the world. Ritter is co-founder and executive director of Write Out Loud and a co-founder of the World Kamishibai Forum.
11:00 AM | TBA
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Day 5, July 9th
9:00 AM | TBA
10:00 AM | TBA
11:00AM | TBA
STEAM in Niwa: Summer Camp Edition
Grades 6-8 | July 10-July 14 | 9:00AM-Noon
Core STEAM – Students learn a variety of core STEAM concepts like typing, electrical engineering, and computer programming fundamentals that will act as a foundation to understanding all adventure theme topics!
Core Data Science – Core Data Science Applications adds additional investigations into how an Adventure Theme SCALES in real-world applications! Data from experiments is generated and leveraged Visualization, Simulation & Coding. Want a real-world look into materials decay, exponential growth, industrial scaling, etc. … Let’s explore it together!
Sustainable Agriculture – It’s time to get our HANDS dirty and our MINDS open to all of the great things we can explore in our Earth & Life Science Adventure workshop! This program features workshops and hands-on activities in plant biology, sustainable agriculture, and life science explorations .
Each student will have their own take-home microscopes and soil-plant kits to conduct labs during the week.Geology: The Architecture of Stone & Sound – Dive into 2 elements of Japanese gardens: stone & water. Students will learn about geology via the merger of stone arrangements and water to create various sound elements.
Virtual Reality: Eco-Exploration – Explore ecosystems of the world right from San Diego in this dynamic & exciting new adventure! Students will survey various sites using VR/AR technology. Each site will challenge students to explore technology to answer a question/solve a problem.
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San Diego Art Camp
San Diego Art Camp – Full-day camp
Your camper will be exposed to a wide variety of different art forms including photography, digital media, ceramics, painting, drawing, music, dance, and Balboa Park museum visits.
Dates: July 10-14, 2023 | July 17-21, 2023 | July 24-28, 2023
25 students weekly | 6-12 years | Monday to Friday 9 a.m – 4 p.m ( no aftercare available)
Located at The House of Czech and Slovak Republics, 2170 Pan American Plaza, San Diego CA 92101
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San Diego Civic Youth Ballet
2023 Ballet Summer Camps
Enrollment for Summer Camps Starts March 6, 2023
Camps begin with a daily ballet class where students are introduced to ballet technique, as well as music and performance. Activities like arts & crafts, jazz classes, performance rehearsals, and field trips to other cultural institutions in Balboa Park make every day of camp an adventure. Each week of camp ends with an in-studio performance for family and friends to see what the young dancers have learned at camp and celebrate their accomplishments.
JULY 17 – 21, 2023
9am – 12pm (Ages 4 – 6)
1pm – 4pm (Ages 7 – 10)
5-DAY CAMP, COST: $180
AUGUST 7 – 11, 2023
9am – 12pm (Ages 4 – 6)
1pm – 4pm (Ages 7 – 10)
5-DAY CAMP, COST: $180
AUGUST 14 – 18, 2023
9am – 12pm (Ages 4 – 6)
5-DAY CAMP, COST: $180
Call 619-233-3060 for more information.
2023 Ballet Intensives
Enrollment for Summer Intensives Starts March 6, 2023
This year’s intensives will feature acclaimed guest faculty from around the country including ballet instructors John Lam, Kai Davis, Jenifer Sarver, Jennifer Curry Wingrove and Tiffany Case Singlar, in addition to many other talented instructors who will enhance the experience by adding in other styles such as modern, jazz and musical theatre!
The SDCYB ADVANCED INTENSIVE from JUNE 26 to JULY 14, 2023
The SDCYB Advanced Intensive is a three-week, full-day program. Students participate in daily ballet technique classes, as well as classes in pointe, variations, modern, jazz, PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique), Pilates, injury prevention, and music. This challenging and diverse program offers advanced dancers the opportunity to learn from an impressive roster of guest faculty from around the country. The program culminates in an in-studio performance and reception for family and friends.
This intensive will be taught in-person in Balboa Park, and costs $1,000 for the 3-week program. There is a $50 discount if paid in full by April 1st.
The SDCYB INTERMEDIATE INTENSIVE from JULY 24 to AUGUST 4, 2023
The SDCYB Intermediate Intensive is a two-week, full-day program. Students participate in daily ballet technique classes, as well as classes in modern, choreography, jazz, Pilates, and music. The two-week session culminates in an in-studio performance and reception for family and friends.
This intensive will be taught in-person in Balboa Park, and costs $600 for the 2-week program. There is a $50 discount if paid in full by April 1st.
Call 619-233-3060 for more information.
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Museum of Photographic Arts
Learn about photography, animation and much more in our hands-on, exploratory camps at MOPA! Camps are great for all levels of experience and explore image making, idea sharing and a variety of creative techniques!
Week-long, full-day camps for ages 9 to 17, offered from June 19 through August 11
Monday through Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm.