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

• Air & Space Museum

  Summer Camp Registration

  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 1pm

  Junior 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 1pm

  Need 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 am

  Superheros 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 am

  MoonBase

  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 am

  G.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 pm

  Aviation 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 pm

  High 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 many

  Astro”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, 2023

  Public: Monday, March 6, 2023

  The 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. 

  

• 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.

  ——

  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

  ——

  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

  —

  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

  ——

  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.

  ——

  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.

   ——

  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

  ——

  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.

   —

  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

  —

  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.

• 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| July 31 – August 4, 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

• 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.

• Museum of Photographic Arts

  2023 Summer Camps 

  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.

  Learn more and register now!

• Model Railroad Museum

  Our ever-popular model railroad camp introduces beginner modelers to the basics of creating a mock model railroad. Older campers will create a working model railroad.

  Campers paint, plaster, lay track and construct a mini-town, complete with buildings, trees, trains, and people!

  All SDMRM camps are immersive, hands-on, and led by enthusiastic education professionals.

  Camp COVID-19 protocols will align with museum safety requirements and all requirements from California Department of Public Health.

   

  Please email completed forms to education@sdmrm.org.
  Summer Camp spots fill quickly. Please return all registration paperwork as quickly as possible to ensure a spot in the camp If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask.

  Summer Camp Registration Forms

  In-person

  Virtual

  SUMMER CAMP DATES
  Virtual

  • July 5, 6, 7, 8am – 9:15am TK to end of 4th grade
  • July 17, 18, 19, 10:30am – 11:45am TK to end of 4th grade

  In Person

  • June 19th – June 23rd 9am – 12pm K-2nd Beginners SOLD OUT*
  • June 26th – June 30th 9am – 12pm K-2nd Beginners SOLD OUT*
  • July 10th – July 14th 9am –12pm 3rd-5th Apprentice SOLD OUT*
  • July 24th – July 28th 9am – 12pm 6th-8th Intermediate
  • July 31st – August 4th 9am –12pm 6th-9th Advanced

  *To join the waitlist for a sold-out week, please email education@sdmrm,org

• San Diego Natural History Museum

  Summer camp runs June 19-August 18, 2023.

  Let’s get wild. Summer camp is here!

  We offer full-day camps for grades 1-8. Our nature-themed summer camps offer hands-on activities, opportunities to explore the Museum and Balboa Park. Science has never been so much fun!

  Registration opens March 6 for members and March 13 for non-members.
  Registration has now SOLD OUT for grades 1–5. There is limited space available in grades 6–8. In the event of a cancellation, you can join our wait list by emailing reservationcoordinator@sdnhm.org with your contact information and desired camp. Our (needs based) scholarship program has a few spots left, see details below for how to apply. Thank you!

  • Members $325 | Non-members $350
  • Our week-long camps are full days (9 AM–3 PM)

  A souvenir T-Shirt is included with each registration. Please note your camper’s size when filling out the registration form. T-Shirts will be given to your camper on the first day of camp.

  Grades 1 & 2
  Dinosaur Detectives (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, June 19, 2023 9 AM
  Wish you had a time machine? Become a dinosaur detective and dig into the lives of these giant reptiles as we step back millions of years. Our journey to the age of dinosaurs is packed with crafts, games, and activities that explore the secrets of a strange and fascinating prehistoric world. We’ll tour the Museum’s exhibits, go on field excursions, and uncover some of the mysteries of these larger-than-life creatures.

  Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Backyard Wilderness (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, June 26, 2023 9 AM
  San Diego is an amazing place. We can journey from our rich coastline to the mountains and the desert wilderness—all in one day! Come explore the plants and animals—both past and present—in our own backyard. Learn why our county is considered the most biodiverse county in the lower 48 states. Through hands-on exploration at the Museum and throughout Balboa Park, test your tracking skills, look for creative inspiration in nature, and experience how the Kumeyaay People use nature to help them survive.

  Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Fossil Finders (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, July 17, 2023 9 AM
  Under your feet lie clues to the distant past. Discover the power and mystery of fossils. Practice field work like paleontologists as we hike through Balboa Park and unearth the truth about some of our favorite animals, from dinosaurs to whales. We will visit the Museum’s exhibitions Fossil Mysteries, Coast to Cactus in Southern California, and Unshelved. Perhaps we’ll run into a real paleontologist! Come prepared to get dirty!

  Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Remarkable Reptiles (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, July 24, 2023 9 AM
  Do you love critters that slither and creep? Explore the diversity of reptiles as we get up close and personal through encounters with living reptiles. Our animal investigation will take us on field excursions in Balboa Park and Museum exhibitions such as Fossil Mysteries and Living Lab. Get ready to turn fears in cheers for our reptilian friends.

  Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Insect Investigators (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, August 7, 2023 9 AM
  Did you know that all bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs? In this new camp, become a junior entomologist for the day and investigate a wide variety of bugs through an outdoor garden walk and close encounters of the bug kind. Visit our core exhibitions, Fossil Mysteries and Coast to Cactus in Southern California, and learn about insects of our region—both past and present. Come and join us as we learn about these micro monsters!

  Monday, August 7 through Friday, August 11 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Sea Monsters and Beauties (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, August 14, 2023 9 AM
  Get ready to submerge yourself in the wonders of the underwater world. We’ll investigate pre-historic marine reptiles and explore the majesty of dolphins and whales. We will visit our Museum exhibitions and spend the week discovering both the “monsters” and beauties that exist—or existed—under the sea. Come and take a journey into the deep blue.

  Monday, August 14 through Friday, August 18 | 9 AM–3PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Grades 3 – 5
  Cold Blooded Critters (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, June 19, 2023 9 AM
  Slither your way into an unforgettable week of reptile and amphibian exploration. Dispel common “tall tales” about these fascinating cold-blooded creatures with a visit to the Museum’s Living Lab and basement herpetological collection—where there are over 73,000 fluid-preserved specimens! You will even get the chance to track these diverse animals as we hike through Balboa Park.

  Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Kaleidoscope: Art and Science (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, June 26, 2023 9 AM
  Is there art in science? Is there science in art? This camp will investigate these questions as we explore natural science and all its beauty, diversity, and creativity. We’ll look to our outside world and explore color, movement, and sound, letting it serve as our muse in hands-on activities, art projects, and theater games. Our museum exhibitions will be our lab and inspiration. Come discover the beauty of natural science.

  Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  I’m an Ologist (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, July 10, 2023 9 AM
  Ever wonder what it would be like to be a scientist at The Nat? Spend the week in the shoes of a paleontologist, entomologist, herpetologist, ornithologist, and a botanist! Each day we’ll discover a new natural science and conduct experiments, create crafts, and spend time in our natural world. Who knew science could be so fun?

  Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Explore Balboa Park (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, July 17, 2023 9 AM
  How lucky are we to live in a city that is home to Balboa Park? Put on your walking shoes, because we’ll explore the Park’s gardens, learn its history, and discover its natural beauty each day. We’ll visit other museums and take an extra special look at The Nat, the oldest scientific institution in Southern California. We’ll hike, make art projects, uncover hidden secrets, and celebrate all things Balboa Park.

  Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 | 9 AM–3PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Science of Flight (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, July 24, 2023 9 AM
  Up, up, and away! We have been fascinated with flight for thousands of years. From dinosaurs and birds to some unexpected gliders, we’ll investigate the science of flight. What lessons have we learned from our feathered friends that have led humans to take to the skies? Through visits to our Museum exhibitions and excursions in Balboa Park, we will investigate this fascination. Join us as we take off for some “plane” old fun!

  Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Wonder Women in Science (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, July 31, 2023 9 AM
  Girl power is the name of the game for this camp created to celebrate women in science. We’ll spend the week combining summer fun with natural science exploration. We’ll conduct hands-on experiments, explore the Museum’s science departments, and find inspiration in women scientists—past and present—who are blazing trails for the female scientists of tomorrow.

  Monday, July 31 through Friday, August 4 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Paleo FBI (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, August 7, 2023 9 AM
  Do you “dig” paleontology? Ever wonder how fossils are formed and found? Then join the Fossil Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In this camp we’ll learn and work like real scientists. We’ll travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs as we unlock fossil mysteries and take a look at local discoveries uncovered by the Museum’s own paleontology department. We’ll conduct hands-on experiments, make art projects, and make regular trips to the Museum’s exhibitions and into Balboa Park.

  Monday, August 7 through Friday, August 11 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Rock On! (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, August 14, 2023 9 AM
  Discover the splendor and science that exists right under your feet! San Diego is one of the most famous gem-producing regions in the world, but where do these minerals come from and how are they formed? We will answer these questions and more as we explore the dynamic forces continually changing Earth. We’ll make art projects, perform experiments, and visit our exhibition, Hidden Gems. Rock on!

  Monday, August 14 through Friday, August 18 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Grades 6 – 8
  Digital Storytelling – Register
  Monday, July 10, 2023 9 AM
  We’re mixing technology with science and storytelling in this middle school camp experience. Learn how digital devices like smartphones and tablets are changing the way people can interact with nature. Using iPads to learn the basics of digital storytelling, you and your fellow campers will dig into the Museum’s collections and the beautiful surroundings of Balboa Park to create stories about the natural world. The week will end with a film festival, giving your friends and family a chance to see your masterpiece.

  Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

  Nature Challenge (SOLD OUT)
  Monday, July 31, 2023 9 AM
  Nature meets technology in this interactive exploration of Balboa Park. Step into the role of a scientist as you collect plant and animal observations for Museum scientists. Take a peek behind the scenes at our research collections. At the end of the week, we’ll share our findings, giving friends and family a chance to see what we have discovered.

  Monday, July 31 through Friday, August 4 | 9 AM–3 PM
  Members $325 | Non-members $350

• Institute of Contemporary Art

  Mastering the art of summer fun!

  Young artists are invited to develop their creativity in a museum setting through our popular Art Camps. During each one-of-a-kind week of project-based camps, young people have the opportunity to explore various art materials, acquire new art-making techniques, and develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills under the guidance of a teaching artist.

  Each summer, ICA San Diego hosts six sessions camps offering different art experiences based on current art trends. Beyond progressing in their art, students spend time outdoors either exploring Balboa Park (ICA San Diego / Central) or around our 6-acre of natural preserve (ICA San Diego / North), meet new friends, and leave each day with lifelong memories.

  General Camp Information

  Scroll down to select a week

  Monday – Friday
  9:00 am – 2:00 pm (Drop off begins at 8:45)
  June 20, 2023 – August 11, 2023

  (no camp on Monday, June 19 in honor of the Juneteenth holiday, no camp the week of July 4)

  Aftercare offered from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

  Keep the fun going with an artsy Aftercare, includes one extra craft activity and a snack.

  Weekly Price: $80 / 4 Days $70 / 1 Day: $20

  Discounts

  ICA Member save 10% – Log in and use ICAMEMBERSAVE code

  If you are not an ICA Member you can sign up here. After your membership purchase, you will receive your 10% unique discount code with you membership confirmation email. (Different from the one published here).

  Early Bird discount (through February 28) save 5% – Use EARLYBIRDCAMP code

  Purchase 2 or more camps and save an additional 5% each – Use MULTICAMP code

  Discounts can be combined. Apply discount codes at the bottom of your shopping bag page before checkout.

  5-7 years

  Week1: June 20th – 23rd

   

  Under the Sea!

  Price: $220/$198 ICA Members (includes materials) (4 days only)

  This imaginative camp will focus on creating underwater seascapes and the creatures that live within. Campers will use painting, drawing, stamping and sculptural techniques to create underwater scenes.  Dip into this watery week of fun, art, and more!

  Skills: 

  • Learn how to engage in self-directed, creative artmaking.
  • Make art or design with various art materials and tools to explore marine life, personal interests, and curiosities.
  • Learn to perceive and describe aesthetic characteristics of one’s natural world and constructed environments.
  • Use observation and investigation in preparation for making a work of art, and brainstorm to generate multiple approaches to an art or design problem.

  Register here

  Week 5: July 24th – 28th – Sold Out!

   

  Mystical Makers

  Price: $275/$247.50 ICA Members (includes materials)

  From dragons to unicorns, mermaids to gnomes, this camp is all about imagination. We’ll make a variety of creations for the kids to enjoy, including puppets using dyed fabrics, wands made out of  fibers, kaleidoscopes, and more.

  Skills:

  • Combine ideas to generate an innovative idea for art-making.
  • Identify and demonstrate diverse methods of artistic investigation to choose an approach for beginning a work of art.
  • Practice constructing original projects out of various materials.

  8-10 years

  Week 4: July 17th – 21st

   

  Cartoon Craze

  Price: $275/$247.50 ICA Members (includes materials)

  Do you enjoy comics or graphic novels? Do you ever wonder how artists create them? Learn how to create stories, characters, collaborative stop-motion movies, and publish your own fantastic comic creations.  Set your inner cartoonist free!

  Skills:

  • Apply knowledge of available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the art-making process.
  • Create personally satisfying artwork using a variety of artistic processes and materials.
  • Using a variety of drawing mediums, students will investigate how to illustrate stories  through art.

  Register here

  Week 6: July 31st – August 4th

   

  Superbly Super

  Price: $275/$247.50 ICA Members (includes materials)

  Who’s your hero? Campers in this week will explore the world of graphic design and illustration, creating original superhero logos, posters, and all things super. From superpowers to supervillains, costumes to gadgets, campers will explore all the ways a hero can be represented.

  Skills:

  • Learn how personal experiences can inform artistic expression and the importance of representation in media.
  • Learn how to experiment with new materials, and creatively tell a story.

  Register here

  Teens (11-13)

  Week 3: July 10th – 14th

  Printmaking and Photography Ages: 11 – 13 years

  Price: $275/$247.50 ICA Members (includes materials)

  Campers will remix and reinterpret photography and printmaking processes. They will design, create, and capture images, by using a mix of old and contemporary methods. They will capture interesting natural and urban environmental elements by touring Balboa Park. Create realistic or abstract portraits and still life by utilizing studio setups, mixed media installations, and projections.

  Skills: 

  • Learn the fundamentals of photography and printmaking.
  • Apply these fundamentals to more experimental work, exploring how mixing processes and media can create unique results and foster a distinct artistic style.

  Register here

  Teens (14-17)

  Week 2: June 26th – 30th

   

  DIY Zine Camp
  Ages: 14 – 17 years old

  Price: $275/$247.50 ICA Members (includes materials)

  Literature, comic books, photography, movies, illustration: our visual art–Zine Camp is for students who love all of these and want to learn how to edit, create, and distribute art into DIY magazines. A zine is a self-published book or booklet that can be reproduced to share or sell. Potential zine content is all-inclusive and can go beyond conventional material. Activities include photography, screen printing, written word, drawing, collaging, and more. Campers will also get to dive into the world of ceramics, spending half of their time in the ceramics lab experimenting with pottery and sculpture.

  Skills:

  • Generate a collection of ideas reflecting current interests and concerns that could be investigated in art-making.
  • Formulate an artistic investigation of personally relevant content for creating art.
  • Select, organize, and design images and words to make visually clear and compelling presentations.

  Register here

• Centro Cultural de la Raza

  Summer Camp – YOLOTLALLI 2022

  Register Now! We are so excited to be part of the 2022 #LevelUpSD program in partnership with The SD Foundation, SUHSD, and TheEdLadder! Parents, scan our QR code (swipe right ) to learn more about how to enroll your child in our Yolotlalli Camp: A Summer of Learning and Art in Balboa Park. The program will provide fun reading and math activities and arts and cultural activities every day. Students can register for all 5 weeks or enroll by week.

  When: June 21st-July 22nd (Days off for Juneteenth and 4th of July); Monday – Friday

  Time: 1:30-5:00 PM

  Eligible students: Ages 11-14 in the San Diego Unified School District. FREE!

  Unsure if your child qualifies? Give us a call/text: (619) 864-0725
  https://www.inplay.org/providers/the-ed-ladder/camp-yolotlalli-a-summer-of-learning-and-art-in-balboa-park-week-1-half-day

• WorldBeat Center

  Summer Camp Activities Include:
  Art, Music, Bird Watching, Science, Theater, Dance, Field Trips and More!

  Weekly Sessions:

  SESSION #1  AUGUST 7-11

  SESSION #2 AUGUST 14-18

  Camp Location: WorldBeat Cultural Center ( 2100 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92101)

  Ages: 5-12 years (Grades K-7) (Must be 5 by the time camp starts)

  Cost: $150 per child, per week

  Monday – Friday : 9am-4pm

  Daily Schedule

  9am-9:30am    Sign-In/Drop Off

  9:30am-10:30am    Art/Music

  10:30am-11:30am    Gardening/Outdoor Classroom (Nature)

  11:30am-12:00pm    Lunch (*Family must provide each day*)

  12:00pm-1:00pm    Free Play/Team Sports

  1:00pm-2:00pm    Theater

  2:00pm-3:00pm    Dance

  3:00pm-3:30pm    Snack (*Provided by camp each day, Vegan/Vegetarian*)

  3:30pm-4pm    Daily Review/Begin Pick up and Sign-Out for dismissal

  PLEASE NOTE

  SUMMER CAMP OPENS AT 9AM AND NOT BEFORE.

  SUMMER CAMP ENDS PROMPTLY AT 4PM

  Additional costs for activities: $20

  Puppet Theater
  Drum Class
  Dance (guest instructors rotate)
  Pool (Bud Kearns Memorial Pool)
  Museums FREE (On certain days)

  *Snacks will be provided by WorldBeat Center and parents are responsible for providing campers with lunch.

  REGISTRATION PROCESS:

  Step 1. Register online and pay the deposit.

  REGISTRATION NOW OPEN. Camp Session Total: $150 per child. Initial Deposit Due Upon Registration $75 Remainder $75 will be paid on the first day of class by check (to Camp Director, Monica Harris) or cash

   

  *PLEASE SEE OUR REFUND POLICY BELOW.

  Step 2.  Make sure to Print, Sign and Email the Camp Forms to Miss Monie, Camp Director, to divaworksent@yahoo.com  You may also bring the forms filled out on the first day of camp or fill them out online through our third party link below.

  DOWNLOAD CAMPER FORMS HERE

  OR you can also fill them out at the end of the registration.

  *REFUND POLICY*
  We do not offer registration refunds. Instead, we would like to encourage you to simply move your registration to another session so that your child can have the experience of summer camp. We advise that you if you are not certain about attending that you instead not rush to register.

  MEDICAL REASON FOR CANCELLATION
  We understand that medical issues may arise over the summer or just as your child is set to attend camp.  Please call us as soon as possible to inform us of your need to cancel.  We will ask that you submit a written excuse from your child’s physician.

  SUMMER CAMP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

  Our number one priority continues to be keeping students, staff, and families safe, healthy, and able to attend class each day.

  1. If your student is not feeling well, please keep them home and alert the camp director, Miss Monie. In order to return to school, symptoms must be improving, the students must be fever free for 24 hours and not test positive for COVID-19.
  2. Masks are optional during indoor and outdoor activities.
  4. Summer Camp MEDICAL FORMS must be submitted the first day of camp to our Staff. Forms MUST be filled out completely. Vaccinations are NOT MANDATORY.

  *Protocols will be amended as necessary as we move along through the summer to ensure the safety and security of our children.

  If you have any questions call 619-230-1190.