Summer in San Diego offers more than just sunshine and pool days. It’s a chance for kids and teens to explore new interests, build skills, and make lasting memories. Between hands-on animal care to competitive sports, ocean safety, and even international academic adventures, there's a wide range of summer camps available in 2026. I've rounded up my local favorites and destination camps worth considering, with program details to help you plan ahead.
1. Rancho Santa Fe Community Center Summer Camps
RSFCC offers a wide mix of themed week-long camps, including STEM-based LEGO builds, tennis instruction, creative arts, and hands-on science. Designed for kids ages 5 to 12, these programs run from June 1st through August 7th. Families can choose between half- or full-day schedules, making it easy to tailor around other summer commitments and family plans.
2. Helen Woodward Animal Center Critter Camp
Photo credit Helen Woodward Animal Center
Critter Camp runs from June 1st to August 21st at the Humane Education Campus, giving kids a safe, structured way to interact with animals while learning about pet care and animal welfare. Sessions are broken down by grade level, from Pre-K through 8th, and include indoor lessons, games, and behind-the-scenes visits with shelter animals. Teens in high school can apply to volunteer as junior counselors, which counts toward community service hours!
3. RSF Attack Soccer Summer Camp
Rancho Santa Fe Attack Soccer offers 2 summer recreational soccer camps at the Rancho Santa Fe fields for 2026. Sessions are scheduled for June 15th to 19th and July 27th to 31st. The camps focus on games, skill building, and player development in a recreational setting led by the coaching staff. RSF Attack’s recreational program is designed for players ages 4 to 14, with seasonal camp offerings also available during Thanksgiving and the holidays.
4. Coast Volleyball Club Summer Camp
Photo credit Coast Volleyball
Coast Volleyball runs indoor and beach camps for both boys and girls, with sessions grouped by age and skill level. Athletes can choose beginner clinics, all-skills training, or focused position work like setting or defense. Most camps take place in San Diego and are offered weekly throughout the summer for elementary through high school players.
5. Hegewisch Stables Summer Camp | Rancho Santa Fe
Photo credit Hegewisch Stables
Hegewisch Stables Summer Horse Camp is open to all children ages 5-15, with no prior experience required. Each week long session from June 15th - August 7th includes riding lessons, grooming, barn care, and horse-themed games and crafts. Camps run Mon - Fri from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and campers should wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Registration includes all supplies. Spots are limited so secure yours before they’re gone!
6. Camp La Valle | Rancho Santa Fe
Photo credit La Valle Coastal Club
Camp La Valle at La Valle Coastal Club runs weekdays from June 1st to August 7th, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, with optional extended care available for children ages 5-11. Each week is filled with diverse activities, including swimming, arts and crafts, group games, STEM challenges, and recreational golf and tennis sessions. Special themed days like Wacky Wednesdays and Thankful Thursdays add extra excitement to the program. Please note that non-members must be sponsored by a club member to enroll.
7. YMCA Swim Center | Solana Beach
Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA in Encinitas offers a dynamic summer day camp program running weekly from June 8th through August 14th. Campers can choose from a variety of specialty camps including rock climbing, multi-sport, karate, and even a farming with Coastal Roots. The camp also features unique programs like an Adaptive Camp designed for youth with behavioral and developmental needs, ensuring an inclusive experience for all participants. With a wide range of activities and dedicated staff, it's a place where kids can learn, grow, and have fun all summer long.
8. Art Scōl | La Jolla
Photo credit Art Scol
Art Scōl in La Jolla offers individualized summer art camps for elementary and middle school students. Each three-hour session focuses on 2D media such as pencil drawing, colored pencils, watercolors, oil and dry pastels, and pen and ink. Unlike group-based projects, instruction is tailored to each student's skill level and interests. Sessions are held from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at their studio.
9. Fleet Science Center | Balboa Park
Photo credit Fleet Science Center
The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park offers a variety of on-site and off-site summer camps for children from Pre-K through 8th grade, running weekly from June 1st to August 7th, 2025. Each camp focuses on different STEM topics, including astronomy, robotics, chemistry, and space science and programs are tailored to specific grade levels. Campers engage in hands-on experiments, interactive exhibits, and creative projects. Please note that extended care is not available for the summer.
10. Junior Lifeguard Program | Del Mar
Photo credit Del Mar Lifeguard
The City of Del Mar’s Junior Lifeguard Program runs weekday mornings from June through end of July, with multiple two-week sessions available. Open to ages 9 to 15, the program teaches ocean safety, rescue techniques, and physical conditioning. A limited-space Super Academy is also offered for older participants seeking advanced lifeguard training. Participants gain a clear understanding of how lifeguards monitor the beach, interpret flag signals for public safety, and coordinate as a team to manage real-time ocean conditions.
11. Watersports Camp | Mission Bay
Photo credit Watersports Camp
The Watersports Camp at Mission Bay Aquatic Center offers weeklong full-day and half-day sessions for campers aged 6 to 17, running from June 1st through August 21st. Campers can choose from a variety of activities, including wakeboarding, sailing, surfing, stand-up paddling, kayaking, and marine science. Each day is structured with morning instructional sessions focused on the camper's primary activity, followed by afternoon recreational sessions introducing different watersports. A swim assessment is conducted on the first day to ensure water safety. Optional late supervision is available for an additional fee, providing flexibility for families and continued downtime with indoor activities to unwind after a full day on the water.
12. The Bishop’s School | La Jolla
Photo credit The Bishops School
The Bishop's School in La Jolla offers a Summer Session for rising grades 4 to 12, with academic courses, enrichment classes, and athletic camps. Programs run throughout June and July, with specific dates varying by grade level and course type. Upper School students can choose from academic options such as health, biblical literature, math prep, literature and writing, engineering design, electronics and coding, marine biology, and speech and debate. Younger students can take enrichment classes in areas like visual arts, global chefs, forensics, and musical theater. Athletic camps are also available for rising grades 3 to 12, with options including baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football, lacrosse, strength and agility, and tennis. Morning and afternoon sessions are available depending on the course or camp. No classes are held on June 19th or July 3rd.
13. Oxford Royale Academy | U.K. & U.S.
Photo credit Oxford Royale
For ambitious students ready to go beyond local options, Oxford Royale’s Summer School offers a premier academic experience. This two-week residential program is welcomes students aged 12 to 18. Programs run from July 5th to August 15th, with start dates on July 5, July 19, and August 2. Students can study at 6 world-class Universities including Oxford University, University of Cambridge, Yale University, Imperial College London, Columbia in New York, and Dubai. Students explore advanced subjects like medicine, law, engineering, artificial intelligence, and global leadership, guided by faculty with backgrounds from leading institutions. The experience includes dorm-style housing, meals, academic mentoring, and structured extracurricular activities. Oxford Royale Academy operates independently and is not affiliated with the Universities, though it uses its facilities. My daughter went 2 years ago and had a blast!
14. ISSFT Camps | Oxford & Stirling
Photo credit ISSFT
The International Summer School for Teens (ISSFT) offers two-week residential programs in the United Kingdom for ages 13 to 18. Sessions are available at the University of Oxford July 5th–19th and the University of St Andrews beginning July 11th. The curriculum includes academic subjects such as English, Global Entrepreneurship, and Introduction to Law with International Relations, alongside electives like golf, tennis, photography, and theatre. The program also features activities, evening entertainment, and day trips to cultural sites. ISSFT is accredited by the British Accreditation Council and is an approved activity provider for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Both my 16 and 17 year old were there last year and participated in the World Leadership program at Oxford University. They had so much fun and are already planning on going back this year!
These camps give kids room to be active, to focus, to try something unexpected. It’s one of the few times in the year where learning feels like freedom, not a requirement. With programs built for curiosity, challenge, and a little adventure, there’s no shortage of ways to make Summer 2025 count.
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