ADVENTURES IN STEM SCIENCE CAMP
● Ages: Junior Adventure Camp 6-10; Adventure Camp 11-17
● June 16-Aug. 5
● The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, 2 Irvine Park Road, Orange
● 714-923-3191
● www.outdooreducationcenter.org
Activities include nature hikes, mining, sustainability, astronomy, zip lining, archery, swimming, and arts and crafts.
OC summer camp guide 2025
The benefits of camp far outlast a single summer
What you need to know before sending your child to camp
Arts camps
City-run camps
Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Water sports camps and junior lifeguard programs
BIONERDS
● Ages: Kindergarten-eighth grade
● Weekly camps run June 2-Aug. 22
● The office is at 560 W. 1st St., Tustin; classes are held at locations around Orange County
● 949-288-1486
Weeklong camps feature topics such as “Junior Doctors,” “Spooky Science” and “Let’s Dive Into the Ocean.” Other subjects include bioengineering, genetics and laboratory safety.
BRAIN BUILDERS STEM EDUCATION
● Ages: 6-14
● Tentatively June 15-Aug. 8
● 725 El Camino Way, Tustin; 27601 Forbes Road, Ste. 6, Laguna Niguel
● 714-360-1101
● www.brainbuildersed.org/summercamp
Half-day and full-day camps explore topics like engineering with Lego, robotics, coding, engineering, digital arts and wood shop.
CODE REV
● Ages: 6-14
● Weeklong camps: June 9-Aug. 1
● www.coderevkids.com/tech-camps
Weeklong summer tech camps for budding programmers, future video game designers, app developers, robotics engineers, 3D modelers and animators and just plain technology fans. Both in-person and online options are available.
ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER SUMMER NATURE CAMP
● Ages: 4-13
● Environmental Nature Center, 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach
● June 16-Aug. 8
● 949-645-8489
Weeklong camps include Little Naturalist Camp for 4-year-olds, Nature Adventure Camp for kids 5-8 and Science Explorer Camp for those 9-13. There’s also a Wilderness Adventure Camp for kids 6-9 at the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon.
FAIRMONT SUMMER PROGRAM
● Ages: 2-18
● June 9-Aug. 8
● 5310 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills; 1575 W. Marble St., Anaheim; 12421 Newport Ave., North Tustin; 2200 W. Sequoia Ave., Anaheim
● Summer department 714-234-2757 or the general school 714-765-6300
Choose from weekly summer camps that combine academic and enrichment activities, or a six-week academic program that offers individualized attention in reading, writing and mathematics. Additionally, there will be enrichment workshops that cover a variety of themes such as art, fashion, science and sports. Or spend the summer in college prep courses.
FUSION ACADEMY
● Ages: Kindergarten to college
● Summer school dates and times are flexible; best to call Fusion directly
● 7711 Center Ave., Suite 120, Huntington Beach; 657-200-2300
● 23456 Madero, Suite 140, Mission Viejo; 949-716-7384
These programs allow students to catch up or get ahead in academic classes while also providing unique elective choices such as art, music or yoga. Tutoring is personalized for each student’s schedule. Off-site options are available.
ID TECH CAMPS
● Ages: 7-17
● Various programs run June 22-Aug. 7
● 888-709-8324
This program offers more than 40 STEM courses in programming, video game design, robotics, web design, 3D printing, filmmaking and more. Day and overnight camp options available. Course options vary by week offered and location. In-person camp held on UC Irvine campus. Off-site options are available.
INSIDE THE OUTDOORS
● Ages: 6-12
● July 7-Aug. 1
● Shipley Nature Center, 17851 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach
● 714-708-3885
● ocde.us/ito/Pages/SummerCamp.aspx
This camp, administered by the Orange County Department of Education, teaches kids about native plants and animals and other scientific concepts while they have fun with arts and crafts, music, water play and more.
IPSF SUMMER ENRICHMENT ACADEMY
● Ages: Kindergarten to 12th grade
● Session A: June 16- July 3; Session B: July 8-25; Specialty Camps: July 16-Aug. 15
● Beacon Park School, 200 Cultivate, Irvine; Cadence Park School, 750 Benchmark, Irvine; Brywood Elementary School, 1 Westwood, Irvine; Cypress Village Elementary School, 355 Rush Lily, Irvine; Eastwood Elementary School, 99 Meander, Irvine; Oak Creek Elementary, 1 Dovecreek, Irvine
● 949-263-8340
More than 400 enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students in art, music, science, math, reading and writing, languages, sports, drama, and STEM. High school academic camps develop skills students need for high school and college. Held throughout the Irvine Unified School District. Off-site options are available.
Juliette Brewer of The Reptile Zoo, holds a ball python for visitors to check out during Imaginology at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa in 2022. The Reptile Zoo also offers a Jr. Zookeeper summer camp for kids. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
JR. ZOOKEEPER SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: 5-12
● June 23-Aug 15
● The Reptile Zoo, 18818 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley
● 714-500-0591
● prehistoric-inc.square.site/jr-zookeeper-camps
Campers will dig fossils, handle live snakes and play games while learning about animals’ ecosystems, senses and camouflage. Those who complete the camp receive a certificate of graduation and a six-month membership to The Reptile Zoo.
OCEAN INSTITUTE SUMMER CAMP
● Ages: 5-17
● June 16-Aug. 15
● 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
● 949-496-2274
● oceaninstitute.org/summer-camp
Campers learn about the ocean and marine science by going on whale watching trips, exploring the institute’s shark touch tank and sailing on a historic tall ship.
PLANETBRAVO TECHNOTAINMENT CAMP
● Ages: Second to ninth grade
● One-week sessions run June 23-Aug. 1
● Pacific Academy, 4947 Alton Parkway, Irvine
● 310-443-7607
PlanetBravo brings fun, engaging technology instruction that boosts kids’ confidence and gives them multimedia skills with their friends. Kids learn to code, make movies, build robots, modding minecraft and more.
RUSSIAN SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS
● Ages: Kindergarten to 12th grade
● Various camps per location start June 4
● 3996 Barranca Parkway, No. 110, Irvine, 949-551-1777; 960 Roosevelt, 2nd floor, Irvine, 949-593-0080; 25571 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949-864-6592
Two intensive six-week summer math enrichment programs are offered — a traditional course will prepare your child for the year ahead, while reinforcing the work done over the year, and the competitors program serves those students interested in advanced mathematical topics.
SEA AND SAGE AUDUBON SOCIETY NATURE DAY CAMPS
● Ages: 7-16
● Fledgling, June 16-20; Marsh, June 23-27; Coastal, July 7-11; Advanced, July 14-18
● San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, 5 Riparian View, Irvine
● 949-261-7964
Different one-week camps are offered for various age ranges. Fledgling Camp (ages 7-8) introduces kids to bird watching, Marsh Camp (9-10) teaches more about bird types, anatomy and life cycles, Coastal Camp (11-12) focues on shorebirds in freshwater and salt water marshes while Advanced Bird Camp (13-16) will cover sparrows and other grassland birds.
ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY
● Ages: Summer Enrichment Program for boys entering third through eighth grade
● June 15-July 10
● 215 N. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim
● 714-772-1363
Summer Enrichment Program offers math and language arts classes in the morning, followed by sports, recreational activities, military activities and off-campus outings for the rest of the day.
SUMMER@STRATFORD
● Ages: Preschool-entering fifth grade
● June 2-Aug. 8
● 24741 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo
● 949-216-5657
● www.stratfordschools.com/after-school/summer-camps
Academic camps include preschool and pre-kindergarten JumpStart Camp, kindergarten preparation and Academic Bridge Camp, for students entering first through fifth grades.
SUMMER AT SAGE
● Ages: Entering grades 5-8
● 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast
● July 7-Aug. 1
● 949-219-0100
Students from the area can immerse themselves in credit or noncredit classes, workshops, and academics, arts and athletics camps.
SUMMER KNIGHTS DAY CAMP
● Ages: Preschool to eighth grade
● 32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel
● June 16-Aug. 1
● 949-276-6700
Camp at St. Anne School will include a balance of light academics, arts and crafts, recreation, sports and field trips.
SYLVAN SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS
● Ages: Different camps serve students in grades 1-9
● Various times throughout the summer; best to contact local representatives
● Locations in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo
● www.sylvanlearning.com/camps/stem
The Sylvan EDGE summer camps teach kids STEM skills, early reading, robotics, coding, engineering, pre-algebra and writing. Off-site options are available.
TIGER WOODS LEARNING LAB
● Ages: Fifth through 12th grade
● Dates: TBA
● 1 Tiger Woods Way, Anaheim
● 714-765-8000
Summer classes from students interested in an interactive, career-focused experience.
Jeff Farr, Engineering and technology professor, helps a student of the Summer STEAM Academy for elementary and middle school students prepare to launch a bottle rocket during the Tustin Summer Academy Showcase at Orchard Hills School. (Photo by Shelby Woolfe, Orange County Register/SCNG)
TUSTIN SUMMER ACADEMY
● Ages: Kindergarten-eighth grade
● June 9-July 3
● Orchard Hills School 11555 Culver Drive, Irvine
● 714-832-6299
Enrichment program designed, written and taught by credentialed Tustin Unified teachers. Classes are meant to expand knowledge and nurture creativity and curiosity. Off-site options are available.
At Urban Workshop summer camps, kids are introduced to hand tools, CAD and 3D printing, laser etching, silk screening, metal shop, welding, wood-working and electronics. (Courtesy of Urban Workshop)
URBAN WORKSHOP STEM CAMP
● Ages: 10-16
● May 5-Aug. 22
● 365-A Clinton St., Costa Mesa
● 949-296-2153
● urbanworkshop.net/summercamp
Kids learn about hand tools, CAD and 3D printing, laser etching, silk screening, metal shop, welding, wood-working and electronics. All levels of skill are welcome.