Oakland Summer Camps for Kids Ages 6-14
Top Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education Camp
Families searching for Oakland summer camps want something that feels safe, meaningful, and genuinely fun. At Gaia Guides, we offer kids summer camps just minutes from Oakland in Alameda, where children build confidence through kayaking, paddleboarding, teamwork, and hands-on outdoor learning. Our camp welcomes Oakland families who want their kids to come home sun-touched, confident, and excited to return the next day.
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
Kids Summer Camp on the Bay, Minutes from Oakland and Piedmont
Camp is closer than most Oakland families expect. From downtown Oakland or Jack London Square, it’s about 15 minutes through the Posey Tube to Ballena Bay Marina. From Rockridge, Temescal, Montclair, Crocker Highlands or Piedmont, plan on 20-30 minutes in morning traffic.
It's an easy add to the morning routine, and a real change of scenery for city kids. Instead of a gym or a classroom, campers spend the day on the water, learning to kayak and paddleboard in a calm, protected lagoon with views back toward the Oakland and San Francisco skylines.
At pickup, kids are tired, salty and full of stories about the abundant marine life they spotted and the first time they stood up on a paddleboard.
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 Oakland 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 summer camp.
What Kids Experience at Camp
Every day blends movement, laughter, and discovery.
Kids spend time:
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
Learning water safety and paddling skills
Playing team games and creative challenges
Exploring the Oakland-Alameda waterfront 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 Oakland Families
Our Oakland area kids summer camps are designed to work for real families.
We offer:
Full-day and half-day options
Monday through Friday sessions
Small group instruction
All paddling equipment and wetsuits included
Families travel from Oakland and across the East Bay to join us for a waterfront camp experience that feels easy, safe, and unforgettable.
Explore our full Kids Summer Camp program
Oakland Summer Camp FAQs
How long is the drive from Oakland? About 15 minutes from downtown through the Posey Tube, and 20-30 minutes from Rockridge, Montclair or Piedmont in morning traffic. Drop-off is at 9:00 am.
Where do we park? At Ballena Bay Marina, 1138 Ballena Blvd. Drive past the flagpole and look for the parking lot next to the tennis courts on the left.
Is this a good first camp for an Oakland kid who's never paddled? Yes. Most campers are beginners, and instructors teach step by step in calm water. No swimming or paddling experience is needed.
Ready to Find the Right Oakland Summer Camp?
If you’re searching for Oakland summer camps that combine outdoor adventure, safety, and real connection, we’d love to welcome your family.
Explore our full Kids Summer Camp program