Summer Camp
Summer adventures for curious 4–5 year olds where play sparks confidence, creativity, and a love of learning at the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery!
Morning 9:00 AM -1:00 PM
$288 Monday- Friday
$200 ~ Access Museum Members
All Day 9:00 AM -5:00 PM
$359 Monday- Friday
$249 ~ Access Museum Members
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Session 1: June 8th - June 12th
Session 2: June 15th-19th
Session 3: June 22nd - June 26th
Session 4: July 13th - 17th
Session 5: July 20th - 24th
Session 6: July 27th - 31st
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Our small-group Santa Cruz summer camp for Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten (TK), and Kindergarten campers is designed for young learners ready to explore, create, and grow through hands-on play.
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Each week features a new adventure filled with sensory science, creative building, imaginative storytelling, outdoor adventures and early STEAM learning. Designed to help children build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
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👉 Designed for ages 4–5 | Preschool • TK • Kindergarten
Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
Q&A
Camp is designed specifically for children ages 4 and 5, including those entering transitional kindergarten or kindergarten in the fall. Groups are kept intentionally small (no more than 16 campers) so every child gets individual attention.
Camp is based at MOD, located at 1855 41st Ave C-10 inside the Capitola Mall. Full day camp includes walks to nearby outdoor spaces including Rispin Park, Coffee Lane Park, and the Capitola Library Playground ect
Morning campers (9am–1pm) enjoy open play, circle time, a snack, and a hands-on activity before lunch and pickup. Full-day campers (9am–5pm) continue into the afternoon with an outdoor adventure, a second snack, story time, and quiet activities before pick- up.
Yes. We believe every child deserves a wonder-filled summer. Rather than a traditional scholarship application process, we offer a reduced tuition rate to all families who qualify — no application or waitlist required. Families with at least one adult household member enrolled in Medi-Cal qualify for our Access Member rate. To receive the reduced rate, you will need to purchase an Access Family Membership ($30/year) and show proof of Medi-Cal enrollment before your child's first day. Access Memberships cover unlimited museum visits for your whole family for a full year.
Yes! If at least one adult in your household is enrolled in Medi-Cal, your family qualifies for an Access Membership. Select the access member camp option at sign-up. Before your child's first day of camp, simply stop by the museum to show proof of Medi-Cal enrollment and purchase your Access Family Membership for $25. Your membership covers unlimited visits for your entire family for a full year.
Drop-off is at 9:00 AM. Morning camp pickup is at 1:00 PM. Full-day camp pickup is at 5:00 PM. Is there a late pickup fee? We offer a 10-minute grace period. After that, a fee of $10 for the first 10 minutes and $1 per minute thereafter applies to cover staff overtime.
Only adults listed on your authorized pickup form may pick up your child. Be ready to show photo ID if requested.
A packed lunch, two snacks, a water bottle, sunscreen, comfortable clothes they can get messy in, and a complete change of clothes. We'll send a full packing list upon registration.
Yes. By the first day of camp, children should be out of diapers and pull-ups and able to use the bathroom without adult assistance. We know accidents happen — staff will offer regular bathroom reminders and can assist with wardrobe changes. We ask that families pack a spare change of clothes each day. If your child has a disability or medical condition that affects toileting, please contact us before enrolling to discuss accommodations.
Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to camp. Please keep your child home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of a contagious illness. If a child becomes ill during camp, a parent or guardian must be able to arrange pickup within 30 minutes.
Wonder Weeks is designed for children ages 4 and 5, and we cap enrollment at this age range to make sure our activities, pace, and environment are the right fit for every camper. At this time are not able to accept children over the age of 5 at the time camp starts. There are lots of other amazing camp options for 6 year olds in our community! Check out our Summer Camp Festival to learn more!