Summer Camps for Kids

One-of-a-kind classes and camps are offered in beautiful Balboa Park for children, teens and adults. The behind-the-scenes summer adventures are wide-ranging, featuring hands-on classes, camps, seminars, explorations and games created by Park educators, performers and artists. Students have the opportunity to learn about varied disciplines, like dancing or chess, sculpting or snakes, and even trains, planes, and dinosaurs.

Balboa Park summer education programs begin in mid-June and continue through August. Dates, times, and prices vary by institution.

2012 Summer Camp information

View the 2012 Summer Camp brochure (PDF) for camp information and contact details. Half-day camp registration opened March 15!

Full-Day Summer Camps

Drop the kids off in the morning, and pick them up in the afternoon after a fun-filled day in the Park or the Zoo. Check out the various programs from the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Art Institute's Art Department, and San Diego Junior Theatre. The Old Globe theatre is offering a Summer Camp aftercare program this year.

Half-Day Collaborative Sessions

Many Park institutions offer collaborative programs, combining two half-day courses into a full day. A supervised lunch and escort to the second location create a special Balboa Park experience. To register for the half-day collaborative camps:

• Read each institution program description and choose what best fits your child’s interest and grade level.
• Make a list of back-up programs before you call to register, just in case your child’s first choice is sold out.
• Please contact each institution directly to register.
• Please notify each institution that your child is participating in the full day collaboration.
• Centralized registration is not provided.
• Additional program information, including camp descriptions and registration fees, can be found by visiting each website or by calling each institution.

Summer Dance Camps - Adult and Youth

The San Diego Civic Dance Association offers summer dance camps for adults and youth (6-17).