Summer is a great time to be a kid! To make it even more fun, check out these unique camps designed to delight kids of every age and interest – from art to science to Birch Aquarium’s cool surfing camp shown below. Here is our 2023 Museum Summer Camp Guide, which includes more than a dozen “can’t miss” camp experiences for preschoolers to high schoolers at locations in Balboa Park, Downtown, North County, La Jolla and South Bay.
Hurry! These popular camps fill up fast!
La Jolla Historical Society
Shaping Our Stories Summer Camp / La Jolla
Does your student enjoy history, art and storytelling? Join the La Jolla Historical Society‘s team of educators for a fun week of playing history detectives, sketching beautiful architecture, and recording personal oral histories inspired by family treasures. This program culminates with an exhibition of student work for families and loved ones! The camps run June 26-30 and July 24-28 from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Register here now for a summer filled with FUN!
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Summer in the Sun / La Jolla
Surf, snorkel, meet ocean creatures up-close, and explore underwater worlds! Make this a summer your child will never forget at the Birch Aquarium. The week-long camps are open to kids ages 4 to 13 and run June 26 through August 18. Register here.
Living Coast Discovery Center
Summer Wildlife Day Camps / Chula Vista
Animal encounters are just part of the fun at the Summer Wildlife Day Camps at Living Coast Discovery Center. Kids Pre-K to 9th grade can explore San Diego’s coastal creatures while having so much fun. Camps take place in June and July. Get more information and register for camp here.
Fleet Science Center
Summer STEM Camps / Balboa Park
Your kids will experience exciting new adventures every day when they join seasonal STEM Camps at the Fleet Science Center. They will have a unique opportunity to explore and learn about the fascinating world of science in a fun and engaging way. With a variety of activities and programs, STEM Camps offer diverse and enriching experiences. Register here.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Model Train Summer Camp / Balboa Park
San Diego Railroad Museum is back with its popular model railroad camp. Only intermediate and advanced classes remain for 6 to 9th graders where campers will create a working model railroad. All camps are immersive, hands-on, and led by education professionals. Register here.
ICA San Diego
Summer Art Camps / Balboa Park & Encinitas
Young artists (ages 5 to 17) can develop their creativity in a museum setting through ICA San Diego‘s popular Art Camps. They will explore art materials, acquire art-making techniques and more with guidance from a teaching artist.
The one-of-a-kind week of project-based camps are held at both ICA locations. Some weeks have already sold out, so register here today.
San Diego Natural History Museum
Nature Themed Camps / Balboa Park
Summer camp is here! The San Diego Natural History Museum offers full-day nature-themed summer camps with hands-on activities, opportunities to explore the Museum and Balboa Park. Science has never been so much fun. Registration has now SOLD OUT for grades 1–5. There is limited space available in grades 6–8. Find details and register here.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Engineering & Space Themed Camps / Balboa Park
Kids from TK-K to high school seniors can learn to soar this summer at the San Diego Air & Space Museum summer camps in Balboa Park. Be an astronaut in training or learn about aviation with instructions from actual pilots. Register here.
Japanese Friendship Garden
A Taste of Japan / Balboa Park
The Japanese Friendship Garden invites campers to experience Japan! Summer camps provide activities within Japanese culture, wellness, and sustainability. Camps are available from grades 1 – 8. Capacity is limited, so register here now. Also, check out the STEAM Spring Enrichment camp here starting May 14.
WorldBeat Center
Dance, Theatre, and Arts Camp / Balboa Park
WorldBeat Center’s and Diva Works Dance Summer Camp is directed by Monica Harris, a veteran dancer and theatre producer. Each session includes dance, theatre, and arts workshops, STEAM activities, hands on gardening activities, field trips and lots of fun. Camps run July 11–15, July 18–22, August 8–12 and August 15–19. Reserve your spot here now.
MCASD San Diego
Young Artist Summer Camps / La Jolla
Explore techniques, learn about color, create art inspired by pieces from the museum’s collection, and meet new friends at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Summer Camps. Choose from three fun sessions including July 10-14, July 17-21, and July 31- Aug 4). Find out more and register here now.
Museum of Photographic Arts San Diego
Fun Photo Camps / Balboa Park
From selfies and portraits to abstracts and animation, your child can explore a variety of photographic skills and creative at the Museum of Photographic Arts Summer Camps. We hope that your kids will join us for Spring Camps! Summer Camps are weeklong, full-day camps for ages 9 to 17 and offered from June 19 to August 11. Get more information and register here.
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
Little Explorers Summer Camp / Escondido
Your kids can spend the summer exploring with San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum! Each day of camp includes access to Museum exhibits, hands-on exploration with trained education staff, and an opportunity to make new friends. Camps run weekly from June 19 – August 4, 2023.
They’ll explore electrical engineering, practice your paleontology skills, and blast off into outer space with endless opportunities to explore, imagine, and experiment. Register here now to join for a summer of FUN!
Carlsbad State Beach / Silver Stand State Beach
Junior Lifeguard Program / Carlsbad / Coronado
The Carlsbad State Junior Lifeguard Program emphasizes Teamwork, Leadership, and Aquatic Safety while introducing young people to safe marine and aquatic recreation opportunities. The program is designed to provide quality water safety education while improving young people’s physical conditioning, their understanding and respect for the environment, and their respect for themselves, their parents, and their peers. Students of all abilities and skill levels may participate. 2023 Summer Registration will open on Tuesday May 2nd at 10:00 a.m. for the Carlsbad program. This program fills up very quickly. Register here now for a summer filled with FUN!
The Silver Strand Junior Lifeguards Program in Coronado still has few spots available for July 17- August 4 for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Find the details and register here.
