Our Summer Exploration Camps
The CEC’s Summer Exploration Camps offers children, 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!
Summer Exploration Camps for the 2025 Season are now open for Enrollment. This year’s camps run from June 9th to July 25th. Our Extended Summer Fun program runs from August 11th to August 29th.
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 9 - July 25
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 2025
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This week of fun will transport us through time as we explore a different era each day.
Guest: Professor Egghead - Ancient Wonders
Tuition: $595 -
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.
Guest: Local Artist & Guitarist Andrew James
Tuition: $475 -
Engage all of your senses this week through fun science activities. Prepare to get messy!
Guest: Professor Egghead - Superhero Senses
Tuition: $595
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Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Guest: Wildlife Learning Center
Tuition: $475 -
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Tuition: $595 -
Create to your hearts content.
Guest: Las Vegas Mural Artist Sara Godbout
Tuition: $595 -
Water play all day.
Guests: Dual Water Slide & Kona Ice
Tuition: $595
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 9-13, June 16-20, & June 23-27
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
Descanso Gardens: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada
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June 9-13
Tuition: $680 -
June 16-20 (closed 6/19)
Tuition: $545 -
June 23-27
Tuition: $680
After-Summer School Enrichment
For children grades K-7
The CEC offers after-summer school care for children enrolled in Assistance 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 16 - July 11
Hours: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm daily
Location: Palm Crest Elementary School, 5025 Palm Drive, La Cañada
Weekly Themes for Summer 2025
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Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Guest: Wildlife Learning Center
Tuition: $335
-
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Tuition: $415 -
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.
Guest: Local Artist & Guitarist Andrew James
Tuition: $335 -
Create to your hearts content.
Guests: Artists
Tuition: $415
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 12-August 30. 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.
Dates: August 11-15, August 18-22, and August 25-August 29
Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm daily
Oak Grove Site: 140 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada
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Week 1: August 11-15
Tuition: $595
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Week 2: August 18-22
Tuition: $595
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Week 3: August 25-29
Tuition: $595
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
2025 Summer Camp Season
Exploration Day Camp
June 9 – 13: Journey through Time
This week of fun will transport us through time as we explore a different era each day.
Guest: Professor Egghead - Ancient Wonders
Tuition: $595
June 16 – 20: 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.
Guest: Local Artist & Guitarist Andrew James
Tuition: $475
June 23 – 27: Explore Your Senses
Engage all of your senses this week through fun science activities. Prepare to get messy!
Guest: Professor Egghead- Superhero Senses
Tuition: $595
June 30 – July 3: Animal Planet (closed 7/4)
Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Guest: Wildlife Learning Center
Tuition: $475
July 7 – 11: Kitchen Works
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Tuition: $595
July 14 – 18: Art-Tastic
Create to your hearts content.
Guest: Las Vegas Mural Artist Sara Godbout
Tuition: $595
July 21-25: Splish Splash
Water play all day.
Guests: Dual Water Slide & Kona Ice
Tuition: $595
Descanso Discoveries
Week 1: June 9 - 13
Tuition: $680
Week 2: June 16 - 20 (closed 6/19)
Tuition: $545
Week 3: June 23 - 27
Tuition: $680
After Summer-School Enrichment | ALF
June 16 – 20: Animal Planet (closed 6/19)
Campers will take a journey around the world as they learn about different animals in their habitats.
Guest: Wildlife Learning Center
Tuition: $335
June 23 – 27: Kitchen Works
A popular week of cooking and taste-testing.
Tuition: $415
June 30 – July 3: Music Fest (closed 7/4)
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.
Guest: Local Artist & Guitarist Andrew James
Tuition: $335
July 7 – 11: Art-Tastic
Create to your hearts content.
Guests: Artists
Tuition: $415
Extended Summer Fun
Week 1: August 11 - 15
Tuition: $595
Week 2: August 18 - 22
Tuition: $595
Week 3: August 25 - 29
Tuition: $595
*Please note that all CEC Programs will be closed on Thursday, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday, and on Independence Day, Friday, July 4th.
Limited tuition assistance is available for qualifying families. Tuition Assistance applications are due May 2, 2025.
Prior to registration, please contact the CEC office for more information.
Summer Camp 2024 - Photo Gallery
