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Oakland Spring Break Camp

2025 details TBD

OAKLAND, CA

Oakland Spring Break Camp

Here, we put kids in charge.

Preposterous? Possibly. Effective? You betcha.

When you trust kids, they trust themselves. For 42 years, we’ve put kids in charge of their own learning experience. As they try, fail, and learn on their own, they learn to trust their own judgment, and tackle the challenges of an ever changing world with creativity and confidence.

Campers choose activities minute to minute–deciding what they want to do, and for how long. Our job is to get out of their way, cheerlead creative risks, and provide just enough guidance to make sure nobody does anything totally* senseless.

*Totally senseless: By our definition, mistakes aren’t senseless. They’re how you learn.

Buy any number of days. Use them any time. Get refunds for unused days.

Buy any number of Day Passes to use any day we’re open this spring session. You don’t even need to tell us when you’re coming–just show up! And if for any reason your plans change, we’ll refund your unused Passes automatically in full at spring’s end.

Lunch, snacks, and all hours, 8am–6pm, included.

Camp Details

DATES

HOURS

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

AGES

4-12

ADDRESS

Northern Light School
3710 Dorisa Ave.
Oakland, CA 94605

DIRECTOR

Jesse

CALL/TEXT

510-254-3720

Activities for Every Interest

Campers will design their day in real-time by choosing from a variety of activities offered at once. In the early morning and late afternoon, campers ramp up and wind down with recreational choices. For the bulk of the day, children will choose from the activities listed below. While we can’t say exactly what the day will look like, one thing is for sure: The campers are in control.

coding_girls

Media Lab

Campers will use scaffolded coding apps to build & play games on iPads. They’ll also have the ability to produce stop-motion shorts on our custom animation stations, create music, or remix their favorite song.
Animation

Stop-Motion Animation

Kids will create, direct, and produce stop-motion animation movies & shorts with our custom animation stations.
maker_boys

Tinker Lab

Explore creativity through crafts & inventor kits to construct take-home projects or collaborate on large-scale builds. Our leveled-up arts & crafts materials are designed to foster curiosity & exploration.
nintendo_girls

The Stage

Enjoy motion-based games like Switch & Just Dance, plus a new puppet theater & party props.
lounge_2

Arts, Crafts, & Lounging

A communal place to socialize & play with table games, cards, & puzzles, or create and experiment with art & crafts.
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Sports & Recreation

Campers & staff join together to play indoor playground games, sports, or whatever kids are interested in that day. And to spice things up we'll have a surprise activity or performance this camp session!

Testimonials From Our Summer Camps in Oakland

I really like that you've carved out something truly unique - a completely low-stress experience for parents. No pre-planning, no need to make lunch, no need to decide which days to attend, automatic refunds. It took some stress out of planning our summer.
Dan C.

(S&K parent)

Even though there are so many kids, she was able to put a personal touch to it by remembering every kid’s name, being open to suggestions as well as remembering to remind my 4 year old daughter to go to the bathroom! My daughter had so much fun making a dress for her bear, making bread, dancing, playing with the weekly specials and the list goes on and on.
Elaine C.

(S&K parent)

Fees

Buy any number of Day Passes, and use them any day we’re open this spring camp session. There’s no need to reserve your days ahead of time, or even let us know when you plan to join–just show up! If for any reason your plans change, we’ll refund your unused Day Passes automatically in-full after the camp session comes to an end.

Fees include lunch, snacks and all hours 8:00am to 6:00pm. 

STAFF

Tireless child advocates, who balance structure and guidance with staying out of campers’ ways. All staff members are background checked and trained in CPR & first-aid.

FOOD

We provide daily lunch options from a rotating variety of local restaurants and caterers. We’ll also offer an array of snacks for kids to nosh on throughout the day. Check out the daily menu below.

Important Info for Spring Break Camp in Oakland

Virtual Camp Orientation

Virtual camp orientation: Once we get closer to camp, we’ll email registered families a link to our virtual, camp orientation. This will provide important information such as camp drop-off & pick-up procedures, how to check-in and check-out of camp each day, what to bring (and not bring), and more.

Weekly Menu

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SNACKS

Contact Your Local Director

Our directors work year-round and would love to help you learn more about our program, and at the same time learn more about you and your camper.

Jesse

JESSE

he/him

This will be Jesse’s second season directing with Steve & Kate’s! Jesse enjoys playing sports–especially basketball. When not at camp you can usually find Jesse outside enjoying the sun playing golf, hiking, or sitting on a boat.

This year Jesse is most excited to meet new campers, parents, & staff members at camp.

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AND DOZENS MORE!

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