South Bay's Best Summer Camps For Teens

Summer is fast approaching and it's that time of year to start thinking about registering the kids for summer camp. Camp programs geared specifically towards teens can be hard to find, but the South Bay offers a multitude of camp options for teens of all interests. With camps for everyone from the digital artist to the theater geek or the swimmer to the gymnast, every teen is sure to find a suitable program to occupy their summer months. The most popular camps usually fill up quickly, so see below for a list of five of the South Bay's best options.

Children's Musical Theater Of San Jose
1401 Parkmoor Ave., Suite 100
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 288-5437
www.cmtsj.orgThe Children's Musical Theater of San Jose's summer camp is a comprehensive theater camp geared specifically towards kids entering grades seven through 12. Camp sessions include many aspects of theater training including singing, dancing, acting and stage crafts. Each week of camp culminates in a final cutting-edge performance open to campers' friends and family. Camp discounts are available for early bird registration, as well as multiple session and sibling sign-ups. Other weekly camps are open to all grade school children, and after hours' care is also available for an additional fee.

Digital Media Academy
Stanford University
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305
(866) 656-3342
www.digitalmediaacademy.org

The Digital Media Academy has partnered with Stanford University to offer a plethora of tech classes for teens. Camp offerings include programming, robotics and engineering. Sessions are taught by former educators and creators from Walt Disney Design, Apple and Stanford University. Campers up to age 18 will be using cutting-edge technology and equipment in a fast-paced exciting learning environment. Options range from week-long day camps to multi-week overnight camps, and even summer-long immersion programs.

Cal Sports Center Camps
Sunnyvale Swim
1283 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 732-2257
www.calsportscenter.comThe California Sports Center offers gymnastics, dance and swimming camps for kids up to 16 years old. Each week-long session includes several hours of sport-specific instruction and practice, as well as other fitness and educational activities. Healthy snacks are included for each camper on a daily basis. Camp sessions are located at several of Cal Sports Center's South Bay locations.

Related: Best Bay Area Summer Camps

El Camino YMCA
2400 Grant Road
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 969-9622
www.ymcasv.orgThe Mountain View El Camino branch of the YMCA has a number of camp programs available to teens. This summer, it is holding adventure camps, leaders-in-training camps and overnight camps for teens. In addition, teens can sign up for various league sports and swimming sessions. All camps focus on fun, safety and good sportsmanship, and financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Related: Best Bay Area Performance Art For Kids

Joanna Metheny is a freelance writer covering all things South Bay. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.