East Bay Summer Camps for Kids Ages 6–14
Top Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education Camp
Families searching for East Bay summer camps are usually looking for more than just something to fill the day they’re looking for a place where their child can feel confident, supported, and excited to come back tomorrow. At Gaia Guides, we offer kids summer camps in Alameda that welcome families from across the East Bay for outdoor adventure, learning, and connection on the water.
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
An East Bay Summer Camp Worth the Drive: Kids Paddling on the Bay
East Bay families have plenty of camp options, but very few put kids on the water all day. Families drive in from across the East Bay for a week that feels like a real summer adventure: from Piedmont and the Berkeley hills, from Lamorinda, and from Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville and San Ramon.
What makes the trip worthwhile is the setting. A calm, protected lagoon where beginners feel safe, open Bay water with skyline views for bigger adventures, and small groups (about one instructor for every six campers) where every kid is known by name. Gaia Guides brings over 20 years of experience in youth leadership and has run kids camps in Alameda since 2017.
Safety & Supervision
We know how much trust it takes to choose a summer camp.
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 focus on:
Clear safety instruction
Thoughtful supervision
Supportive encouragement
A pace that lets kids feel comfortable trying new things
Kids feel brave. Parents feel confident.
Why East Bay 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 grateful they found the right camp.
What Kids Experience at Camp
Every day is a mix of movement, laughter, and discovery.
Kids spend time:
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
Learning water safety and new skills
Playing team games and creative challenges
Exploring the East Bay’s coastal environment
Making friends and building confidence
Some kids arrive unsure. Most leave glowing. And many ask if they can come back next week.
Camp Options for East Bay Families
Our East Bay kids summer camps are designed to work for real families and busy schedules.
We offer:
Full-day and half-day options
Monday through Friday sessions
Small group instruction
All paddling equipment and wetsuits included
Families join us from Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, and across the East Bay for a waterfront camp experience that feels easy, safe, and unforgettable.
Explore our full Kids Summer Camp program
Typical Morning Drive to Ballena Bay Marina
Piedmont and Berkeley: about 25-30 minutes
Orinda: about 25-30 minutes via Highway 24, a bit longer from Lafayette and Moraga
Walnut Creek: about 40 minutes via Highway 24
Alamo, Danville and San Ramon: about 45-50 minutes via I-680 and Highway 24
Many families driving from Lamorinda and the Tri-Valley choose full-day camp (9:00 am - 4:00 pm), so one round trip covers a full day of paddling, beach time and adventure.
East Bay Summer Camp FAQs
Do families really come from Walnut Creek and San Ramon? Yes. Campers join us from across the East Bay, including Lamorinda and the Tri-Valley. For many, a week on the Bay is a highlight of their summer.
What makes this different from camps closer to home? Kids are on the water every day in a protected lagoon, gear and wetsuits are included, and groups stay small.
Is full day or half day better if we’re driving in? Most families coming from farther away choose full day, so the drive pays off with a full day on the water.
Explore our full Kids Summer Camp program