Summer Camps in Alameda for Kids Ages 6–14
Top Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education Camp
Families searching for summer camps in Alameda want more than just childcare; they want a place where kids feel confident, supported, and excited to learn. At Gaia Guides, our Alameda kids summer camps combine kayaking, paddleboarding, teamwork, and outdoor exploration in a calm, safe lagoon at Ballena Bay Marina. We welcome campers ages 6–14 from Alameda and across the East Bay for full-day and half-day summer camp programs designed to build confidence, friendships, and a love for the outdoors.
Our Alameda summer kids camps offer both full-day and half-day options, with each 1-week camp session running Monday–Friday.
Options: Full & Half Day
Our full-day camps run 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and half-day camps run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Both options are offered during the same weeks.
Time: 9am-1pm / 9am-4pm
Campers are grouped by age and experience to create a supportive, safe, and challenging environment for skills lessons and paddle adventures.
Ages: 6 - 14 years old
Drive to Ballena Bay Marina, 1138 Ballena Blvd, Alameda. Drive past the flagpole and look for the tennis courts and parking lot on the left.
Location: Alameda, CA
Full-day camps are $699 per week, and half-day camps are $449 per week. Both options are offered during the same weeks.
Price: $449 - $699 Per Week
All campers wear life jackets, with CPR/First Aid certified instructors, small group ratios, and Bay adventures planned around weather conditions.
Safety: Our Top Priority
Summer Camp
June 2027
Full-day and half-day camps.
June 7 - 11
June 14 - 18
June 21 - 25
June 28 - July 2
July 2027
Summer Camp
Full-day and half-day camps.
July 5 - 9
July 12 - 16
July 19 - 23
July 26 - 30
August 2027
Summer Camp
Full-day and half-day camps.
August 2 - 6
August 9 - 13
August 2027
Leadership Training
CPR/First Aid certification
August 20 - 22
Alameda Kids Summer Camp, Right Here on the South Shore
For Alameda families, summer camp doesn't mean a freeway commute. Ballena Bay Marina sits on the South Shore, a short drive from the Gold Coast, the East End, Fernside, the West End and Bay Farm Island.
Campers learn in a calm, protected lagoon inside the marina, then build up to bigger adventures on the waters they've grown up around.
Adventures on the Alameda waterfront include:
The Alameda shoreline and South Shore beaches
Views of the San Francisco skyline
Paddles toward landmarks like the USS Hornet
The abundant marine life of Ballena Bay
Gaia Guides was founded in Alameda in 2017, and we bring over 20 years of experience in youth leadership. Plenty of local campers come back summer after summer and eventually join our Teen Leadership Training.
Safety & Supervision
We know trust matters. Your child is guided by CPR & First Aid certified instructors who are calm, experienced, and genuinely great with kids. Our camper-to-instructor ratios stay small, and our camp takes place in a protected lagoon that’s ideal for beginners.
We include:
Wetsuits and safety gear
Clear safety instruction
Supportive supervision
A pace that lets kids feel comfortable trying new things
Our goal is simple: kids feel brave, and parents feel at ease.
Why Alameda Families Choose Gaia Guides
Families choose Gaia Guides because their kids are:
Known by name
Encouraged through challenges
Supported emotionally and physically
Proud of what they accomplish
Kids leave tired, salty-haired, and smiling. Parents leave confident that they chose the right summer camp.
Explore our full Kids Summer Camp program
What Kids Experience at Camp
Every day at camp is a mix of movement, learning, and connection.
Kids spend time:
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
Learning water safety and new paddling skills
Developing teamwork through creative challenges
Exploring the local environment and marine life
Laughing, making friends, and feeling proud of themselves
Some kids arrive nervous. Most leave glowing. And nearly all of them can’t wait to come back the next day.
Camp Options in Alameda
Our Alameda kids summer camps are designed to work for real families and real schedules.
We offer:
Full-day and half-day camp options
Monday through Friday sessions
Small group instruction
All paddling equipment and wetsuits included
Families join us from Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, and across the Bay Area for a waterfront camp experience that feels both easy and unforgettable.
Alameda Summer Camp FAQs
Where exactly is camp in Alameda? Ballena Bay Marina, 1138 Ballena Blvd. Drive past the flagpole and look for the tennis courts and parking lot on the left.
Can my child attend with friends from school? Yes. Register for the same week and note it on the form, and we'll do our best to group friends of similar ages together.
Is camp good for Alameda kids who've never paddled? Yes. Most campers start as beginners, and every camper wears a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Ready to Find the Right Alameda Summer Camp?
If you’re searching for summer camps in Alameda that combine outdoor adventure, safety, and real connection, we’d love to welcome your family.
Explore our full Kids Summer Camp program