Our Program
Summer 2024 details and registration coming soon!
At Summer at Santa Catalina, we intentionally build our camp community to create opportunities for campers to try new things, build independent and creative thinking skills, gain a sense of personal and community responsibility, and learn to access their own powerful inner resources.
Located in beautiful Monterey, California, Summer at Santa Catalina features six weeks of camp with the following options:
- Three two-week sessions
- A five-week session to be part of our summer musical theatre program (cast only)
- One-week Mini Camps for grades 3-5 during Session 1
Each session has day and resident options, with all of our campers participating in exciting classes, community building, and fun-filled all-camp activities!
Summer 2023 Sessions
Day and resident camp for girls entering grades 3-9 in the 2023-24 school year
(Day campers attend Monday-Friday)
Two-Week Sessions
Session 1: June 18–30 (one-week Mini Camp options available; see below)
Session 2: July 2–14
Session 3: July 16–29
Five-Week Session
Session 4: Musical Theatre program
June 25–July 29
One-Week Mini Camps (Session 1)
NEW FOR SUMMER 2023! Girls in grades 3-5 have the option of joining a one-week Mini Camp during Session 1.
Mini Camp A: June 18–23
Mini Camp B: June 25–30
Note: Campers who are not musical theatre participants can register for multiple sessions, with the option to stay at camp between sessions (additional fee) or be picked up for a visit from parents/relatives.
Four Communities
Day and resident campers fully participate in four communities at camp: with their camper groups, in classes, on camp teams, and with all campers together. Each of these inclusive communities allows our campers to interact with each other in unique ways.
Camper Groups
Campers are grouped by grade in a co-created communal environment led by camp counselors. Each group has a unique name, and campers enjoy bonding with other campers their age over meals, silly competitions, and other fun activities. Both our resident and day campers learn respect and awareness of others as they fully participate in daily camp life in their camper groups. They learn to share space, how to be inclusive, and how to work through conflict in healthy, positive ways. This community is full of opportunities for campers to make lasting memories and friendships!
All Camp
Our all-camp community is important, and we get creative in finding ways for our campers to experience the fun, connection, and excitement of coming together as a whole camp community. Campers join together for meals, songs, evening activities, field trips, and spiritual life at camp.
Day campers are invited to join resident campers for several all-camp traditions and games like Granny Bingo, Checks vs. Stripes, and Closing Campfire. Our all-camp activities are a chance for campers to meet girls outside their age group and classes.
Checks vs. Stripes
Camp teams create yet another wonderful community where girls can learn healthy competition! Our teams are the Checks (green and white) and the Stripes (red and white), and campers find out their camp team during the first couple days of camp. Throughout camp, girls get a chance to learn team songs and participate in fun and silly team competitions like relays and scavenger hunts. Our competitions are places where girls can learn to support each other and win and lose with grace and kindness.
Classes
Choosing their own schedule is an awesome opportunity for our campers! Campers select class preferences from a wide variety of classes ranging from STEM, arts, and crafts to sports, cooking, and more. There are five class periods per day, with some classes lasting two periods. Musical theatre lasts two periods every morning and spans five weeks of camp. Campers wishing to participate in the musical must register for Session 4.
Campers complete an activity preference form in May and receive their class schedule the first night of camp (for resident campers) and upon arrival (for day campers). Classes are a great opportunity for campers to build community around a shared interest, teach and mentor each other, and learn new skills!
Leadership at Camp
We strongly believe in the power of girls and young women. That’s why we strive to give our campers leadership opportunities at every age! Beginning in summer 2023, campers entering grade 9 can take part in our leadership program, Catalina CREW: Confident Resourceful Empowered Women. These campers will co-design a leadership curriculum with Camp Director Ange Atkinson and camp counselors. Campers who take part in this program in summer 2023 also get an opportunity to continue working with Ange through the 2023-2024 school year to co-design a second year of CREW—and return to camp for summer 2024 as entering 10th-graders in a great leadership capacity!
Summer at Santa Catalina continues to follow health and safety guidelines set forth by state and local health departments as well as the CDC, including recommendations for vaccinations. We anticipate running our full program making adjustments to meet health and safety protocols as needed.