Summer Camps

Campers will enjoy the best of both worlds at Lobster Jo's Art Camp! Mornings are dedicated to daily art lessons where children can explore their creativity with a variety of art forms, including painting, sculpting, plant pressing, and beading. In the afternoon, campers will head outside for the fun of Lobster Jo's Beach Camp!

• Age: 5-13
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Carousel House

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The best beach day, every day! At Lobster Jo’s Beach Camp, children enjoy a mix of ocean activities, beach-themed arts and crafts, and plenty of group games. Friendly sandcastle contests, Spikeball tournaments, and beach party karaoke are just some of the fun in store for campers at Lobster Jo’s!

• Age: 5-14
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Location: East Beach (Chase Palm Park)

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Introduce your child to a new sport with Basketball Camp! Campers learn fundamental skills like dribbling, passing, shot technique, and the importance of teamwork. Adjustable hoops and appropriately sized basketballs are used to provide just the right amount of challenge while a variety of games and activities keep lessons fun and engaging. 

• Age: 6-11
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Carrillo Street Gym

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Start a biz! Bizzy Girls Entrepreneur Camp helps girls develop their own product line and provides hands-on lessons in business concepts, sales, and marketing. Campers create logos and marketing materials while learning how to present their products through fun role-playing exercises. On the last day of camp, friends and family are invited to a pop-up store where campers display and sell their products. Girls will enjoy using their creativity while gaining confidence as they practice goal-setting, decision-making, and problem-solving. 

• Age: 6-12
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Location: MacKenzie Center

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Perfect for the camper looking to explore their creative side, Ceramics Camp teaches children the basic techniques of wheel throwing, hand building, and glazing. Campers will explore different artists and cultures to inspire their projects and enjoy flexible studio time to bring their creations to life.

Want to make it a full day? Afternoon add-on sessions are available at Beach Camp from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Campers will be accompanied by camp staff and checked in at East Beach for the afternoon.

• Age: 8-15
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Location: Chase Palm Park Craft Center

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Stay cool this summer at Ice Skating Camp! Campers of all skill levels will enjoy lessons from professional coaches and the chance to make new friends on and off the ice. Breaks from skating will be filled with arts and crafts and outdoor activities. 

• Age: 4-11
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Ice In Paradise

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Keep teens busy this summer! The Junior Counselors program gives 13-17-year-olds a chance to gain work experience while ensuring younger kids have a great time at summer camp. Junior Counselor opportunities are available at Bizzy Girls Entrepeneur Camp, Lego Camp, Nature Camp, Theater Camp, Junior Lifeguards, Art Camp, Beach Camp, and Skate Camp.

• Age: 13-17
• Time: Varies
• Location: Varies

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Not your average summer camp, Junior Lifeguards is a critical program to promote youth ocean safety in Santa Barbara. Participants spend the summer mastering water safety, first aid, surf lifesaving, and more from professional beach lifeguards. Age-appropriate workouts and competitions keep kids active as they learn teamwork and build friendships. Choose from 2-week sessions or join for an 8-week session to accommodate your summer schedule.

• Age: 7-17
• Time: 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Early drop-off available)
• Location: East Beach (Cabrillo Pavilion)

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Looking for a fun engineering camp? Join Play-Well TEKnologies at LEGO® Camp! Following a curriculum designed by engineers, campers have fun solving real-world engineering challenges while exploring concepts in physics, architecture, and engineering. Themed camps explore imaginative worlds that kids know and love, like Star Wars, Minecraft, Pokemon, and Robotics.

• Age: 6-12
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Location: Westside Neighborhood Center

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Ready for a classic sleepaway camp experience without the sleepaway? Nature Camp has all the traditional summer camp fun you can pack into two weeks! Campers enjoy singalongs, outdoor games, field trips, nature science, and a special family night with entertaining skits and awards. This Santa Barbara summer experience is one your child will never forget! 

• Age: 6-12
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Location: Casa Las Palmas

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Designed with conservation, education, and exploration in mind, Ocean Explorers is sure to foster your child's love of the ocean and all its creatures! Campers enjoy a variety of ocean and beach activities, including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and snorkeling, while learning about our local marine environment. 

• Age: 5-7 and 8-14
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Paddle Sports Center

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At Pickleball Camp, children of all skill levels can enjoy one of the country's fastest-growing sports! Campers learn shot and volley techniques, proper serving and receiving, and game strategy. This social sport is a great way for children to have fun and make new friends!

• Age: 8-17
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Municipal Tennis and Pickleball Center

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Where better to get "shred-ucated" than the coolest skate park on the west coast? Children at Skate Camp learn proper skateboarding technique, practice new skills, and explore the challenges of Santa Barbara's famous Skater's Point. At the end of each day, campers get a chance to show off their skills to family and friends. All skill levels are welcome at Skate Camp! 

Want to make it a full day? Afternoon add-on sessions are available at Beach Camp from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Campers will be accompanied by camp staff and checked in at East Beach for the afternoon.

• Age: 6-12
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Skater's Point

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Soccer Camp is the perfect introduction to the world's most popular sport! Campers learn fundamental skills like dribbling, passing, shot technique, and the importance of teamwork. Daily scrimmages provide children with just the right amount of challenge while a variety of games and activities keep lessons fun and engaging. 

• Age: 6-10
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Cabrillo Ball Park

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The perfect blend of practice and play! At Tennis and Swim Camp, children participate in structured tennis lessons, with a midday break at Los Baños Pool for recreational swimming. Campers are placed in groups based on age and skill level to learn and practice the fundamentals of tennis. Swimming ability will be assessed, and Lifeguards will be on duty to ensure all campers have fun and are safe during pool time!

• Age: 9-15
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Location: Pershing Park Tennis Courts

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At Theater Camp, children don't just learn a few lines. They help run the show! Campers spend the week acting, singing, dancing, and prepping the set before putting on a special performance for friends and family. Theater Camp is a great way for children to make friends and experience the joy of musical theater! 

• Age: 6-12
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Location: Carrillo Recreation Center

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A morning of beach volleyball? Yes, please! Children at Volleyball Camp learn correct ball handling, passing, setting, hitting, and serving for each skill level. Campers are assigned to courts with others at the same level, ranging from beginner to AAA, to ensure everyone is having fun and putting their skills to the test. 

Want to make it a full day? Afternoon add-on sessions are available at Beach Camp from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Campers will be accompanied by camp staff and checked in at East Beach for the afternoon.

• Age: 9-17
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Location: East Beach Volleyball Courts

RegisterAdd-on options

No Camp Waitlists 
Our activity registration system, PerfectMind, will no longer maintain waitlists for summer camps. From now on, if you see a spot available on PerfectMind, it's available! Please check back regularly, as spots open up when a participant withdraws.

Medical Questionnaire Deadlines 
Medical questionnaires should be completed within one week of registering for the program. 

If the medical questionnaire has not been completed by the Wednesday before the program start date, the PerfectMind system will automatically withdraw them from all camps. If this happens, you will automatically be provided a full refund.

Online Withdrawal
We've enabled online registration; you can withdraw your child online through your PerfectMind account. Refund fees may apply, depending on when you withdraw your camper(s) from their enrolled camp(s). Please see below for details on fees.

1. Log in to your account on our camp registration page
2. Select My Profile
3. Click on My Info
4. Double click on your child’s name
5. Scroll down to Schedules
6. Then select List View (make sure the checkbox next to your child’s name is marked)
7. To the right hand side, select Actions then Withdraw

Refund Policy
A 100% refund will be given for activities cancelled by the Parks and Recreation Department. Refund fees are applied based on how soon a camp or activity starts after the withdrawal date. To minimize refund fees, please be aware of the timeframes listed below and the exception for medical reasons:

If you make your cancellation request (or online withdrawal through PerfectMind):

• 15 days or more before the start of the program: 90% refund
• 5 to 14 days before the start of the program: 50% refund
• Less than five days before the start of the program: We will not give refunds for withdrawals or cancellations made less than five days before the start of the enrolled camp.
• Transfers: We will no longer transfer a camper from one camp to another. Instead of transferring, we will process a refund, and you may then register your camper in another camp.

Medical reasons for cancellation
If your camper has a medical emergency or becomes ill, please let us know as soon as you can if this will affect participation in the registered camp or activity. A doctor’s note may be required to process your refund. If a participant cannot transfer to a later camp, a 90% camp refund will be applied.

Registration End Date
Registration for each camp will close at 11:30 p.m. the Wednesday before the camp session starts. Late registration will not be permitted. 

Accessibility/Inclusion Services
The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA in order to provide reasonable services and opportunities to those who may have health or special needs. It is the goal of the inclusion services team to plan for reasonable and appropriate program accommodations for a positive recreational experience. To accomplish this we need and value your input. Therefore, please ensure your camper's Medical Conditions Questionnaire and required Supplemental Medical Inclusion Forms are completed at least three (3) weeks prior to the program start date. This provides sufficient time for us to plan the best ways to meet your child's needs and make necessary arrangements for any support. For questions, please call (805) 564-5421 or send an email to Inclusion@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

To ensure the safety of our campers, all camps offered by Parks and Recreation have strict staff training requirements and operational procedures. 

• Parents must complete a medical questionnaire for all campers before camp. This ensures our camps are adequately equipped to provide children with any specialized support they may need. 
• All staff undergo a robust training schedule, including safety regulations, emergency response, accident and incident procedures, behavior management, child abuse prevention, and inclusion strategies. 
• At a minimum, all staff are CPR/First Aid/EpiPen Injector certified. 
• Professional beach and pool lifeguards oversee all aquatic activities. 
• All staff have undergone a DOJ Livescan background check and a TB skin test.