Summer Day Camp

9 Weekly Sessions Running
June 15 - August 14, 2026

Registration opens on Wednesday, February 18 at 8:30am! 

REGISTER HERE

 

Drop Off Window
8:15 - 9:00 am

Pick Up Window
4:15 - 5:15 pm


Welcome to UCSB Summer Day Camp! 

We pride ourselves on offering 9 full weeks of exciting opportunities for your campers to stay active, make new friends, and have fun. Highlights include pool time, ropes course, arts & crafts, and fun Fridays!

Sign up for themed weeks where we partner with UCSB and community partners and host special events at our camp headquarters. 

We look forward to your camper joining us for another great summer!

 

 

 

"We are thankful for this full-day camp as full-time working parents, the energy of the counselors, the safe environment, variety of activities and access to UCSB campus and resources. The staff are very helpful, hard-working and do a great job getting to know the campers and families! We appreciate this program very much and will continue to participate for several
more years to come!"

"My kids have always loved this camp! They love the variety of activities and the chance to swim and jump off the high dive. The weekly themes are great and the carnival is always a big hit. Also, the camp counselors are great with the kids. The hours of the camp are fantastic as well and are super parent-friendly!"

Registration Information

  • Early registration is open from 2/18 - 4/18 at noon. The discounted price is $315 for regular registration and $300 for sibling registration.  
  • You must pre-register by the Wednesday before each session at 8pm to secure space. Walk-up registration will NOT be accepted.
  • Please fill out the online Consent To Treat form on or before your child's first day in the program.
  • Camp is for ages 5-14. Campers must be of age by the start of the week they are registered for. 
  • Sessions run Monday – Friday from 8:15am - 5:15pm, with drop-off from 8:15 - 9am and pick-up from 4:15 - 5:15pm. We do not offer pro-rated prices for partial weeks.
  • Swim Lessons must be purchased separately. Counselors are available to walk children to 4:30pm lessons only. Parents must pick-up 4:30pm lesson participants at the Rec Cen. Swim Lessons run Monday-Thursday for two week sessions beginning June 23.
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Blue Crew
Ages 5 - 6

 

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Roadrunner

Roadrunners
Ages 7 - 8

 

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Mapache Icon

Mapaches
Ages 9 - 10

 

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Gauchos Icon

Gauchos
Ages 11 - 14

 

2026 Session Schedule

Session 1



 

June 15 - 18*



 

Camp Olympics
On your marks, get set, GO! This week, campers will show off their Olympic skills as they learn about different ways of getting active and having fun. Be prepared to run, skip, and leap as we explore different sports.
Friday Dress Up: Rock your Sportswear!

   


Session 2



 


June 22 - 26



 

Superheroes
My Spidey Senses are tingling! This week campers will embody their favorite superheroes while participating in games and crafts! 
Friday Dress Up: Dress as your favorite Superhero!

   

Session 3



 

June 29 - July 2*



 

Party in the USA
Happy Fourth Of July! This week we will join together in to celebrate Independence Day with crafts, games, and more. 
Friday Dress Up: Red, White, & Blue / Stars!
 

   

Session 4

 


 

July 6 - 10

 


 

The Great Outdoors
"Camper" takes on a whole new meaning this week. Campers will get to explore the great outdoors and see all of the exciting surprises that nature has to offer. Gauchos (ages 11-14) will head over to the Sci Trek laboratory on campus to participate in nature-based science experiments. 
 

   

Session 5



 

July 13 - 17



 

Carnival
Carnival week is one of our favorites and is jam packed with exciting activities. Join us for the fun this week where we bring out our Rock Wall, Bounce Houses, Carnival games and so much more!
 

   

Session 6

 



 

July 20 - 24 
 



 

Magical World of Camp
This week, campers will be surrounded by the magic of the Happiest Place on Earth! They will enjoy themed games and crafts about all of their favorite characters. The Gauchos Group will learn about the magic of science at the Sci Trek Lab on campus! 
Friday Dress Up: Disney Merch!

 

   

Session 7
 

 



 

July 27 - 31

 




 

Young Einsteins 
Get ready to challenge those brains! This week our campers will dust off their lab coats as they explore the wonders of science and put their imaginations and creations to the test this week with some exciting science experiments! The Gauchos will work in a real-life college lab with our campus partners, Sci Trek! 
Friday Dress Up: Favorite Science or Scientist!

 

   

Session 8



 

August 3 - 7



 

Camps Got Talent
For this week, our campers will show off their creative skills and talent as they paint, craft, and create. Campers will end their week with a talent show, with the option to either participate or watch, so be sure to start preparing your act now!
 

   

Session 9


 

August 10 - 14


 

Summer Send Off!
Campers will end their summer the right way with games, crafts, and an epic music festival. Campers will dance, play, run, and jump their way back into school!

 


*Camp WILL NOT meet on Juneteenth (June 19) or Independence Day (July 4).

Weekly Camp Activities

Arts & Crafts
Carnival
Field Trips
Group Games
Gymnastics

 

Movies
Nature Hikes
Ropes Adventure Course
Soccer
Softball
Special Events

 

Swimming
Talent Show
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
and much more!

Summer Day Camp Staff

All Summer Day Camp staff and counselors are CPR & First Aid Certified. Our staff are trained and well-qualified to keep your campers safe and engaged all summer long!

Interested in working as a camp counselor this summer? Click the link below to learn more and apply!
 

Summer Day Camp Job Openings

Junior Counselor Program

The Department of Recreation Junior Counselor Program provides children the opportunity to learn and develop valuable communication and leadership skills. Junior Counselors will work under the direct supervision of the UCSB Summer Day Camp counselors and coordinator. Junior counselors must either be an incoming Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior in Highschool for Fall of 2026.

This is a volunteer position. Service may count towards community service/volunteer requirements. Community service paperwork must be submitted to the Youth Programs Coordinator no later than August 13, 2025.

The fee for participation in this program is  as follows:

  • $90 for up to 2 Sessions
  • $180 for up to 4 Sessions
  • $270 for up to 6 Sessions
  • $360 for up to 9 Sessions

Registration for this program includes a T-Shirt. In addition to the registration fee, students will be required to complete an online Bullying Prevention training prior to their first day.

Positions are available at the Summer Day Camp only. 

 

Fees

Early Registration

$315 per week

$215 for the weeks of Juneteenth and July 4th (4 days of camp)

Registration must be completed by April 17th at noon. 

Regular Registration

$345 per week

$276 for the weeks of Juneteenth and July 4th (4 days of camp)

Last day to sign up for any session is the Wednesday before the session begins at 10am.

Family Discount

If you have more than one child between the ages of 5 and 14, you can save $15 per additional child when they attend the same session(s). This discount is valid for siblings only and does not apply to the first child. This discount is only valid when both children attend the full day at the Summer Day Camp. Discount CANNOT be used for Beach 'n Surf Camp, Jr Lifeguards, the Summer Day camp and Beach 'n Surf Camp Combo or other UCSB Sports Camps. For instance if one child is at the Summer Day Camp and the other is combining the Day Camp with Beach 'n Surf Camp, there is no sibling discount allowed.

To receive the sibling discount rate you must sign your first child up at the full rate then sign additional children up in the corresponding "Sibling" course.