From Surfing to Science: Summer Camp Guide 2013

Even though the calendar says summer is still months away, registration for many camps has begun.

Parents and campers can choose from dozens of choices within driving distance, some tailoring to specific interests while others feature familiar activities like canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and camping out.

Below is a list of camps, brief descriptions and links to websites with more information. Know of a camp not on the list? Let us know about it in the comments section!

Name: Rawhide Ranch

Location: Bonsall

Type of camp: Horse riding and care, farm life, other activities. Overnight.

Cost: $930

When: Weeklong sessions from June 16 to Aug. 17

Click here to visit the website.

Details: For ages 7-15, with nine weeklong camps to choose from. Swimming pool, archery, arts and crafts, climbing wall and other non-horse activities are available.

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Name: Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp

Location: Wildomar

Type of camp: Day camp with soccer coaches from around the world teaching foot skills and leading technical drills and practices. Daily tournaments.

Cost: $82-$120

When: June 3-7

Click here to visit the website. 

Details: Four camps divided by age. Hour-long sessions for ages 3-4; hour and a half for ages 5-6; three hours for ages 7-10 and 11-16.

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Name: Whispering Oak Stables Horse Camp

Location: Perris

Type of camp: Horse lovers ages 6-16 will ride and care for the horses, plus learn about grooming, first aid, nutrition, tacking up and more. Day camp.

Cost: $250

When: July 8-12

Click here to visit website.

Details: Day camp from 8 a.m. to noon, with a family picnic on the last day featuring games on horseback and awards.

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Name: AstroCamp

Location: Idyllwild

Type of camp: Potential astronauts and astronomers explore the stars in a mountain setting. Telescopes, a microgravity pool, rock wall, zip line and other activities offer traditional summer-camp fun along with learning about the universe. Overnight.

Cost: $894-$1,950

When: June-July

Click here to visit the website. 

Details: Explorer camp is one week for ages 8-14, Voyager camp is two weeks for ages 12-17. Final payment and all forms are due April 15.

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Name: Crazzy’s Wasewagan Summer Camp

Location: Angelus Oaks near Big Bear

Type of camp: Traditional summer camp with outdoor activities like horseback riding, river rafting, swimming, mountain biking and many others. Overnight.

Cost: $900-$1,775

When: June-August

Click here to visit website.

Details: One-week and two-week sessions are available. Optional shuttle picks up and drops off campers in Rialto. 

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Name: Pali Adventures

Location: Running Springs

Type of camp: In a mountain setting, Pali offers 17 specialties campers can choose from, including acting, broadcast journalism, culinary, dance, motorsports and more. Familiar outdoor activities can be found as well. Overnight.

Cost: $1,595-$5,935

When: June-August.

Click here to visit website.

Details: For ages 9-16, campers can stay for one, two, three or four weeks. All activities are included in the price. Counselor-in-training program available for 16-year-olds.  

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Name: SeaWorld

Location: San Diego

Type of Camp: A wide selection of day and overnight camps exploring the park’s marine life.

Cost: $145-$1,000.

When: All summer long

Click here to visit the website.

Details: Four day camps for grades K-9, a day camp for ages 3-5 and their parents, and three overnight camps for grades 5-12. The ultimate SeaWorld experience.

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Name: YMCA Camp Surf

Location: Imperial Beach

Cost: $585-$1,370

Type of camp: Worth the drive to Imperial Beach. Surfing and other activities on the Y’s 45-acre beachfront property.

When: Nine sessions held from June through August. 

Click here to visit the website.

Details: Four different camps to choose from, based on age (grades 3-6, 7-8, 9-11, 10-11).