Find a Malibu Summer Camp!

When you think of Malibu, of course you think of beach programs (which there are plenty of!), however. Malibu also has many other outstanding types of summer camps and programs from religious to traditional to specialty camps and more.

All of us know how devastating the Malibu fires were a few years ago, and then to make matters worse COVID struck. While several camps sadly lost their sites in the fires, and others were forced to close (or unable to open at all) thanks to COVID, thankfully most Malibu summer camp programs were back on track and operating as normal for summer 2022.  (And some camps who lost their sites in the fires have even found temporary re-location spots while they rebuild this year.)

The Malibu summer camps listed below are among the very best you'll find; please note camps are listed randomly and sometimes alphabetically.  You should not consider the camps in the order they appear as a ranking order. Space is limited at all programs and space fills quickly, so sign up now to make sure your child secures a spot.

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Aloha Beach Camp

Located in a prime spot of Zuma Beach with perfect waves for surfing and boogie boarding, Aloha Beach Camp has been a Malibu staple for 20 years.  They offer beach activities and also trips to local lakes for boating, kayaking  and jet skiing as well as field trips to local water parks.  Your camp tuition includes free transportation from most Valley and Westside communities including convenient pick-up spots in Malibu.  One of this camps' biggest selling points is its flexible day-by-day enrollment feature; there are NO sessions to adhere to,  so you can essentially pick  your own camp dates sending your child to camp whenever it's convenient for you!  Aloha Beach Camp counselors and staff are lifeguard-certified with your child's safety and fun their primary focus.

Photo credit Aloha Beach Camp, Malibu

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Malibu Makos Surf Camp

Photo credit Malibu Makos Summer Surf Camp

Malibu Makos is a long-time popular ocean safety surf camp for kids in Malibu. They are based at the northern end of Zuma Beach. Many Malibu families send their kids to this camp who want to learn to surf. Their days focus on the essentials of surfing and teach all campers at every level.  However, even if you don't live in Malibu but still want to send your kids to this camp, you can take advantage of their camp transportation service for and additional fee.  Malibu Makos considers itself a "surfing school" in addition to its camps. Saturday surf camps are available, too.

Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camps

Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camps have been a Malibu staple for decades. Many generations of families have attended these amazing Jewish summer camps in Malibu. Though we're sorry to say these camps were damaged in the recent fires, we are happy to say they found a temporary home at Cal State Channel Islands where they will be operating again this summer.  Even in their new locations their same warm and inclusive environment will be present as well as activities like archery, ropes course, arts and crafts, sports, games, and gardening. There's even special events like Maccabbiah Pioneer days and beach trips!

Photo credit Camp Hess Kramer and Gingling Hilltop Camps

Camp JCA Shalom Summer Camp

Photo credit JCA Shalom Summer Camp in Malibu

 Another Jewish summer camp that was destroyed in the Malibu fire, Camp JCA has rebounded beautifully and will be operating their full program this summer at a temporary site very close to their traditional Malibu location.  Campers attending this program will enjoy a safe and fun Jewish summer camp experience like no other.  JCA offers a varied camp program with a variety of activities such as gardening, aquatic sports, cooking, overnight camp-outs and beach trips, and Israeli singing and dancing. Their caring and mature camp counselors and staff all contribute to an exciting camp experience your child will never forget.

Camp Summertime

Camp Summertime is a traditional summer day camp program located at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu where campers enjoy a wide variety activities from fishing to horseback riding and so much more. With big grassy field and a beautiful camp property, kids and teens attending the program have lots of room to run, play, and make lifelong memories and friendships. Boating, GaGa, flag football and even go-carting activities are available. Campers living outside of Malibu who would like to attend the camp can use its transportation service.

Photo credit Camp Summertime Malibu

City of Malibu Day Camp Programs

Photo credit City of Malibu Day Camp Programs

The City of Malibu offers many safe, fun and exciting day camp programs your child is sure to enjoy.  Surfing, of course, is available as a exciting camp program but in addition campers can choose enrichment-based summer programs such as Minecraft,  STEM,  and marine biology camps. Perhaps your child is more sports focused and would enjoy the City of Malibu's sports camps instead. In that case, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, flag football, and even girls' ultimate sports camps are available.  These programs fill up fast, so be sure to sign up today if any of these day camp programs appeal to you.

Palisades Malibu YMCA Summer Camps

The YMCA is widely known for its popular summer camp program sand the Palisades-Malibu branch is no different. Offering day camps and overnight camp experiences , campers enjoy banana boat rides, zip lining, dodge-ball, mountain biking, horseback riding, archery and so much more. One of the nice things about this camp is that membership at the YMCA is not required to participate in the camp program, camp is open to everyone! Also, for campers who may face financial challenges affording camp, the YMCA offers camp scholarships for qualifying families.

Photo credit YMCA Summer Camps

Pepperdine Summer Camps

Photo credit Pepperdine University Summer Camps

The beautiful campus of Pepperdine University, based in the heart of Malibu on Pacific Coast Highway just steps from the ocean, hosts several different summer camps and programs for kids, most of them focusing on sports. From swimming camps to baseball camps to volleyball camps and more, campers have a wide variety of summer camps to choose from. And if your son or daughter is having trouble deciding which Pepperdine program to choose, why not consider more than one? Pick several and make your child's camp experience this summer the best one yet!

Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp

For the past 21 years Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp has been located in the Pacific Palisades where Malibu families have been sending their children, ages 4-14, to learn to surf, go boogie boarding, swim, and become water safe. (NO PRIOR ocean experience is required, non-swimmers are welcome!) They offer over 50 activities a day including some that might even surprise you, like gymnastics, martial arts, fencing, dance, arts and crafts, and classic team sports like soccer and basketball—all in an encouraging, positive environment—making every day at camp unique. This a great place for kids to experience all that living near the beach can offer! Try them out, they offer flexible day-by-day enrollment, over 200 safe and exciting water and sand activities, and for 21 years they have had a 100% safety record, so parents feel safe sending their kids to the beach.

Rob LeMond's Ocean Surf Camp

Photo credit Rob Lemond's Ocean Surf Camp

Offering beach and ocean safety camps for kids and teens from 6 to 12 years, Rob LeMond has been operating his beach and ocean surf camps in Malibu for close to 50 years.  Rob is a former lifeguard and USC graduate,  and campers at this exciting program learn to surf, wake-board, tube and more. There is a big emphasis on ocean safety at this camp -- and that's something that's obviously very important when you are considering a camp at the beach.