If you’re anything like my family, “Last Minute” could be your family’s surname. I don’t say that to shame us. No — we are an overworked, overscheduled bunch who should be handed trophies for keeping as many balls as we do juggling in air. But if you’ve let signing your kids up for summer camp slip from your orbit this year, don’t fret.
Here is a roundup of some flexible summer camps in and around L.A. County. These camps provide flexible scheduling options and diverse activities to suit families looking for freedom in how — and when — you use the camp services.
1. Got Game Camp
Website: gotgamecamp.com
Locations: Multiple sites across Mid-City L.A., West L.A. and San Fernando Valley.
Dates: June 12-Aug. 22 (varies by location); 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with extended care from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Flexible options: Weekly registration available. Campers can customize daily schedules based on interests.
Activities: Sports, art/science projects, water play, games and field trips for ages 6 and up.
2. Aventuras Forest School
Website: aventurasforestschool.org/summer-camp
Location: Griffith Park area.
Dates: Weekly options from June 16-Aug. 15; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Flexible options: Enrollment occurs on a rolling basis until full.
Activities: Spanish immersion through nature-based play and exploration in Fern Dell’s forest environment.
3. UCLA Recreation Summer Camps
Website: recreation.ucla.edu/summercamps
Location: UCLA Campus and Marina Aquatic Center in Marina del Rey.
Dates: June 16-Aug. 22. Most camps run between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (varies by program). Extended care is available.
Flexible options: Registration closes Wednesdays at noon before the following session begins. Example: If camp starts July 10th, registration closes Wednesday, July 5 at 12 p.m.
Activities: Specialized programs by interest (e.g., arts, nature, counselors in training or water sports at Marina Aquatic Center).
4. Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp
Website: fitnessbythesea.com
Location: Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades
Dates: June 11-Aug. 22; 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with extended care options
Flexible options: Options to sign up by the week. Parents can change their child’s schedule as needed throughout the summer
Activities: Campers are free to choose their own activities, which includes more than 50 different water sports, team and individual sports and creative activities.
5. Pali Adventures
Website: paliadventures.com
Location: Running Springs.
Dates: One-week sessions run from June 8-Aug. 16.
Flexible options: For this overnight camp, campers choose a morning specialty and design their own activities for the rest of the day to create a personalized camp experience.
Activities: Includes traditional camp activities alongside specialties such as filmmaking, a rock music program, motor sports, culinary arts and flying trapeze.
6. Aloha Beach Camp
Website: alohabeachcamp.com
Location: Zuma Beach, Paradise Cove, Channel Islands Harbor and other beach sites.
Dates: June 16-Aug. 22.
Flexible options: Day-by-day enrollment is available. There is also a “name your own price” option for families.
Activities: Surfing, sandcastles, bug hunts, beach hikes and more.
7. Tech Revolution STEM Summer Camps at UCLA
Website: lavnercampsandprograms.com
Location: UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona, Crossroads School.
Dates: June 16-Aug. 22; 9 a.m.-3p.m., with extended care options from 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m.
Flexible options: Weekly enrollment with the ability to switch weeks or cancel if needed, with an option to receive a credit for a later camp. Campers can build a customized schedule by selecting different STEM courses each week.
Activities: Robotics, game design, coding, engineering and more.
8. Steve & Kate’s Camp
Website: steveandkatescamp.com
Location: Five locations across L.A. County
Dates: June-August (camp dates vary); 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Flexible options: These camps provide flexible options for families who prefer day-by-day enrollment without requiring long-term commitments. Families can purchase day passes to use whenever and wherever convenient. No advance commitment is required. Campers can even leave and come back the same day.
Activities: Self-directed learning experiences including arts, sports and creative projects.
9. Anderson Adventure Camp H20
Website: rosebowlquatics.org/camp
Location: Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena.
Dates: June 9-Aug. 8; 8 a.m.-3 p.m., with extended care options from 3-6 p.m.
Flexible options: Weekly registrations. Some weeks are still open.
Activities: Swimming lessons, arcade games, arts and crafts, parachute play, flag football and more.