UC Berkeley Youth Recreation Summer Camps
Customize a summer of adventure, fun and new experiences with our epic summer camps! We’ve been making summers fun for campers and easy for families for more than 60 years. Explore our camps from last summer, and start making your list of camps to try in 2025!
Summer Camp 2025 Enrollment
To best accommodate high demand for our programs, we offer staggered registration opening dates for our camps. Be sure to sign up as soon as camp registration opens for your desired camp(s)! See below for descriptions of each camp.
Tuesday, January 28 at 10:00 a.m.: Blue Camp, Martial Arts, Esports, Media Production
Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 10:00 a.m.: Explorer Camp, Gymnastics, Skateboarding
Thursday, Jan. 30 at 10:00 a.m.: Adventures Camps (including Afternoon Adventures, Discovery Camp, Eco Adventures, Paddle Adventures, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Sea Kayaking, Windsurfing), Swim/Aquatics, and Gold Camp at University Village Albany
Teen Leadership Programs: Date varies by camp (see dates above for the associated camp sessions that Teen Leaders support).
We recommend setting up your camper profile(s) in our CampDoc registration portal ahead of time so you’re ready when registration goes live!
Multi-Activity Day Camps
With our comprehensive recreational day camps, campers get to sample an array of activities appropriate for their age and interests, with lots of time for fun, silliness and time with friends.
| Name | Ages | About |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer Camp | 5-6 | Combines developmental sports, outdoor learning, exploratory science, and arts and crafts. |
| Afternoon Adventures | 8-11 | Includes activities such as kayaking and stand up paddleboarding on the Bay, designing and flying your own kite, building and testing your own cardboard sailboat, and much more all packed into a half-day of adventure. |
| Blue Camp | 7-12 | Combines developmental sports, outdoor learning, science, and the arts to create a fun, well-rounded, diverse camp experience. |
| Paddle Adventures | 9-11 | Split the day exploring the water and land! Play, craft and learn the fundamentals of stand-up paddleboarding and sit-on-top kayaking on the South Sailing Basin. |
| Discovery Camp | 10-12 | Paddle, observe, examine, and analyze a variety of Bay Area ecosystems – both on the water and on terra firma. |
| Eco Adventures | 12-14 | Gives campers the opportunity to observe, examine, and analyze a variety of Bay Area ecosystems – both on the water and on terra firma. |
| Gold Camp (UVA) | 5-10 | A comprehensive recreational day camp that combines outdoor learning, sports arts, science and group games. |
Specialized Sports and Activity Camps
From screen time to hangtime, campers can try a new experience or advance from beginner to expert in our specialized camps.
| Name | Ages | About |
|---|---|---|
| Esports Camp | 12-14 | Gain new skills and learn about teamwork, leadership, and strategy in a high-tech, supportive, and inclusive environment centered around Esports: competitive, organized video gaming. |
| Media Production Camp | 12-14 | Explore the leading edge of digital media and video production, using professional equipment such as cameras and camcorders, computer editing software, audio recording software, lights, and more. |
| Skateboarding Camp | 8-16 | A nationally recognized program giving campers an opportunity to learn in a one-of-a-kind environment, with a variety of ramps and street obstacles. |
| Gymnastics Camp | 5-14 | Develop new gymnastics skills, play games, make new friends, and create lasting memories. |
| Martial Arts Camp | 6-16 | Quality instruction in martial arts, promoting fitness of mind and body. |
Adventures Youth Camps
For campers who describe their summers with action verbs…Play. Climb. Sail. Explore. These camps are all about new adventures, getting outside, moving, and exploring the Bay Area’s natural wonders.
| Name | Ages | About |
|---|---|---|
| Afternoon Adventures | 8-11 | Includes activities such as kayaking and stand up paddleboarding on the Bay, designing and flying your own kite, building and testing your own cardboard sailboat, and much more all packed into a half-day of adventure. |
| Discovery Camp | 10-12 | Explore and experience the Bay Area through hiking, tide pooling, paddling, and more! |
| Paddle Adventures | 9-11 | Split the day exploring the water and land! Play, craft and learn the fundamentals of stand-up paddleboarding and sit-on-top kayaking on the South Sailing Basin. |
| Rock Climbing Camp | 8-17 | Gain confidence in an exhilarating activity: rock climbing. Learn belay skills, knot-tying, top-rope climbing, and equipment care. |
| Sailing Camp | 10-17 | Learn and review the essentials of sailing on the beautiful San Francisco Bay, Campers are assigned to groups based on their skill level. |
| Eco Adventures | 12-14 | Gives campers the opportunity to observe, examine, and analyze a variety of Bay Area ecosystems – both on the water and on terra firma. |
| Sea Kayaking Camp | 11-17 | Learn the basics of sea kayaking, including: paddling technique, equipment, safety procedures, and rescue skills. |
| Windsurfing Camp | 10-17 | Provides campers with an introduction to the sport of windsurfing. |
Teen Leadership Programs
Through our Teen Leadership Programs, middle school and high school students (ages 12-17) find experiential opportunities to learn outstanding leadership skills that can be applied to all aspects of life.
- Campers in Leadership Training (ages 12-14) equips teens with leadership and job-related skills through experiences at Blue Camp or Gold Camp, preparing them for future counselor roles. Requires registration.
- Adventures Teen Leadership Program (ages 13-16) offers a range of opportunities to build leadership and work with youth enjoying outdoor adventures to include the new Rock Climbing Leadership program.
- Counselors-in-Training (age 15) offers teens volunteer opportunities to build foundational leadership skills through hands-on experience with children and camp activities, preparing them for future roles as Junior Counselors.
- Junior Counselors (ages 16-17) are paid junior staff who develop leadership and professional skills through hands-on responsibilities, mentorship, and opportunities to lead activities, preparing them for future roles as Group Leaders and Instructors.
