Top 10 Specialty Summer Day Camps for Kids and Teens in L.A.

​Summer will be here before you know it. Do you know how your kids are spending their summer break yet?

Los Angeles has so many summer day camps, but how do you know which one to pick?  One good way to narrow down all the choices is by looking at "specialty" day camps -- day camps that focus on one particular area of interest allowing campers to really immerse themselves in camp activities they love the most. 

Here’s a list of our top ten choices for specialty day camps in Los Angeles.  You’re sure to find one that’s a perfect match for YOUR child! 

Academic Camp

​Does your child see summer as a bummer because they love learning?  Is a math decathlon their sport of choice? Just because school is on summer break doesn’t mean learning has to be!  Check out UCLA Lab School where they incorporate learning into the camp day.  The lessons at the camp are taught by the faculty of the UCLA Lab School and specifically designed to be an engaging learning process. The class sessions focus on science, math, reading, writing and social studies but are hosted in a fun environment that gives the program a more relaxed feel than school.  The camp is hosted in a beautiful natural setting, and since the camp operates half day in the morning only, you have the option to add on a recreational play-based program in the afternoon.  It’s the best of both worlds!

Animal Lovers Camp

​Do you live with an aspiring Dr. Doolittle?  One of the most common answers kids give when asked what they want to be when they grow up is a veterinarian.  What better way to give the profession a trial run then attending Annenberg PetSpace’s program!  Your camper will get the opportunity to play with and learn about pets and how to be a responsible pet owner.  They’ll get to learn about pet adoption, the basics of veterinary care and all about the bond between humans and animals.  Designed for campers ages 9 – 12, the program offers 6 different week-long sessions to accommodate a busy summer schedule.  Also a good trial run for a camper who wants a pet, they’ll get to spend their days practicing!

Art Camp

​Is your house full of arts and crafts supplies?  Your refrigerator covered with art and shelves filled with projects? Check out LACMA’s (Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s) camp.  Campers ages 6 and older can attend one-week-long programs letting their imaginations be inspired by LACMA’s diverse collection of art. The camp is run by a creative team of museum educators and artists.  Your future Picasso will be introduced to a wide variety of materials and techniques to express themselves during their 1-week session. The day is broken up into gallery activities, viewing of original works of art, playtime during a lunch break, and fun studio projects. There’s even a final camp art show at the end of each week!! Campers who love art can't afford to miss this exciting program!

Aloha Beach Camp

​Do you spend a good part of your summer days sweeping sand out of your house?  Does your child own more bathing suits and flip flops than pants and shoes?  Aloha Beach Camp just might be the perfect fit for your beach loving child!  Aloha Beach Camp has a free bus service throughout the Valley and Westside that brings children ages 5-15 to their summer day camp program at Malibu!  Days are spent swimming, boogie boarding and surfing with activities like lei making, flag football games and sandcastle building contests thrown in for good measure.  Campers are closely supervised by trained lifeguards and also taught about ocean ecology. The camp also offers weekly field trips to local lakes and water parks for even more aquatic fun!  Best of all, this program offers a day-by-day enrollment feature with NO set sessions or schedules, which means you can choose your own days and dates you want to send your child to camp. 

Culinary Camp

​How many episodes of Top Chef and other food network shows are currently saved on your DVR?  Does your child ask you to bring home exotic spices from the local market for a new recipe he’s working on?  If so, definitely look into Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom.  They have multiple programs designed for all culinary levels!  Campers will learn about food, kitchen safety and meal prep, not to mention learning the basics of making pizza from scratch, desserts like red velvet cupcakes, how to make homemade pasta and even create a breakfast buffet!  There are sessions for more advanced chefs and sessions that have a international food focus. Bonus. . . the academy even offers classes and programs for adults!

Designer Camp

​Does your camper know how to “Make It Work!”?  Does she turn her nose up at store-bought Halloween costumes because she can make something better on her own?  Did he ask to take a day off of school when Karl Lagerfeld passed away?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Designer Camp is custom made for your camper.  It’s a comprehensive and collaborative design-based program for kids ages 11-17.  They partner with nationally-recognized design brands to offer unique summer sessions.  Campers get to learn through hands on workshops, behind the scenes tours of studio and meet working designers! There’s even a boutique camp where campers get to explore Branding, Merchandising, Trend Forecasting and more!  No prior design experience is required, just a passion to be creative and to create!

Science Camp

​Are the ingredients to make slime currently in your pantry?  How many robots is your son currently working on?  Is your dining room table currently covered in experiments?  Try Mad Science camp this summer!  This fun science program offers a variety of camps for kids between the ages of 6 and 12. All of their programs are specifically curated to engage active learning, spark imagination and promote scientific interactions. The camps have curriculum that includes space, rocketry, robotics, biology, kinesiology and more!  The camps use real world science techniques that incorporate fun, games and physical activities. Campers even get to taken home interactive projects!  Mad Science offers both half and full day camps for flexible scheduling. 

Sports Camp

​Are your weekend days usually spent on an athletic court or field?  Are your weekend nights spent attending team parties or washing uniforms?  Is your son more interested in Clayton Kershaw’s lifetime E.R.A. than doing his math homework?  Sign up today for Saken Sports Camp (SSC)! This summer is SSC’s 25th anniversary summer! SSC was created based on the philosophy that all campers can have an amazing sports camp experience regardless of their gender, age or sports ability.  At SSC, your camper will build character by playing sports with honor and pride and will play for fun.  Each week the camp emphasizes three different sports to focus on and also includes time for swimming, arts and crafts and even their world famous shaved ice. (Doesn't that sound AMAZING on a hot summer day?! :)

L.A. families searching for the best summer camp fit for their kids can't afford to miss L.A. Camp Fair! It's greater L.A.'s biggest, best and FREE summer camp expo with 100's of camps on display. And with two convenient dates and locations at UCLA and Calabasas in March, you're sure to find a convenient Camp Fair event nearby. Grab your free tickets to the L.A. Camp Fair today!

Technology Camp

​Is your child Fortnite-obsessed?  Did you know that being a video game designer is one of the fastest growing and most lucrative employment opportunities?  Turn your daughter’s passion for Fortnite into a learning experience at ID Tech camps.  This is the original tech camp and is built around YOUR child.  Your camper can learn to code a mobile app, produce a viral video, and even design his own video game!  The camp offers week-long sessions with over 30 innovative courses and blends classroom instruction with fun camp activities. Campers ages 7-17 can learn tech from uniquely qualified and passionate instructors.  They have many Los Angeles camp locations, including UCLA, so you are sure to find one near you.  

Traditional Camp

As you know, we've focused predominantly here on L.A.'s best specialty day camps. But what if your camper doesn’t quite fit the mold for any of these camps?  Maybe they’re more of a traditionalist instead and just wants a little bit of everything instead of focusing only on a single activity or program theme!  Don’t worry; we have that covered for you, too!  Check out Tumbleweed Day Camp where their camp motto is "Unplug, Explore and Play. " Tumbleweed offers traditional camp activities like horseback riding, swimming, archery, nature studies and hiking.  Plus, transportation is included in your camp tuition! Campers are divided by age between Tumbleweed North and South (two different campsites on a single property) where they are grouped by age and able to focus on age-appropriate activities.  Highly trained staff and low camper-to-counselor ratios make for a safe and nurturing atmosphere for all ages and only one of the many reasons why Tumbleweed is widely considered one of L.A.'s top day camps.