Camps

Best Camp at Sea

Catalina Island Marine Institute: Catalina Sea Camp

This STEM-based, outdoor science school teaches kids fourth through 12th grade at three locations on Catalina Island. With each instructor having a degree in marine science or a related field, each student will better understand the ocean and its ecosystem through any of CIMI’s daytime or evening activities. 

cimi.org | Catalina Island

Best Girls Softball League

Mission Viejo Girls Softball

The USA-affiliated, non-governmental, nonprofit Junior Olympic fast-pitch softball league wins the top spot again. Practicing at William S. Craycraft Park in Mission Viejo, this program centers around good sportsmanship, loyalty, honesty and courage — qualities young girls ages 5 to 15 from cities around south Orange County get to learn as they practice their skills and bond with their teammates.  

mvgs.org | Mission Viejo

Best Baseball Camp

U.S. Baseball Academy Irvine 

With the nation’s largest network of instructional programs — with 225-plus camps throughout the country serving grades one through 12 — you can expect top-notch coaching and guidance with this titan in the baseball camp scene. Local high school and college coaches teach kids of all ages within a small-group environment, all at an affordable price. 

usbaseballacademy.com | Irvine

Best Day Camp for Creative Kids

Chance Theater

One of the leading ensemble-driven theater companies in SoCal, Chance Theater provides everything you’d hope for in a theater experience — powerful and exciting performances created and performed by a diverse community passionate about the arts. Their program Teens Speak Up has teens write and perform their show to a live audience, with the program also having sessions for teenagers on the autism spectrum. 

chancetheater.com | Anaheim

Best Traditional Day Camp

Camp James 

Consistency is the name of the game. Camp James has consistently won in the camps category for many years. They also have consistently built their reputation through word of mouth. For more than 30 years, they’ve been one of the most reliable and fun day camps for kids in Orange County. They have many fun activities, including archery, dance, rock climbing, martial arts, zip line, stand-up paddle boarding and more. 

campjames.com | Newport Beach

Best School Day Camp

Fairmont Schools

Fairmont Schools has been in every one of Parenting OC’s Readers’ Choice Awards in some way for at least 10 years. Fairmont’s summer programs keep students curious, challenged and connected, and include a variety of summer camp options. Whether its their English Language and American Culture Camp, their Speech & Debate Camp, their preschool or elementary camp, you’re sure to find a great match for your child.

fairmontschools.com | Multiple Locations

Best Special Needs Camp

The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding

The Shea Center is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs. The Shea Center’s Summer Horse Camp is an integrated weekly day camp for those ages 5-17 with or without special needs. It includes horseback riding, horsemanship skills and other horse-related activities.

sheacenter.org | San Juan Capistrano

Best Ranch Camp

Lazy W Ranch

Since 1954, Lazy W Ranch has taken campers through a traditional camp experience — campfire, s’mores, team-building and more — alongside Bible study. There are sessions for different age groups, from elementary to high school. The adventure camp takes kids rock climbing, paddling, ocean kayaking, hiking and more for one week in the summer. 

lazywranch.org | San Juan Capistrano

Best Science/Tech Camp

Bionerds, Inc

Bionerds is a regular on our list as readers just keep loving their camps. Children from kindergarten through eighth grade get to participate in fun, hands-on biology activities that encourage their curiosity in the subject. Bionerds offers week-long half-day and full-day camps during winter, spring and summer breaks. They also offer after-school, in-class, homeschool, parties, field trips and scouting programs. 

bionerdsllc.com | Multiple Locations   

Best Soccer Camp

Liverpool FC International Academy SoCal

As an official partner of one of the most legendary and prestigious sports teams in the world, this club teaches the same teaching style taught back in 1892. Multiple professional players today have come out of this elite camp. Whether you are a kid or an adult, beginner or expert, this club will help you improve. 

play.lfciasocal.com | Irvine

Best Surf Camp

Endless Sun Surf School

Endless Sun Surf School is our readers’ favorite for the fourth year in a row. Newport Beach’s original surf school has been around since 1963, teaching people of all ages and abilities how to ride the waves. The instructors are CPR-certified professional surfers with a passion for the sport. Surfboards and wetsuits are included in the price. Open year-round, offering summer camps, private lessons, and before and after-school classes. 

endlesssunsurf.com | Newport Beach

Best Volleyball Camp

American Beach Volleyball Club

American Beach coaches expect athletes to put in high effort, while athletes can expect high-level instruction and positive, encouraging coaching. The focus is on keeping it fun and keeping the kids playing. Beach volleyball helps all athletes with strength, speed and agility. Indoor players will improve their control skills and expand their digging range.

americanbeachvolleyballclub.com | Dana Point 

EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER

Best Ranch Camp

Jameson Ranch Camp

The summer camp in the southern Sierras welcomes children ages 6 to 16. During two-week programs, they have the opportunity to experience rustic ranch living and make new friends. Activities range from rock climbing to swimming and horseback riding, just to name a few, and the campers choose what they want to do when. Each camper contributes to the ranch by doing a chore every day. 

jamesonranchcamp.com | Glennville

EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER

Best Surf Camp

JP’s Surf Camp

JP’s Surf Camp shows children and adults how to surf or better their surfing skills in a small-group environment with individual attention and safety in mind. Lessons focus on ocean awareness, surfing technique, etiquette, wave selection and judgment, proper surfing equipment and overall physical fitness. Owner Jonathan Pierce has over 25 years surfing experience, is CPR/First Aid-certified and is a teacher with the Capistrano Unified School District.

jpssurfcamp.com | San Clemente 

EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER

Best Soccer Camp

HappyFeet SoCal

A mobile soccer clinic for children 2-6, HappyFeet’s non-competitive “Story Time with a Soccer Ball” approach is used at daycares, preschools and recreation centers. They use familiar songs, stories, nursery rhymes and fun games to introduce soccer to young children. Their unique curriculum triggers children’s imaginations by taking their soccer ball, Bob the Bobcat, on adventures to the zoo, the movies and even an enchanted castle.

happyfeetsocal.com | Irvine 

EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER

Best Camp at Sea

Ocean Institute

The Ocean Institute has a long list of options for all ages when it comes to summer camps. Sea Squirts, for ages 5 to 6, is just one example. The camp explores different ocean habitats and the animals that live there. Each day a song introduces the theme for the day’s activities with highlights including meeting animals, daily crafts and games, and even a hunt for treasure.

oceaninstitute.org | Dana Point 

EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER

Best Special Needs Camp

Stepping Forward Counseling Center

Stepping Forward’s Summer C.A.M.P. (Clinically Advanced Multi-Modality Program) offers inclusive summer camps for kids (ages 4 and up) with psychological and mental disorders. Activities include horseback riding, sports, yoga, kickboxing, art therapy, therapeutic drama and more. The ultimate goal is to teach everyday life skills, including mindfulness, attention to tasks, motor skills, teamwork, expression of emotion, cognitive skills, social interactions, positive self-image and more.

steppingforwardcounselingcenter.com | Multiple Locations 

EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER

Best Science/Tech Camp

Destination Science Camp

Destination Science has a mission of getting kids excited about science and to help them build life skills. Kids develop confidence and enthusiasm about science as they gain knowledge about how the world around them works. They also develop character, curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, cooperation, persistence and more. The 2023 summer programs included Rescue Robot Mystery Camp, BioBot & Roller Coaster Camp and Artemis Moon Mission Camp.

destinationscience.org | Multiple Locations