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Best Summer Day Camps In Sacramento

A sweltering summer in the capital city can result in bored and fidgety children and exhausted, frustrated parents. To avoid such calamities, consider enrolling kids in one of the many fun and exciting camps that are available this summer in Sacramento. There is something for everyone, no matter what their age or interests are.
California Automobile Museum
Modes of Motion
2200 Front St.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 442-6802
www.calautomuseum.org

This unique camp, appropriate for ages 8 – 12, allows kids to peek into the history, science and art of transportation in America. Children will have a fun experience while learning about everything from the earliest motor cars to space shuttles. The week-long session includes outdoor activities, team-building games, arts and crafts, field trips, engaging guest speakers and the chance to ride in historic vehicles. One of the most popular parts of the experience allows campers to build and race in a creative vehicle of their own design.

Related: Ask A Sacramento Expert: 5 Fun & Easy Science Projects To Do At Home

Soil Born Farms
American River Ranch
2140 Chase Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
www.soilborn.org

Here in the heart of America's Farm to Fork Capital, learning about the environment, food, and health can be a lot of fun. As part of an urban agriculture and education project, Soil Born Farms offers week-long summer day camps in addition to educational experiences year-round. The 55-acre farm is the perfect spot for kids to grow, prepare, and eat their own fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as to make crafts, explore nature, and interact with animals. Day campers can also take part in community projects involved in restoring local habitat.

YMCA Of Superior California
Sacramento Central
2021 W St.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 452-9622
www.ymcasuperiorcal.org

The YMCA Adventure Awaits day camp program offers activities at several area locations, including Tahoe Park Community Center and Southport Elementary School in West Sacramento. Different types of camps are available, with options for kids ages 5 – 15. Activities at the camps may include swimming, field trips, skits, songs, crafts and learning about healthy lifestyles and nature. There is also a sports camp in August for youth between 5 – 13 years old, featuring basketball, swimming, soccer, baseball, volleyball, and football. All of the camps include healthy snacks and most begin by 7:30 a.m., a benefit for working parents.

Sacramento Theatre Company
Summer Theatre Camp
1900 Potrero Way
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 446-7501
www.sactheatre.org

Sacramento Theatre Company staffers lead lively day camps for youngsters interested in the arts, whether they envision a career or just want to have fun. Activities may include acting, dancing, singing, costuming, yoga, stage combat, arts and crafts, music theory and more. STC camp sessions run from 4 days to 2 weeks, and are available throughout the summer. Children as young as 5 can participate in Kinder Camp, and other sessions are geared towards kids entering 1st grade to those in their senior year of high school. Teens can attend acting camp, which includes improv, monologues, Shakespeare, scene work and script analysis, or a special musical theatre camp with dance, acting and voice training.

Mad Science Of Sacramento Valley
Various locations
(916) 779-0390
www.sacramento.madscience.org

Sessions for kids 4 -12 feature STEM-oriented activities; the selection of age-appropriate camp themes include CSI investigations, a flight academy, space travel, crazy chemistry and creative inventions. Especially popular are beginning and advanced robotics camps and one entitled "Grossology."

Related: Best Places In Sacramento To Take Family Photos

Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers business, employment, animal rescue, volunteerism and nonprofits. Her work can also be found at Examiner.com.

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