Yes, you read that right - if you know where to look, you can find FREE summer camps in Los Angeles and its surrounding counties. Really!
We're gathering this list of free summer camps in Southern California to let families know about these incredible opportunities for kids to have an enriching, entertaining and educational summer experience, totally free of charge.
Many of these programs are tailored for particular populations, such as children with medical conditions or girls in STEM, and all of them fill up fast, so be sure to look into them right away if you find a good fit so you are ready once registration opens!
Help us out by recommending any free summer camps in California that you may know about, so we can continue to grow the list for all families. And, be sure to check out our comprehensive greater Los Angeles camp guide for more summer programming ideas.
rmhcsc.org
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
Kids who have experienced childhood cancer have a unique set of needs, and this Ronald McDonald camp caters to them and their families. Traditional camp activities supervised by medically competent staff keep kids safe but allow them to enjoy the same camp experience as their peers. Siblings are also welcome, and parents too, during Family Camp.
Mountain Center, CA
0 reviews
Teens Speak Up
This entirely FREE summer theater camp focuses on empowering junior high and high school students to find their unique voice and talent. The six-week program culminates with an original show that campers write and perform for a live audience.
Anaheim, CA
0 reviews
Spectrum Speak Up
Part of Chance Theater’s award-winning Speak Up program, Spectrum Speak Up is an entirely free summer theater program for young people on the autism spectrum. The six-week program focuses on empowering youth by helping them find their voice, and culminates in a live performance of a play created and performed by students.
Anaheim, CA
0 reviews
Project Scientist
Project Scientist Summer STEAM Lab
Girls will meet like-minded peers and explore their interests in the sciences, along with guidance from female STEM role models. Campers will experience high-touch, hands-on educational experiences and live programming each day.
Laguna Beach, CA
0 reviews
viterbik12.usc.edu
Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp at USC
This immersive FREE summer camp in Los Angeles introduces kids to aerospace, electrical, civil, and mechanical engineering concepts. They'll build rockets, circuits, bridges, and robots- plus explore computer science with creating video games and coding apps. Enrollment is limited, and kids must have at least a B average in science and math classes. Applications are due by May 5, 2025, including a teacher recommendation.
Los Angeles, CA
0 reviews
thepaintedturtle.org
The Painted Turtle
The Painted Turtle caters to kids with severe medical conditions, and each session serves a specific group's needs. Even children requiring round-the-clock medical care can attend, and campers can enjoy swimming, fishing, horseback riding, a wheelchair-accessible ropes course, organic farm, and more. They also offer family camp weekends where the whole camp can have fun in a supportive environment. *See website for additional requirements.
Lake Hughes, CA
0 reviews
Primary photo: Photo by Vanessa Loring
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