Summer Camps: Teen Edition

(Last Updated on March 21, 2019)

As any mom knows, once the teen years hit, it can be really difficult to find something your kid finds enjoyable. And, if you’re a teen reading this, come on you know it’s true! Blank stares or eye-rolling are all too common when teens are asked what they want to do in the summer.

While traditional summer camps may not be what you have in mind for yourself or your child this year, the good news is there are plenty of high school camp options out there that teens DO enjoy.  No matter what your interests or goals after high school, these camps can help you accelerate your skill set, or even just plain have fun and relax before people will expect you to get a job!

Art Camps are a great way for teens to start the summer to unwind and express their creativity. Art School of SF Bay offers Fan Art, Digital Painting, Advanced Manga, Comic Art and other subjects geared for teens. Camp Fashionista in San Jose has fashion drawing, embroidery and dress making classes for teens.

Blue Bear boy teen

Music camps for teens at Blue Bear Music include Recording and Songwriting

Music lovers can join a band at Rock Camp at San Francisco Rock Project or School of Rock San RamonBlue Bear of Music and Mister Lemur’s Adventures in Writing in San Francisco both offer songwriting camps and more advanced music topics.

Dance and Theatre are also good creative outlets and workouts for teens. Dance intensive programs often fill up quickly.

For work experience, teens can get valuable leadership skills and experience as a counselor-in-training at Stanford All-Sports Summer CampCastilleja’s Counselor In TrainingHi-Five Silicon Valley, or Camp Edmo.

For those who love computers and tech, coding camps at NextGen Tech Learning (in San Ramon and Fremont), Digital Media Academy, and Coding4youth in Mountain View are a few of the Bay Area programs that specialize in helping the next generation become coders and makers. Startup Wonder offers teen programming, app design and business camps.

Math Enrichment is a math and writing program to help kids get a leg up on their next report card. From basic math skills to difficult geometry theorems, students learn and have fun with field trips. It’s also very affordable with their early registration discounts. Yes, teens reading this know that academics aren’t exactly the ideal summer vacation, but when you get into a good college – you can thank your mom AND your summer camp teachers. Debate, SAT and ACT camps, and Startup camps are other ways that teens can use the summer to develop these academic areas.

Sports camps can keep teens active by focusing on the same sport or trying something new. NorCal Lacrosse provides lacrosse fundamentals while GameBreaker Lacrosse has day and overnight options for ages 8-18. If soccer is your game, AYSO Soccer Camps and Challenger Soccer are good ways to keep active and learn from enthusiastic soccer coaches.

Sailing programs offered by Shoreline Lake and golf at Shoreline Golf are great ways to get teens outdoors.

SF paddling and sailing teens

Teens enjoy the day on the lake

Overnight camps offered by Camp Chrysalis will give all city kids a chance to experience the great outdoors. The nature adventures include canoeing, kayaking, and various team building activities in the wilderness.

You’ll find more overnight and day camps that take place on college campuses. These programs are a great way to spend a week at university, including Stanford and Berkeley. You’ll find Digital Media AcademyCamp BizsmartAdidas Tennis, Farm Camp and Adventure and Sports Camp  at several colleges this summer.

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Dezigning the Perfect Camp

If you have a child who is always fashion forward and loves to dream up new styles each day for school, then DezignKidz may be perfect for them! Geared toward kids aged 7-14, campers will learn how to design and create a garment in fashion designing classes, or dream up and use repurposed items for an accessory design. This is only a couple of the great offerings available to future fashion designers living in the South Bay.

Kathy Bonte recently spoke to us about this innovative and unique camp concept.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you started the camp

A: The idea for DezignKidz came about from my partner, Durga Kalavagunta, who has a young daughter interested in all things creative, artistic and related to fashion. At the time there was nothing for her age group (7-8 yrs) in that area, so Durga came up with the idea of a summer camp for fledgling fashionistas. She and I both have extensive backgrounds in design across a variety of media—Durga studied and worked for many years in the global fashion and textile design industries and I spent many years in NYC as an art director, creative director and graphic designer. I have always loved fashion, accessories and the decorative arts but I have no daughters of my own to share this with so when Durga approached me, I jumped at this chance to “get my girl on.”  My son, for whatever reason, was never particularly interested in learning how to make a cute ruffled skirt.

Q: Do you have any you have anything new and/or exciting features that have been added to your camp this year?

A: We are very excited about our new middle school program-the kids are a little older and can work more independently at that age-it will be exciting to watch them spread their creative wings. We are also very excited about our new Interior Dezign program-we think it may attract a slightly different audience who may or may not be as into the whole “fashion” thing but still interested in design and decorative and applied arts.

So far the idea has been well-received and if this pilot program is a success, we may have an Interior Dezign 2 next year!

Our first summer, we had 4 weeks of classes, which we co-taught. We used our kids as (unpaid) junior counselors and borrowed sewing machines from friends. At the end of the camp we rented out the multipurpose room and had a fashion show-it was a huge success. We have grown each year, expanding into after school programs, birthday parties and even a 3 week curriculum we designed and implemented for a local charter school’s middle school program. Last year we had a staff of over a dozen, bringing in teachers and counselors from the fashion industry from San Francisco and even New York.  One of our counselors this year is Gabrielle Rothschild, a 15 year old fashion designer who had her own trunk show last year and has been featured in the San Jose Mercury News. She will be a huge inspiration to the kids. We are continuing to expand, with three levels of fashion design including a new one for middle schoolers and a brand new Interior Dezign offering. Many of our families have stayed with us since our first year and we are growing with them, adding more programs and keeping things fresh and different while still maintaining the core values of our program.

Q: What surprises/delights the kids or parents most about your camp?

A: I think what kids (and parents) love about our camp is how we cover the whole design process, from concept to completion. That is our point of differentiation. You can find sewing classes that teach you technical skills, or fashion design classes that teach you how to sketch out an idea, but our program offers you the whole spectrum. Kids design something and then we show them how to bring that design to life. They leave at the end of the week with a wearable garment, unique accessories or cool customized stuff for their room, all of their own design. It’s very empowering for the kids. And very exciting for us—seeing what they can come up with and helping them shape their vision into a tangible product. While Silicon Valley may not be the fashion capital of the world, it is all about creativity-and the lessons they learn here can be applied to any number of mediums and fields later in life.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

A: Durga and I love what we are doing-it utilizes every one of our skill sets and constantly challenges us in ways we never thought possible. At the end of our 4 weeks of camp we are completely EXHAUSTED but when we watch those kids walk down the runway beaming with pride in what we helped them create, it makes it all worthwhile.

 

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Camp Galileo Teaches Innovation to Campers

Galileo Learning is the only bay area day camp that allows kids the opportunity to not only create, but innovate. With healthy daily lunches and fun themes each week, this summer camp is ideal for pre-K through 5th grade. Best of all, they are offering a discount code for those who register before June 1st.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you started the camp

A: Galileo Learning brings quality summer day camps to kids across the Bay Area. We work with campers from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade, and offer four different programs:

  • Camp Galileo (Pre-K – rising 5th graders): Campers engage in hands-on art, science and outdoor activities every day, plus have tons of fun with camp traditions like team color day, water ball and capture the rubber chicken.
  • Galileo Summer Quest (rising 5th– 8th graders): Campers try their hands at the things they love, diving into one exciting major during each weeklong session, with options like Go-Kart Makers, Fashion Design, Video Game Design and Chefology.
  • The Tech Summer Camps (rising 4th-8th graders): Hands-on science and technology classes for aspiring scientists and engineers at the Tech Museum in San Jose.
  • Chabot Space & Science Camp (rising 3rd-7th graders): Fun engineering, technology, earth and space science classes at the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland.

We started in 2002 with one camp in Palo Alto with 200 campers, and now operate camps at 33 locations across the Bay Area, serving over 30,000 weeks of camp!

Q: Are there any special lessons or experiences you are trying to provide during the camp?

A: Galileo Learning’s mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. All of our summer camps embrace that mission through the Galileo Innovation Approach, which encourages campers to develop an innovator’s mindset, teaches them a process for innovating and helps them gain the knowledge they need to develop their ideas. Our camps are designed to bring out the Galileo Innovator in every camper—inspiring and empowering kids to make their creative mark on the world.

Q: What surprises/delights the kids (or parents) most about your camp?

A: Campers love Galileo summer camps because they’re really fun. But parents tell us what keeps them coming back is the impact our programs have on their campers’ confidence and creativity long after the summer ends. We do it with exceptional staff, thoughtful curriculum, an innovative approach to learning and plenty of fun!

Q: Do you have any new and/or exciting features that have been added to your camp this year?

A:   Four brand-new curriculum themes at Camp Galileo:

  • Galileo Olympics: Greek Art & The Science of The Games
  • Celebrate the Golden Gate: SF Art & Bridge Engineering
  • Leonardo’s Apprentice: Renaissance Art & Inventions
  • Galileo Rocks! The Art & Science of Music
  • A new 1-week format and an expanded suite of 14 majors at Galileo Summer Quest, including Video Game Design, Chefology, Digital Filmmaking, Go-Kart Makers, Painter’s Studio, Fashion Design and Lego Robotics
  • Extended care until 6:00pm at Camp Galileo, Galileo Summer Quest and Chabot Space & Science Camp
  • Delicious daily lunch options at all of our camps
  • Big discounts for enrolling in 2+ sessions: Save $20 off your camper’s 2nd week of camp, $40 off the 3rd week and $60 off the 4th and beyond, plus save 50% off ALL extended care when you enroll for 2 or more weeks

Q: Do you offer any promotional discounts to those who register early?

A: We would like to provide a discount of $20 off per camper! Enter code: SIGNUPFORCAM2012 when you register, and save $20. We are offering this until June 1st.

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Young Artists Develop at San Francisco Children’s Art Center

The San Francisco Children’s Art Center is a non-profit studio that provides summer and year round courses to the bay area’s youngest aspiring artists. In addition to their regularly scheduled classes, they offer “Big Kid” weekly workshops for those aged 5.5 to 10 years old. Take advantage of a 10% discount for either a sibling or early bird registration. Molly Campbell of the art center recently told SignUpForCamps.com more about this great contribution to the next generation of bay area artists.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you started the camp

A: The San Francisco Children’s Art Center in a non-profit art studio, founded in 1978 in response to dwindling art programs in schools. We have been offering art classes, camps, birthday parties and family workshops in our Fort Mason Center studio for over thirty years. Our mission is to nurture the developmental and artistic growth of children through creative expression and self-guided learning. By encouraging experimentation and discovery in a supportive environment, the Art Center is a place filled with possibilities, where children can collaborate, explore, and grow. In addition to our in-studio programs, we are a non-profit organization that offers outreach to family shelters, community centers, and public preschools, free of charge.

 Q: Are there any special lessons or experiences you are trying to provide during the camp?

A:  The Art Center offers a variety of tools and materials to work with that aren’t always readily available to young children, such as   digital cameras for Photography Mixed Media and kiln-fired clay and glazes for Clay Time. We also take advantage of our unique             location at Fort Mason Center by taking short walking trips to the community garden, visiting the public art and science installations that populate our campus, and observing the historical landmarks and maritime wildlife of the San Francisco Bay.

Q: What surprises/delights the kids (or parents) most about your camp?

A: Because we follow a self-guided approach to art instruction, classes follow children’s interests. While providing instruction in the use of techniques and materials, children are encouraged to explore, tinker, and move at their own pace, rather than being directed to create a pre-conceived end product. This offers greater challenges, and greater opportunities for the sheer delight of the “aha” moment, as students learn to articulate and take pride in their own unique voice. Parents are delighted with what their children create, and often exclaim over the quality of work their children bring home. Parents also love our “drop-in” policy and our pro-rated tuition policy, both of which allow families to easily attend the Art Center while juggling other camps or vacations.

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Traditional Summer Camp with a Twist

Marin Day Camp offers a traditional summer camp program, which among the many specialized camps available, makes it a totally unique experience all over again. For families looking to send their kids to the comforting and fun environment of old-school summer camp with some new twists, Marin Day Camp is a great option. Recently Mike from Marin Day Camp gave SignUpForCamps.com an insider look at their camp routine and special info.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you started the camp

A: We don’t stress anyone individual starting the camp we rather prefer to stress the type of camp we are. Marin Day Camp is a traditional program based on the east coast model of camps where bonding and activities are the focal point of the program. Campers experience many different activities to get a well-rounded experience. Our sessions are longer so that lesson progression can allow the campers to complete levels of abilities in activities such as swimming, tennis and sailing. Our longer sessions also allow campers to bond more with their fellow campers and their counselors to form lifelong friendships and memories

Q: Are there any special lessons or experiences you are trying to provide during the camp?

A: We offer lessons in swimming, tennis and sailing so that campers may form lifelong healthy hobbies. Where swimming is concerned this is also an added benefit to the parent because they are getting 2 services for their tuition no longer do they have to take their child to Saturday swim lessons as we provide these. We also have a one night campout for the campers to enhance the traditional camp experience with star gazing, campfire and s’mores.

Q: What surprises/delights the kids (or parents) most about your camp?

A: Campers enjoy being someplace where they are comfortable, accepted and recognized and our session length provides the feeling that it’s their camp and they are among friends. Counselors are required to know each campers first name by the end of the first day and only use their first name and not “buddy” or “pal” so that the camper feels a part of their group and camp. Parents love seeing their child excited to go to camp each day because they want to not have to. Parents also like our service oriented program especially our door to door transportation.

Q: Do you have any new and/or exciting features that have been added to your camp this year?

A: All of our camp activities are exciting from Archery to the rock climbing wall to the pottery wheel. and since we offer all activities in an instructive manner, campers are always excited to learn new activities or progress and excel in some old favorites.

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Plan a Great Summer of Soccer!

Soccer camps are wildly popular all throughout the United States, and there are plenty of ways for kids to jump in and hone their skills both near home and overnight at a destination camp. Summer is a great time to focus on a new sport, or to sharpen up their game before team tryouts for the year.

Bay Area

Footfire Soccer Camp – This camp local to Berkeley proudly puts fun on the list as its number one priority without compromising the quality of instruction. With expert coaches who emphasize the importance of being a team player, all campers learn to build social skills while also advancing their love of the game. Promotional discounts are available for 3 or more campers in a family, and a multiple session discount is also available.

Spartans Sports Camp – These multi-sport camp sessions include great soccer training by Mountain View High School coaches and student athletes. Sessions are available for grades 3-5 as well as grades 6-9. They also offer strength & conditioning camps for middle and high school students.

Trans-Atlantic Soccer Camps – While soccer is beloved by people throughout the United States, it really enjoys a much bigger spotlight in Europe. So it only makes sense that kids in Saratoga can enjoy learning soccer from a Scottish clan that knows their stuff. This organization offers multiple locations, so contact them to see if you may be able to attend a camp local to you. Children aged 4-13 are welcome to register for the camps that are available a week at a time throughout the summer months.

Bald Eagle Sports Camps – Combine positive coaching with organic lunch options, and you get Bald Eagle Sports Camps. Each coach has an extensive background in coaching young people, and the multi-sport summer session allows kids to both hone their soccer skills and enjoy experiencing new sports as well.

Two Rivers Soccer Camp – For both bay area natives and kids from across the nation, Two Rivers Soccer Camp brings them together for the love of the game with their wide selection of overnight sessions for ages 7-17. Sibling and group discounts are available.

Paye’s Place Sports Clinics & Camps – Based in San Carlos, kids aged 6-14 can sign up for a session of soccer camp, or many other sports throughout the year. Focus is placed on good, honest sportsmanship and they offer both a half or full-day camp option. Best of all, their camps are offered year round, so you can continue to improve your game long after summer is over.

Athena  Camps – This camp is designed for girls aged 6-11 and empowers them through sports and creative arts. Positive mentors work with each child, who receives daily affirmations and the opportunity to make new friends. Locations in both San Jose and Sunnyvale.


These are just a few of the high-quality camps being offered in the San Francisco bay area this summer and beyond.


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Become a Tech Ninja this Summer!

Technology is more popular than ever with kids as we learn in an exciting time of social networking and computer advancement. Computer science and engineering continue to be in-demand majors at colleges all over the world, and even young children can begin to prepare for their future by simply joining up with one of many computer camps being offered over the summer months.

Camp EdTech – Located in San Francisco and in other cities around the greater bay area, this camp inspires 5th-9th graders to be creative and savvy in various genres of technical arts. Options include the design of video games, digital movies, soundtracks, and animation. The camps offer extended care hours and are hosted in partnership with the Children’s Creativity Museum. 

iD Tech Camps – Known as the world’s #1 summer technology program, kids aged 7-17 come to UC Berkeley to learn how to create video games, mobile apps, websites and 3D animations. Other subjects like Flash, robots, C++ and more are also available. Registrants also receive free year-round learning at campuses all across the United States.

Classroom Antics – These summer tech camps located in Ohio are perfect for kids aged 7-13. Children learn about various technologies including LEGO Robotics and animation. Register early to receive a discount.

Education Unlimited – Come to the Stanford University campus for a wide variety of camps that include a computer camp. Here students learn web design and software programming – a perfect opportunity to learn skills that are the most in demand in the bay area when it comes to career options.

San Francisco Friends – With five sessions available throughout the summer, kindergartners to 9th graders can enjoy learning web design, digital video and many other technological skills. As a Quaker-sponsored camp, children also learn important values like simplicity, community and equality.

Kids on Campus – This Pennsylvania camp enjoys two locations and leaves students feeling confident about their technology skills. Choose a week-long camp focus on everything from 3D computer modeling to an overview of Microsoft.

Galileo Summer Quest – With locations all over the bay area, this day camp provides students with plenty of chances to learn computer-based skills. These include video game design, web design and Lego robotics – all subjects kids will enjoy as they learn essential skills for someone located in the bay area’s technology hub of the world.

Summerside on the Hill – Springside Chestnut Hill Academy plays host to a variety of day camps for both boys and girls in preschool through high school. The camps are customized to each individual child in terms of length and focus, and can be arranged directly with the camp itself.

Lavner Camps – Finally, over in Pennsylvania, Laver Camps are thrilling kids all summer long with their multiple subjects and diverse demographic. Sibling discounts are provided and camp activities include video game programming and robotics.

Many of these camps offer more than one location, so if you aren’t based in a certain city mentioned, give them a call. Multiple locations allow them to serve kids from multiple regions, and you just may find the perfect match for you. Equip your child with technological training this summer that will change their life not only today, but in future endeavors as well.

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Win a free week of summer camp!

Two lucky SF Bay Area families will win a free week of summer camp!

Join Sign Up For Camp’s free email newsletter for a chance to win! Or Like Sign Up For Camp on Facebook, write a camp review or share your camp calendar for more ways to win.

Deadline: Enter by May 7, 2012.

Prizes: One winner from Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville can choose between a free week at Monkey Business Camp or Girls on the Go.  One SF Bay Area winner can choose between a free week of Camp Galileo or Galileo Summer Quest. For more details see the Official Rules.

Monkey Business CampMonkey Business Camp is held outdoors in Tilden Park (Berkeley, CA) with different fun themes for each weekly camp session. Programs for campers age 3-10, Counselors-in-Training age 11-13, and Junior Counselors age 14-15.

Girls on the GoGirls on the Go has daily field trips and weekly special workshops. A positive, engaging, inclusive and fun environment for older girls, ages 9-13, is our goal. Learning how to safely access diverse destinations in San Francisco and the East Bay, by public transport, empowers the girls to get around without the need for a car. Campers meet at Cedar-Rose Park in Berkeley, CA to start the day.
Camp Galileo
At Camp Galileo, campers grades preK-5th engage in hands-on art, science and outdoor activities every day, plus have tons of fun with camp traditions like dress up days, water day and the rubber chicken cheer. Camp Galileo has 20 locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Galileo Summer QuestAt Galileo Summer Quest, 5th to 8th graders dive into majors they love, like digital filmaking, culinary arts, video game design, fashion design. Galileo Summer Quest has 10 locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Summer Camps for Pre-School and Pre-K Kids in SF Bay Area 2019

Updated March 2019 !!

It can be tough to be a preschooler. Active and filled with a hunger for learning about the world around them, 2-5 year olds aren’t included in many summer programs offered at local recreation centers and other destinations around their hometown. Fortunately, this need has been recognized and has been remedied in many ways for those little ones living in the bay area. From tennis camp to a more general breadth of summer fare, the youngest of children can now enjoy their very own camp experience without having to wait until the bit day when they turn 5.

Fountainhead Montessori School offers a Fun Camp for ages 4-12 with fitness games, arts and crafts, and music. Inspired by The Amazing Race TV Show, this camp is filled with sports and games that incorporate physical activity and strategy. Each day the campers will participate in team competitions as well as individual games and activities that will develop coordination and critical thinking. Riddles and puzzles will be used to find clues in scavenger hunts, while students race to the finish line of the Amazing Sports Race.

Growfit Camp at Sportsplex helps to keep your kids active and energized during school breaks and holidays, it provides a safe place for children to learn and play. Campers discover new passions, engage in a variety of sports and group games and learn the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. Our unique, age-appropriate games and challenges help children build self-confidence, develop relationships and have lots of fun.

Camp Edmo, one of the top rated camps in the San Francisco bay area, has camps for preschool children where they experience everything from outdoor play to animation lessons provided in a partnership with various educational institutions.

Tutu Camp is dedicated to teaching little ones the world of ballet! With dance classes, costume decorating and plenty of opportunities to hear stories about famous ballet dancers, this is a camp perfectly suited for aspiring stars of the stage aged 4-8.

For those aged 5 and about to enter Kindergarten, the options for camp get even more exciting and diverse.

ArtSmart / KidSmart Academy has been voted ‘Best camp’ of 2016. Also, we are among the 35 camps in USA, which were voted to be exceptional camps. All seasonal camps, art classes, enrichment, after-school, and tons of fun! ArtSmart / KidSmart offers variety such as Photography, Kids create website, Youth animation, Drama, Science & LEGO Robotics. Our after-school program, KidSmart, supports children to flourish & excel in everything they do at school. Our after-school enrichment includes Yoga, Art, Public speaking, Debate, Music & Dance. Our kids also enjoy outdoor park time.

Nine Studios offers camps for ages 4 to 12 years old which believes in learning should be self-motivated and guided by motivated learners’ need within their own interests. Nine Studio offers multi-theme after school programs and art camps throughout the year for children to explore their endless interests and playful creativities. The variety of unique activities is offered to give children the best opportunity to find their own interest and the things that motivate them to learn.

Summer camp for Preschool kids at camp doodlesCamp Doodles, located in Mill Valley, offers a special program for those entering Kindergarten in the fall. Kids will enjoy skits, science, story time, water play and specially themed days like ice cream socials and dress up events.

Celsius and Beyond welcomes all 5-year-olds who will love this hands-on science camp that teaches them all about chemistry and other exciting components of the science world. Kids experiment with mazes and use music to decipher potentially frustrating concepts like math and physics.

These are just a few of the great ideas to get your preschooler away from the TV, out of the house and onward toward their very first summer camp experiences. They will cherish the fun experiences for years to come, as these first steps introduce them to the fun-filled world of fun, sun and exploration. Do you have a suggestion of what to do with your preschooler at home?

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Top 7 Mom Blog Posts About San Francisco Bay Area Summer Camps

With mom blogs currently trending all over cyberspace, there are plenty of posts to read on the good, bad and ugly of summer camp. From informative advice on prices and teaching quality, to just plain hilarious rants of camp days gone terribly wrong, below is a list of the best of the best when it comes to our very own San Franciscan moms blogging about their family’s summer adventures.

1. Caring for our kids: Summer camp, already?

Mom of two kids, Liz Farrell has some very helpful suggestions for moms who are overwhelmed by all the paper and electronic flyers that flood your homes, not to mention all the parent chatter, around summer camps this time of the year. For those who are perplexed, her simple and sensible suggestions are a very good place to start your planning.

2. The Mommy Files: The High Cost of Summer Camp

Bay Area mom Amy Graff pens The Mommy Files for SFGate.com. In this post she unashamedly talks budgeting while still being choosy with where your child spends the summer. With money-saving advice and plenty of personal experience, her blog piece ranks high on the list when it comes to sage summer camp wisdom.

3. Technorati: Hey Summer Camp Directors, You Owe Me Interest!

Alix Mednauseum, who regularly blogs on her personal mom blog, wrote this great rant for Technorati a couple years back, but it still ranks at the top of Google searches. Why? Because it’s honest – camp can be expensive, the search and registration process can be exhausting, and when plans change there are consequences. Read her snarky and real take on summer camp plans.

4. FrogMom

Laure Latham, a mom who blogs about natural living and raising her daughters to appreciate the great outdoors and also the performing arts and cultural scene around their bay area home, has a camping section on her website. While she may occasionally advertise a summer camp, her blog is a great read for nature camps, family trip ideas as well as getting kids excited for what they may experience post-camp sendoff.

5. Frisco Kids

Debbie Kaplan, a San Francisco-based mom, has been profiling the latest summer camp finds on her blog Frisco Kids. From cooking camps to special needs destinations, she reviews and posts info on camps that are both unique in their offerings and local to those living in the bay.

6. Xiaolin Mom: Silicon Valley Summer Camp Planning Starts Now

Silicon Valley blogger Sheila is mom to a 6-year-old dancer and a 10-year-old athlete, which means camp is a big deal in her home. With this blog post, she promotes the Galileo Summer Camps (here’s a free week of camp at Galileo), which are locally based and host a wide range of interests. She touts the diversity, and also her kids’ screams of glee when the flyer arrived in the mail.

7. Last minute tips for selecting summer camps

Hyperlocal news blog site InMenlo interviews SignUpForCamp’s Peggy Chang about the right questions to ask a camp to investigate if it’s the right fit for your kid. As Peggy says, “There’s no need to settle for a camp that is less than a great fit for your family.”

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