Our Summer Exploration Camps
The CEC’s Summer Exploration Camps offer children, entering Kindergarten through 7th grade, outdoor fun and adventure in an exciting day camp experience!
Camps are scheduled weekly and include Summer Exploration Camp at our Oak Grove and Caltech sites, Descanso Discoveries, After-Summer School care for LCUSD (ALF) summer school attendees, and Extended Summer Fun.
Keep scrolling to learn more specifics about each camp!
Exploration Day Camp
For children entering grades K-7
We offer 7 weeks of themed, five-day sessions. Choose from as many or as few weeks as you need. Each week will focus on different themed activities that include: arts and crafts, science, and outdoor play. Children have the opportunity to spend time playing and exploring with friends outdoors and participate in creative and stimulating indoor activities and clubs. There are also opportunities to learn from special guests who are happy to share their knowledge and expertise. Special “Zone” field trips and experiences for children entering 4th-7th grade. Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) students are welcome to join the Caltech site mid-day.
Dates: June 8 - July 24
Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm daily
Oak Grove Site: 140 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada
Caltech Site: 240 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena
Weekly Themes for Summer 2026
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This week of fun will transport us through time as we explore a different era each day.
Special Guests: Professor Egghead - Trapped In Tar Pits
Tuition: $615 -
Music Fest will take a look at different genres in the world of music. We will have a music festival at the end of the week.
Special Guests: Aaron's Drum Circle and Andrew James
Tuition: $490 -
Engage all of your senses this week through fun science activities. Prepare to get messy!
Special Guests: Mad Science
Tuition: $615
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Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Special Guests: Dinosaurs Rock ft. Insects
Tuition: $490 -
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Chef, Guest Chefs and trips to local stores
Tuition: $615 -
Create to your hearts content.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Artist
Tuition: $615 -
Water play all day.
Special Guests: Dual Water Slide
Tuition: $615
Descanso Discoveries
For children entering grades K-7
Join us for discovery and adventure at the beautiful outdoor space of Descanso Gardens. Children will tend to an edible garden, prepare healthy snacks from Descanso's bountiful gardens, and investigate the wonders of our natural world through art projects and science-based activities. Drop-off and pick-up are at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada.
Dates: June 8-12, June 15-18, & June 22-26
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
Descanso Gardens: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada
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June 8-12
Tuition: $700 -
June 15-18 (closed 6/19)
Tuition: $560 -
June 22-26
Tuition: $700
After-Summer School Enrichment
For children grades K-7
The CEC offers after-summer school care for children enrolled in Action League of Flintridge (ALF) summer school. Located on the same campus as the ALF program, this program operates from noon to 6:00 pm. Children are invited to attend for the afternoon, whether they are enrolled in summer school or not. During ALF weeks, ALF students will walk from their classrooms at Palm Crest Elementary (PCR) to join us on campus. Campers will enjoy themed activities, arts and crafts, science, and sports on site each day!
Dates: June 15 - July 10
Hours: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm daily
Location: Palm Crest Elementary School, 5025 Palm Drive, La Cañada
Weekly Themes for Summer 2026
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Create to your hearts content.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Artist
Tuition: $345
-
Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Special Guests: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Tuition: $430 -
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Chef and other Guest Chefs
Tuition: $345 -
This week of fun will transport us through time as we explore a different era each day.
Special Guests: Professor Egghead - Trapped In Tar Pits
Tuition: $430
Extended Summer Fun
For children entering grades K-7
"Extended Summer Fun"- that period when most camps end and school for many has not yet begun. Join us for one, two, or three weeks of fun from August 10-August 28. If your child's school does not start until late August or early September, then this time is available for your child with lots of creativity, play, and fun with friends.
If your child is enrolled in the Oak Grove (Whales) or Caltech (Owls) school year program, you do not need to sign up for Extended Summer Fun. Your fall registration will include the weeks of August 10, August 17, and August 24 and no additional summer registration is required.
Dates: August 10-14, August 17-21, and August 24-28
Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm daily
Oak Grove Site: 140 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada
Caltech Site: 240 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena
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Week 1: August 10-14
Tuition: $615
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Week 2: August 17-21
Tuition: $615
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Week 3: August 24-28
Tuition: $615
Our Summer Exploration Camps operate at four sites across La Cañada and Pasadena
Exploration Day Camp & Extended Summer Fun
Located at our Oak Grove site 140 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada
Exploration Day Camp
Located at Our Caltech Site at 240 South Michigan Avenue, Pasadena
Descanso Discoveries
Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada
Our Summer Camp Tuition Policies
Overview of session dates, themes, & weekly tuition rates
2026 Summer Camp Season
Exploration Day Camp
June 8 – 12: Journey through Time
This week of fun will transport us through time as we explore a different era each day.
Special Guests: Professor Egghead - Trapped In Tar Pits
Tuition: $615
June 15 – 18: Music Fest (closed 6/19)
Music Fest will take a look at different genres in the world of music. We will have a music festival at the end of the week.
Special Guests: Aaron's Drum Circle and Andrew James
Tuition: $490
June 22 – 26: Explore Your Senses
Engage all of your senses this week through fun science activities. Prepare to get messy!
Special Guests: Mad Science
Tuition: $615
June 29 – July 2: Animal Planet (closed 7/3)
Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Special Guests: Dinosaurs Rock ft. Insects
Tuition: $490
July 6 – 10: Kitchen Works
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Chef, Guest Chefs and trips to local stores
Tuition: $615
July 13 – 17: Art-Tastic
Create to your hearts content.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Artist
Tuition: $615
July 20-24: Splish Splash
Water play all day.
Special Guests: Dual Water Slide
Tuition: $615
Descanso Discoveries
Week 1: June 8 - 12
Tuition: $700
Week 2: June 15 - 18 (closed 6/19)
Tuition: $560
Week 3: June 22 - 26
Tuition: $700
After Summer-School Enrichment | ALF
June 15 – 18: Art-Tastic (closed 6/19)
Create to your hearts content.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Artist
Tuition: $345
June 22 – 26: Animal Planet
Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Special Guests: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Tuition: $430
June 29 – July 2: Kitchen Works (closed 7/3)
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Special Guests: Future Hearts Chef and other Guest Chefs
Tuition: $345
July 6 – 10: Journey through Time
This week of fun will transport us through time as we explore a different era each day.
Special Guests: Professor Egghead - Trapped In Tar Pits
Tuition: $430
Extended Summer Fun
Week 1: August 10 - 14
Tuition: $615
Week 2: August 17 - 21
Tuition: $615
Week 3: August 24 - 28
Tuition: $615
*Please note that all CEC Programs will be closed on Thursday, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday, and on Independence Day (Observed), Friday, July 3rd.
Summer Camp 2025 - Photo Gallery
