Summer Camp Offerings and Registration Date Announced
The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department has released the listing of camps to be offered through this year’s summer camp program. In 2022, the Department’s summer camp program served almost 3,000 individual participants and provided over 3.3 million hours of childcare. This year’s listing includes more than 15 different camps with various topics, including art, business, engineering, sports, and water safety, for children ages 6-17.
“Summer is a time when working families need childcare and it is critical that they have a safe, fun, and engaging place to send their children,” said Adam Porte. “Each year, we strive to provide unique, high-quality camp options with prices local families can afford.”
Parks and Recreation summer camps range from $8 to $24 per hour, with most camps averaging between $10 and $14 per hour. Eligible families can also apply for scholarships to send children to summer camp at no cost. These scholarships are funded by donations made to the PARC Foundation and distributed through SBPAL’s Campership Alliance program. Families interested in scholarship options can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply at SBPAL.org/Campership-Alliance.
In addition to scholarships, the Parks and Recreation Department will continue to offer the Summer Fun program to provide 9 weeks of free childcare to families unable to afford summer camp.
As in years past, the Department’s Adapted Recreation program will provide inclusion services to ensure children of all abilities can experience the joy of summer camp. Inclusion staff will work with families to ensure campers with disabilities are accommodated based on their individual needs throughout their time at camp. “Families value these services because each child is accepted and respected regardless of their differences,” said Julie Thomas, Inclusion Coordinator. “We show participants that accepting our differences improves everyone’s recreation experience.”
Summer camp registration opens on Wednesday, April 5 at 9 a.m. for the Department’s most in-demand camps (Ceramics, Junior Lifeguards, and Hearts Horse Experience Camp) and at noon the same day for the remainder of the camps. This staggered timing is intended to reduce demand on registration platform servers and provide an easier user experience. Many camps are anticipated to fill on registration day and parents and guardians are advised to set up their accounts in advance.
To see the full 2023 summer camp listing, visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SummerCamp