Best Sleep-Away Camps Near the South Bay and Los Angeles
Sleep-away camps provide an excellent opportunity for kids to gain new experiences while they work on social skills, develop their independence, make lasting memories and friendships, and have a ton of fun. Plus, it’s a great break for parents, too. From sleeping in bunks to eating in the dining hall, and plenty of outdoor adventures, we’ve compiled a list of the best overnight summer camps near the South Bay and across Southern California to help you find the right camp for your kids and help them enjoy an unforgettable summer.
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Sleep-Away Summer Camps
There are many different sleep-away camps, from traditional to religious and even performing arts-based, so it’s essential to research to find the right summer program for your kids. Here are our top picks for the best overnight camps to help you get started. Summer sleepaway camps tend to fill up quickly, so be sure to register soon!
Camp Hollywoodland
Camp Hollywoodland and Griffith Park Boys Camp offer youth camping experiences in the middle of an urban forest, right in the heart of Los Angeles. Both camps provide a classic sleepaway summer camp experience for kids ages six and up.
- Activities: Camp activities include swimming, rock wall climbing, nature awareness, field trips, and more.
- Age: Camp Hollywoodland is open to girls ages 6 – 17. The Griffith Park Boys Camp is offered to boys ages 7 to 14.
- Location: 3200 Canyon Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90068
- Cost: Price varies by week, but ranges from $550 to $650.
- Website: laparks.org/camp/camp-hollywoodland
Catalina Sea Camp
Is there anything better than a summer camp at the beach? Campers get a chance to explore and learn about marine biology as well as experience water-based adventures like kayaking, boating, and snorkeling. Camps are held in one, two, and three-week sessions based on age level. Older campers (ages 15-18) can also sign up to go on a two-week sea camp expedition to Baja.
- Activities: Camp activities include hands-on marine science, ocean adventure in the form of snorkeling and boat trips, and traditional summer camp fun.
- Age: 8 – 18
- Location: Fox Landing and Toyon Bay on Catalina Island
- Cost: Prices start at $3,100 for one-week sessions and go up to $7,000 for the Baja Expedition.
- Website: catalinaseacamp.org
AstroCamp
AstroCamp has been hosting campers for over 40 years! The camps focus is on STEM-based and space exploration activities that combine learning with fun. Kids will get the opportunity to explore the outdoors while they build friendships and make memories to last a lifetime.
- Activities: Campers choose between a variety of STEM-based activities that teach them new skills, team and confidence activities, like rock climbing, mountain biking, and of course, plenty of traditional camp fun.
- Age: 8 – 17
- Location: 26800 Saunders Meadow Rd., Idyllwild, CA 92549
- Cost: Sessions start at $2,600 for one week and go up to $4,000 for two weeks.
- Website: astrocamp.org
Amplify Sleep Away Camp
Amplify Sleep Away Camp is an award-winning music and creative arts summer camp for girls in beautiful Ojai, California. Amplify’s experienced team of mentors lets young artists follow their dreams, try incredible new things, and gain lifelong friends and positive role models in a safe, supportive environment. Campers also move throughout Amplify with their own age groups, including dorm assignments, electives, and creative tracks. For locals, they also offer a day camp program Monday through Friday.
- Activities: Campers can choose from more than 50 different electives to try out, including skateboarding, DJing, screenprinting, collage making, photography, rock band, musical theater, music production, and so much more.
- Age: 8–18. Girls in grades 3 – 8 can sign up for one-week sessions, and girls in grades 6-12 can sign up for two or four-week sessions.
- Location: Besant Hill School, 8585 N Ojai Rd, Ojai, CA 93023
- Cost: Prices start at $4,700 for two week sessions and range to $13,600 for six week sessions.
- Website: girlsrocksb.org/amplify-sleep-away-camp
YMCA – Camp Whittle & Camp Marcil
These two YMCA camps have long been a staple for Los Angeles families looking to have their kids enjoy nature and escape the city for the summer. Like most YMCA activities, these camps are about building new skills, developing character, and making life-long friendships in a safe and supportive environment.
- Activities: Campers enjoy a wide range of traditional camp experiences, including arts & crafts, swimming, mountain biking, hiking, archery, and sports. Teen campers also get the opportunity to try rock climbing, and the high ropes challenge course.
- Age: Both camps offer programs for campers in 3rd through 8th grades and a teen program for students in grades 8 -12.
- Locations: Camp Whittle, 31701 Rim of the World Dr, Fawnskin, CA; Camp Marcil, 41011 Jenks Lake Rd W, Angelus Oaks, CA
- Cost: Camp Whittle is $829/ week, and Camp Marcil is $779/ week.
- Website: ymcala.org/camps/ymca-camping-services
Girl Scout Camp
What better way to develop leadership skills in the great outdoors than at Girl Scout Camp? The Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles host two sleepaway camp programs. One at Camp Lakota in Frasier Park and the other at Osito Rancho in the San Bernardino mountains. Both camps offer week-long sessions with tons of activities like high ropes courses, archery, kayaking, swimming, zip lining, horseback riding, and more. Girls can make new friends, earn badges, explore the outdoors and make incredible memories.
- Activities: Offerings vary by location but both camps offer tons of outdoor adventures as well as traditional camp activities like crafts, singalongs and campfires.
- Age: Grades 2 – 12 (Must be entering 4th grade to participate in archery).
- Locations: Camp Lakota, 11220 Dorothy Ln, Frazier Park, CA 93225, Camp Osito Rancho, Osita Camp Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
- Cost: Sessions start at $1,065 per week.
- Website: girlscoutsla.org
Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp
Following the Woolsey Fire, Wilshire Boulevard Temple has shifted its camps for the second year in a row to be hosted at the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad. The camp experience focused on Judaism continues to provide a dynamic and fun environment for the summer.
- Activities: In the spirit of Jewish tradition, kids read the Torah enjoy Israeli dancing, songs, and relaxing activities.
- Age: Kids from grades 2-12 can participate in these sleep-away summer camps.
- Location: 3663 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
- Cost: Camp fees depend on what grade your child is in. Tuition starts at $1,400 for a 6-day session for campers entering 2nd grade and goes up to $6,590 for a 22-night stay for older campers.
- Website: wbtcamps.org
Wasewagan Summer Camp & Retreat
Wasewagan Outdoor School is a sleep-away summer camp perfect for kids who love the outdoors. This camp is located in Big Bear Lake, CA, and offers campers a chance to experience nature. Campers will enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and much more.
- Activities: There are tons of exciting activities for kids to enjoy, such as swimming, archery, volleyball, basketball, river walks, canoeing, paintballing, kayaking, fishing, and ziplining.
- Age: Kids ages 5-16 can enjoy this sleep-away camp.
- Location: 42121 Seven Oaks Rd, Angelus Oaks, CA
- Cost: TBA
- Website: wasewagan.com
Pali Adventure Camp
Pali Adventure Camp is a sleep-away summer camp perfect for kids who love adventure. This camp is located in the San Bernardino Mountains and offers campers a truly unique experience.
Pali offers 28-amazing programs from aviation and secret agent camp to movie makeup and more. Before campers arrive, they choose one focus or specialty for the week they come. The mornings are spent with kids doing their chosen activity.
- Activities: With 28 programs, kids can choose activities like aviation, culinary arts, visual arts, performing arts, fashion design, flying trapeze, Hollywood stunts, wacky sports, water sports, fashion, film, wacky science, and more.
- Age: Pali Adventures is a sleep-away summer camp for kids ages 8-16.
- Location: 30778 CA-18, Running Springs, CA
- Cost: For 1 week, the price starts at $2,995.
- Website: paliadventures.com
Camp JCA Shalom
Camp JCA Shalom is one of the most popular sleep-away summer camps in LA. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, this camp offers kids a chance to experience Jewish life and culture like never before. It is a place for kids to come and explore Judaism in a fun, safe, and welcoming environment. Campers will enjoy participating in traditional Jewish ceremonies and more.
Although we are highlighting their summer camp programs, JCA Shalom Camp is the “Camp for All Seasons.” Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall!
- Activities: Kids get to experience a wide range of activities, including horseback riding, archery, outdoor cooking, ziplining, swimming, water sports, pioneer skills, Maccabiah Games, Israeli days, and more!
- Age: They offer two-week sessions for children entering grades 2-8, a three-week session for kids entering grades 5-8, a special one-week mini-camp for kids entering grades 2-6, and a variety of programs for teens entering grades 9-12.
- Location: 34342 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA
- Cost: Early bird rates start at $1,140 for mini-camp sessions and $3,010 for regular sleep-away summer camp. Prices vary depending on the week and activities.
- Website: campjcashalom.com
Canyon Creek Summer
Canyon Creek Summer Camp is a coed sleep-away camp nestled in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California. They provide a safe, non-competitive environment where kids can build confidence, develop independence, learn teamwork, and gain problem-solving skills in a fun-filled way.
- Activities: There are over 60 activities kids can choose from, including archery, arts and crafts, go-karts, laser tag, scuba diving, swimming, mini-bike riding, sports, and more.
- Age: Kids ages 7-16 can enjoy this sleep-away camp.
- Location: 41600 Lake Hughes Rd, Lake Hughes, CA
- Cost: Age 7-14 is $2,475 for one week/ $4,850 for two weeks, and age 15-16 is $4750 for two weeks.
- Website: canyoncreeksummercamp.com
Rawhide Ranch
There is no sleep-away summer camp like Rawhide Ranch! It’s a kids camp straight out of the Wild West. At Rawhide, campers have fun learning about horses and livestock while discovering the importance of integrity, respect, hard work, and the value of community.
- Activities: There are many wild west things to do like harnessing pony carts, riding horses, and outdoor cooking. There are also plenty of traditional camp activities like rock climbing, archery, arts and crafts, sports/games, and swimming.
- Age: Kids ages 7-15 can enjoy a week overnight at Rawhide Ranch. There are day camps for ages 5 and up as well.
- Location: 6987 W Lilac Rd, Bonsall, CA
- Cost: Overnight camps are $1,149.
- Website: rawhideranch.com
Camp Bravo
Camp Bravo is a week-long performing arts sleep-away summer camp. The summer camp provides a safe, non-competitive environment for kids to explore their passions for performance and theater. If your tweens and teens live to sing and perform, this is the camp for them.
- Activities: Performing arts activities include acting, story theater, combat, musical theater, sketch comedy, dance, and more.
- Age: Middle school and High school
- Location: deBenneville Pines Camp Facility, 41750 Jenks Lake Road West Angelus Oaks, CA
- Cost: $1,250 per session (2 week-long summer sessions)
- Website: campbravo.org
Camp Ocean Pines
Camp Ocean Pines is a welcoming environment focused on inclusivity where every camper regardless of abilities and interests can experience the best of what summer camp has to offer.
- Activities: Campers get to choose their own activities each day. Activities offered vary by group and session but include traditional camp experiences like archery, arts and crafts, cooking, theater, sports and games, and more.
- Age: Main camp sessions are for kids ages 7 – 16, the California Coastal Adventure session is a teen program for ages 13 – 17.
- Location: 1473 Randall Drive, Cambria, CA, 93428
- Cost: Prices start at $1,950 for a 6-day session and go up to $3,150 for 13-day sessions.
- Website: campoceanpines.org
Bar 717 Ranch/Camp Trinity
The Bar 717 Ranch/ Camp Trinity was founded in 1930! It is the oldest co-educational summer camp in California. Kids live, work, and play on 450 acres of wilderness, learning pioneer skills, resourcefulness, and respect for the land while having fun-filled friendships and rewarding experiences. Though this camp is located in Northern California, it is worth the trek for the unforgettable experience.
- Activities: There are a variety of activities kids can enjoy here, including horsemanship, backpacking, gardening, animal care, river swimming, arts and crafts, photography, riflery, music, archery, blacksmithing, ceramics, and more.
- Age: Children 8-16 can enjoy this sleep-away camp.
- Location: 17197 Hyampom Rd, Hayfork, CA
- Cost: Tuition is based on the number of weeks kids are staying. Sleep-away summer camp is $4,450 for two weeks or $8,650 for four weeks.
- Website: bar717.com
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