These camps are consistently well-received by parents across the Bay Area. They aren’t all strictly STEM-focused—instead, they offer something different and meaningful for kids during the summer, like time spent outdoors, hands-on experiences, and real social connection. That balance feels more important than ever as screen time continues to rise.We’re intentional about what we include.
Looking for some STEM events happening now? Browse the year-round hidden STEM events below or check our monthly fun events that inspire learning for kids in Bay Area.
- 🚀 Smart Savings: Grab early-bird camp deals before they expire
- 🏃 High Demand: Join the camps filling up fast across the Bay
- 🔍 Parents favorites : Discover the summer camps Bay Area parents love
Camps with notably mixed or concerning reviews didn’t make the list, though we still encourage families to do their own diligence—especially around who "actually" operates the program and whether their promises are consistently delivered across locations. Common red flags are teenagers instructors, combing age groups when enrollment is low.
And of course, events like Camp Mystic are a reminder that while we may not know every detail of what happens behind the scenes, what all parents ultimately want is simple: for their kids to be safe, supported, and genuinely happy while having a great summer.
For families seeking high-quality technical education and hands-on engineering, parents should refer to our dedicated coding and robotics classes and camps post to view our vetted monthly activity schedule and top program picks.
💵 Discount Ending This Month
All discounts and deadlines are based on current publicly available information; verify terms on each site as promos often change in early spring
Camp Galileo — Multiple Bay Area Locations
Locations: San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Fremont, Berkeley, Oakland, San Mateo, SF, Marin, and more
Ages: Pre-K–8th grade
What’s cool: Flagship STEAM camps with rotating themes, real engineering challenges, and take-home projects. Very polished curriculum and staff training.
Price: ~$575–$795 per week (varies by location & grade)
Discount / Deadline: Early-bird discount is supposed to end this month (save $50/week) though it is still available now as of today on 2/Mar. In March, you can still save $25 per week using partner code 26GAL510FAM25.
Registration status: Spots filling fast
Extended care: Yes (AM & PM, extra cost)
Link: https://www.galileo-camps.com
iD Tech — Bay Area (Stanford, UC Berkeley, SF & South Bay)
Locations: Stanford University, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State, Santa Clara U, (plus other Bay Area partner locations)
Ages: 7–17
What’s cool: intensive hands-on projects in coding, game design, AI, robotics & more on real collegiate campuses. But check the Google reviews before you decide.
Price: ~$949–$1,200+ per week (day camp)
Discount / Deadline: ~$200 off with code BIGBOTSALE during limited March promo (check site for end date).
Registration status: High-demand weeks (Stanford & Berkeley) fill early; early registration strongly recommended.
Extended care: No (typical hours ~8:30–5pm; some overnight options available).
Link: https://www.idtech.com
Camp Invention — Multiple Bay Area Locations
Locations: Local elementary schools (San Ramon, Dublin, San Jose, Palo Alto, etc.)
Ages: K–6th grade
What’s cool: Nationally recognized creative STEM program with hands-on invention projects that build confidence and problem-solving.
Price: ~$310–$390 per week
Discount / Deadline: Save $25 with code CIFUN25 when you register by March 31.
Registration status: Open now; varies by site.
Extended care: Usually available through host school.
Link: https://www.invent.org
Monkey Business Camp — Berkeley & Oakland
Locations: Tilden Park (Berkeley) & Lake Temescal (Oakland)
Ages: ~5–10
What’s cool: Classic outdoor, play-based camp with art, nature exploration, group games & social-emotional learning — beloved locally for decades.
Price: ~$525–$778+ per week (varies by session & tier).
Discount / Deadline: Best pricing if registered by April 30 (fees increase after).
Registration status: Popular sessions fill; waitlist available.
Extended care: Yes (typically 8am–6pm).
Link: https://monkeybusinesscamp.com
Digital Media Academy (DMA) — Stanford & San Francisco
Locations: Stanford University & USF
Ages: 9–18
What’s cool: Project-based learning in filmmaking, game design, music production, and digital arts — great for portfolios.
Price: ~$1,100–$1,400+ per week
Discount / Deadline: ~$100 off per week with early booking before March 31 (verify on site).
Registration status: Residential spots (Stanford) fill quickly; day options available.
Extended care: Yes (for day campers).
Link: https://www.digitalmediaacademy.org
TechKnowHow Kids — SF & Peninsula
Locations: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Burlingame, San Mateo (varies by year)
Ages: 5–11
What’s cool: Local tech/STEM camp with LEGO robotics, coding & creative tech projects.
Price: ~$595–$695 per week
Discount / Deadline: $25 off early-bird price through March 1 (per current site listing).
Registration status: Open; weeks fill quickly.
Extended care: Limited/varies by location.
Link: https://www.techknowhowkids.com
Terra Camps — Marin & San Francisco
Locations: Mill Valley (Marin) & San Francisco
Ages: 2–8 (varies by program)
What’s cool: Outdoor adventure + language immersion (Earth Discovery, Spanish Forest School, Mandarin Mania).
Price: ~$500–$700+ per week
Discount / Deadline: ~$30 off per session + multi-session savings when registered early (promo varies each year).
Registration status: Open; strong demand for early sessions.
Extended care: Yes (aftercare available).
Link: https://www.terraschools.org/terra-camps
Girls Rock Math — Tri-Valley & Marin
Locations: Pleasanton (Tri-Valley) & San Rafael (Marin)
Ages: ~6–12
What’s cool: Arts-based math camp that builds confidence and joy in math with games, stories & hands-on investigations.
Price: ~$525 per week
Discount / Deadline: ~$50 off with code (ongoing; check site) — often ongoing into March.
Registration status: Open; small group sizes.
Extended care: Yes (AM/PM available).
Link: https://girlsrockmath.org
Steve & Kate’s Camp — Bay Area Locations
Locations: San Francisco, San Mateo, Palo Alto, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek (varies by year)
Ages: 4–12
What’s cool: Kids choose their own activities every hour (coding, filmmaking, sewing, sports, baking, robotics). Strong emphasis on independence and creative confidence. Well-known for flexible attendance model.
Price: ~$110–$130 per day (buy-by-the-day) or Summer Pass options
Discount / Deadline: No traditional March deadline; unused days are automatically refunded at end of summer (rare flexibility model).
Registration status: Open; popular locations (SF, Palo Alto) can fill specialty weeks.
Extended care: Included (8am–6pm).
Link: https://steveandkatescamp.com
Destination Science — Peninsula & South Bay
Locations: Burlingame, Palo Alto, San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga (varies by year)
Ages: 5–11
What’s cool: High-energy STEM camp where kids build one major take-home project per week (robotics, space tech, engineering builds). Strong parent reviews for organization and engagement.
Price: ~$450–$530 per week
Discount / Deadline: Tiered early-bird discounts typically active through March (e.g., ~$30 off per week before March 31; verify on site).
Registration status: Open; steady demand, especially South Bay sites.
Extended care: Yes (at most locations).
Link: https://www.destinationscience.org
Le Camp d’Été — Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley
Location: Berkeley
Ages: 4–12 (Preschool–6th grade)
What’s cool: French immersion summer program combining language, arts, games, and cultural activities. No prior French required. Highly regarded among East Bay bilingual families.
Price: ~$640 per week
Discount / Deadline: Early bird pricing until 3/15/2026. Regular pricing until 5/27/2026. Late pricing after 5/27/2026
Registration status: Open; specialty weeks fill earlier.
Extended care: Yes (until ~6pm).
Link: https://www.eb.org/student-life/camps/le-camp-dete
⚡️ Filling Up Fast
Stanford Camp Cardinal — Stanford, CA
Ages: 5–12
What’s cool: Campers build skills across multiple sports while learning teamwork, leadership, and positive coaching in a classic college setting.
Price: ~$525–$575 per week
Registration status: Many weeks already sold out
Link: https://stanfordcampcardinal.totalcamps.com/About%20Us
UC Berkeley Youth Recreation Camps — UC Berkeley
Ages: ~6–18 (varies by program)
What’s cool: Wide range of camps including kayaking, paddle adventures, arts and crafts, skateboarding, martial arts, and teen leadership.
Price: $663–$1,105 per week (program dependent)
Registration: Opens soon (Feb 10–11, staggered)
Extended care: Not offered
Link: https://recwell.berkeley.edu/youth-recreation/summer-camps/
🏕️ Popular Camps
iD Tech Camps — University Campuses
Locations: Stanford, UC Berkeley, SF State, Sacramento, Palo Alto, Santa Clara
Ages: 7–17 (13–18 for select campuses)
What’s cool: On-campus immersion in AI, coding, robotics, and game design. Small class sizes; older students work at near-college level.
Price:
• Day camp: ~$1,129 per week
• Overnight (select campuses): higher
Discount / Deadline: Early enrollment discount ends March 31 (up to $100 off)
Registration status: Stanford fills fastest
Extended care: Not offered
Link: https://www.idtech.com/summer-camps
Adventure Day Camp — Los Altos Hills, San Ramon, Moraga
Ages: 4-14
What’s cool: 200-acre working ranch with animals, hiking, creek play, and wilderness skills. A Peninsula classic with multigenerational loyalty.
Price: ~$850–$950 per week
Registration status: Waitlist only for most years (typically sells out by late January)
Extended care: Not offered
Link: https://www.adventuredaycamp.com
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Lawrence Hall of Science Camps — Berkeley
Ages: 1st–6th grade
What’s cool: Hands-on engineering, space science, and physics using real science labs and planetarium access. Trusted academic STEM.
Price: $1,295 per week
Registration status: Open now; popular themes sell out by early March
Camp hours: 9:00am–4:00pm
Link: https://lawrencehallofscience.org/visitors/summer-camps
✏️ New Summer Camp
The Tech Interactive – Tech Challenge: “Raise the Roof!” — San Jose
Ages: 4th–12th grade
What’s cool: Iconic Bay Area engineering challenge where teams design and test lifting devices over multiple months. Excellent for serious STEM students.
Price: ~$700–$800 per program
Registration status: Interest form open; early registration recommended for Feb–March workshops
Extended care: Available (4–6pm, additional $100 per week)
Link: https://www.thetech.org/education/camp/
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