Camp Edmo
Summer camp is the heart and soul of EDMO. Camps are designed to help every kid cultivate a sense of self, own their impact, and feel confident to show up in the world as the one-of-a-kind person they truly are. At Camp EDMO, Pre-K through 8th graders experience the spirit of summer camp while engaging in hands-on activities that unleash their inner maker, scientist, artist, and coder. We currently operate in more than 30 convenient, safe, and beautiful locations and also offer online summer camps.
Find your camp at edmo.org/summercamps.
We also offer online camp!
My son's all time favorite camp might be EDMO. He loved it. The Alameda location was fun and engaging. He liked the maker stuff and also the camp stuff - singing, games, etc. He found Galileo a bit less engaging.
My son, now 16, will be an LIT at Camp Edmo for the third time this summer (2-3 weeks each summer). It’s been a great experience for him and he’s gotten nice recommendation letters from the camp. It was hard to fit it into our summer schedule this year, but it was a priority for him, so we did.
I know that Camp Edmo has a Leader in Training program. My twins were in the program for a few years and had fun and learned a lot. I'd recommend going to their website and taking a look.
Did you look at Camp Edmo? My kid made slime there, as well as pop rockets, ice cream and more. As they got older they also moved into some science and nature programs. Take a look at their website. They have a Berkeley location, as well as a few others in the East Bay, and more.
Hi. I'm not as familiar with Camp Doodles but I know that Camp Edmo has a Berkeley location. I had sent my twins to one of the camp's locations when they were 5 and they loved it. I loved it too. I always felt like the staff connected well with my children, that the kids were safe and that they were learning a lot.They went for years and are still singing some of the camp songs. You might want to check it out. The website is campedmo.org.
You might want to look into Camp Edmo. They have a Berkeley and Oakland locations (among others as we attended in Marin years ago) and although their weekly rates are more in the $350 - $550 range, they offer sliding scale financial aid which is designed for families who need just a little help or a lot. You might want to take a look at their website. I pulled the url for the page with info on their sliding scale program - https://campedmo.org/resource-center/sliding-scale-financial-aid-progra…
I hope this helps.
Margot
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Feb 2013
Re: Playful summer camp for early elementary kids
You should take a look at Camp Edmo. It's an Arts & Science, Animation and Recreation camp. My children have attended since just before starting Kindergarten and are now at Camp EdTech, their digital media camp for 5th - 8th graders. They love it. The staff is amazing, the curriculum is put together in partnership with MOCHA, the Children's Creativity Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, and they have fun rallies, outdoor recreation, team building and more. There are locations throughout the bay area so take a look at their website - http://www.campedmo.org/ and see what you think. I know they have early bird savings before the end of February too! A Huge Camp Edmo Fan
March 2012
Re: camp recommendation for daughters 10 and 14
I always recommend Camp Edmo and Camp EdTech. Camp Edmo is for kids Pre-K - 4th grade and is an Arts, Science, Animation and Recreation camp. They are in 14 Bay Area locations and my kids have gone since just before they started kindergarten, 6 years ago! They now go to Camp EdTech, a digital media camp for 5th - 9th graders. The staff is great and the kids do hands-on, museum designed activities where they can have fun, while learning. I highly recommend you check them out. Their east bay locations are in Moraga, Oakland and Alameda. Margot
April 2011
Re: Summer Day Camp for child going into 1st Grade
Have you considered Camp Edmo? My twins went just before they started Kindergarten and are still campers, five years later. It's an Arts, Science, Animation and Recreation camp. The activities are designed in partnership with several of the Bay Area's top museums. Their activities are varied and the kids have fun while learning. I don't know if you're in the east bay or not but there are three east bay locations; Alameda, Oakland and Moraga, as well as locations in the Peninsula, South Bay, San Francisco and Marin. The camper to staff ratio is 8:1 which is great and I know was a big consideration when my children first started going to camp. The website is www.campedmo.org I'd also be happy to answer any questions for you. Margot
April 2011
We have enrolled our son at Camp Edmo in the Presidio campus for 3 summers now and he absolutely loves it. After his first summer at Edmo, our son came home and decided to create a Science Museum in our basement (three years later and its only grown). Last summer he came home and said ''Mom, next summer all I want to do is Edmo!'' because he had so much fun. He couldn't wait to tell me about the games they played, the things they learned, and what he wants to accomplish as a result. It's the type of excitement children should have about learning. I especially appreciate the opportunities that Edmo has given our son outside of camp. For example, one year Edmo hosted a ''film festival'' at the Exploratorium where animation films that the kids did were shown and the children got to walk down ''the red carpet''. Another year our son's animation film was featured at Macworld. These opportunities have made Edmo a completely unique and enriching experience for our son and our family. -Leela
May 2010
I just wanted to write a post about the fantastic Camp Edventuremore (Edmo) that my boys have attended for the last four summers. The first 3 years they went, they did the art and science camp (intended for kids K-5th grade). They came home every day wanting to continue with experiments that they'd learned in camp. Last summer they were old enough to do the animation camp (3rd-5th grade). They would come home each day and talk nonstop about what their day was like and how they wanted to learn more. After the week was over, they made quite a few home movies using the skills they learned during their week of camp.
As far as safety, the staff is the best I've seen at any camp. I feel confident when I drop my kids off each day, and I can go about my day relaxed and knowing that they are having fun doing something out of the ordinary. I love it!
Just wanted to spread the word, as we've tried many camps over the years and always come back to this one. If interested, go to: www.campedmo.com Lynn W.
April 2010
I wanted to post about Edmo. My daughter LOVED this camp for hte two years that we went to it. I liked it really well too. Pluses: they do really fun projects, the kids learn a lot, they have a lot of fun. THey do good artwork, interesting science projects. Fun outdoor play. The projects are worth taking home and keeping for a while. They try to make things easy for parents (valet dropoff/pickup, lunches you can purchase). THey are good at taking advice and feedback from parents. I realize that they responded to somebody complainign that they showed movies on a rainy day (which apparnetly they didn't plan for in mid-summer), and now they have a plan. THat's the type of thing they do in response to complaints. I will add that they NEVER did anything like that when my daughter was in camp. She was never there on a freak rainy day, either. Also, we did both Galileo and Edmo, and I thought Edmo was much more organized. They told you what was going on, they had good projects. Galileo did great with the camp cheers, but they apparently didn't make sure that the campers knew what the projects were--my daughter came home with scraps of paper in a paper bag at the end of the week, and she had no idea what the projects were, and apparently none of them were completed. The counselors could not answer my questions about them either. When we went to the ''open house'' part on Friday afternoon, no one answered any of my questions about any of the camp activities. None of it, apparently, grabbed my daughter's interest either, and she did not want to return. So everything went straight into the recycling bag at home, whereas the kids played with the Edmo projects, and I learned what they were doing at the project, as well as some interesting facts about the projects, with Edmo's take-home sheets. Edmo gives you a take-home sheet to show you what the kids learned, and to repeat it if you want (plus they tie together the art/science/PE aspects, which is more fun and better for learning). My daughter hated GAlileo (though I know other kids who liked it). Minuses: both edmo & Galileo are expensive, relatively speaking. ANd last year, they were so good at the valet thing, that even a parent with a valid ID could not come into the camp area to pick up kids. That put me off. And last year I didn't think the counselors were as engaged as they were the first year, which made me and my duaghter less enthusiastic. She still likes Edmo, but it's not at the top of her list anymore. (Galileo got knoecked off immediately). All in all, I'd guess that you'll have a good time there, but voice your concerns to the directors if you have any. ANd by the way, we're not associated with them in any way. Thsi is just my experience. I just hate that Galileo gets all this good press just because they've been in the east bay longer, and I was truly disappointed in that camp. I'd like to have the option to go back to Edmo again.
April 2010
Edmo is more than just camp: it's science, art, outdoor playtime, creativity, and great summer fun - all rolled into one. Plus, the staff is amazing. The counselors and camp director were genuinely interested in getting to know my daughter, and within the first day, they had completely won her over. The program is very comprehensive in it's offering and well organized. The art and science projects are - in a word - COOL and there are lessons embedded within each day's activities. I felt as though my daughter was learning, creating, and having a great time - every day. Edmo is a summer camp that gives kids the chance to explore, learn, play, be silly, laugh, get wet, run around, share, make friends, dream, and enjoy the beauty of summer. We're back for our third year this summer! KCopeMarin
March 2010
I'm considering Camp Edmo (Oakland location) for my 7yo this summer. I only found one review on BPN, from 2008, and it wasn't too enthusiastic. Can anyone whose kids attended Edmo last year give me some feedback? What were the pros and cons? Thanks! JP
My daughters (7 & 9 years old) attended Camp Edmo last summer. They loved it! Each day they learned about science and technology in a hands-on, super fun way. At the end of the day they happily sang the EDMO vibe song and couldn't wait to return to EDMO the next morning. The camp counselors are enthusiastic, upbeat and friendly. My daughters will be returning to EDMO again this summer. I highly recommend it! nprf
Our 5-yo attended Camp Edmo in Oakland last summer. We were less than thrilled with the experience. While the children did science and art during the day, they were also shown Disney videos. This wasn't mentioned as part of the curriculum, nor on our daily newsletter the staff puts out. I would have liked to have known about that ahead of time so I could have made a more informed decision about this camp. Plus, our kids just weren't as engaged as they'd been at other camps that were similarly priced. Finally, the before and after camp care didn't offer many activities. We preferred Camp Galileo and Sarah's Science much more than Camp Edmo. -Laura
As co-founders of Camp Edmo, we hold parent feedback in high regard. Just as much as we appreciate the praise from parent reviews, we also value constructive feedback. First off, we want to assure our families that the only movies incorporated into our curriculum are clips that demonstrate animation techniques for our 3rd-5th grade Arts & Tech courses. One day last summer our Oakland site did show a 15 minute clip of a musical sing-along to all the campers when, ironically, our planned ''Wednesday Water Day'' got washed out by rain. This summer we have special rainy day activities that encourage gratitude, like our Smile Cards program where kids learn about doing acts of kindness for others. Secondly, we have 3 new themes this summer for both Arts & Science and Arts & Technology. We encourage you to see our new 2010 themes and see which of the activities might appeal to your child. Campers will learn how to make secret compartments in our Super Spy week, craft edible sponges in Underwater Wonders, create intergalactic slime in Cosmic Creations and much, much more.
Plus, if you haven't tried Arts & Technology, your child can create a stop-motion animation movie that could be screened at MacWorld 2011, our Youth Film Festival or local film nights. Thirdly, we recognize the need to provide kids with inspiring, lasting enrichment even during our extended care hours. We've added hands-on arts & science activities to our extended care program as well as Kaplan Math Challenges, and Little Kids Rock guitar lessons at certain sites. Finally, we GUARANTEE our service. If you're not happy with any part of our program, just notify the Camp Director immediately. If your Director can't make your child's experience better, you can fill out our Money-Back Guarantee form. If you're not happy, we're not happy.
Taking parent feedback to heart and striving to improve our service every year is a big reason why we were voted by BayAreaParent Magazine readers as the Most Inspiring Enrichment Program in the Bay Area last year. We urge you to call us with any questions at 415.282.6673 and we'd be happy to talk about your family's vision for this summer and how we can make it memorable for all the right reasons! Ed & Sharon, Co-Founders of Camp Edmo
I know this is a little late, but wanted to post about Edmo. My daughter LOVED this camp for hte two years that we went to it. I liked it really well too. Pluses: they do really fun projects, the kids learn a lot, they have a lot of fun. THey do good artwork, interesting science projects. Fun outdoor play. The projects are worth taking home and keeping for a while. They try to make things easy for parents (valet dropoff/pickup, lunches you can purchase). THey are good at taking advice and feedback from parents. I realize that they responded to somebody complainign that they showed movies on a rainy day (which apparnetly they didn't plan for in mid-summer), and now they have a plan. THat's the type of thing they do in response to complaints. I will add that they NEVER did anything like that when my daughter was in camp. She was never there on a freak rainy day, either. Also, we did both Galileo and Edmo, and I thought Edmo was much more organized. They told you what was going on, they had good projects. Galileo did great with the camp cheers, but they apparently didn't make sure that the campers knew what the projects were--my daughter came home with scraps of paper in a paper bag at the end of the week, and she had no idea what the projects were, and apparently none of them were completed. The counselors could not answer my questions about them either. When we went to the ''open house'' part on Friday afternoon, no one answered any of my questions about any of the camp activities. None of it, apparently, grabbed my daughter's interest either, and she did not want to return. So everything went straight into the recycling bag at home, whereas the kids played with the Edmo projects, and I learned what they were doing at the project, as well as some interesting facts about the projects, with Edmo's take-home sheets. Edmo gives you a take-home sheet to show you what the kids learned, and to repeat it if you want (plus they tie together the art/science/PE aspects, which is more fun and better for learning). My daughter hated GAlileo (though I know other kids who liked it). Minuses: both edmo & Galileo are expensive, relatively speaking. ANd last year, they were so good at the valet thing, that even a parent with a valid ID could not come into the camp area to pick up kids. That put me off. And last year I didn't think the counselors were as engaged as they were the first year, which made me and my duaghter less enthusiastic. She still likes Edmo, but it's not at the top of her list anymore. (Galileo got knoecked off immediately). All in all, I'd guess that you'll have a good time there, but voice your concerns to the directors if you have any. ANd by the way, we're not associated with them in any way. Thsi is just my experience. I just hate that Galileo gets all this good press just because they've been in the east bay longer, and I was truly disappointed in that camp. I'd like to have the option to go back to Edmo again.
Feb 2008
We are considering Camp Edventure More in Moraga versus Camp Galileo in Lafayette this summer for my 6 and 8 yr old kids. I've seen alot of reviews on Camp Galileo, but none for Edventure More, and would love some feedback. They both sound like they have similar programs that feature science and art, but Edventure More is closer to us and even provides lunch which is sounding pretty attractive (that extra 5 mins to sleep in!) Would love any feedback if your kids have attended either one or both. Thanks! Never too early to think about camp
Hello Kelly....I am sitting with my 11.5 year old twins and my 8 year old son who want to answer this post. They have each attended Camp Galileo for three sessions each over the past two years, and also went to Edmore last summer. There is NO comparison!!
First from the blond twin: Camp Galileo was FUN! At Camp G we get to do fun activities and make new friends.
Now from the brunette twin: The up side of Edmore was the good tasting lunches. The Camp Galileo staff is SOO enthusiastic and you can tell they are glad to be there.
The 8 year old says, Camp Galileo is a blast!
Now from me, the mom: Camp G has been running their program longer than Edmo. Camp G has been around since 2002, and now have 19 locations; Edmo has been running since 2004 and only has 7 locations
There is a better separation of ages. For example, the kindergarteners at Camp G are separate and the other kids are grouped in smaller age ranges (1st-2nd grade together and 3rd-5th together) Edmo groups K-2 together, and 3-5 together. But the week we were there (at Edmore), there were so few campers my then 10 year olds were with 6 year olds!
Galileo has weekly art and science themes, and also offers sub themes for each age group that create variety for returning campers and are age-appropriate for the age groups. The themes were exciting and creative. As I recall, Edmo just does weekly themes with no sub-themes. The activities and projects my sons came home with and talking about from Camp G far outshone anything they did at Edmore.
And Camp Galileo is less expensive! The value is amazing! And the staff seriously ROCKS!
Guess where we're going to camp this summer???
A happy Camp Galielo family
July 2007
Edventuremore opened a camp in Alameda this year at Bay Farm Elementary School. (http://www.edventuremore.com/summer_camp/index.htm) It's a nice mix of science, art, and recreation for K-6 that goes beyond the usual. It has a small kid:counselor ratio (8:1). The director send a daily newsletter that described the day as well as what's on tap for the next day; he's also available by email. This week the older kids made gack, a crystal garden, a planet scene, and will be smashing stuff on Smash Day. More important, they take kids' requests seriously. When my daughter announced she had a new first name, staff took it in stride, including changing her name tag. Kids are encouraged to try new things, but if they don't want to, that's ok, too. Betsy
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