By Zev Black, Playa Vista Staff Writer
Whether kids are into theater, sports or crafts, there is a summer camp to keep every child entertained. Here is a sampling of what’s offered this year.
UCLA Recreation Summer Camps
Various locations
campregistration@recreation.ucla.edu
recreation.ucla.edu/summercamps2024
UCLA Recreation Summer Camps are scheduled to run from June 16 to Aug. 22, offering a variety of programs for children entering grades K to 12. The camps include activities such as rowing, kayaking, and the Discover Camp, which features field trips to amusement parks. UCLA College counselors supervise all camps, and full payment is required at the time of registration. Discounts and extended care options are available.
Tech Revolution
UCLA, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles
STEM Summer Camps at UCLA
lavnercampsandprograms.com
info@lavnercamps.com
Tech Revolution’s mission is to prepare students for a future in STEM with weekly sessions from June 16 to Aug. 22. Camps topics include robotics, coding, game design, Minecraft, Roblox, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, content creation for YouTube, filmmaking and digital art. Campers will dine like UCLA students at the student union and delight in campus outdoor fun during recess.
Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp
810 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica
310-459-2425
fitnessbythesea.com
Called the “Safest Beach Camp for Playa del Rey Kids,” the program is offered in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades. Running from June 11 to Aug. 22, all staff is CPR trained and this camp comes equipped with transportation from as far as Cheviot Hills and Mar Vista. Water activities include swimming, surfing and boogie boarding. Camps are also offered in subjects like arts and crafts, team sports, nature walks, dance, “American Idol”-like competitions, face painting, magic, theater, games and juggling.
LMU Summer Sports Camps
1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles
310-338-3047
lmuathleticscamps.com
LMU is offering its summer sports camp — and even a chance to practice with collegiate-level coaches. Campers will learn skills to master their favorite game. Many camps are for children ages 5 to 12, but others are offered to eighth graders and older.
Summertime Adventures
at Mar Vista Recreation Center
11430 Woodbine Street, Los Angeles
310-398-5982
Open to children and teens aged 5 to 17, Camp Cheviot at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center offers a dynamic summer experience filled with outdoor games, arts and crafts, sports, water play, and themed activities. The camp runs for eight weeks, from June 16 to Aug. 8, operating Monday through Thursday, with optional Friday field trips available for an additional fee. Campers must bring their own lunch on Monday through Wednesday; lunch is provided on Thursdays.
YMCA Bold & Gold
Outdoor Leadership Development Program
909-866-3000
shannonbarger@ymcala.org
yboldgold.org
Run through the YMCA Mammoth Lakes camp facility in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, Bold & Gold Outdoor Leadership Development program is a part of a national YMCA effort designed for middle school and high school students to experience outdoor adventure while fostering personal growth among a diverse group of peers. All Bold & Gold outdoor adventures are supervised by YMCA staff and financial assistance is available for qualifying households.
YMCA Camp Whittle
Camp Marcil (sleepaway camps)
31701 Rim of the World Drive, Fawnskin
ymcala.org/ymca-camping-services
YMCA offers Camp Whittle or Camp Marcel in Fawnskin, both sleepaway camps. Campers ages 7 to 17 will experience the great outdoors at our ACA-accredited camps. Activities include hiking, a climbing course, swimming, field games and arts and crafts. Campers arrive each Sunday and depart the following Saturday. Campers will be in age-based cabin groups of no more than 10 kids and two counselors. Camp Marcil at Round Meadow will have its sleepaway week first camp from June 22 to June 28 and then again later in the summer from July 20 to July 26. Camp Whittle will run from June 15 to June 28 and then again from July 6 to Aug. 9. All sessions last one week.
Get Summer at the YMCA
Westchester Family YMCA, 8015 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, Westchester:
jimi-leetomboc@ymcala.org
Collins & Katz Family YMCA, 1466 S. Westgate Avenue, Los Angeles:
glorialopezramos@ymcala.org
Culver-Palms Family YMCA, 4500 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City:
alexdavis@ymcala.org
As a summer initiative, from June 1 to Aug 15, teens ages 12 to 18 gain a free membership providing youth with academic support, college and employment readiness, volunteer opportunities, social gatherings, and exclusive programming with local partners. Get Summer encourages the use of designated teen centers equipped with computers, free Wi-Fi, games, and entertainment systems. Students will have workout programs available to them like swimming pools, basketball courts and fitness classes.
Coastal Kids LA (ages 2-7)
Memorial Park, 1401 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica
info@coastalkidsla.com
Welcoming kids ages 2 to 7, this camp believes children should connect with nature. Located in Santa Monica, kids are taken to the beach to participate in an active day of dolphin watching, searching for sand crabs, collecting seashells, reading, drawing, sports, group games, and of course, sandcastle making. Camp is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email for rates.
Star Education Camp
Multiple locations offered:
Mar Vista, 3330 Granville Avenue, Los Angeles
La Ballona, 10915 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Eco Station, 10101 Jefferson Avenue, Culver City
Overland, 10650 Ashby Avenue, Los Angeles
310-842-8542
starinc.org
Star Education Camp offers a range of activities, including cooking, music, science, soccer, basketball, Pokémon catching, fashion, engineering, arts and theater. The camp sessions run from June 11 to Aug. 15.
Paths and Pages Summer Day Camp
11430 Woodbine Street, Los Angeles
310-351-5556
Based on meaningful outdoor play, kids spend the week connecting through elements of mindfulness, meditation and writing. Weekly sessions running from June 17 to July 26 are mixed-age (for kids entering grades K-8) and limited to 6 per group, functioning more like a family than a group of peers. Weekly rates are $875.
Camp Galileo
3711 Beethoven Street, Los Angeles
424-228-8172
Camp Galileo at Beethoven Street Elementary in Los Angeles offers an engaging summer experience for children entering grades K to 8. Running from June 16 to July 25, the camp combines hands-on STEM projects with classic camp activities. Campers participate in daily rotations such as the Innovator’s Studio, Idea Lab, and Outdoor Adventure, fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The program also includes traditional camp fun like games, songs, and themed days. Optional extended care is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Santa Monica Music Camp
1501 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica
310-576-3600
Santa Monica Music Camp offers a comprehensive summer program for children eager to explore and develop their musical talents. Held at the Santa Monica Conservatory of Music, the camp runs from June 9 to Aug. 15, with weekly sessions available. Each day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., campers engage in instrument-specific warm-ups, group rehearsals, music theory classes, and enjoy recreational activities like outdoor play and movie time. The week culminates in a Friday showcase concert for families. Enrollment is $400 a week.
Steve and Kate’s Camp
11561 Gateway Boulevard, Mar Vista
424-415-7080
Steve & Kate’s Camp in Mar Vista offers a flexible, child-driven summer experience for kids aged 4 to 12, running from June 16 to Aug. 8, at Citizens of the World Charter School, Mar Vista. Campers choose their activities in real-time, with options like sewing, stop-motion animation, coding, sports, baking, and maker crafts. Families can purchase day passes at $124 each or a summer pass for $3,270, with lunch, snacks, and extended hours (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) included.
Camp Awesome
Playa Del Rey and Redondo Beach
contact@campawesome.com
Camp Awesome is a beach-based summer program for children aged 4–13, operating from June 9 to Aug. 22, at Playa del Rey and Redondo Beach locations. Campers engage in activities like sports, arts and crafts, and water play. Programs are divided by age: Mini (4 to 6) at $90/day, Plus (7 to 11) at $80/day, and Pro (12 to 13) at $70/day. Camp hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
So Fly Summer Camp
12751 W. Millennium Drive, Suite 115, Playa Vista
1-844-763-5954
So Fly Kids Summer Camp in Playa Vista runs from June 11 to Aug. 8, offering a full-day program from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children ages 4 to 12. Campers engage in a variety of activities including art, sports, team building, science, cooking, swimming, and a weekly SFK Carnival. Daily snacks are included, and lunch is available for purchase from the children’s menu.
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