Affordable summer camp with swimming? How is Emeryville day rec?
Hi
Because of affordability my kids have only gone to Berkeley Day Camp at Shorebird and really liked it. My youngest doesn't swim but is very close so I'm thinking of rocking the boat and trying something else. Any suggestions?
We won't qualify for financial aid but want to spend less than $500, but ideally less than $300 a week.
We would like a camp that's at least 9-3pm.
-do your kids like Emeryville Rec summer Day Camp?
-it looks like they swim once a week for two hours. Is that right?
-if you're able, how does the camp and the general vibe of the counselors compare to Berkeley Day Camp?
-do any affordable camps (like $300 or under) offer swimming more than once a week?
Jan 6, 2025
Parent Replies
My kid has done Emeryville Rec for summer camp the past two years (2nd grade now), and will very likely be going again this year. I can't compare to other programs.
My kid LOVES it, though I would attribute some of it to familiarity since she attends AYES and the rec staff for afterschool care is largely the same as the summer staff. Each week is a different theme, and every Friday is a field trip. They've gone to Cal Academy, Antioch Water Park, Rockin' Jump, Great America, and local places like Bay Street, the marina or the new Huichun Park.
Kids are scheduled for 2 swim days and 2 park days each week. I don't recall how long the swim sessions are but it is a significant part of their day. They're allowed to swim or not swim as long as they stay in the pool area with the staff, and there is a divide between swimmers and non-swimmers that can be surpassed only by passing a swim test. All kids that have not passed the swim test -- either because they cannot or because they choose not to test -- have to wear a life vest.
Rec covers 7:30am - 5:30pm, which is very helpful.
It's hard to beat for <$200 per week.
If the schlep wouldn't be too bad for you, check out Oakland Town Camp! For non-residents last year it was $981 for a 4 week session. The one my kids do includes swimming 3x/week. lunch is included, too, though I"m not sure if all locations do that.
Hello! Access to swimming can be a real challenge around here.
My kids did camp at Albany Aquatic center last summer https://www.albanyaquaticcenter.com/camps. It was $370 per week, hours 10-4 with paid before/aftercare available. It was a good experience all around and was at the top of the rankings from camps last year!
Good luck!
Since you are already familiar with the City of Berkeley camp at Shorebird, have you looked into the City of Berkeley summer fun camps? The ones at James Kenney and San Pablo Park each do one afternoon at West Campus pool. They are slightly cheaper than the Shorebird camp, and my kid (who attended both for several summers) always preferred the summer fun camps over Shorebird.
Oakland Town Camps offer a Camp and Swim option, with swimming 4x/wk at local pools. Oakland Town Camps are very affordable.
Summer camp at Bushrod in Oakland included once a week swimming at the Temescal pool.
If you sign up for the 2-week Cal Explorer/Blue Camps, and don't need before/after care, it should be under $500/week. (Unless they raise prices a lot this year.) They do swimming every day.