The Santa Barbara Independent (a local weekly newspaper) publishes a comprehensive, annual summer camp guide, traditionally released the first Thursday in April. This lists a wide-range of summer programs for children. Some samples of programs, either listed on this site or otherwise available, are:
- Ridley Tree Art Camp, Botanic Garden, Natural History Museum, MOXI (science cneter)
- Nature camps-- Wilderness Youth Project, Community Environmental Council, Orca Camp
- Summer Band Camp, Gustafson Dance Camp
UCSB offers a variety of summer camps for children as young as 5 and as old as 14 years old. They include surf and kayak camp and junior lifeguards. UCSB's athletics department offers youth and teen camps in many different sports. Several Gaucho teams are nationally ranked!
The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department offers year-round activities for nearly all age groups. You may download their Spring & Summer Activity Guide (pdf.) There is a special Summer Fun site for summer camps and sports clinics.
English Language camps/classes for children are available thorugh After School Languages. During the school year, they also offer after-school classes at local schools. They also teach other languages (Spanish, French, Russian, Mandarin, and American Sign Language) to school-age children and toddlers. Check their website or Facebook page for the latest information.
Further information relating to childcare options may be obtained from KITP Program Manager.