2021 Camps Update

Cal Youth Camps are back for Summer 2021. Summer fun, and adventure await new and returning campers!

Cal Youth Camps Summer 2021 – Explore and Register!

You knew Summer and Camp would get back together, right? COVID-19 broke them up in 2020 and it stunned us all but their history — 60+ years at UC Berkeley — was too strong to remain apart. Cal Youth Camps is excited to share that Summer and Camp are officially back together!

Like bread and butter and other perfect pairs, long sunny days and the activities that fill them with fun, education, growth, and memories, are rejoined in our 2021 Summer Camps.

Registration is now open!

Camps will be offered in 1-week and 2-week sessions from June 7-Aug. 13. Although COVID-19 may still affect our programs, the essence, range and award-winning quality of our camps and sports activities remain the same.

Whether the goal is to learn new skills like archery, to examine our world through science, or to develop new leadership qualities, please explore our website and select your top choices today. (It’s best to register early – many camps reach capacity quickly.)

Browse Camps

What about…?

COVID-19

Cal Youth Camps is pivoting its traditional camp program to better serve your child(ren) this summer.

Relying on guidance from The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), City of Berkeley Public Health, and UC Berkeley, we adapted our programs into a youth model that has been in use on campus for several months. It incorporates health protocols and best practices, including:

Smaller groups of campers who spend the duration of a camp session together with the same staff members. In order to offer this stable environment, we will be unable to accept drop-in/1-day campers this summer.
Emphasis on outdoor activities
Face coverings required for all staff and campers
Increased hand-washing and cleaning stations.
Adapted programming. Examples: individualized equipment, physical distancing, and flexible structures that allow kids to separate themselves while still learning together. Thinking beyond the norm will actually make some camps even more fun!
Increased cleaning protocols

Changes from previous years?

Unfortunately, some changes are necessary to accommodate public health guidance. One prominent example: Lunches, which will NOT be offered this year. Another change: Campers may only register for one camp program per week/session – no mix & match Cal Adventures half-day camps. Please keep in mind that decisions on some popular programs are still in flux. For more information on COVID-19 adaptations visit Camp FAQs.

We are pleased to be able to retain many amenities our campers and families appreciate, such as Extended Care options and payments plans. (No price increases from 2020.)

Communication in 2021?

We will keep you up-to-date! Subscribe to Cal Youth Camps email list to learn the latest about camp offerings. Also, new in 2021, we will be launching a camp registration system, CampDoc. Using its centralized data will help us better communicate with parents and families, and process payments.

Recommendations?

Check out our award winning Blue Camp and Explorer Camp, which have generous capacity each year. Blue Camp is a recreational day camp for ages 7-12 that provides daily activity through sports, outdoor learning, science and the arts. In Explorer Camp (ages 4.5 to 6) campers join in several fun-filled activities each day.

Cal Adventures offers camper-favorites of sailing, rock climbing, kayaking and windsurfing and has remixed some of their most popular half-day activities into pandemic-friendly full-day camps. See the Outdoor Program Camps for a complete list and level up!

Cal Youth Camps did a lot of listening in 2020. We heard from parents about how important it is for kids to build new relationships and have lots of choices for healthy play, inspiration, engagement and social activities. Kids told us how important it was to have fun with friends and try new experiences. We offer this and more in our camps through experiential recreation and learning.

Choose a summer path for your children to grow and learn at UC Berkeley!

Please note: UC Berkeley and Cal Youth Programs and Camps are subject to the restrictions and/or guidance of public health authorities and the University’s policies and practices regarding COVID-19. Our first priority will be the health of the communities we serve. Although the camps are planned at this time, COVID health guidelines could affect our summer programs, up to and including, cancellation. Withdrawal policies.

Still have questions? We are here to help.

For more information about registering or general information please email: