2026 Riverside Summer Camp Guide: 40+ Places to Find Day Camps & VBS Programs
Last updated: May 2026 | Always check each organization's website for current dates, pricing, and availability.
Looking for summer camps in the Riverside area? Whether you’re looking for child care while your children are off school or you just want to help them have fun and develop new schools, Riverside offers quite a few summer day camp options!
I’'ve rounded up 20+ places to explore, from faith-based VBS programs to STEM camps, performing arts, aviation, and more. Click through to each organization's website for current dates, pricing, and registration details.
A few things to know: registration is already open for most of these programs and many have limited spots — so don't wait! And if you know of a camp I missed, please send me a message. I'd love to keep this list growing.
Science & STEM Day Camps in the Riverside Area
From robotics to real flight, here are the STEM-focused camps we found for curious kids and teens.
🤖 Tech Steam Center — Technology Camp
Hands-on coding, robotics, and tech exploration for ages 8–14
Weekly sessions run June through July in the Canyon Crest area of Riverside
🔬 Club SciKidz Riverside
Themed science camps for Pre-K through 10th grade at Bethel Christian School
Topics include Robotics, Forensic Detective, Junior Space Explorer, Emergency Medicine, and more
🔭 UCR University Extension — STEAM Discovery
Five-day Makerspace camp for grades 3–6 focused on building, experimenting, and collaborating
Week culminates in a Student Innovation Expo where teams pitch their own product ideas
🔥 UCR STEM Summer Camp — STEM in Action
Free* STEM camp at UC Riverside tackling real-world wildfire challenges
Drone flying, Python coding, VR/AR, AI, and 3D visualization led by UCR scientists and NASA
🔬 City of Riverside Parks & Recreation — STEM Camps at Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center
The City of Riverside offers lots of reasonably priced day camps around our city — a great option with so many to choose from! STEM options include camps at the Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center
Check out all the options in the Summer 2026 Riverside Explore Activity Guide (mailed to Riverside households) or view it here online
Register through the City of Riverside Parks & Recreation
🥷 Code Ninjas Eastvale-Chino — Summer Tech Camps
Fun, hands-on STEM camps where kids build real skills through robotics, coding, game design, AI, animation, Minecraft/Roblox-inspired projects, 3D modeling, cybersecurity, and more — all while building confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills
Weekly camps run May through September for ages 5–14; half-day and full-day options available; all experience levels welcome.
Aviation Day Camps in the Riverside Area
Riverside has some fun options for aviation-loving kids!
✈️ Flabob Airport — Aviation Summer Camp
Hands-on aviation camp for ages 9–17 including flight simulators, drones, and a real flight opportunity
Options range from beginner Airman Camp to an advanced Private Pilot Simulator program
✈️ Dubois Aviation — Aviation Summer Camp (in Chino)
Four-session aviation camp where students fly a real plane with a CFI every single day
Includes ground school, simulator time, and a field trip to the museum at Chino Airport; limited to 10 students
This is a little far (Chino) but I’ve heard it’s pretty popular so including it here in case you want to make the drive!
Arts & Performing Arts Day Camps in Riverside
Creative kids will find plenty to explore here — from fine art to theatre and filmmaking.
🎨 Riverside Art Museum — Summer Art Classes
Weekly art classes for ages 5 and up at the Julia Morgan Building
Options include drawing, painting, plein air, and filmmaking; morning and afternoon sessions available
🎭 Full Circle Players — Youth Shakespeare Theatre Camp
Week-long theatre camp at California Citrus State Historic Park for young performers
Campers create an original piece performed in the free Shakespeare in the Park Tour
🎭 California Baptist University — Performing Arts Summer Camps
Week-long performing arts camps for grades 7–12 on the CBU campus
Options include Band/Jazz, Strings, and Musical Theatre camps
🎬 UCR ARTS — Off the Block Filmmaking Workshop
Free summer filmmaking workshop for Riverside-area high schoolers; no experience required
Application required; priority given to first-time applicants
🎭 TCA Riverside — Broadway Workshop Intensive
Three-day musical theatre workshop for ages 8 and up at The Box Riverside
Train with a current National Tour performer in Broadway-style dance, acting, and vocal performance; no experience necessary
Culminates in a final showcase performance for family and friends on Friday
🎭 Riverside Children's Theatre — Summer Theater Camp
A 4-day performing arts camp for ages 5–13 (K–8) covering stage technique, theater games, prop making, acting, singing, and dancing
July 6–9, 2026 | 9am–3pm | Church on the Hill, Riverside | $200 members / $250 non-members; early bird pricing ends June 1; extended care available
🎨 City of Riverside Parks & Recreation — Arts & Music Camps
The City of Riverside offers lots of reasonably priced day camps around our city — a great option with so many to choose from! Arts and music options include Riverside Arts Academy music classes, cooking and baking camps, and more
Check out all the options in the Summer 2026 Riverside Explore Activity Guide (mailed to Riverside households) or view it here online
Register through the City of Riverside Parks & Recreation
🦁 Act Out Enrichment — Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Kids Camp
Two-week musical theatre camp for ages 6–14 performing Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Kids; includes acting, singing, dancing, prop making, costuming, puppetry, improv, and more
July 20–31, 2026 | 9:00am–2:30pm | Two performances; camp t-shirt included
$350 first child / $325 each additional child
Academic Enrichment Day Camps in Riverside
Looking to keep young minds sharp over the summer? These programs blend learning and fun.
🎓 California Baptist University — Academic Summer Programs
Academic and STEM programs for high schoolers on the CBU campus
Options include a free STEM bridge program, residential engineering immersion, and an Architecture Academy
🍎 My Learning Studio — Summer Classes & Programs
Small-group and individual academic programs for elementary through adult learners
Options include reading, writing, math, Spanish, study skills, babysitting certification, and more
🏫 RUSD Summer Explorations & Summer Camps
Offered through the Riverside Unified School District; available to currently enrolled RUSD students only
Free program - I’ve heard good reviews!
Get more info and sign up through your child's school - registration closes in early May.
🤖 UCR Bourns College of Engineering — High School Summer Camps
Week-long STEM camps for high schoolers at UC Riverside covering AI-enabled robotics and data science
Application required; open showcase on the final day of each camp
Nature & Animal Day Camps in Riverside
Get kids exploring with these nature and animal-focused programs!
🐾 Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center — Animal Kids Camp
A fun, hands-on way for kids ages 6–13 to learn about pets, animal care, shelter work, veterinary topics, and compassion for animals; includes animal-themed activities, crafts, games, and guest speakers
Sessions offered throughout the summer at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside; space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served
🦕 Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center — Discovery Day Camp
Themed weekly science and nature camps for ages 5–12
Four themes to choose from: ocean, desert, dinosaurs, and space
🦎 IE Kids Outdoors — Nature Day Camps
Nature camps for ages 3–11 at California Citrus State Historic Park
Birdwatching, animal encounters, nature hikes, and hands-on outdoor exploration
personal note: my children have enjoyed a few different camps and classes at IE Kids Outdoors over the years… they’re very hands-on and interactive!
Sports & Athletics Day Camps in Riverside
Active kids will love these options — from parkour to gymnastics to water sports.
🏅 California Baptist University — Athletics Camps
Sport-specific camps hosted on the CBU campus covering basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, water polo, dance, cheer, cross country, and more
Options for a wide range of ages and skill levels!
personal note: over the years my kids have attended various sports offerings here and they’ve enjoyed them!
🏀 Gus Argenal Basketball Camp at UC Riverside
Basketball camp for boys and girls in grades 1–8 led by UCR men's basketball coaches and student-athletes
June 15–18, 2026 | 9am–3pm | Johnson Family Practice Center, UC Riverside | $255/camper
🏆 Camp Highlander at UCR Recreation
Weekly summer day camp at the UCR Student Recreation Center for kids of all ages
Sports, games, and recreation; discounts for UCR employees, military, and siblings
🤸 Freedom in Motion Parkour Gym — Summer Parkour Camp
Parkour, obstacle courses, and movement camps for ages 7–13
Weekly sessions in Riverside, Murrieta, and Loma Linda; half-day and full-day options
🤸♀️ Realis Gymnastics — Summer Camps
All-levels gymnastics camp for ages 5 and up in Moreno Valley
Each week includes gymnastics instruction, games, arts & crafts, and a Friday pizza party performance
💦 Cove Water Park — Cove Camp
Themed water park day camp for ages 5–12 with daily swimming and water safety lessons
New theme every week running June through July
🏊 City of Riverside Parks & Recreation — Sports & Outdoor Camps
The City of Riverside offers lots of reasonably priced day camps around our city — a great option with so many to choose from! Sports options include sailing, swim camps, sports camps, ice hockey, figure skating, and more
Check out all the options in the Summer 2026 Riverside Explore Activity Guide (mailed to Riverside households) or view it here online
Register through the City of Riverside Parks & Recreation
⚜️ Notre Dame High School — Summer Youth Camps
Sports and leadership camps for grades 1–8 on the Notre Dame campus
Options include soccer, volleyball, football, baseball, basketball, golf, and leadership
🏊 RAQ Swim Team & Artistic Swim
Not a camp, but a great summer team option for swimmers and artistic swimmers of all levels — from intro to competitive
Practices run June 1–August 9 at Shamel Park and Sippy Woodhead Pool in Riverside
personal note: my daughter visited RAQ for an artistic swim practice a couple years ago and while it didn’t work for her schedule, it seemed like a wonderful program! Reasonably priced and could be a great opportunity for Riverside kids who love swimming.
Faith-Based Day Camps & VBS in Riverside
Many churches in the Riverside area offer VBS (“Vacation Bible School”) programs or other day camps as a community outreach. In general, these programs are open to all children, whether you attend that church or not - you don’t need to be a Christian to attend, as long as you’re comfortable with your children learning Bible stories and hearing about Jesus.
These programs are usually run by volunteers from the church… sometimes they’re free, other times there is a supply fee (but if you have a financial hardship, I suggest contacting the church - often they provide scholarships so all children can attend!)
💦 Grove Community Church — Summer Splash
June 22–26, 2026 | 9:00am–12:00pm
Faith-based VBS for kids entering K–6th grade in the Orangecrest area
Live worship, Bible stories, water games, and crafts; inclusive church that accommodates special needs
✝️ WinShape Day Camp at Church on the Hill
July 27–31, 2026 | 8:15am–5:00pm
Faith-based day camp for kids who have completed K–5th grade
Outdoor games, Bible teaching, worship, and skill-building activities centered on Jesus; ends with a Chick-fil-A family lunch on Friday!
personal note: my children attended this camp a couple years ago and were impressed by their many different options for classes… it’s more like a “camp” than a “VBS” with cooking, sports, and other skills classes offered throughout the day. Be sure to reach out to the church about scholarships if you can’t afford it!
🌿 Immanuel Lutheran Riverside — Rainforest Falls VBS
Five days of games, songs, activities, and Bible teaching centered on Jesus
June 22–26, 2026 | 9:00am–12:00pm
🌊 Verve Community Church — Summer Blast
June 17–19, 2026
Three-day faith-based VBS for kids entering K–5th grade in Riverside
High-energy games, Bible lessons, music, crafts, and lunch provided daily
🌿 House of God Lutheran Church in Highland — Rainforest Falls VBS
Faith-based VBS for kids set in the world of Rainforest Falls — wild waterfalls, colorful creatures, and life lessons rooted in faith
June 8–12, 2026 | 9:00am–12:00pm
✝️ Olive Branch Church & School — Eagle Enrichment Summer Camp (Corona)
Faith-based summer camp in Corona offering full-day Day Camp (7am–5pm) or morning Enrichment Camp sessions (9:30–11:30am) with recreation, education, and creative arts
First priority goes to currently-enrolled students at their school, but open to non-enrolled families on a space-available basis
Everything Else - Even More Day Camps!
These programs offer a little of everything — great if your child has varied interests or you just want flexibility.
🏅 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands/Riverside — Summer Camp (in Redlands)
Seven weeks of affordable full-day summer camp with weekly themes and field trips
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks included; daily drop-in option available
🎓 La Sierra University — Summer Camps
Wide variety of weekly camps on the La Sierra campus including robotics, art, sports, and nature
Something for almost every interest; new camps added regularly
🏕️ YMCA of the East Valley — Day Camp (Redlands, San Bernardino, and Highland)
Summer day camp for ages 5–14 at locations in Highland, Redlands, and San Bernardino
Kids make friends, develop independence, try new things, and experience the outdoors
Know a Riverside area day camp I missed? Please send me a message… I’d love to add it to the list!
