Marin’s Best Camps, All in One Spot

School’s almost out, and the summer scramble is real. But don’t stress. We’ve done the digging for you. Whether your kid loves code or clay, soccer drills or stage lights, this is your go-to guide for Marin’s best summer camps. Everything is grouped by category, written in plain English, and filled with real local gems.

All the info is right here on this page. And if you’d like a downloadable version to save or share, we’ve put together a Google Sheet quick reference guide with all the camps, key details, and registration links.

Let’s make this summer smooth, joyful, and packed with stories they’ll be excited to tell at dinner.

— Chris at Rank Marin

📒 Download the Guide

Want the Full Camp Spreadsheet?

Looking for a simple way to compare all camps at once? We’ve put together a free downloadable Quick Reference Guide in Google Sheets format — complete with categories, age ranges, locations, and direct links to register. To get access, just enter your email below to sign up for the Marin Bubble newsletter. Once you confirm your email address, you’ll get a welcome email with the download link right inside. Easy peasy.

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(We’ll also send you the weekly Marin Bubble newsletter with more local events and kid-friendly things to do.)

Table of Contents

📚 Academic Enrichment

🎨 Arts, Music & Theater

🏕️ General Day Camps

🌿 Outdoor & Nature Camps

🛌 Overnight Camps

🎯 Specialty Camps

🏃 Sports Camps

🤖 STEM Camps

📚 Academic Enrichment

Not every kid wants to spend summer on the sidelines. For those who are curious, driven, or just love a good challenge, academic enrichment camps offer a chance to dive deeper into subjects they’re passionate about. Whether it’s mastering a new concept, exploring creative writing, or getting a head start on the next school year, these programs provide a stimulating environment that keeps young minds engaged.

📘 Branson Summer Session

• Ages: 11–18 (Middle and High School)
  
• Location: Ross

Branson Summer Session is a standout for students eager to blend learning with summer fun. Set on a picturesque 17-acre campus nestled in the heart of Marin County, this program offers over 20 courses spanning academics, arts, and athletics. Taught by Branson’s dedicated faculty and staff, students can choose from subjects like creative writing, financial literacy, and STEM workshops. It’s an opportunity to explore new interests, prepare for upcoming school challenges, and connect with peers who share a love for learning. Plus, with financial aid available, it’s accessible to a broad range of families.

🎭 Arts, Music & Theater Camps

Marin is full of kids who think in color, move to music, and tell stories with their whole bodies. If your child’s idea of a perfect summer includes twirling in a tutu, belting out show tunes, or building a sculpture from popsicle sticks and pure imagination, these camps are where the magic happens. From Shakespeare in the redwoods with Marin Shakespeare Company to fast-paced musical theater productions by Katia & Company, the stage is set for confidence, creativity, and fun.

For dancers and visual artists, Marin Conservatory of Dance offers elegance and expression through ballet, while Love2Dance brings the energy with hip-hop and jazz. Budding artists can explore mixed media at MarinMOCA, play with color and creativity at Inspiration Art Camp, or dive into comic art and design at Art School of SF Bay. Whether your kid is a performer or a painter, these camps are packed with the kind of moments that stick long after summer ends.

🎭 Katia & Company Theater Camps

• Ages: 5–15 (varies by show)
  
• Location: Various Marin Locations

A beloved local youth theater program offering camps in acting, musical theater, and production. Every kid gets a role and a chance to shine, no matter their experience level.

🎭 Marin Shakespeare Company Camps

• Ages: 5–19
  
• Location: San Rafael

Let thy child dive into the world of Shakespeare with camps focused on performance, language, and creativity. Playful, educational, and steeped in classic storytelling.

💃 Marin Conservatory of Dance

• Ages: 3–18
  
• Location: Mill Valley

Ballet, contemporary, and more. These camps welcome all skill levels and emphasize technique, grace, and self-expression through movement.

💃 Love2Dance Camps

• Ages: 5–15
  
• Location: Novato

High-energy dance camps focused on hip-hop, jazz, and performance. A great fit for kids who want to move, groove, and have a blast with peers.

🖌️ Art School of SF Bay Camps

• Ages: 6–16
  
• Location: Southern Marin

Professional-level instruction in drawing, painting, and design with a focus on creativity and skill development. Small class sizes and individualized guidance.

🖌️ Inspiration Art Camp

• Ages: 7–13
  
• Location: Novato

A relaxed and fun atmosphere for young artists to explore mixed media, color theory, and their own creative style. Perfect for beginners and passionate doodlers alike.

🖌️ MarinMOCA Summer Camp

• Ages: 6–16
  
• Location: Novato

Hosted by the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, this camp blends studio work with museum visits, offering real-world inspiration and artistic growth.

🏕️ General Day Camps

Some camps are all about letting kids be kids. General day camps bring the classic summer mix: crafts, sports, silly games, nature walks, pool days, and popsicle moments. City-run programs in Mill Valley, Novato, and San Rafael are reliable favorites — friendly, affordable, and packed with variety to keep every day feeling fresh.

For something a little different, Marinwood, Camp Strawberry, and Steve & Kate’s each offer their own flavor of fun. Think weekly themes, creativity-first play, or choose-your-own-adventure freedom. Mountain Camp Marin adds an outdoor twist that feels like overnight camp without the sleepaway part, while Camp Kehillah at the JCC blends art, swimming, and community in a joyful, welcoming space. These camps are about independence, connection, and carefree summer days — the kind that stick in a kid’s memory.

🏕️ Mill Valley Recreation Camps

• Ages: 3–18 (Preschool through High School)
  
• Location: Mill Valley

A wide variety of programs through the city’s recreation department. Offers traditional day camp fun and specialty options in arts, theater, and sports.

🏕️ Novato & San Rafael Recreation Camps

• Ages: 5–15
  
• Location: Novato / San Rafael

Affordable city-run camps with a mix of outdoor games, crafts, field trips, and fun weekly themes.

🏕️ Marinwood Summer Camps

• Ages: 3–12
  
• Location: San Rafael

Themed weeks, outdoor adventures, and nurturing counselors make this a favorite for families with younger campers.

🏕️ Strawberry Camp (Mill Valley)

• Ages: 5–11
  
• Location: Mill Valley

Run by Strawberry Rec, this small and community-driven camp focuses on creativity, friendship, and outdoor play.

🏕️ Steve & Kate’s Camp

• Ages: 4–12
  
• Location: Mill Valley / Ross

A choose-your-own-adventure camp where kids lead their own day. Activities include baking, film, music, and more.

🏕️ Mountain Camp Marin (Day Camp)

• Ages: 5–14 (K through 8th)
  
• Location: San Rafael

All the heart of a sleepaway camp packed into a day. Archery, hiking, games, and community-building traditions.

🏕️ Marin JCC Camp Kehillah

• Ages: 4–16 (TK through 10th grade)
  
• Location: San Rafael

A welcoming, values-based day camp with swimming, art, games, and Jewish cultural programming.

🌲 Outdoor & Nature Camps

Let the screens go dark and the wild world come alive. Marin’s outdoor and nature camps turn curious kids into mini-explorers with dirt on their hands and stories in their pockets. From Coastal Camp in the Marin Headlands to Slide Ranch on the coast, these programs blend hands-on science, farm life, tide pools, and trails into the kind of summer that feels like an adventure.

Whether it’s spotting raptors at WildCare, building fairy houses at Slide Ranch, or learning nature skills with Vilda and Marin GreenPlay, these camps teach kids to slow down, look closely, and fall in love with the natural world. It’s messy, joyful, unplugged learning — and yes, the kids come home tired, sun-kissed, and ready to do it all again tomorrow.

🌿 Audubon Adventure Camp

• Ages: 4–7 (with teen programs up to 17)
  
• Location: Tiburon

Birds, bugs, and binoculars. This beloved Bay-area program introduces young naturalists to the wonders of Richardson Bay and the animals who call it home.

🌿 Coastal Camp (NatureBridge)

• Ages: Kindergarten through 12th Grade
  
• Location: Marin Headlands, Sausalito

Outdoor education meets national park magic. Kids hike, learn coastal science, and explore beaches, trails, and tidepools.

🌿 Home Ground Habitats Camp

• Ages: 6–10 (with pollinator programs for grades 6–12)
  
• Location: San Rafael

This pollinator sanctuary offers in-depth plant and ecology education in a peaceful, hands-on garden setting.

🌿 Marin GreenPlay Camp

• Ages: Kindergarten through 12th Grade
  
• Location: Various Marin Parks

Wilderness skills, environmental stewardship, and creative outdoor play across multiple beautiful locations.

🌿 Slide Ranch Day Camp

• Ages: 5–18 (with CIT programs)
  
• Location: Muir Beach

Goat-milking, gardening, tidepooling, and life on the ranch by the sea. One of Marin’s most iconic farm-based camps.

🌿 Terra Marin Earth Discovery Camp

• Ages: 4–8
  
• Location: Mill Valley

All the heart of a sleepaway camp packed into a day. Archery, hiking, games, and community-building traditions.

🌿 Vilda Nature Camps

• Ages: 4–17 (TK through 10th grade)
  
• Location: Various Marin Locations

Wildcrafting, storytelling, shelter-building, and creek play. Vilda blends ancestral skills with child-led discovery.

🌿 WildCare Wildlife Camp

• Ages: 4–11
  
• Location: San Rafael

Kids learn about local wildlife, environmental care, and native species through games, crafts, and real animal encounters.

🌙 Overnight Camps

There’s something magical about sleeping under stars that aren’t your own. Overnight camps give kids a chance to unplug, try new things, and build friendships that last longer than the tan lines. At Marin Ranch Camp, campers swim, hike, roast marshmallows, and end the day in cozy cabins surrounded by oak trees and starlit skies. It’s the kind of old-school camp magic you can’t recreate at home.

For girls ready to explore, Camp Bothin near Fairfax is a classic. Run by Girl Scouts but open to all, it’s packed with archery, trail hikes, and campfire stories in a supportive, all-girl space. Whether your camper is brand new or a seasoned outdoorsy type, overnight camps offer freedom, confidence, and memories that stick.

🏕️ Marin Ranch Camp (Overnight)

• Ages: 7–17 (includes CILT for teens)
  
• Location: West Marin (Walker Creek Ranch)

Classic overnight camp with cabins, swimming, hiking, and leadership opportunities for older kids. Rustic, real, and unforgettable.

🏕️ Girl Scouts Camp Bothin (Overnight)

• Ages: 7–17
  
• Location: Fairfax

Empowering overnight camp experience for girls with archery, hiking, crafts, and supportive all-girl community.

🌟 Specialty Camps

Some kids know exactly what lights them up. Whether it’s horses, surfing, sailing, or animals, Marin’s specialty camps go all in on passion. Marin Humane Animal Camp lets future vets and animal lovers meet shelter pets, learn about care and kindness, and make treats for furry friends. Over at Morning Star Farm, horse-loving kids spend their days riding, grooming, and bonding with gentle four-legged teachers.

For adventure seekers, Call of the Sea and SEA Sailing Camps turn the Bay into a classroom, while Stinson Beach Surf Camp delivers wave-riding joy on golden sand. And if you’re looking for something truly heart-centered, Friendship Explorations supports kids with social differences through nature play and peer connection. Specialty camps are where passions grow into lifelong confidence.

🐾 Marin Humane Animal Camp

• Ages: 2–6
  
• Location: Novato

Engaging animal care camp where kids meet shelter animals, learn about pet behavior, and build empathy.

🐎 Morning Star Farm Horse Camp

• Ages: 5–15
  
• Location: Novato

Hands-on horseback riding and care in a peaceful, outdoor setting. Great for both beginners and experienced riders.

💗 Love is Rad Girls Camp

• Ages: 8–17 (girls)
  
• Location: San Anselmo / Novato

Leadership and self-discovery camp for girls with a focus on connection, empowerment, and fun.

⛵ Sailing Camps (SEA & Call of the Sea)

• Ages: 8–16 (SEA), 10 to 18 (Call of the Sea)
  
• Location: San Rafael / Sausalito

On-the-water sailing camps teaching marine skills, teamwork, and ocean respect.

🤝 Friendship Explorations

• Ages: 4–14
  
• Location: Southern Marin

Outdoor social skills camp for kids with special needs or sensory sensitivities. Gentle, engaging, and joyful.

🏄 Stinson Beach Surf Camp

• Ages: 6–17
  
• Location: Stinson Beach

Learn to surf on one of Marin’s most iconic beaches. Includes ocean safety, wave riding, and lots of sandy smiles.

🏅 Sports Camps

If your kid is always in motion, Marin’s sports camps are the perfect outlet. Gravity Vault Climbing Camp in San Rafael lets kids boulder and belay their way to confidence, while GymWorld keeps things high-energy with flips, cartwheels, and fun for gymnasts as young as 3. Budding cyclists can hit the trails with Ross Valley Mountain Bike Camp, where expert coaches lead daily rides packed with adventure and skill-building.

Looking for variety? Bay Club Sports Camps in Novato mix up soccer, basketball, water games, and more for nonstop fun. Tennis lovers have great options too, with programs at Belvedere Tennis Club, Marin Tennis Club, and Performance Tennis. And for that classic all-in-one summer feel, Marin YMCA Y Camp blends field games, crafts, swimming, and team sports. Whatever the sport, these camps help kids build skills, stay active, and have a seriously good time.

🧗 Gravity Vault Climbing Camps

• Ages: 7–12 (up to 8th grade)
  
• Location: San Rafael

Indoor rock climbing with expert instructors in a fun, challenge-based format. Great for first-timers and young climbers looking to build strength and confidence.

🤸 GymWorld Gymnastics Camp

• Ages: 3–13
  
• Location: San Rafael

Camps packed with tumbling, balance beam fun, and trampoline time. Builds coordination, strength, and flexibility in a supportive setting.

🚵 Ross Valley Mountain Bike Camp

• Ages: 8–14
  
• Location: Fairfax

Trail-based biking camp with skill-building, safety, and off-road adventure. Perfect for kids who love riding and exploring nature.

🏀 Bay Club Sports Camps

• Ages: 3–14 (CIT for teens)
  
• Location: Novato

Multi-sport day camps with basketball, swimming, soccer, and more. A good fit for high-energy kids who like to mix it up.

🎾 Belvedere Tennis Club Camp

• Ages: 4–12
  
• Location: Tiburon

Tennis-focused fun with professional coaching and small group instruction. Emphasis on fundamentals, sportsmanship, and confidence.

🎾 Marin Tennis Club Camp

• Ages: 6–14
  
• Location: San Rafael

Skill-based tennis instruction in a fun environment. Great for beginners and those looking to improve technique.

🎾 Performance Tennis (Hiddleson)

• Ages: 5–15
  
• Location: MLK, Sausalito

Focused tennis training with an emphasis on footwork, strategy, and fun match play.

⚽ Marin YMCA Y Camp

• Ages: 5–13 (K–8th)
  
• Location: San Rafael, Novato, San Anselmo

A day camp that blends sports, games, swimming, and outdoor play. Classic Y vibes with a well-rounded, active schedule.

🧠 STEM Camps

If your kid lights up when they figure something out or can’t stop building things out of blocks and code, Marin’s STEM camps are a sweet spot. Integem AI & AR Camp lets campers design immersive digital worlds and explore artificial intelligence in fun, creative ways. For hands-on builders, Play-Well LEGO Engineering turns classic LEGO play into lessons in physics, design, and problem-solving.

Esporterz Esports & Coding Camp is perfect for tech-savvy kids who love gaming and want to learn how to build their own. And for math-loving girls, Girls Rock Math blends art, puzzles, and themed adventures in a positive, empowering space. From coding to constructing, these camps show kids that learning is not just smart — it’s seriously fun.

🧬 Integem AI & AR Camp

• Ages: K–12
  
• Location: Various Marin Locations

Campers design AR projects, explore AI tools, and create digital content using future-facing tech. Great for curious minds and aspiring inventors.

🧱 Play-Well LEGO Engineering

• Ages: 5–12
  
• Location: Novato / San Rafael

Hands-on LEGO-based engineering and design challenges. Campers build machines, vehicles, and creative models while learning STEM skills.

🎮 Esporterz Esports & Coding Camp

• Ages: 7–17
  
• Location: Larkspur

A hybrid camp experience blending gaming, coding, and e-sports tournaments. Perfect for tech-savvy kids who want to level up their skills.

📊 Girls Rock Math

• Ages: 6–12 (girls)
  
• Location: Various Marin Locations

Creative math enrichment for girls with empowering themes, hands-on games, and artistic exploration.

🌻 Let the Summer Planning Begin

No matter what your kid’s into — art, animals, science, sports, or just good old-fashioned summer fun — there’s a camp in Marin that’s the perfect fit. And to make planning even easier, we’ve created a free Quick Reference Guide with all the camps, ages, locations, and links in one handy spot. Just subscribe to the Marin Bubble newsletter, and we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Because summer should be joyful, not stressful — and we’ve got your back.

✅ Totally free
✅ Instant access
✅ No spam, ever

🟢 Enter your email below to get the download link sent to your inbox.
(We’ll also send you the weekly Marin Bubble newsletter with more local events and kid-friendly things to do.)