The San Carlos Parks and Recreation organization hosted its annual Summer Camp Fair at the Burton Park Stage last week on Feb. 7. This event gave local families the opportunity to explore a wide range of summer camps for their children to attend. The camps are designed to help children build confidence, friendships and day-to-day skills.
At 900 Chestnut St., camp staff, parents and youth gathered to learn about summer opportunities, including adventure camps, sports camps and Club Ed specialty camps offered for children ages 4 to 17. The fair provided important details about registration and schedules, but also set up free games and activities for the children to enjoy while at the park.
San Carlos Parks and Recreation opened registration for its 2026 summer camps on Feb. 3 for residents and Feb. 10 for non-residents. Programs include everything from outdoor adventure and weekly field trips to arts, science and non-competitive sports.
“I went to a summer camp once, and it helped me get outside and connect with people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” said Alexander Lam, a sophomore at Carlmont High School who started attending summer camps when he was eight years old. “I think these camps are really important because they teach valuable skills and connections, and there’s just a lot of activities that you can do that you probably wouldn’t be able to do any other way.”
Adventure camps such as Wee Woods (ages four to five), Burton Camp (ages six to nine), and Arguello Camp (ages ten to twelve) encourage children to participate in themed activities, team-building games, and outdoor exploration, as well as weekly field trips. Extreme Adventure Camp, a new program for teens ages 13 to 17, will feature three Bay Area field trips, offering older youth expanded opportunities for independence and growth.
As campers find new environments and challenges, they often develop resilience and social skills that extend beyond camp. Learning to cooperate with peers, step out of one’s comfort zone and overcome setbacks can lay a foundation for long-term confidence and character development.
“When I was younger, I was in a summer camp, and it helped me grow as a kid,” said Ethan Bilello, a sophomore at Carlmont High School. “It taught me about friendship, courage, and how to overcome challenges.”
In addition to outdoor programming, Club Ed specialty camps offer enrichment in creative arts, performing arts, cooking, science, language, and engineering for kids ages five to 15. Sports camps, including softball, volleyball, baseball, flag football, and the San Carlos Sports Jam, a new multi-sport camp, focus on teaching the children about teamwork in a non-competitive environment and how to work with others.
“I think that these skills have been able to help me in all aspects of my life currently and in the future,” Bilello said. “That’s why I believe it’s so important for kids to get out of their comfort zones and join a summer camp.”
To make participation more accessible, San Carlos Parks and Recreation offers payment plans and a Fee Assistance Program funded in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Foundation of San Carlos. Teens can also apply for the Leader in Training Education program (LITE), which provides mentorship and leadership experience for ages 13 to 17.
“Working in recreation, I get to have a hand in providing services that benefit the overall wellness of the community,” said Zoey Van Vorst, the recreational coordinator for San Carlos and overseer of the youth and development section.
Children should continue learning new things during summer break. Without this continued learning, kids will have a hard time getting back into school at the end of their break. On top of this, summer camps provide teachings that they might not learn in school, but are still incredibly important.
“I think that every kid should probably try one at least once in their lives,” Lam said.
