Find a Summer Camp in Marin

Summer camp is almost a rite of the season for some families. For others, summer programs offer kids something to do while mom and dad are at work, a chance to explore a new interest or an opportunity to improve an existing talent.

There is no shortage of summer activities in Marin County that will stretch your child's mind or challenge them physically.

We asked our readers this week for your suggestions on local camps, and the following are what you wanted us to include in our guide. If you see a favorite camp that's not included, let us know! Email Field Editor Jennifer Squires or leave us a comment, and we'll put it in the guide.

Art/Music

Photo Fun-da-Mentals
Type of Camp: Photography
When is the camp: June 17-21 & July 15-19
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: 6/17/2013
Cost: $425
Where is the camp: Creative Portraiture, 48 Bolinas Rd., Fairfax 94930
Phone Number: 415-454-2102
Email: stephanie@creativeportraiture.com
Additional details: This is a great camp for tweens and teens that are serious about learning photography.

Academy DeTurk
Type of Camp: Performing Arts, Acting, Musical Theater
When is the camp: 6/17-28, 7/8-19, 7/22-8/2; M-F 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: None
Cost: $675/session
Where is the camp: American Legion Hall (Formerly Larkspur Cafe Theater),  500 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, 94939
Phone Number: 415-456-4297
Email: smdeturk@aol.com
Additional details: It's a lot of, a lot of work and often a life changing experience.

Summer Writing Camp
Type of Camp: Writing skills
When is the camp: Mon-Thu July 1-4 and July 8-11 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: June 1
Cost: $195/week
Where is the camp: 25 Gregory Dr., Fairfax 94930
Phone Number: 415-518-1375
Email: mrsa@discoverwriting.org
Additional details: Students grades 4-8 will have the opportunity to develop their writing skills in a fun, friendly, camp-like atmosphere. There will be structured writing time, in-depth writing instruction and lots of opportunities to share writing with peers and new friends! Students will grow in their confidence as they work on a variety of writing activities. Best of all, they will feel proud of themselves at the end of the week.

YPI Music Summer Camp
Type of Camp: Music
When is the camp: Aug. 5-11
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: 8/2/2013
Cost: $450
Where is the camp: The Music Conservatory, 510 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley 94941
Phone Number: 415-420-2960
Email: youngperformersintl@gmail.com
Additional details: Scholarships are available for low-income students. Internships are available for teens. Camp concludes with a public concert.

Fine art camp @ Studio 4 Art
Type of Camp: Fine Art
When is the camp: June through September
Cost: $65-$375
Where is the camp: Studio 4 Art, 1133 Grant Ave., Novato 94945
Phone Number: 415-596-5546
Email: studio4artmarin@gmail.com
Additional details: All camps are taught by professional artists. Camps are a combination of focused curriculum and free choice time, allowing children to continue to practice skills and have fun with the creative process. Topics: drawing, painting (acrylic and oil), cartooning, clay, wheel-throwing, sewing, fashion design, mosaics, screen-printing, mono printing and relief printing. Ages 4-14

Marin Theatre Company Summer Camp (grades 1-12)
Type of Camp: Acting, theater arts, music, musicals, arts and crafts
When is the camp: July 8-26, with performances July 26-28.
Registration Deadline: 7/1/2013
Cost: $1,200, scholarships available
Where is the camp: Marin Horizon’s School (305 Montford Ave) and Marin Theatre Company (397 Miller Ave), Mill Valley
Info: 415.388.5200 x3310, education@marintheatre.org
Additional details: We would like to invite your camper to join us for a summer of ARABIAN NIGHTS! Marin Theatre Company’s 2013 Summer Theater Camp is three-week full-day camp that features morning training sessions with professional theater artists and afternoon rehearsals that culminate in three fully staged performances of either the musical Disney’s Aladdin or an original adaptation of Arabian Nights. Learn more on our website: marintheatre.org/summer-camp

Acting Out at The Throck  (elementary school)
Type of Camp: Acting, theater arts, music, musicals, arts and crafts,
When is the camp: June 24 - July 12
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: 6/24/2013
Cost: $1,025
Where is the camp: 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley 94941
Phone Number: 415-383-9613
Email: stevenh@142throckmortontheatre.org
Additional details: The 2nd-5th graders will be performing "The Grunch", a new musical for young performers! This fun, energetic musical revue is designed to give a wide range of young performers an opportunity to hit the stage and shine! Campers spend the first part of the day rehearsing and doing show-related crafts. The second part of the day is spent focusing on singing, acting and dance training, in small, age-based groups. There also will be a field trip, barbecue and movie night.

Acting Out at The Throck (high school)
Type of Camp: Acting, theater arts, music, musicals, arts and crafts,
When is the camp: July 15-26
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: 7/15/2013
Cost: $725
Where is the camp: 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley 94941
Phone Number: 415-383-9613
Email: stevenh@142throckmortontheatre.org
Additional details: This year's theme for the 6th-9th grade session is "Broadway Meets the Movies"! Campers learn songs from Broadway shows that were movies, or vise versa, and then work in small groups, creating scenes to accompany the songs they are performing. The session includes a field trip to San Francisco to enjoy a touring Broadway show and  culminates in an original performance.

Ballet with Ballerinas
Type of Camp: Ballet, Arts & Crafts
When is the camp: Tuesdays - July 9, 16, 23, 30
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Cost: $62
Where is the camp: Marinwood Community Center, 775 Miller Creek Rd., San Rafael 94903
Phone Number: 415-479-0775
Email: info@mdt.org
Additional details: For children ages 3-6, meets one day a week.

General Recreation

Camp Edmo and Camp EdTech
Type of Camp: Science, Art, Rec and Team Time
When is the camp: June 10th - Sept. 2nd
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Cost: $369 - $469
Where is the camp: Hal Brown Park, Creekside Bon Air Rd., Greenbrae and Old Mill School, 352 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
Phone Number: 415-282-6673
Email: info@edventuremore.org

Camp Funderblast
Type of Camp: Traditional Day Camp
When is the camp: June 24th - Aug. 16th
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Cost: $325/week or $75 for drop-in days
Where is the camp: Scott Valley Swimming & Tennis Club, 50 Underhill Rd., Mill Valley 94941
Phone Number: 415-383-3483
Email: patsy@svstc.com
Additional details: Camp Funderblast will be an amazing experience of integrating arts n crafts, daily swimming, active games and meditation techniques to support your child in being their best, all while playing, laughing, making cooking projects and having dress up days!

Marin Christian Academy's Summer Day Camp
Type of Camp: Offers a wide variety of activities for all
When is the camp: June 17-Aug 16
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: 6/17/2013
Cost: $630 Monthly, $220 Weekly
Where is the camp: 1370 South Novato Blvd., Novato 94949
Phone Number: 415-382-0762
Email: office@visitmca.org
Additional details: MCA's summer camp has a wide variety of activities for any child to have fun: Drama, sports, weekly trips to pool and movie theater, field trips, arts & crafts. Open from 6:30am-6pm with program hours from 9am-4pm.

Dance Palace Summer Camp
Type of Camp: Combined program sport, aikido, arts, cooking, circus, etc....
When is the camp: June 24 -July 11, July 15-25
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Discount Deadline: April 19, Registration Deadline: May 24
Cost: Session 1: $450, Session 2: $325
Where is the camp: 501 B St., Point Reyes Station 94956
Phone Number: 415-663-1075
Email: dan@dancepalace.org

Stretch the Imagination
Type of Camp: Themed, discovery-based
When is the camp: Weekly June 10 to Aug. 9
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Cost: $200-$350/week
Where is the camp: 7 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
Phone Number: 415-927-2616
Email: pam@stretchtheimagination.com
Additional details: For children ages 2-5.5 years

Outdoors

GreenPlay Sustainable Summer Camp
Type of Camp: Nature
When is the camp: June 24-Aug. 23
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $250-500
Where is the camp: 400 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley 94941
Phone Number: 415-264-2828
Email: info@maringreenplay.com
Additional details: Fun inspired by nature!

Science/Technology

Kids' Hobby Camp
Type of Camp: Creative model building camp
When is the camp: Weekly starting from June 24-Sept. 2
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Cost: $235
Where is the camp: Dauth Hobbies, 224 Greenfield Ave., Suite 2, San Anselmo 94960
Phone Number: 415-454-3087
Email: dauthhobbies@yahoo.com
Additional details: The hobby camp is either five morning or afternoon sessions. Cost includes model kit (car or plane) pains and glue.

Sports

Scott Valley Tennis Camp
Type of Camp: Tennis Camp
When is the camp: June 24th- Aug. 16th
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Cost: $260-$350/week (age dependent)
Where is the camp: Scott Valley Swimming & Tennis Club, 50 Underhill Rd., Mill Valley 94941
Phone Number: 415-383-3483
Email: helle@svstc.com
Additional details: Camp Funderblast and Tennis Camp are partnering up so your child can get the best of both worlds, group tennis lessons with the pros, AND traditional camp fun!

MEGA Gymnastics Summer Camp
Type of Camp: Gymnastics
When is the camp: June 17 to Aug 16 weekly
Day or Overnight: Daily drop-ins or weekly sign up
Cost: Daily $85/weekly $350
Where is the camp: MEGA Gymnastics, 72 Woodland Ave., San Rafael 94901
Phone Number: 415-257-6342
Email: megagymnastics@comcast.net

Coach Will Junior Golf Camps
Type of Camp: Golf Play and Learning Camps and Competitive Golf Camps
When is the camp: June 10-13, 24-27, July 8-11, 22-25
Day or Overnight: Day Camp
Registration Deadline: seven days prior to camp dates
Cost: $595.
Where is the camp: San Geronimo Golf Course, 5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo 94963
Phone Number: 415-747-2613
Email: golfcoachwill@comcast.net
Additional details: Kid-friendly coaches, fun curriculum, full and half-day camps

If you didn't find the perfect program for your child here, check out this database compiled by Marin Mommies or this list from Marin Magazine.

Know about a great camp we missed? Add the information—including phone number, email address and/or website—in the comment section below. Thanks!