Looking for Something for the Kids to do This Summer?
Check Out the Many Summer Camps Available on Campus

| March 14, 2011

Swimming, science classes, writing and days worth of fun at the Birch Aquarium are some of the activities offered during summer at UC San Diego. Whether you’re looking for something for your kindergartner to do, or something to keep your high school student engaged this summer, the campus has something to fit your needs. Here’s a list of various camps available on campus, most of them run by UCSD departments.

High school camps:  

Summer Session (ninth- through 12th-grade): High school students can take an early start on a college career by taking lower division courses during two five-week sessions.

Academic Connections (ninth- through 12th-grade): High school students can live on campus and take hands-on college courses, in small classes. The program also offers on-campus residential options. New this year, students can study on the Big Island of Hawaii.

COSMOS (eighth- through 12th-grade): Students in this UC-wide, live-in program, take a challenging curriculum focused on mathematics and science. Applications are due March 15.

Summer Discovery @ UCSD (ninth- through 12th-grade): This four-week session of enrichment courses also offers surfing, soccer, volleyball and other sports, as well as weekend trips to Los Angeles.

General interest:

Knock Around Summer Camp (ages 5 and up): UCSD recreation staff and student counselors guide students through fun activities during the day, including swimming, gymnastics, rock climbing, games and arts and crafts. Sign up for the general camp, or for sports and beach camps. New this year, Knock Around is offering a Voyager Camp that takes 8- to 14-year-old campers to local attractions, including Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and Knott’s Soak City. Also new this year is a creative writing camp.

Birch Aquarium Summer Learning Adventure Camps (ages 4 to 15): From the classroom to the seashore, our accredited Summer Learning Adventure Camps merge scientific exploration with hands-on fun and learning. Campers ages 4 to 15 investigate marine habitats, create ocean art projects, learn about careers in oceanography, and combine the science and sports of surfing and snorkeling, all while making new friends and memories.

Specialty camps:

Science and Technology Summer Workshop: The San Diego Supercomputer Center offers a wide range of classes for middle and high school students. Workshops include everything from digital art and media, to Matlab, to digital music creation. Some workshops are restricted to high school students.

The Mission Bay Aquatic Center offers full-day and half-day camps for children ages 6 to 17. Students can explore water sports, from kayaking to sailing to surfing. They can also learn about marine science.

La Jolla Playhouse (second to 12th-grade): Aspiring thespians can take their skills to a new level with these classes and workshops at the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse. Students in 10th- through 12th-grade can apply for six-week intensive acting classes. Four-week workshops are available for second- through 12th-graders.

San Diego Area Writing Project (third- through 12th-grade): Aspiring authors will be able to discover their own style and voice. Young writers will practice creative writing and academic writing. Older students also will get a chance to polish their college admissions essay.

UC San Diego Jazz Camp (ages 14 to adult): A five-day summer program for intermediate to advanced level musicians ages 14 to adult, UCSD Jazz Camp offers a diverse, one-of-a-kind journey into the world of jazz with group courses and workshops in Jazz History and Theory, Improvisation, Ensemble Performance, Composition and Arranging, and Instrumental Master classes, plus private lessons, jam sessions, and exciting faculty concerts.

UCSD Sports Camps (ages 5 to 18): Basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis and softball are just some of the few sports campers will be able to explore during these camps organized by UCSD coaches.