Summer Camps
Summer Camps and Junior Leader Program 2026
Registration begins April 11. Make sure your WebTrac account is ready!
Program Dates for Summer 2026
- Session 1: June 8 - June 18 (No Program June 19)
- Session 2: June 22 - July 3 (No Program July 4)
- Session 3: June 6 - July 17
- Session 4: July 20 - July 31
Super Camp (5-6 years old)
A super way to introduce your youngster to the world of Summer Camps; it is the perfect beginner day camp for your little one who is ready for summer fun. Our caring, nurturing staff leads activities and games that are tailored to the theme of each session and your little guy or gal.
Junior Explorers (7-8 years old)
Junior Explorers is the place for your active adventurer. Fun, energetic, nature-minded staff lead campers on field trips throughout the county to discover the beauty and natural wonder of our area. The beach, the forest and the fields are all within reach.
The Spot (9-12 years old)
Days at The Spot are full of creativity, fun and adventure with an excellent mix of high energy atmosphere and mellow activities to satisfy everyone. Every day we'll keep your camper interested by giving them choices and splitting into smaller groups allowing like-minded Spotters to pursue shared interests together. Daily activities include: obstacle courses, cooking activities, dance parties, team building, trips to local skate parks & pump tracks as well as out of county field trips & fun community service projects.
Camp Cruz (6-12 years old)
Camp Cruz is our largest and most versatile camp. With all day to spend together, Camp Cruz provides a wide variety of session-themed games, arts, crafts, and field trips (both local and out of county). The fun, active structure of Cruz allows for large group experiences as well as smaller group activities like 'Crews' where your camper can choose which interest they would like to pursue! Crews give your child the opportunity to spend time around other campers with similar interests; examples of Crews from previous summers include: Cooking Crew, Sports Crew, Building Crew, and Art Crew.
Beach Camp (6-12 years old)
Beach Camp is the place for your child to experience sand, sun and ocean fun all summer long! Experienced staff lead beach and ocean themed games, art, activities and walking field trips from the convenience of Main Beach. Campers will enjoy all the beauty and wonder the marine environment provides while learning to respect and conserve it. Camp times coincide with Jr Guards times and campers will be walked to or from those programs if registered.
Junior Leaders I 2026
Volunteer Summer Camp Program for 12 - 17-year-olds
The Junior Leader program provides extra support for the camps, and to develop early work experience and job skills that each volunteer can benefit from in the workplace. Junior Leaders are assigned at a camp for the summer and are given specific responsibilities and tasks that will support the staff working at each camp site, as well as making the camp a more memorable fun experience for the participants.
Requirements
Must attend each Training Session
Uniform provided (t-shirt and sweatshirt)
Completed CityServe Application Packet turned into admin or emailed to bbarbera@santacruzca.gov
Completed fingerprint process through livescan
Applicants must be registered in the Junior Leader program through Rectrac.
CityServe Application Packet
Interviews
Interviews will be scheduled starting the week of May 11 after a CityServe packet has been turned into to The Parks and Rec Admin office at 323 Church Street or emailed to bbarbera@santacruzca.gov
Mandatory Training
Training dates: Week of June 1, Dates and times will specified at a further date.