What is your favorite childhood memory of summer? Is it eating juicy watermelon on the curb? Roasting s’mores over an open fire? Camping in the backyard? Making homemade ice cream?

My favorite childhood memories of summer are summer camp. Every summer, I’d go to a one week sleep-away camp and for months after it was the only thing I could talk about. At camp I made friends, learned valuable life lessons, and created memories to last a lifetime. 

Every kid deserves the opportunity to experience summer camp at least once and create memories through their own unique experiences. While traveling to faraway places is exciting, there are plenty of camps that won’t require crossing the city line. We’ve rounded up eight fun-filled camps located in our own backyard.

Active Adventures Day Camp meets at the San Clemente Aquatic Center and offers both half-day and full-day options. Activities include outdoor games, field sports, hikes, arts & crafts, recreational swimming, and a special field trip each Wednesday! Field trips vary each week and include a Padres game, Dana Point marine cruise, a visit to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, a beach day at Salt Creek, a train ride to Oceanside, sailing and kayaking and even a trip to Knott’s Soak City. Camp runs weekdays June through August and registration fees include field trips and a camp t-shirt. 

San Clemente Playschool Summer Camps (Ages 2-5)

Camp is held Monday-Thursday mornings at Tierra Grande Park, June through August. Each week features a new theme and activities and games are intentionally created to promote learning, creativity, social skills and fun. Activities include sports, music, games, art, and story time. Children must be potty trained. 

Visit http://www.san-clemente.org/recreation-community/recreation/youth-programs/preschool for more info. 

Join Aloha Beach Camp as they head into their 19th summer of teaching boys and girls of all abilities to surf. Lead instructors are CPR and lifeguard certified and surf groups adhere to a 1:2 ratio while body board, body surf and activity groups stick to a 1:5 ratio. The camp focuses on surf etiquette, water safety, rip currents, lateral currents, in-shore holes, beach hazards, and judgment. Camps meet at T-Street Beach and there are four summer sessions to choose from.

Visit http://www.alohabeachcamp.net/Registration.html to register.

Volcom Summer Soul Surf Camp offers weeklong day and overnight camps at San Onofre State Beach. San O is home to gentle waves, making it the ideal location to learn to surf. Aside from surfing, eating, and having fun, the camp also focuses on ocean safety, physical fitness, and healthy eating. Other activities include crafts, music, hikes, movie nights, and camp fires. Register by May 1st for early bird rates. 

Visit http://summersoulsurfcamp.com

 to learn more. 

 Acting Academy for Kids  

The Acting Academy for Kids is geared towards “training the next generation of talented performers” through workshops, classes and camps. Camps run June through August and each week spotlights a different theme. Themes include Zootopia, The Greatest Showman, Harry Potter, Moana, and many more. Camps take place at the Cabrillo Playhouse and include a number of different time slots and options. 

Visit http://www.actingacademyforkids.com/sc-summer-camps.html for more info.

AYSO offers half day soccer camps geared towards kids of different ages and skill levels. Camps are designed to be fun and strive to create a positive learning environment where participants can learn technical and tactical aspects of the sport. The camp offers three different sessions. Fun in the Sun is for ages 4-6 and focuses on teaching participants fundamentals of the sport through fun games and activities. Skills and Thrills is for ages 7-10 and works with participants on developing skills and technical development. Compete with your Feet is for ages 11-16 and is designed to help players progress technically, tactically, and develop quick decision-making skills.

Visit https://www.activityhero.com/biz/ayso-soccer-camps/ayso-soccer-camp-half-day?scroll-to=schedules&geo...  to sign up.

San Clemente Gymnastics offers two different summer camp programs: their Ninja Zone Camp as well as their Gymnastics Summer Camp. At the Ninja Zone Camp, campers will participate in obstacle course training, parkour, martial art kicks, and gymnastics. Through these activities, participants will improve total body coordination, build strength, and improve agility. At the Gymnastics Summer Camp, campers will do gymnastics on the bars, beam, vault, floor, and tumble-trak with the goal of improving their strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, and body awareness. San Clemente Gymnastics has been offering camps for 20 years and is looking forward to summer 2018.

Visit https://app.iclasspro.com/parentportal/sanclementegym/camps?camptype=10 to learn more. 

The Endless Summer Surf Camp isn’t just for kids. They offer a number of different packages including day camps, overnight camps, adult only camps, surf & turf camps, and even exclusive Costa Rica and Hawaii camp sessions. Camp fees include lodging, meals, equipment, and expert surf coaching complete with video analysis. Airport shuttles are available for an additional fee for out of town guests. Campsite is located on the bluffs overlooking San Onofre State Beach and includes carpeted tents, fire rings, and a ping pong table. Each Friday participants are invited to compete in a “just for fun” surf contest.

Visit http://endlesssummersurfcamp.com/sign-up/ to register.