With the choice and variety of summer camps available in 2013, boredom won't be an option.
Organizations, from the YMCA to your local parks and recreation department, offer dozens of camp choices for science, theater, sports, music and more. Whether you're looking for an all-around experience or a more focused camp, this list features a few in Albany and nearby.
You'll find lots more information this weekend at the annual Children's Summer Program Fair put on by the Oakland-Piedmont Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
The fair will be held on Sunday, March 10, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Admission is free. Click HERE for the flyer and Click Here to see the Facebook Event Page.
Albany
Name: City of Albany 2013 Camp Friendship.
Type of camp: For ages 6 to 12, themed weeks with field trips.
Cost: $200 per week, residents; $210 per week, non-residents.
Where: Albany.
When: Nine week-long sessions June 24 to Aug. 23., Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Registration: Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. or call (510) 524-9283.
Details: Fun-themed weeks of space, farm animals and trains with outings to such spots as Fairyland and Western Railway Museum.
For more information: (510) 559-7220.
Name: Albany YMCA 2013 Summer Camps.
Type of camp: For grades K to 11, sports, arts, swim and more.
Cost: Varies by camp selection -- $160 to $275 per week.
Where: Albany YMCA, 921 Kains Ave.
When: Ten weeklong sessions June 17 to Aug. 23.
Registration: In-person at Albany YMCA or online at www.ymca-cba.orgunder child's name. (510) 524-9283. YMCA membership required.
Details: Fun-filled weeks of ceramics, swimming, field trips, crafts and sports. Specialized camps, like sewing or cooking, offered.
For more information: (510) 525-1130.
El Cerrito
Name: City of El Cerrito Summer 2013 Day Camps
Type of camp: Wide assortment for ages 4 to 17.
Cost: Varies by selection -- see brochure here.
Where: City community centers; varies by camp.
When: Eleven weeklong sessions, June 10 to Aug. 23.
Registration: Underway. Sign up by April 19 for 10 percent discount and T-shirt. (Camp Ravencliff is already full; wait-list option only.)
Details: Field trips, art, counselor training, gymnastics, band, engineering, Legos, circus, comics.
For more information call: (510) 215-4300.
Berkeley
Name: Berkeley Day Camp.
Type of camp: Crafts, games, cookouts, swimming for ages 5 to 12.
Cost: $147/week for residents; $176/week for non-residents. Before and after care extra.
Where: Tilden Park, Berkeley Marina, Lake Anza and other locales. Details here.
When: Nine weeklong sessions from June 17 to Aug. 16.
Registration: Underway here.
Details: Traditional day camp with fun-filled days of summer Halloween, ferry trips, crazy Olympics and more.
For more information: . at (510) 981-5140.
Name: Tilden Nature Day Camps for ages 8 to 15.
Type of camp: Three camps: Camp of the Wild for ages 9 to 12; Little Farm Camp ages 8 to 11; Advanced Little Farm Camp, ages 12 to 15.
Cost: $200 to $250 per week for residents, varies by selection. (Non-resident fees are higher.)
Where: Tilden Nature Area in Tilden Regional Park.
When: Weekly sessions, July 1 to Aug. 2., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details here.
Registration: Under way.
Details: East Bay Regional Park District camp offers outdoor cooking, animals, nature, plants, gardening. Curriculum varies by camp/age group.
For more information: 1-888-327-2757 (option 2, then 3).
Name: Camp Galileo: Berkeley.
Type of camp: Weekly themed day camp (such as space and safari) for pre-K through grade 5.
Cost: $369 per week, with multiple-week discounts.
Where: Cragmont Elementary School, 830 Regal Road.
When: June 24 to Aug. 2, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended care available.
Registration: Under way here.
Details: Art, science, outdoor activities.
For more information: Galileo Innovation Camps For Kids at 1-800-854-3684.
Name: Downtown Berkeley YMCA 2013 Summer Camps.
Type of camp: For grades K to 12, sports, arts, swim, counselor training and more.
Cost: Varies by camp selection, roughly $210 to $285 per week. Non-member fees are higher.
Where: Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way.
When: Ten weeklong sessions June 17 to Aug. 23.
Registration: Under way at Downtown Berkeley YMCA or online here under child's name.
Details: Fun-filled weeks of ceramics, swimming, field trips, crafts and sports, plus specialized camps for scrapbooking, tech and science.
For more information: (510) 665-3271.
Name: 4Cats Art Studio of Kensington/Berkeley Hills Summer 2013
Type of camp: Art day-camps for boys and girls ages 5 to early teen.
Cost: $185 per session.
Where: 4Cats Art Studio, 379 Colusa Ave., Kensington, near Berkeley.
When: June through August. Mondays through Thursdays, half-day sessions, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Registration: Online via website, by phone or in person.
Details: Painting, drawing, sculpture, art masters introduction and more. Make it a full-day camp with Kung Fu/Tai Chi available through next-door neighbor Fuse Fitness. See website for details.
For more information: (510) 525-1655 or email berkeleyhill@4cats.com
Alameda
Name: Bay Area Children's Theater-Alameda Summer Camps.
Type of camp: Musical theater for ages 5 through 14.
Cost: Little Performers, ages 5-6, $180; Young Performers, ages 7-14, $525.
Where: Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave.
When: Young Performers July 22 to Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Little Performers July 29 to Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to noon.
Registration: Online here.
Details: Disney's "Aladdin Jr." will be rehearsed during camp and performed in finale show.
For more information: (510) 296-4433.
Name: 24-7 UK Soccer Academy Summer 2013.
Type of camp: Half-day and full-day soccer for youths, 6 to 14.
Cost: Per week: $119 half-days (8:30 a.m. to noon); $169 full days (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Where: Bayport Field, 351 Jack London Ave., Alameda
When: Two sessions: July 15 to 19, and Aug. 5 to 12.
Registration: Sign-ups underway online; 10 percent off enrollments four weeks before camp start.
Details: Fun-theme days, like wacky-hair day, plus soccer instruction and games.
For more information: (510) 861-3916 or email info@24-7uksocceracademy.com.
Name: Camp Edmo
Type of camp: Arts, science, animation for pre-K to grade 4.
Cost: Arts & Science $369/week; Animation $444/week. Multiple week/sibling/refer-friend discounts offered.
Where: Frank Otis Elementary School, 3010 Fillmore St., Alameda
When: Weekly sessions from June 24 to Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended services available.
Registration: Open now - see website.
Details: Activities designed by Edventure More in partnership with theCalifornia Academy of Sciences and Museum of Children’s Art.
For more information: (415) 282-MORE (6673).
Name: Camp EdTech
Type of camp: Video, animation, photography for grades 5 to 8.
Cost: $469 per week, with discount packages available.
Where: Frank Otis Elementary School, 3010 Fillmore St.
When: Weekly sessions June 24 to Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended services available.
Registration: Open now - see website.
Details: Kids learn video gaming, digital photography, graphic design and animation.
For more information: (415) 282-MORE (6673).
Piedmont/Rockridge/Oakland
Name: Bay Area Children's Theater-Piedmont Summer Camps.
Type of camp: Musical theater for ages 5 through 14.
Cost: Little Performers, ages 5-6, $180; Young Performers, ages 7-14, $525.
Where: Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave.
When: Young Performers July 8 to 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Little Performers July 15 to 19, 9 a.m. to noon.
Registration: Online here.
Details: Disney's "Aladdin Jr." will be rehearsed during camp and performed in a finale show.
For more information call: (510) 296-4433.
Name: Urban Adventure Camps
Type of camp: Unique, weeklong field trips using public transportation for ages 8 to 15.
Cost: $400 to $600 per week, depending on camp.
Where: Meets and departs daily Rockridge BART station.
When: Weekly, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 10 to Aug. 30.
Registration: Online here.
Details: Focus on art, biology, history, physics with such destinations as UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, San Francisco Zoo, Encinal Yacht Club, UC Berkeley Art Museum and Alcatraz Island.
For more information call: (510) 339-0676.
Name: Artemis Rowing Summer Camps
Type of camp: Rowing for middle- and high-schoolers.
Cost: $250 per week for middle-schoolers; $500 per week for high school ages.
Where: 115 Embarcadero, Oakland.
When: Middle school weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 16, 9 a.m. to noon; high school weekly sessions July 8 to Aug. 16, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration: Underway, online here.
Details: Learn-to-row and skill-development camps for kids.
For more information call: (510) 629-1681.
Elsewhere in East Bay
Name: Oakland Zoo Camps for 2013.
Type of camp: Science and nature for pre-K through high school.
Cost: Ranges by camp from $196 to $316 for members; $216 to $336 for non-members.
Where: Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland.
When: Various sessions June 17 through Aug.16.
Registration: Member registration begins March 11; non-members March 18.
Details: Numerous offerings. Age-appropriate outdoor activities and animal discovery.
For more information: ZooCamp Hotline (510) 632-9525 x280 or email Summer Camp Registrar.
Name: Junior Lifeguards East Bay Parks
Type of camp: Water safety, CPR, rescue, first aid for ages 8 to 13.
Cost: $125 for half-day sessions, either 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Alameda County and Contra Costa County residents.
Where: Pleasanton/Livermore (Shadow Cliffs); Berkeley (Lake Anza);Castro Valley (Cull Canyon); Antioch (Contra Loma); Oakland (Lake Temescal).
When: Pleasanton/Livermore July 8 to Aug. 16; Antioch June 17 to July 19; all other locales June 17 to Aug. 16.
Registration: Underway. Details here.
Details: Week-long sessions of core lifeguard curriculum sponsored by East Bay Regional Park District.
For more information: 1-888-EB-PARKS (1-888-327-2757) Option 2.
Location: San Leandro
Name: Nike Golf Camps
Type of camp: Golf for boys and girls, ages 7 to 16.
Cost: Weekly rates, full-day $425; half-day $239.
Where: Monarch Bay Golf Club, 13800 Monarch Bay Drive, San Leandro.
When: Weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 23.
Registration: Online underway here.
Details: Small-group instruction from PGA pros for kids of all abilities. Includes lessons, course play, hat, balls, workbook, prizes.
For more information call: 1-800-NIKE CAMP.
Where: Saint Mary's College, Moraga.
When: Sessions run June 17 to Aug. 2, with half days, full days, extended care.
Registration: Online here.
Details: Camps for baseball, basketball, lacrosse, rugby, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, plus an "all-sport" camp for the kids who like variety.
For more information: (925) 631-4FUN or (925) 376-6003.
If you know of other summer camps in your area, please share them with us in the comments below.
