YMCA Camp Campbell

Hi I just answered a very similar question and highly recommended YMCA Camp Campbell which has a six-day mini camp that is just 5 nights. See my comment in the other posting, I highly recommend the YMCA camps, beautiful nature, great cabins, wonderful activities, well organizied and a wonderful experience all around.

There are other a few YMCAs in the area...

1. YMCA Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda - this one seems to offer a short 4 night, five day camp for grades 4-8 (so ages 9-14?); and it looks like in session 2 it offers a 3 night camp for grades 2-8 (ages 7-14?). https://www.ymcasf.org/campjonesgulch/camp

2. YMCA Camp La Mar is very close to Jones Gulch but offers longer stays of 7 nights

Hi my son went to the YMCA Camp Campbell in a redwood valley behind Cupertino, same age 11 for 2 weeks. This was 3 summers ago (we normally live in Europe so he hasn't been back but has been to another YMCA sleep away camp in New Hampshire last summer). 

We loved Camp Campbell. Looks just like you hope a summer camp to look, cute cabins, rustic charming main lodge for eating, swimming pool with all the bells and whistles, tons of activities to choose from (crafts, creative stuff, plus more athletic, survival or outdoor challenge stuff). There are four 1-hour sessions of activities you sign up for plus other less structure time.  Well trained counselors, well-run camp, they build team work, focus on acceptance and friendly atmosphere. Affordable.

There is a stream running through it to do nature stuff, and the camp is under a beautiful canopy of redwood trees. We were in the States just for a year, and my son dealt with some bullying in his class as he couldn't quite keep up with topics taught in a new language (he's fluent in English, just not used to learning in English) so by the time of the summer camp he was really dreading dealing with new kids and I was worried too, but it was perfect because they really focus on a friendly atmosphere, build a sense of community with these chant-songs that they sing back and forth, no media/electronics allowed so kids get away from that and lots of really nice kids. https://www.ymcasv.org/ymcacampcampbell/html/summer_about.html

I see there are also a few other YMCA sleep away summer camps (sometimes they call them "residential camps") in the bay area. The one annoying thing in looking at YMCA sleep away camp options is that there is no central website and each of their camps has their own web-layout, along with their own programs, costs and dates. Some specialize in really innovative ideas, some particularly those on the East Coast offer really spectacular activities and some focus on certain themes so it can take a little bit of time to find all the necessary info of activities, "dates and rates," and openings.

My son spent 2 weeks and loved it, Camp Campbell was wonderful. If anyone reading this ever has a chance to do the YMCA camps in New England, these are even more impressive and I would really recommend them. Several of them have airport pickups available for the older teen kids.