Berkeley Parents Network: Day Camps for Preschoolers

Berkeley Parents Network

Day Camps for Preschoolers

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Summer Camps & School Breaks > Day Camps for Preschoolers

Questions

Short-term summer camp for 4-year-old
Summer camp for 4 1/2 year old?
Summer camp Options for a 3 year old
Trying to find a summer camp for 4-year-old
Morning or afternoon camp for 3.5 yr old
Desperate for a Summer Preschool Program
Day Camp for 4-year-old

Camps with Reviews

Short-term summer camp for 4-year-old

Jan 2009

Where can I find a short term (1-4 week) summer camp or classes for a 4 year old? East Bay location- especially in Berkeley. ME

I had the same challenge last yr with my newly turned 4 yr old daughter. There are very few options for 4 yrs but the one option that I do know of, is fabulous - Glitter and Razz's Itty Bitty Summer Camp. It has been one the best experiences thus far for my daughter. It's a week long camp and according to their website www.glitterandrazz.com this yr it is aug 10 -28. my daughter was transformed by the experience - she still talks about and does many of the exercises from the camp - silencing herself and remaining that way for extended periods of time. the two women who run the camp, allison and lynn rock, so talented. we are def signing up again. contact me for more info wesley

Glitter & Razz in Oakland has fabulous camps. My 7 year old has attended multiple camps and my husband and I agree that they are the best. The leave tons of room for creativity, and their performances are so fun.

I have a 2.5 year old also who is unfortulately too young for the camps. However, Glitter & Razz also did my older daughter's birthday at our home and my preschooler LOVED it.

They have something called an Itty Bitty Arts Camp, and I think they are a week long.

Here is the website: http://glitterandrazz.com/happeningnow.html

Good luck with your search. Nellie

I am not sure what your 4 year old likes to do, but my daughter loves dance camp at Kids N Dance in Oakland, Lafayette, or Orinda (not Berkeley). They have 1-week sessions all summer. I think their website is kidsndance.com. Another place (not in Berkeley) is the Orinda Community Center, which offers science, carpentry, art, and dance camps for pre-school age kids. My daughter did a Mad Science camp for one week that she also enjoyed. Also check out Escuela Bilingue Internacional (http://www.ebinternacional.org/). My daughter is in pre-school there and they offered 2-week summer camps last summer. I am not sure of their specific plan for this summer. The teachers are wonderful as is the school administration. Miranda

Not sure if you're looking for half-day or full-day programs, but our 4-year old loved two in particular. Glitter & Razz, a drama, arts & crafts, and all-around fun camp does one-week programs for 4-5 year olds. Their website is www.glitterandrazz.com. Also, the Oakland Zoo has wonderful half-day programs (3-hours in either morning or afternoon) for kids in this age group. At the zoo, your child can do 1 or 2 weeks. I believe Glitter & Razz has 3-weeks of classes for this age group. H.

Summer camp for 4 1/2 year old?

April 2008

I'm looking for 1 or 2 summer camps for my 4.5 y.o. son this summer. It will be his first experience with summer camp as he normally goes to school year round. However, a lot of the camps seemed to be geared toward older kids. Some areas of interest include:
* outdoorsy ideas (fishing, camping, learning about different outdoor environments - beach, woods, etc.),
* animals (ocean, farm, or any other type of animals),
* gymnastics or circus camps,
* music, drama, theatre (my ideas)

Thanks for any suggestions! Camp for a First Time Summer Camper

You might want to check out www.contracostapreschools.com/summercamp.html. The site focuses specifically on preschoolers and the listing of summercamps is mostly geared towards that age as well. JJ

Last year our 4 year old daughter went to several camps at Kids 'N Dance in Oakland. She did a musical theater camp (Lion King) and two dance camps (Happy Feet and Diego). She had an absolute BLAST! The teachers were great, crafts were creative and fun for the kids to do, and the shows at the end of each were adorable and impressive considering the age of the kids. In each class there always seemed to be at least a couple of boys. This might be exactly what you are looking for.

The two best options that I found were Sarah's Science (pain to drive to) and the Emeryville gymnastics Head over Heels. HOH has a 4 year old (half-day, I think camp). Sarah is just flexible and will leave it to you to decide if your kid's ready. It's an outdoor camp. We were looking for somehting for my son to do because he hated his pre-school. We recruited some friends to go with him and he loved camp -- complained that we hadn't signed up for enough weeks. I picked him up daily at 3pm and he was asleep at 3:01 in the car. good luck

Summer camp Options for a 3 year old

March 2008

Our preschool has cancelled their summer program, so we are scrambling to find care for our daughters, who will turn 4 this November. Does anyone know of any summer camps for this age group, or a preschool which might have space available for the summer months? We would really appreciate some help! -worried about summer

Check out El Cerrito's summer program. They have a ''Pee Wee Fun Camp'' for ages 3.5 - 5 that can be for half a day or all day. The website is http://www.el-cerrito.org/recreation/summercamp.html. Registration for non- residents opened on Feb 25th, so sign up ASAP if you are interested (they will likely fill up soon). I have no personal experience with any of El Cerrito's camps, but my family is trying them out this summer because they take preschoolers. Kathryn

You've gotta check out the Albany Y's Kinder Cubs camp. It's specifically for entering & exiting kindergartners. You said you prefer Berkeley, but Albany's close. Here's the link to the website which has the summer brochure: www.baymca.org
Kinder Parent

Trying to find a summer camp for 4-year-old

May 2007

My daughter who is turning 4 in early August will have three weeks during the summer off from her normal school schedule. The dates are approx. Aug. 13-31st. We have been trying to find available summer camp options for her during part of this time. It seems like most of the camps are for older kids. If anyone has any ideas for us for something fun and not too far of a drive away from North Oakland I would greatly appreciate it. Needs Camp

Try Kids 'N Dance in the Laurel District, Oakland, and Orinda. They specialize in camps and classes for younger kids. Their website is kidsndance.com.
impressed friend

I can't remember the original post, but keep in mind that many of the camps for 5 year olds are also ok for 4 yr olds. Usually they are for ''entering kindergartners'' and the main requirements are that they be potty trained and that they can sit in a group and follow directions, and are ok being away from a parent for the duration of the camp. Also, city recreation departments (eg Oakland, Berkeley) have various programs, although these are mostly 1/2 day or so. For the individual camp programs, you can call the program directly to find out their requirements.

Morning or afternoon camp for 3.5 yr old

May 2006

Hi- I've been looking for a great little morning camp (something from say 8:30-1 or so) for my son who is 3.5. He is in preschool and will have a one week vacation coming up in July. Everything I see in the Oakland / Berkeley area seems to be for 4 yrs minimum (which he'll be in August). Has anyone seen a program for his age??? Thanks!

Try Habitot, they have a great summer program that runs week by week Jill

Both the Berkeley YMCA and the Albany Recreation Department have some 1/2 day camps for preschoolers 3 1/2 and up, 9 or 9:30 to noon. I don't know if there's still space available, but it's worth a call! patricia

Desperate for a Summer Preschool Program

May 2006

My daughter is currently enrolled in a home-based family preschool which we love. Unfortunately the school shuts down for 2 months during the summer and we don't know what to do! We need the childcare; but more than that my daughter has made such strides socially and intellectually there so far, I dread taking her out of such a fantastic environment. Are there any camps or summer programs or even year-round preschools that might be able to take us? My daughter will be 2 years 9 months in September. Jenny

Step One is a fabulous year-round preschool in Berkeley hills, I don't know if they would have any openings, but occasionally they have families that want to take a break during the summer. It might be worth a phone call, you never know anon

Inch By Inch has just opened up a new summer preschool slot from 12 to 3PM on Tuesday and Thursday's only. Our camp begins the last 2 weeks of June and all of July (6 weeks). We also have a few parent/toddler spaces open from 9:30-11:30 Tues/Thursday. For more info. about our programs you can leave your address or email and I will mail you a brochure or send you one via email. Thanks, Lisa

MCPC (Montclair Community Play Center) on Thornhill in Oakland offers an excellent morning summer camp program for that age group that runs for about 6 weeks, broken into two sessions. My daughter attended for the last three summers, but now she will no longer be eligible as she is moving on to first grade. She keeps asking me if she can go again! The camp gives priority to incoming or continuing students, but they usually have some open spots for those just interested in summer camp. Unlike their regular preschool co-op program, there is no obligation for you to work It's just drop off. For more information, go to www.mcpckids.org. Good luck! tiffany

Day Camp for 4-year-old

Oct 2003

Hello, I guess you can say I'm planning ahead. My daughter will be 4 years old next summer and her preschool only has two week summer sessions and I haven't decided if I want to send her (would like to give her a break from her school during the summer). Does anyone know of any day camps for toddlers that I can send her to? Are there preschools out there that take children for the summer only? I'm a single parent that needs to work. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Cheryl

The City of Albany Recreation Dept. offers a Summer Camp called the Friendship Camp. It runs from June through August. There are theme weeks, field trips, arts & crafts, outdoor games, etc. Contact the Friendship Club Supervisor (Brad) at 510-559-7220. You can register online at www.albanyca.org, by phone 510-524- 9283, or in person. Our office hours are 8:30-5 M-F. Chelle

Try New SChool in Berkeley on Bonita at Cedar. Usually many kids leave for summer or at least part of it and they may have openings. The kids have a great time! anon

4 is a tough age to find a camp for. Strawberry Canyon used to do it, but i think they don't anymore. LHS has a few camps that are half day, etc. Best bet is probably to hook up with a family day care provider. They can also be a lot of help for other prep days. Good Luck.

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