At Summer at Santa Catalina, we intentionally build our camp community to create opportunities for campers to try new things, build independent and creative thinking skills, gain a sense of personal and community responsibility, and learn to access their own powerful inner resources.

Vision Statement

Summer at Santa Catalina is dedicated to the mental, emotional, and spiritual growth of girls through experiential education. Our summer camp program strives to nurture girls as they begin to build their independence and self-reliance. We aim to help campers develop the virtues of honesty, kindness, and respect for others. Our goal is that campers receive and contribute to the support of an inclusive, caring, intentional community and leave camp with greater self-confidence, eager to be contributing members of their own communities.

70

years of serious fun

250

Campers

4

Sessions

2

Camp Teams

1

Positive girl commnunity

Four Communities

Day and resident campers fully participate in four communities at camp: with their camper groups, in classes, on camp teams, and with all campers together. Each of these inclusive communities allows our campers to interact with each other in unique ways.

Evening Programs and Field Trips

Evening Programs

Every evening at camp is time for a fun-filled activity! On some evenings, our camp teams, Checks and Stripes, compete in games and relays. On other evenings, campers enjoy favorite traditions like Granny Bingo, Gold Rush, and Talent Show. Evening programs are a beloved part of our camp day.

Field Trips

Campers love experiencing the beauty of Monterey Bay with weekend and class outings that include activities such as amusement park rides, kayaking, and ziplining. Favorite destinations include:

  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Carmel Beach
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
  • Asilomar State Beach
  • Monterey Farmers Market

Field trips vary by session and age group.

Campus, Dining, and Dorm Life

Campers play and learn across almost every inch of our 36-acre campus, featuring:

  • Pool
  • Gym
  • Performing arts center
  • Art and dance studios
  • Athletic field
  • Classrooms
  • Dormitories
The Dining Room

Mealtime is not only a chance to eat fresh and flavorful foods, but also to get to know your fellow campers! Campers and staff alike love our food management company, Bon Appétit, and rave about the wonderful choices and great flavors.

Day campers enjoy lunch, along with a morning and afternoon snack. All meals are provided for residential campers, along with a morning and afternoon snack. After full mornings and afternoons of classes and activities, campers dine and enjoy time with their groups and counselors. Many friendships blossom around the dinner table!

The Dorms for Resident Campers

Santa Catalina is home to three beautiful residential dorm buildings: Thompson, Greer, and Hills. Resident campers stay in our spacious dorms, where a full staff of counselors are always present and available.

Room furnishings for each room include a twin size bed and mattress, one dresser, a desk with a desk chair, open shelves above the desk, two double electrical outlets, and a large closet with open shelving. Additionally, each room includes a large self-healing board that campers can use to decorate and make their space feel even more like home!

Each dorm has two large communal bathrooms per floor, with individual shower stalls. We do not have en suite facilities, so campers should be sure to pack a shower caddy.

Dorms also have large common rooms where casual hangouts take place. During free time and evenings, the common rooms are abuzz with group meetings, games, bracelet making, music, and more! By living and learning together, each residential camper has a number of opportunities to build skills such as cooperation, empathy, and respect. The in-between moments and casual conversations within the dorms give each girl a chance to know and be known by their community of peers.

A Tech-Free Camp

Summer at Santa Catalina is an immersive and interactive experience; therefore, campers do not need any electronic entertainment. We provide an intentional and fun community within an unplugged atmosphere. Phones, iPods, iPads, game players, DVD players, laptops, or any other electronic device are not permitted.

Summer at Santa Catalina

Summer at Santa Catalina