School Holiday Camps
See Also: More Camps
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Winter Break Camps for 4 & 6 y.o.s
Nov 2014
I'm interested in winter break camps (particularly for that loooong week after Christmas) that my 4 & 6 year olds can attend together and be in the same section/class. I would prefer the area between Berkeley and Richmond. Thanks!
The City of El Cerrito offers camps during the holiday break. Usually kids need to be in at least K, but you could call and see if they will let a 4yr old little sib attend too. See their Dept of Rec page at: http://el-cerrito.org/index.aspx?nid=622 EC camper mom
Check out the new play space and sensory gym in Berkeley (off Ashby on 7th) called We Rock the Spectrum. It's awesome! They have day camps for all children with activities your child will love. http://www.werockthespectrumberkeley.com/index.php They are fairly new (although its a franchise, the rest are in Southern CA) so I didn't see details for their camps up on their website but I know they have them- just call them.
I highly recommend Monkey Business Camp for Winter Camp! Monkey Business is a safe, warm, fun and positive environment with a caring and diverse counseling staff. They are always professional, but really emphasize fun and silliness. They truly cater to the individual camper by allowing them to set their own pace and choose from a nice range of activities, from low key options like arts and crafts to high energy games like Monkey Ball and Medic! They operate out of Berkwood Hedge School in Berkeley for the winter session. My older son has attended since he was five and this past summer was his first as a counselor. My youngest son is attending for the second year and loves it! Their website is: monkeybusinesscamp.com. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Teresa
Spring break camp (3/25-3/29) for 4 year old
Feb 2013
My son's pre-school will be closed the last week of March, and I am looking for a fun, nurturing camp for the week. I actually only need three days, but three full days. I'd love some recs! Thanks
I've sent my 4 year old (now 6) to Sarah's Science spring break camp and he loved it! (We'll be back again this year.) Officially, they advertise that it's 5+ but they do accept 4 year olds as long as they are potty trained and can spend a full day away from home. If your son is comfortable in a full day preschool setting, then he'll probably do fine at Sarah's Science.
It's a full day program (8-5:30) filled with science, arts and crafts, and playtime. It's all hands-on and actually works great for pre-readers. The staff are warm and nurturing. Most of them have been with the company for several years and are aspiring teachers.
This year, the camp wil be held March 25-29 in Oakland and April 1-5 in Berkeley. You can sign up for individual days or the whole week. Two snacks are provided during the day. You just have to pack a lunch.
More info here: http://www.sarahscience.com/spring or call (510) 581-3739. Preschool Camp Mom
2010 - 2012 Recommendations
Preschool Day Camps: Veteran's Day/Thanksgiving?
Nov 2011
Wondering if there are any ''schools out'' day camps avaialable for a FOUR year old-- most that I have seen are of ages 5 and up. My not-yet-in-kindergarten 4-year-old needs care on Veterans Day and also November 21 and 22. Does anyone know of a good drop-in camp option? Working single mama
I'm also a working single mama and understand the challenges. Your post didn't say what city you are in though. I had good experiences with La Petite Academy . They have several locations around the bay area. My daughter attended two locations - Martinez and Concord. Depending upon availability, there is usually drop-in care. Earlier reservations are usually better. Maya J
Feb break in Albany for 14-year-old
Feb 2011
Albany schools are on break the week of Feb. 21. Does anyone have a list of camps or organized activities to keep a 14-yr old stimulated? Thanks! Laura
The Albany Bowl had leagues for teens that my child did and enjoyed. It is near the EC Plaza Bart.Yoga Kula in Berkeley (closest to downtown Berkeley Bart) has lots of classes and my other child and several of her friends used to go there. It was a good work out and relaxing at the same time. The Albany Y near Solano and San Pablo has a fitness center and many classes. Ellen
February break camps?
Jan 2011
Hi, My child's school is closed this Feb 21-25. Does anyone know of any camps available other than Monkey Business? Thanks, Diane
Skye Valley Training in Castro Valley is likely running a horse camp during the week of February 21st. My children have thoroughly enjoyed Skye Valley's camps over the years; the horses are lovely and the camps are very well run with safety as a top priority for the young riders. Contact Jaimi Martin at jaimimartin [at] mac.com or 925-858-8825 for more information. The website for general camp information is http://www.skyevalley.com/Day_Camp.html
I am not sure where you live, but the Hilltop YMCA in Richmond is offering a February Break Camp Here is the link: http://hilltop.ymcaeastbay.org/events/presidents-week--camp DC
Aurora School runs camps during its breaks that are open to children at all schools. This will include Feb. Break. More information should be on the website www.auroraschool.org or by calling Josh Johnson at Aurora 428-2606.
Brushstrokes has a week-long camp during President's Week! It's a great program, now in it's 15th year, with great teachers and a beautiful, safe, environment. http://www.brushstrokestudio.com/schools.htm Jessica
2007 - 2009 Recommendations
April vacation programs for 6 y.o. 1/2 or full day?
March 2009
Do you know of 1/2 day or full-day vacation programs for kg/1st grade in or near Berkeley for vacation week April 6-10? Our interests include art, sports, science. monika
Sarah's Science does great programs for all the breaks, this spring week they're doing Redwoods every day and I think that's full-day. The science and the staff are incredible there.
the JCC costs less per day and they usually run activities there, like games and crafts and outdoor play at their site and then they do a field trip for part of the time as well. At winter it was ice skating one day, the Jungle another, the zoo another, Jelly Belly factory, etc. berkeley mom
I highly recommend Monkey Business camp for the April 6-10 break. A link to their website is posted below. This is a very fun camp with warm counselors and lots of attention to each individual child. My 5 year old son enjoyed it so much, he wanted to go an extra day. We tend to be overscheduled with classes so he had so much fun playing and learnign how to make friends in a supportive atmosphere. http://www.monkeybusinesscamp.com/spring.htm
returning to MB
Winter Camp that runs through the 4th of Jan
Nov 2007
My 5 year old daughter attends a school where they do not return back to school until the 7th of January. I was wondering if there are any camps that are #1 available for a girl that young and #2 a camp that is going on until the 4th of January? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
1st Time Camp Hunter
The 3 camps we were considering for our 5 y.o. for that week are Glitter and Razz, Sarah's Science and Monkey Business. We decided on Glitter and Razz. He's done it before and we loved it.
http://glitterandrazz.com/ http://www.sarahscience.com/camp/winter.html http://monkeybusinesscamp.com/ Debbie
Hi, I had the same issue with my son (during the summer). He really didn't like his pre-school and I wanted to give him a break over the summer. I spoke with Sarah, of Sarah Science, and she said that if I thought he was ready, he was welcome. Her website says that their winter camp (at a church on Lake Merritt) says they'll take 5-12. Not inexpensive, but the kids are happy.
Because OUSD doesn't start until after the first week of January, I bet there are many camps open. MOCHA also comes to mind to check. The most important thing for my son has been to find a friend to go with him to a new camp. Good luck.
The City of El Cerrito recreation dept has winter camp for K-6 graders. -- a mom
Aurora School in Oakland has camp 12/26-12/28 and 1/2-1/4. Care available 7:30-6 and is $40/day or $110/week. The theme is Winter Wonderland and the kids will play winter games, do winter crafts, and learn about the Arctic and Antarctic. Contact heidi [at] auroraschool.org or 428-2606 ext. 208.
Monkey Business Camp hosts Winter Camp for 8 days at Berkwood Hedge School in Downtown Berkeley. Ages 4.5-15 (split into 2 age appropriate groups). Theme-based activities -- indoors and out: www.monkeybusinesscamp.com/winter.htm Daily registrations accepted. 8:30-3:30 with Optional Extended Care from 7:30-8:30am and 3:30-6:00pm Monkey Business Camp also hosts their well-known GIRLS ON THE GO! field-trip camp Jan 2, 3, & 4 from 8:30-6:00pm. For girls ages 9-13. Check out www.monkeybusinesscamp.com/girls.htm NUMEROUS Parents' reviews are posted on our website. Check them out for yourself!
Winter break camp for two boys in Oakland
Oct 2007
Any recommendations on a Winter Break Camp for my two boys ages 8 & 9 I am seeking a location in the Oakland area. Let me know. Thanks, Gloria
My summer camp website (tlent.home.igc.org/Day_Camp.html ) lists quite a few day camps that also run a winter camp. Just look for the ''WC'' in the listings. Tom Lent
See Sarah's science camps (www.sarahscience.com) for the Inventor's Workshop during Winter Break. We've taken a spring break camp from her and were very impressed - adults working there and really novel projects. The other bonus is that you can do single days and don't have to do full weeks and they have Oakland and Berkeley locations. Anon
Thanksgiving week camp for 7 year old
Oct 2007
Our elementary school is closed the whole week of Thanksgiving. How can I find a camp from 9-3ish on M-W, or on single days, for a 7 year-old? Anon
Adventure Time - http://www.adventure-time.com/index.html Contact them to see which campus they will hold their Thanksgiving break camp at. Loves AT
East Bay Dance Center in Oakland's Glenview District is perfect. It's about $40 day a little more for before and after care. The before and care is a little like ''child care'' to be fair - however the majority of the day is hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap and tumbling / acrobatics. And it's FUN. My 8 year old has been going for three years and loves it. Begs to go. Donmt worry if you donmt have the tap or ballet shoes, Bonniems got kem for kids to use. Bonnie is the owner and main instructor - classes fill up fast. East Bay Dance Center Fan
2004 - 2006 Recommendations
Spring Break Camp for 9 year olds
Feb 2006
Does any have recommendations for spring break camps for April 17-21,2006? My kids are 9 years old. Thanks. Krista
You can check the following webpage (the Berkeley Richmond JCC) www.brjcc.org or http://www.brjcc.org/jcc/camp_berkeley_j.htm. They will post information regarding spring camp in early March. In the meanwhile, you can check summer camp 2006 and see what they did for winter camp (It will have the same structure and same prices). Elena
Spring Break Camp for 5yo in Oakland
Feb 2006
I am looking for recommendations for (all) day camp for my five year old for Spring Break, 4/17-4/21. Preferably in Oakland. Any suggestions? Thanks. Elizabeth
Recommended:
- Art Yowza
- Sarah's Science Camp
2003 & Earlier
Full-day winter break camps?
Nov 2003Hi - I didn't see anything on the website concerning Winter Break camps. What are parents doing who have to work full-time during this period? (or, does just nobody work during this time?) Any full-day camps you've heard about, or even most-of- the-day camps? How was the program? Activities? Down time? Cost? I'd love to hear more! Thanks. Will be working Winter Break
Recommended:
- Berkeley-Richmond Jewish Community Center (2)
- Head Over Heels Gymnastics (2)
- Mocha Summer Art Camps
- Monkey Business Camp
Spring break camp for 10-year-old boy
March 2003Does anyone have a recommendation for a Berkeley area spring break camp for a ten-year old boy from April 7 - 11? The camps we've sent him to in the past (Cal camp, Sarah's Science) are happening a week later (April 14- 18). Deb
Recommended:
- Kaleidoscope Camps
The only two I found for Memorial Day week are:
Future Stars Baseball Camp (only recommended if your kids are pretty into baseball)
Museum of Children's Art camp, which my kid attended last year and really liked AND there is free parking available for drop off and pickup which felt very luxurious
I am not sure about any drop-in camps for the first week of June
Axe Oakland has a Capoeira summer camp, you can sign up for that week.