Celebrating nearly 24 years of theater, and over 190 productions in Santa Cruz County. Offering training in the performing arts for children aged (5-6), Youth (6-10), Pre-teen (10-14) & Teens (14-18) and Adults. Our upcoming Summer Season; Fiddler on the Roof Jr, Moana Jr. and Dear Evan Hansen will be performing at our home at The Colligan Theater, located in the heart of the Tannery Arts Center at 1010 River Street, Santa Cruz. With a new state-of-the-art theater, we will be offering an array of one week theater & performing arts camps as well as audio visual, stage managing, lighting design & more. There’s a place for everyone! Come be a part of the magic of theater this Summer.

“Our family loves this amazing community! We started a year and a half ago and my daughter has flourished and challenged herself. Lindsay Chester has brought out gifts that my daughter did not know that she has. Please run, don’t walk and join us!” – Joanna E

Explore creativity at Art Factory Studios! Kids 5-17 discover unique subjects each week, with beloved themes like Cats, Cats, Cats! and Art for the County Fair. In our popular Ceramics camps, students will learn hand-building and glazing for kiln-firing. Small groups and expert instructors ensure every child is supported. Camps fill quickly—register today!

Unplug and Engage at Camp Gateway! Gateway School Santa Cruz is hosting a screen-free interactive summer camp for rising 1st – 5th graders. Campers will engage in counselor-led activities and enrichment classes. Full and half day classes available. June 15 – July 17th. Register now (QR code – see our ad in this month’s issue). For more information, visit gatewaysc.org

Summer Chartwell School, located on 60 acres in Seaside, CA, serves students with dyslexia and other related learning differences who are not currently reaching their full potential. We do this in grades 1-12 by providing targeted and direct instruction to empower learners with the skills, strategies, tools, and social-emotional mindset they need to thrive in college and beyond. Summer@Chartwell is a three-week program that emphasizes literacy, math, STEAM, and enrichment skills.

“Before we found Chartwell, our son was struggling every night with homework, his confidence shattered because he couldn’t understand why learning was so difficult for him. At Chartwell, he gained the tools and skills to support his learning profile, and now he confidently advocates for himself and is excelling in high school. I can’t express enough how profoundly Chartwell changed our son’s life – and ours.” – Milda E., Parent of Chartwell Alumnus

SIGN-UP NOW – OFFERING REALLY FUN SUMMER CAMPS! Sign-up by or before April 30th, Receive – $40 OFF each camp. New Students ONLY Pay the Registration Fee. Learn about our Summer Camps, each camp is themed! Here are some of the really fun summer camps we are offering: Anime & Cartooning: Learn to draw traditional-style Anime and create your own Anime self-portrait. Cartoon Clay Camp: Learn sculpting and painting methods, create landscapes, characters and more. Portraiture: Learn the fundamentals of drawing different portraits, covering different techniques and working in different media (graphite charcoal, colored pencils, pastels and more). Offering many more. Come Join Us for a Fun-Filled Day! Also, offering a Free Trial Class for our studio art classes!

International Academy of Dance, home of Santa Cruz City Ballet, provides world class instruction in Classical Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz. The studio is an encouraging and supportive community from ages two to a hundred and two. It is our mission to inspire students of all ages to develop a lifelong love of dance. Through choreography, balance, agility, strength and flexibility, we work with each dancer to hone artistry, technique, focus and musicality. We aspire to bring joy and generate growth in every class. We can’t wait to see you in the studio! Come see us on stage in Swan Lake: Wings of Desire at the Landing in Scotts Valley, the first week of June! Awarded Best of Growing Up in Santa Cruz 2023, 2024 & 2025, and First Place in the Lookout List inaugural year 2025!

Located on 108 acres of Redwoods, oaks, and sunny meadows bordered by bubbling creeks, our big playground, a sunny clearing in the woods, will be the center of our camp activities of fun games, nature exploration, and nature-themed art. Each week we will focus on one of the essential elements that support all life; earth, water, air, and heat; explored through themes of the forest, ocean, earth, and the universe. As we learn more about the interconnectedness of our world, children will develop friendships, practice mindfulness, and learn how to care for each other, animals, bugs, and the environment we all share. 9am – 3:00pm, ages 4 – 8.

Be a water wonder! Lessons for all ages! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to our adult beginner class. The whole family can splash together at Jim Booth Swim School. Little Otters is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree indoor pool that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, well-qualified teachers. Developmental swim team and advanced swim lessons will be offered at our outdoor pool located in Watsonville at Toadal Fitness. The whole family can swim at Jim Booth Swim School!

June Bug’s Gym is a place where your child can experience a fun-filled adventure in movement. We have a caring, respectful staff that encourages every child to grow at their own pace while supporting social, emotional, and cognitive development. Our goal is to promote confidence and self-esteem in our students, open up their imaginations, and help them experience the joy of movement in an ever-changing environment designed to test their skills.

Ready to get your child away from technology and into a nourishing community in the great outdoors? On 450 acres of privately owned redwood forest only 4 miles from town Kennolyn Day Camp is just a short bus ride away. Your child will thrive in this fun, active, supportive environment. And after a day of exploring the fields, pond, and miles of trails, they’ll be happy-tired after each fun day! Nowhere else in the local region will you find a more complete, authentic summer day camp experience. Just ask your friends and neighbors.

La Madrona Athletic Club is located in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains and remains a premier club for health and wellness, balancing a gorgeous facility with a family-friendly environment. Our summer youth programs are offered year around. La Madrona offers high-level instructional camps for tennis and swimming as well as an all-day sports camp in the summer. Summer sports camp is an outdoor camp that will provide children the opportunity to develop their sports skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem through fun games, swimming, and tennis activities.

This summer, the MAH is offering two vibrant creative camps, each running for one week and filled with hands-on learning. Art & Ecology Camp, led by muralist Jesica Evangelista, invites campers ages 7-13 to create murals inspired by art and nature. Dance As Moving Art, led by Motion Pacific Dance instructors Gabi Piazza and Kali Lucas, encourages teens ages 11-17 to choreograph and tell stories through movement. All camps run 9am-1pm, with optional care until 3pm. Snacks and materials are included. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

Summer day camps on Mount Madonna School’s 380-acre redwood-forest campus offering weekly summer camps: Nature explorers age 3-6, June 22-July 31, Mountain Explorers age 6-9, July 6-July 31, Redwood Explorers ages 9-13, July 6-July 31. Students enjoy arts and crafts, hiking, sports camps, STEAM projects, astronomy, team-building and an overnight campout for Redwood Explorers. Horse camp option available for campers 7+. Play in nature, cultivate relationships, build skills, and more – unplugged, outdoors, and active! Camps are Monday through Friday, 9am-3:30 pm. Transportation is available. Details and registration online at www.mountmadonnaschool.org/summer.

Come join the fun at our Music Together classes – where magical moments happen through playful, rich, and engaging music experiences! Let your little ones, from babies to preschoolers, explore their inner music maker alongside you, their favorite grown-up. Our music and movement classes are not only a blast but also provide essential support for your child’s early development. Summer-only special: Unlimited Bonus Classes! Join us now and create beautiful memories together.

Does your child play an instrument? Let them take a deep dive into Celtic music with other young musicians this summer. They’ll have fun, learn new tunes, and become better musicians. Redwood Music Camps offer excellent teachers, a supportive and fun environment, and the opportunity to make new friends. For players of violin, viola, flute, pennywhistle, recorder, harp, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, accordion, small keyboards, cello, and bass. Teen Camp (June) is a one-week sleepover camp for ages 12-18. Kid Camp (July) is a two-week day camp for ages 7-13. Information and registration is online at CommunityMusicSchool.org

Santa Cruz Soccer Camp

831.316.3138
[email protected]
santacruzsoccercamp.com
Celebrating over 40 years of camp, Santa Cruz Soccer Camp offers a fun and supportive environment where learning happens through enjoyment. Designed for kids ages 5 to 14, the camp features nine weekly sessions throughout the summer. With an average 7:1 camper-to-coach ratio, participants receive personalized instruction focused on skill development, teamwork, and confidence building. Located among the redwoods at Delaveaga Park, campers enjoy an active outdoor experience in a beautiful natural setting. Join a long-standing Santa Cruz tradition dedicated to fun, growth, and soccer excellence.

Santa Cruz Waldorf Redwood Summer Camp 2026

Santa Cruz Waldorf School, PreK-8
2190 Empire Grade Santa Cruz
831.425.0519
santacruzwaldorf.org
Inspired by Waldorf education, this 5-day summer camp will immerse children aged 5-10 in nature, creativity, and community. Every Friday is an exciting “Beach Day” spent at Natural Bridges SP. Redwood Sprouts Camp (Age 5 by Jan 1, 2026 and entering Kinder and entering 1st grade) is capped at 15 campers per session. Redwood Explorers Camp (entering 2nd – 5th grades) is capped at 20 campers per session.
Weekly sessions are as follows:
June 15- 19 M-F 8:30-3:30 weekly $425
June 22-26 M-F 8:30-3:30 weekly $425
June 29-July 3rd M-F 8:30-3:30 weekly $425
July 6-10 M-F 8:30-3:30 $425
August 17-21 M-F 8:30-3:30 $425
August 24-28 M-F 8:30-3:30 $425

Santa Cruz Gymnastics

831.462.0655
scgym.com
[email protected]
Beginning June 3rd, we will be offering Gymnastics Camps for ages 5–12! Come FLIP WITH US at our weekly themed camps. Camps include gymnastics lessons on all Olympic events, supervised open gym time, group games, crafts and time in our foam pit! Full and half day options are available for each weekly camp. Check scgym.com for more information and to register

Seven Directions Creative Learning Center

831.713.9392
[email protected]
sevendirections.org
Seven Directions has fun and creative summer camps for kids ages 5 & up! Art, science, theater, table top role playing games and so much more! Whether your kid loves animals or anime, fairies or Pokémon, practical or digital art, theater or science, exploring nature here in Santa Cruz or exploring the realms of imagination in Dungeons & Dragons, there is something for everyone at Seven Directions. And nearly every camp gets daily interactions with our 35+ live exotic animals! Join us at our bright and lively studio space at the entrance to downtown Santa Cruz or meet us on site at some of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful scenic locations. Make friends, express creativity and keep learning alive during the summer months with Seven Directions Summer Camps!

Summer at Santa Catalina

1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey
831.655.9386
[email protected]
santacatalina.org/summercamp
Summer at Santa Catalina is an all-girls day and overnight camp for grades 2-9 featuring multiple session options. With a wide variety of classes like marine biology, musical theater, art, ceramics, dance, outdoor adventure, volleyball, and more, along with fun off-campus excursions to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Farmers Market, campers build confidence and make lifelong friends along the way.

Teen Kitchen Project

831.316.4540
teenkitchenproject.org/summer26/
[email protected]
Join TKP chefs for a summer of cooking, creativity, and fun in our kitchens in Santa Cruz and Aptos! Age groups for classes are 7-10 and 11-14. Campers build confidence as they prepare delicious meals utilizing a variety of cooking techniques. Working in small teams with kind, professional chefs and inspiring teen leaders, students are guided to strengthen kitchen skills, try new flavors, and enjoy the meals they create in class. Tuition directly supports TKP’s free meal delivery program for families facing critical illness—so every camp tuition makes a difference in the community. Limited to 10 campers per week, this hands-on camp fills quickly! Register today at teenkitchenproject.org/summer26

Alicia Telfer

Midtown Creative Studio
511 Swift Street, Unit G, Santa Cruz
www.Aliciatelfer.com/summer
This isn’t your typical summer camp. It’s where creativity clicks, literally. In these immersive photography and art experiences with Alicia Telfer, kids and teens step into a space designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and actually learn how to create. With a thoughtful, workshop-style approach, campers explore light, composition, and artistic expression while developing real foundational skills. Known for her patience and eye for detail, Alicia meets each student where they are and guides them toward their own unique style. If your child is ready to think differently, see differently, and create boldly, this is where it begins.

Be Natural Music Camp

740 Water St., Santa Cruz
831.515.2588
benaturalmusic.live/music-camp-santa-cruz
At Be Natural Music Camp, kids and teens compose original music, create music videos, and record their songs in a professional recording studio. After camp, these original songs are professionally produced and uploaded to SoundCloud. We transform the film footage into engaging high-quality music videos and showcase them on our YouTube Channel for everyone to enjoy! If your child has ever dreamed of composing and writing a script for a short film/music video, check out our summer music camp in Santa Cruz to turn that dream into a reality!

Boulder Creek Recreation Summer Camps

bcrpd.org/kids-classes
831.338.4144
BCRPD summer camps at Bear Creek Community Center offer an exciting, well-rounded experience for kids ages 6–11. Campers enjoy hands-on science, creative arts, sports, and outdoor games that build teamwork and confidence. Daily pool time, river play, and guided hikes encourage exploration and connection with nature. Each day is filled with fun, learning, and new friendships in a safe, supportive environment. With engaging activities and caring staff, Bear Creek camps create lasting memories while helping kids stay active, creative, and adventurous all summer long.

Cabrillo Extension Summer Camps for Kids

6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos
831.479.6331
[email protected]
extension.cabrillo.edu/youth/
Cabrillo Extension Summer Camps for Kids offers diverse, high-quality camps for developing young brains and growing young bodies. All camps are focused on specific content, so campers and families choose the camp based on their interest. Join us for cooking & baking camps, games design & coding camps, sports camps, music & art camps, or science & exploration camps. Camps available 6 through 17 years old. Choose half day camps, or create your own custom designed full day schedule! Dozens of new camps this summer, and plenty of returning favorites. Join us for one week, or all summer long!

My child loved this camp and hopes that it will be offered next summer! -Stephanie Diaz, parent of Digital Music camper

Cabrillo Youth Chorus Summer Voice Camp

CabrilloYouthChorus.org
Join us for Cabrillo Youth Chorus’ Annual Summer Voice Camp at Cabrillo College (9:00am–3:00pm during July 27–31). Our week-long voice camp, designed for students ages 8–18, provides an unforgettable experience as students participate in voice, staging, choir, Orff, musicianship, and composition classes. Our camp culminates with a performance in Cabrillo’s Samper Recital Hall. Students of all experience levels are welcome. They also receive college credit! For more information, visit our website or contact director Carlin Truong at [email protected].

Community Mountain Gym

Santa Cruz Mountains
831.216.6186
[email protected]
www.communitymountaingym.com
Ever wanted to learn a cartwheel or to try balancing in a handstand? Come tumble through summer with us! Campers will build foundational gymnastics skills using bars, balance beams, and a variety of fun equipment in a supportive, encouraging environment. Community Mountain Gym is a mobile fitness program that brings the experience to local spaces throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. Beyond gymnastics, each camp week includes art projects, simple science activities, and visits to local fire stations, libraries, and parks. Join us for an active, engaging summer filled with movement, creativity, and community connection!

Dancenter

810 Bay Ave., Capitola
www.dancenterinfo.com
Ready to make a move this summer? Dancenter is thrilled to announce our vibrant summer session running from June 22nd to August 1st! Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, we welcome all ages and levels to join our 6-week program. Experience a diverse range of styles led by our friendly instructors, including:
Classical & Technique: Ballet, Pointe, and Contemporary
Rhythm & Groove: Hip-Hop, Tap, and Jazz
Specialty Styles: Acro Dance and Latin
Visit us at 810 Bay Ave., Capitola, or register online. Start dancing your way to joy today!

Growing Social

408.806.4603
[email protected]
www.growingsocial.org/
Growing Social serves students ages 5–young adults who could benefit from support with social-emotional learning (including perspective taking, emotional regulation, problem solving, flexible thinking, etc.). Serving those with Social Communication Disorder, Autism Spectrum, ADHD, social anxiety, and those without a formal diagnosis. Small, age- and skill-matched groups are led by Speech-Language Pathologists who specialize in teaching Social Thinking®. Farm animals, gardening, cooking, and other creative group activities are utilized to teach and practice social learning concepts. Social vocational and camp counselor opportunities for teens and young adults. Weekly school-year sessions and therapeutic summer camps available.

LPRT Little People Repertory Theater

Janinne Chadwick
832.334.4321
lprt.org
[email protected]
Little People’s Repertory Theatre has offered a one-of-a-kind summer musical theater program for ages 8–14 in the San Lorenzo Valley for over 50 years. Artistic Director Janinne Chadwick creates original rock musicals blending classic tales with contemporary stories and 20+ pop and classic rock parodies. LPRT combines a social-emotional camp experience with high-quality productions that regularly sell out. Strong parent and community involvement set it apart. Programs also include Creative Dramatics for children under 8 and a teen mentorship program.

Mathnasium of Aptos

24 Rancho del Mar, Aptos
831.621.5978
mathnasium.com/Aptos
Catch up…Keep up…Get ahead! We Make Math Make Sense. Mathnasium’s summer program is designed to help students strengthen their math skills in a fun, engaging environment during the summer break. It focuses on personalized learning plans tailored to each student’s needs, whether they are catching up, keeping skills sharp, or getting ahead. Students work with trained instructors who use Mathnasium’s proven methods to build understanding, confidence, and problem-solving abilities. Sessions include interactive activities, games, and rewards to keep students motivated. The program aims to prevent summer learning loss while fostering a positive attitude toward math, helping students return to school better prepared and more confident.

Santa Cruz SPCA

2601 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz
831.566.3753
[email protected]
spcasc.org/camps/
Discover the real-life superpowers of animals — from lightning-fast speed and clever problem-solving to incredible survival skills and heroic ways animals help us every day. Through games, creativity, and hands-on experiences, campers will learn how kindness, understanding, and compassion are the greatest superpowers of all. See website for dates!

WEST Performing Arts

831.425.9378
Santa Cruz
westperformingarts.com
SUMMER 2026: LEGENDARY ADVENTURE! Get ready for next-level imagination with WEST Performing Arts — our inclusive, process-based youth theatre programs for ages 6–18. We meet every creator exactly where they are through literature-rich, fantasy-infused classes, camps, and original works. From immersive day camps to acting, performance, and technical theatre, we prioritize joyful collaboration and creative journey over polished product. Build confidence, empathy, and community. Come play — best over perfect. Always.

“WEST creates a space where kids can be themselves, take risks, and grow in confidence through theatre. Highly recommend for any child who loves stories and imagination.” ~ Parent of a WEST student