2026 Summer Schools, Camps & Children’s Activities Guide – Pages 9 & 10

Specialty Camps Worth Considering in 2026

Science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM); music; theater; sports performance — the fastest-growing segment of the camp market.

By Pasadena Now

Specialty camps — focused on a single subject area — are the fastest-growing segment of the children's camp market, expanding at roughly 8.1% compound annual growth rate. The local landscape reflects this. Four examples worth knowing.

Camp Galileo offers STEAM-focused programming for kindergarten through eighth grade at locations on Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena and Rollin Street in South Pasadena. A Noise Within runs Summer with Shakespeare on East Foothill Boulevard — classical acting, stage combat, and movement work for older students. K Music Academy and Lineage Performing Arts Center on East Mountain Street offer music and dance summer intensives. Drawn2Art provides flexible visual-arts programming including half-day, single-day, and drop-in sessions.

What distinguishes a strong specialty program: experienced instructors with credentials, clear progression for returning campers, and evidence of what kids produce.

“Specialty camps are the fastest-growing segment of the camp market — up roughly 8.1% per year.”

Sources: Expert Market Research; Camp Galileo; A Noise Within; K Music Academy; Drawn2Art.

Older Segment | 9

Dates: June 7 – August 9, 2026 | Ages: 6 – 16 Years | Specialties: 27 Programs

Pali Adventures – Summer in the San Bernardino Mountains

A specialty-rich sleepaway camp where campers build their own week.

Byline: Advertorial

Set 90 minutes east of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains, Pali Adventures is an overnight summer camp where kids choose their own experience and surprise themselves. Campers pick one weeklong morning specialty — flying trapeze, rock star, aviation, film, Hollywood stunts, DJ, culinary, ninja warrior, and 19 more — and then choose freely from afternoon electives.

Pali Adventures is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and the Western Association of Independent Camps. Juniors ages 8 to 12 enjoy a nurturing setting; Seniors ages 13 to 16 take on more freedom and leadership. For first-time campers ages 6 to 8, Mini Camp offers a gently paced introduction to overnight camp.

Sessions begin June 7, 2026. Enroll at paliadventures.com/dates-enrollment to secure your camper’s preferred week and specialty.

Pali Adventures

30778 Highway 18

Running Springs, California 92382