Los Angeles Specialty Camps 2026
Editor's curated guide to 25 of the best Los Angeles specialty summer camps for 2026 — covering STEM, coding, music, voice, art and fashion, design, language immersion, theater, circus and aerial arts, special needs, Jewish camps, and more. Updated 2026-05-18.
Los Angeles Specialty Camps at a Glance
Quick answer: Los Angeles has more than 25 summer specialty camps for kids and teens ages 4-17, each focused on a single theme — STEM, coding, music, voice, art, design, fashion, language immersion, theater, circus and aerial arts, modeling, or sports. Most day camps run June through mid-August 2026 at $400-$900 per week. Sleepaway specialty camps (Camp Kennebec, JCC Maccabi, URJ 6 Points, Pali Adventures, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps) start around $1,500-$4,000+ per session.
The major categories are STEM and tech (CodeREV Kids, iD Tech, Camp Tech Revolution at UCLA, PlanetBravo, Rosetta Institute, Project Scientist), art and design (Designer Camp, Modeling Camp), music and voice (Christina's Music Mash-up, Coast Music, L.A. Voice Camp), theater (Summer Institute of Fun), circus and aerial arts (Aerial Warehouse, Kids Summer Circus Camp), language immersion (Kallpachay Spanish), Jewish camps (JCC Maccabi, URJ 6 Points, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps), girls-only programs (Girl Scouts, Project Scientist, Modeling Camp), and special needs / inclusive (Camp Kennebec).
Most popular specialty camps open registration in January-February; early-bird discounts typically expire by April. Boutique programs with limited seats (Designer Camp at 20 students per week) and university-based tech camps fill earliest.
About this page: This is our editor's selection of 25 standout L.A. specialty camps with detailed listings, photos, and direct contact info. For the complete searchable database, visit our full L.A. specialty camp directory.
What Is a Specialty Camp?
A specialty camp is a summer program that focuses on a single theme or activity — rather than the broad activity mix offered at a traditional day camp. Counselors at specialty camps generally hold specialized training, certifications, and skill sets in their theme, which lets them teach with confidence and gives parents peace of mind that their kids are learning from qualified staff.
L.A. specialty camps fall into a few broad categories:
- STEM and tech camps immerse kids in coding, robotics, game design, biomedical research, AI, or VR — often at universities like UCLA or in dedicated tech-camp facilities across the city.
- Arts and performance camps develop a specific creative discipline: voice and A Cappella, music composition and band, theater, design and fashion, photography, or modeling.
- Movement and physical-skill camps teach circus arts, aerial silks, trapeze, parkour, martial arts, or focused athletic specialties.
- Language immersion camps teach a language through full-day immersion in songs, games, and activities — Kallpachay is L.A.'s top Spanish option for ages 4-11.
- Culture and community camps include Jewish sleepaway and day options that combine sport, art, or general camp with Jewish life — and inclusive programs designed specifically for kids with special needs.
Specialty camps are ideal for kids who want to go deep on something they already love, or who want to try a focused new experience they can't get from a general day camp. Many build toward a final showcase: a recital, performance, video, or showroom presentation at the end of the session.
2026 Quick Reference Table
All 25 specialty camps at a glance, in alphabetical order. Click any camp name to jump to its full listing.
| Camp | Specialty | Location | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerial Warehouse | Circus & Aerial Arts | Culver City | -- |
| Camp Kennebec | Special Needs & Inclusive Sleepaway | Arden, Ontario, Canada | -- |
| Camp Tech Revolution at UCLA | STEM & Tech | UCLA / Westwood | -- |
| Christina's Music Mash-up Camp | Music | Los Angeles | K-2 |
| Coast Music's Jazz Intensive | Music | Hermosa Beach | 12+ |
| CodeREV Kids | STEM & Coding | Westwood, Pasadena, Encino, Santa Monica | -- |
| Designer Camp | Art, Design & Fashion | West Hollywood + Costa Mesa, CA | 11-17 |
| Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp | Beach & Multi-Activity | Santa Monica + Pacific Palisades | 4-14 |
| Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Specialty Camps | Outdoor & Adventure (Girls) | Big Bear Lake | Grades 2-12 |
| Got Game Camp | Multi-Activity | Los Angeles (Fairfax / Mid-City) | 4-14 |
| iD Tech Camp | STEM & Tech | Top California Universities | -- |
| JCC Maccabi Sports Camp | Sports & Jewish Sleepaway | Atherton, CA | Grades 4-11 |
| Kallpachay Spanish Adventure Camp | Language Immersion (Spanish) | Pasadena, Santa Monica, Valley Village, Tarzana, Silverlake, Agoura Hills | 4-11 |
| Kids Summer Circus Camp | Circus & Aerial Arts | Sylmar | 7-14 |
| L.A. Voice Camp | Music & Voice | Santa Monica | -- |
| Modeling Camp | Fashion & Modeling (Girls) | Hollywood | -- |
| Pali Adventures | Multi-Activity Sleepaway | Running Springs, CA | -- |
| PlanetBravo | STEM & Tech | 10 L.A.-area locations | Grades 2-9 |
| Project Scientist Summer Academy Camp | STEM (Girls) | Laguna Beach | 4-12 |
| Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research | STEM & Biomedical | San Jose, CA (with break-camp programs) | -- |
| STAR Summer Camps | Multi-Activity | 15+ elementary schools across L.A. | -- |
| Summer Institute of Fun | Theater | Eagle Rock / Occidental College | -- |
| Upstander Kids Anti-Bullying Camp | Personal Development | Los Angeles | 6-12 |
| URJ 6 Points Sports Academy | Sports & Jewish Sleepaway | Occidental College, Los Angeles | 9-16 |
| Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps | Jewish Sleepaway | Malibu | -- |
L.A. Specialty Camps by Category
STEM, Tech & Biomedical
Arts, Design & Fashion
Theater & Performance
Circus & Aerial Arts
Language Immersion
Special Needs & Inclusive
Jewish Camps
Girls-Only Programs
Multi-Activity & General
Personal Development
L.A. Specialty Camps by Neighborhood
Westside (Santa Monica, West L.A.)
West Hollywood / Hollywood
San Fernando Valley (Burbank, Sylmar, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks)
Northeast L.A. (Eagle Rock / Occidental)
Culver City
South Bay (Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach)
Pasadena
UCLA / Westwood
Full A-Z Specialty Camp Listings
Complete descriptions for all 25 specialty camps in alphabetical order. Each listing includes specialty focus, location, ages where specified, and direct contact info verified for 2026.
Aerial Warehouse
Specializes in aerial silks, hoop, trapeze, parkour, tumbling, trampoline, and gymnastics training. Fly like a Cirque performer or an American Ninja Warrior.
- Address: 3961 Sepulveda Blvd. 100, Culver City, CA
- Phone: (310) 397-2200
- Visit Website →
Camp Kennebec
Summer camp for kids and teens with special needs, learning disabilities, and developmental delays including Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, ADD, Down Syndrome, OCD, brain injury, anxiety, and social skill challenges. A low 2:1 camper-to-cabin-staff ratio supports 50+ waterfront, land, creative, and artistic activities including horseback riding and water-skiing.
- Address: 1422 Cox Road, Arden, Ontario, Canada K0H1B0
- Phone: (613) 335-2114
- Visit Website →
Camp Tech Revolution at UCLA
Award-winning STEM summer camps at UCLA with 40+ courses in robotics (EV3, AI, Vex), game design, Python, Java, Virtual Reality, Web Design, 3D Minecraft, Minecraft Tournaments, Esports, Computer Building, 3D Printing, and Model Rocketry. Campers choose one Major and one Minor each week. Additional locations at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University.
- Address: UCLA Student Union Building, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Phone: (310) 988-2968
- Visit Website →
Christina's Music Mash-up Camp
A one-week day camp where children explore a musical theme through movement, poetry, art, and music. Open to children K-2 of all musical backgrounds and levels who are interested in a multi-disciplinary adventure in the arts.
- Phone: (424) 501-5625
- Visit Website →
Coast Music's Jazz Intensive
Located in Hermosa Beach, Coast Music enriches the lives of kids and teens ages 12 and up through music education. Hands-on instruction combined with ample performance opportunities helps students reach their highest potential. Programs include Band Camp, Songwriting Camp, Workshops, Private Lessons, and Piano Classes.
- Address: Hermosa Beach, CA
- Visit Website →
CodeREV Kids
Kids build confidence and creativity creating STEAM projects using game design, digital art, and robotics engineering while learning to code and design. Campers meet like-minded friends, learn from expert instructors, and play outdoors during three breaks each day.
- Address: Locations in Westwood, Pasadena, Encino, and Santa Monica
- Phone: (844) 490-8324
- Visit Website →
Designer Camp
Design-based summer camp for young creatives ages 11-17. A boutique camp (20 students per week) covering Art, Beauty, Branding, Fashion, Interior Design, Merchandising, Photography, Set Design, Styling, and Trend Forecasting. Programs include Designer Camp 101, Fashion & Styling Camp, Interior Design Camp, and Photography Camp.
- Address: Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA (with an additional OC location at Costa Mesa)
- Phone: (424) 333-0329
- Visit Website →
Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp
L.A.'s premier beach camp, now in its 27th year. 200+ activities including surfing, soccer, gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, baseball, and dance. Day-by-day scheduling, 100% safety record, and bus transportation from communities across the Westside. Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with extended care 8:30-9 a.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Address: Beachside locations in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades, CA
- Phone: (310) 459-2425
- Visit Website →
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Specialty Camps
All-girl resident camp for grades 2-12 — open to ALL girls, not just Girl Scouts. The Camp Osito Rancho experience includes archery, canoeing, crafts, swimming, ziplining, horseback riding, and nature studies in a safe and nurturing Big Bear Lake setting.
- Address: Camp Osito Rancho, Big Bear Lake, CA
- Phone: (213) 213-0123
- Visit Website →
Got Game Camp
Premier day-camp destination for ages 4-14. Each child customizes their day from soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball, arts and crafts, robotics, science, coding, drama, and more. Energetic, motivating, and trained coaches support, encourage, and inspire campers every day.
- Address: Street: 408 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036 (Mailing: PO Box 360553, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
- Phone: Toll-free (800) 975-8189 · Local (310) 975-8524
- Visit Website →
iD Tech Camp
Week-long tech camp sessions at top universities in California. Campers code mobile apps, design video games, produce viral videos, and explore cryptography. A wide course lineup covers something for every interest in technology.
- Address: 910 E. Hamilton Ave #300, Campbell, CA 95008 (HQ)
- Phone: (888) 709-8324
- Visit Website →
JCC Maccabi Sports Camp
Overnight Jewish sports camp located outside San Francisco in Atherton. Two-week sessions allow campers entering grades 4-11 to develop skills in the sport of their choice — baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, or softball — alongside other camp activities and the core values of a Jewish summer camp experience.
- Address: 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA 94027
- Phone: (415) 997-8844
- Visit Website →
Kallpachay Spanish Adventure Camp
Spanish immersion camp for ages 4-11, levels beginner to advanced. A 100% immersion approach uses songs, games, sports, dancing, and art and craft. Native-speaker counselors lead small-group learning in context-rich settings without translation.
- Address: Locations in Pasadena, Santa Monica, Valley Village, Tarzana, Silverlake, and Agoura Hills
- Phone: (818) 392-4826
- Visit Website →
Kids Summer Circus Camp
At The Aerial Classroom's Kids Summer Circus Camp, children ages 7-14 learn circus disciplines including trapeze, stilt walking, bungee, and more. The program builds strength, flexibility, and discipline through new activities every day.
- Address: The Aerial Classroom, 15840 Monte St., Unit 102, Sylmar, CA 91342
- Phone: (866) 529-8085
- Visit Website →
L.A. Voice Camp
L.A.'s top A Cappella kids choir summer camp. Singers learn vital singer skills in a rigorous program that has all the fun of summer camp. Campers perform at Disneyland, record, and star in a professional music video.
- Address: 1320 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
- Phone: (424) 218-6937
- Visit Website →
Modeling Camp
Featured on Good Morning America and NBC News. Girls discover the world of modeling and fashion through hands-on workshops and meetings with top agencies including Ford, Elite, and Wilhelmina. Locations in NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, and Washington DC, plus an online option.
- Address: 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Los Angeles, CA 91608
- Phone: (888) 757-5575
- Visit Website →
Pali Adventures
Kids choose a morning specialty (watersports, performing arts, action sports, and more) plus their own activities to create their ideal summer camp. Pali balances a traditional camp experience with the chance to explore special areas of interest.
- Address: 30778 Highway 18, PO Box 2237, Running Springs, CA 92382
- Phone: (909) 867-5743
- Visit Website →
PlanetBravo
One of California's most popular and longest-running tech summer camps. 10 locations. Programs cover coding, Minecraft, Roblox, movie-making, 2D and 3D video games, and YouTube series. Featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and Netflix's "Chelsea Does." Award-winning.
- Address: Locations: Beverly Hills, Burbank, Encino, Irvine, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, LAX / Westchester
- Phone: (866) 232-3866
- Visit Website →
Project Scientist Summer Academy Camp
STEM summer academy for girls ages 4-12. Surrounded by brilliant and passionate STEM teachers, professors, and professionals, campers explore the sciences and celebrate their accomplishments within a community of like-minded peers.
- Address: 217 Cypress Dr. #F, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Phone: (704) 363-6411
- Visit Website →
Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research
Science camps for high-achieving students. Engaging lectures and hands-on laboratory classes cover normal molecular and cellular biology, and how those processes are distorted in disease development. Rosetta also offers winter and spring break camps in Medical Bioinformatics and a laboratory-intensive Biomedical Research day camp.
- Address: 5941 Optical Court, San Jose, CA 95138
- Phone: (858) 205-7479
- Visit Website →
STAR Summer Camps
30+ camp offerings spanning creativity, fitness, technology, stage performance, and skill acquisition. STAR runs at over 15 elementary-school locations throughout West Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Westchester, and Sherman Oaks.
- Address: 15+ elementary-school locations across West L.A., Pacific Palisades, Westchester, and Sherman Oaks
- Phone: (310) 842-8542
- Visit Website →
Summer Institute of Fun
A one-week dynamic physical theater camp for young people of all abilities at Occidental College Children's Theater. The 7:1 student-teacher ratio supports storytelling through imaginative group improvisation and basic movement techniques, culminating in an informal folktale performance.
- Address: Occidental College Children's Theater, 1600 Campus Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90041
- Phone: (323) 259-2771
- Visit Website →
Upstander Kids Anti-Bullying Camp
Empowers kids ages 6-12 from a Child Development perspective. Group activities center on martial arts, mindfulness, movement, and meditation — including boundary setting, age-appropriate self-defense, traditional martial arts, yoga, team sports, chess, dance, improv, arts and crafts, and book club.
- Phone: (310) 895-5100
- Visit Website →
URJ 6 Points Sports Academy
High-level sleepaway sports camp with the fun and friendship of a Jewish summer camp. Campers ages 9-16 major in one sport — baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, or volleyball — and choose from many electives to build their ideal summer.
- Address: Summer: Occidental College, 1600 Campus Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90041 · Winter office: 18455 Burbank Blvd. #215, Tarzana, CA 91356
- Phone: (310) 912-7335
- Visit Website →
Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps
More than 60 years providing a dynamic and fun Jewish camp environment at Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp. A community where everyone is supported, included, and challenged, and where children build understanding of their Jewish background while making memorable summer friendships.
- Address: 11495 East Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
- Phone: (213) 388-2401
- Visit Website →
Looking for Even More L.A. Specialty Camps?
These 25 listings are our editor's selection of standout specialty camps. For the complete searchable database of every Los Angeles area specialty camp — filterable by activity, age, neighborhood, and session length — visit our full L.A. specialty camp directory.
Frequently Asked Questions About L.A. Specialty Camps
What is a specialty summer camp?
A specialty summer camp focuses on a single theme or activity — circus, coding, music, language immersion, theater, modeling, science, or one sport — rather than offering a broad mix of traditional activities. Specialty camps suit kids who want to go deeper in something they already love, or try a focused experience they can't get from a general day camp. Counselors typically have specialized credentials in the theme, and many specialty camps build toward a recital, video, performance, or showcase at the end of the session.
How much do specialty camps cost in Los Angeles?
Most L.A. specialty day camps cost between $400 and $900 per week, with boutique programs (Designer Camp, Modeling Camp) and tech camps at top universities running higher. Sleepaway specialty camps (URJ 6 Points, JCC Maccabi, Pali Adventures, Camp Kennebec, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps) typically run $1,500-$4,000+ per session depending on length. Multi-week tuition discounts, sibling discounts, and early-bird pricing are common — ask the camp directly.
What are the best STEM and tech specialty camps in Los Angeles?
L.A.'s top STEM and tech specialty camps include CodeREV Kids (game design and robotics across Westwood, Pasadena, Encino, and Santa Monica), iD Tech Camp (at top California universities), Camp Tech Revolution at UCLA (40+ courses including AI, VR, and Esports), PlanetBravo (10 locations across L.A., featured on Good Morning America and Netflix), Rosetta Institute (biomedical research for high-achieving students), and Project Scientist (girls-only STEM ages 4-12). Choose by program depth, location, and your child's level.
Are there Spanish or other language immersion camps in Los Angeles?
Yes. Kallpachay Spanish Adventure Camp offers a 100% Spanish immersion experience for ages 4-11 at locations across Pasadena, Santa Monica, Valley Village, Tarzana, Silverlake, and Agoura Hills. Native-speaker counselors teach through songs, games, sports, dancing, and art — no translation, just authentic small-group learning at every level from beginner to advanced.
Which specialty camps work for kids with special needs?
Camp Kennebec is a dedicated overnight camp for kids and teens with special needs, learning disabilities, and developmental delays — Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, ADD, Down Syndrome, OCD, brain injury, anxiety, and social skill challenges — with a 2:1 camper-to-cabin-staff ratio. Closer to home, Upstander Kids Anti-Bullying Camp uses a Child Development framework for ages 6-12, and Summer Institute of Fun explicitly welcomes "young people of all abilities" with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Always ask any camp directly about accommodations and staff training before enrolling.
Are there girls-only specialty camps in L.A.?
Yes. Project Scientist Summer Academy is a STEM camp for girls ages 4-12. Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles runs Camp Osito Rancho, an all-girl overnight camp at Big Bear Lake for grades 2-12 — open to all girls, not just Girl Scouts. Modeling Camp focuses on fashion and modeling skills for girls. Each takes a different angle on building confidence in a single-gender environment.
Are there Jewish specialty camps in the Los Angeles area?
Three established options. JCC Maccabi Sports Camp (Atherton, near San Francisco) is an overnight Jewish sports camp where grades 4-11 develop skills in baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, or softball over two-week sessions. URJ 6 Points Sports Academy runs its summer program at Occidental College in L.A. for ages 9-16, combining high-level sports training with Jewish camp community. Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps in Malibu — Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp — has provided a Jewish camp environment for more than 60 years.
When should I register my child for specialty camp?
Most popular specialty camps open registration in January or February. Boutique camps (Designer Camp at 20 students per week) and limited-seat tech camps fill earliest — register by early March if possible. Sleepaway camps and Jewish overnight programs often have priority registration for returning families through fall and winter. Early-bird discount deadlines are usually in March or early April. If you have a specific camp in mind, sign up the day registration opens.
What unusual specialty camps does Los Angeles have?
Beyond the standard music, art, and tech camps, L.A. families can find circus and aerial arts (Aerial Warehouse in Culver City, Kids Summer Circus Camp in Sylmar), A Cappella voice training that performs at Disneyland (L.A. Voice Camp), boutique fashion and design programs at the Pacific Design Center (Designer Camp), professional-track modeling instruction (Modeling Camp), and a Child Development-based anti-bullying program built around martial arts and mindfulness (Upstander Kids).
How to Choose the Right L.A. Specialty Camp
With 25+ specialty camps across Los Angeles, narrowing the choice can feel overwhelming. Here is a practical framework parents use:
1. Start with the depth of your child's interest
Specialty camps work best when a child already loves the theme — or genuinely wants to try it for a focused week. If your child is curious about coding but not committed, a multi-week sleepaway tech camp may be too much; a single-week day program at PlanetBravo or CodeREV is a better entry point. If they are obsessed with theater, a dedicated week at Summer Institute of Fun is far better than a general day camp that does one drama hour per week.
2. Check the credentials of the staff
The whole point of specialty camp is access to qualified instructors. Ask: Who teaches? What are their credentials in this specialty? Are they working professionals, college students, or career camp counselors? Rosetta Institute uses STEM professors. iD Tech recruits at top universities. L.A. Voice Camp's staff perform at Disneyland. Strong specialty camps are proud of their instructor bios — they'll tell you up front.
3. Look at the showcase or output
Many specialty camps build toward a final product: a recital, a music video, a photo book, a folktale performance, a launched website, a fashion lookbook. Knowing what your child will walk away with helps you evaluate whether the program matches your goals — and gives your child a clear motivating finish line.
4. Match the format to your family's schedule
Specialty camps come in many formats: one-week boutique programs, weekly day-camp rotations at multiple locations, multi-week intensives, and overnight sessions of one to four weeks. Day camps like Fitness by the Sea and Got Game blend specialty with traditional structure and offer flexible scheduling. Sleepaway specialty camps (URJ 6 Points, JCC Maccabi, Camp Kennebec, Pali Adventures) require overnight readiness and a multi-week commitment.
5. Register early
Boutique programs with limited capacity (Designer Camp at 20 students per week) and limited-seat sessions at tech camps fill earliest. Most popular specialty camps open registration in January-February; sleepaway programs often have priority registration for returning families through fall and winter. Early-bird discount deadlines are usually in March or early April. If you have a specific camp in mind, register the day registration opens.
Meet Specialty Camps in Person at L.A. Camp Fair 2026
Want to meet specialty camp directors in person before committing? L.A. Camp Fair 2026 is the region's biggest and free summer camp expo, with seven convenient dates and locations across Los Angeles County. Hundreds of camps on display, free admission, and the chance to ask directors directly about teaching staff, showcase outputs, group sizes, and what makes their specialty program a fit for your child.
