Southern California Sleepaway Camp Registration Dates for Summer 2027

Booking a bunk for summer 2027 sells out almost as fast as concert tickets. Many Southern California overnight camps opened enrollment on October 1, 2026, and top cabins were nearly on waitlists by early November. We’ve gathered every registration date, refund deadline, and policy toggle into one quick-scan sheet so you can choose a week that fits your calendar. Skim the guide, lock your spot before the December 31 discount window closes, and watch your child’s summer plan come together months ahead of the crowd.

When Southern California families should register for summer 2027

Plan to enroll between October 1 and December 31, 2026 if you want first-choice cabins. Private overnight camps such as YMCA Camp Marston and Amplify opened on October 1, and Catalina Sea Camp had several age brackets marked “nearly full” by October 30. The deepest early-bird pricing across the region ends on December 31; after that, tuition rises and refund windows begin to shrink.

Wait until spring and you’ll likely swap flexibility for a waitlist spot, a higher rate, and stricter cancellation terms: some operators move from partial to zero refunds as early as April 1. Block one hour now to select your week, pay the deposit, and copy every follow-up deadline from the confirmation email; that quick step locks the bunk and the lower price before seats disappear.

At-a-glance 2027 registration calendar

Need the full picture in one quick read? The table below shows which camps are already enrolling, the very next date you must hit, and whether tuition is public or on request. Last verified November 12, 2026.

If the Next key deadline cell says Not yet published, the camp hasn’t released that detail, so add a calendar reminder to check again.

Camp	Registration status	Next key deadline	Ages / grades	Accreditation / affiliation	Tuition info
Pali Adventures	Open (as of Nov 12 2026)	Rolling space-available updates	6-16	ACA, WAIC	Not publicly listed
Amplify Sleep Away Camp	Opened Oct 1 2026	Dec 31 new-family discount	2-12	ACA	Public
YMCA Camp Marston	Opened Oct 1 2026	May 17 balance due	7-17	YMCA	Public
Catalina Sea Camp	Open	Jan 31 early-bird pricing	8-17	ACA, WAIC	Public
AstroCamp	Open	Jan 31 early-bird pricing	7-17	ACA, WAIC	Public
Catalina Island Camps	Opened Oct 2026	Dec 1 tier-one price break	1-10	ACA, WAIC	Public
Canyon Creek Summer Camp	Open	Jan 15 pay-in-full rate	7-16	Accreditation to be confirmed	Public
Camp Ramah in California	Open	Dec 31 new-family discount	3-11	Accreditation to be confirmed	Public
Camp Alonim	Open; 2027 details pending	Not yet published	2-11	Accreditation to be confirmed	Public
Ojai Valley School Summer Camp	Open	Confirm availability (seats filling)	8-15	Boarding-school oversight	Public

Camps with 2027 registration open or confirmed

Every camp below is already accepting deposits for summer 2027 or has announced firm enrollment dates. Scan the details, note the next deadline, and move fast: seats in the most popular specialties can vanish weeks after registration opens.

1. Pali Adventures

Families can check current enrollment directly with Pali Adventures. Picture your camper waking up in the San Bernardino Mountains, heading to a morning specialty such as Flying Trapeze or Hollywood Stunts that they chose for the week. The formula is simple: one focused morning specialty, free-choice electives every afternoon, and no hidden “activity up-charge.”

Safety and supervision appear on Pali’s site: ACA accreditation, WAIC membership, LiveScan and U.S. Department of Justice background checks, first-aid/CPR/AED-certified staff, and on-site medical staff. Campers bunk by maturity band. Minis 6-8 rotate through core activities, Juniors 8-12 pick a showcase specialty, and Seniors 13-16 chase advanced skills and leadership roles.

2027 enrollment was live when we checked on November 12, 2026, though the exact launch date is not posted. Because specialties fill before beds do, it pays to reserve early; you can still switch themes later if space allows.

Registration snapshot

• Status: open, space available 
• Next step: choose a specialty and enroll online, or call a Parent Liaison with questions 
• Pricing: all-inclusive (Pali does not publish pricing publicly and families should contact the camp directly) 
• Session changes: possible when space is available

Lock a bunk now and the only summer question left is which photos you will frame in August.

2. Amplify Sleep Away Camp

Families can view current dates and rates on the Amplify site. Set on a creative boarding-school campus in Ojai, Amplify turns a love of music, film, photography, or fashion into an immersive residency for campers entering 2nd-12th grade.

2027 enrollment opened October 1, 2026. Two early-bird tiers follow: sign up before November 1 to save $349 and secure flexible “camp-flex” perks; enroll by December 31 for a $150 discount and the same change window through April 15.

The community is intentionally designed for girls and gender-expansive youth, pairing deep-dive workshops in rock band, filmmaking, and fashion design with confidence-building cabin life. Amplify lists ACA accreditation, dedicated medical staff, and a nearby hospital on its safety page.

Registration snapshot

• Status: open since Oct 1 
• Next deadline: Nov 1 early-bird; Dec 31 second-tier discount 
• Deposit: $150, non-refundable 
• Session changes: free through Apr 15, space permitting 
• Tuition: public, all-inclusive of workshops, lodging, and meals

Reserve a spot before the discount window closes to keep both the savings and the option to adjust sessions later.

3. Catalina Sea Camp

Families can check live availability on the Catalina Sea Camp Dates & Rates page. Set in Toyon Bay, the program mixes snorkeling, sailing, and hands-on marine-science labs for campers ages 8-17.

2027 registration was active when we reviewed the site on October 30, 2026; several one-week sessions showed “nearly full” or “waitlist” labels. Early-bird pricing ($150 off one-week sessions, $200 off longer sessions) runs until January 31, 2027. Reserve soon because spots can vanish even when bunks appear open.

A non-refundable deposit of $300 (one week) or $600 (2.5-week) is due at enrollment, and the remaining balance is payable by May 1. Cancellation refunds shrink as that date approaches.

Safety credentials include ACA accreditation, WAIC membership, dedicated medical staff, and published aquatic-staff certifications.

Registration snapshot

• Status: open, limited spaces in some sessions 
• Next deadline: Jan 31 early-bird pricing; full balance due May 1 
• Deposit: $300 or $600, non-refundable 
• Tuition: public; early-bird savings until Jan 31 
• Session changes: possible while space lasts

If marine adventure tops your child’s wish list, securing a berth early keeps both the ferry and the budget on course.

4. AstroCamp

Check live dates and rates on the AstroCamp site. Perched in the pine forests above Idyllwild, this STEM-meets-outdoor program lets campers build rockets by day and study galaxies by night.

2027 enrollment is open, and early-bird pricing ($150 off one-week sessions, $200 off longer sessions) runs until January 31, 2027. A non-refundable deposit of $300 (one week) or $500 (two weeks) holds the bunk, and the remaining balance is due May 1; registrations after that date must be paid in full.

Safety credentials include ACA accreditation, posted counselor ratios, and certified medical staff, while an optional bus from Los Angeles saves parents the mountain drive.

Session length is flexible: first-timers often choose one week, while returning teens stretch to two weeks packed with high ropes, night-sky photography, and the camp-famous liquid-nitrogen ice cream.

Registration snapshot

• Status: open; early-bird pricing until Jan 31 
• Next deadline: pay deposit now; balance due May 1 
• Deposit: $300 (one week) or $500 (two weeks), non-refundable 
• Tuition: public; early-bird savings and installment plans until Jan 31 
• Transportation: optional L.A. shuttle, seats limited

Reserve early if your young scientist wants first pick of specialty labs or telescope time.

5. YMCA Camp Marston

Families can view sessions and pricing on the YMCA Camp Marston registration page. Registration for summer 2027 opened October 1, 2026, and campers who enroll by November 1, 2026 lock in 2026 rates.

• Ages: 7-17 
• Sessions: one week for younger campers; two-week leadership tracks for teens 
• Safety: YMCA staff training and an on-site health center 
• Financial aid: apply within the same parent portal at registration

A non-refundable $300 deposit holds each spot, and all balances are due May 17, 2027. Miss the balance date and the reservation cancels automatically.

Registration snapshot

• Status: open since Oct 1 
• Next deadline: Nov 1 rate lock, then May 17 balance 
• Deposit: $300, non-refundable 
• Tuition: public; 2027 rates match 2026 if you register by Nov 1 
• Session changes: contact the registrar; changes allowed while space lasts

Reserve early and set a reminder for May 17 to keep the bunk secure.

6. Catalina Island Camps

Check the live discount calendar on the Catalina Island Camps rates page. After a short boat ride to Howlands Landing, campers in 1st-10th grade rotate through reef ecology, sailing, climbing, and classic campfire skits.

• Tiered tuition: save $150 when you register before December 1, 2026; a smaller break runs through February 1; standard rates apply after April 1 
• Deposit: $250 non-refundable at enrollment 
• Balance deadline: April 1, 2027; enrollments after that date require full payment 
• Medical forms: due May 1 (see parent portal for details) 
• Session changes: allowed while space remains; full sessions move to a time-stamped waitlist

Tuition covers the mainland ferry, meals, and most gear, and the program lists both ACA accreditation and WAIC membership on its safety page.

Registration snapshot

• Status: open; discount window closes Dec 1 
• Next deadline: pay $250 deposit before Dec 1 for the deepest rate 
• Deposit: $250, non-refundable 
• Tuition: public; includes transportation and core activities 
• Ages/grades: entering 1st-10th

Lock your preferred session early. The popular snorkeling elective can fill as fast as the ferry.

7. Canyon Creek Summer Camp

See current dates and rates on the Canyon Creek site. Set on 81 sunny acres in Lake Hughes, this classic multi-activity camp bounces from zip lines to pool time before lunch and stories under the stars after dinner.

• Early tuition: pay in full by Jan 15, 2027 to save $200 on a two-week session or $100 on a one-week session 
• Deposit: $500 non-refundable per camper, due at enrollment 
• Payment plan: 50 percent of tuition by Mar 1; remaining balance by May 1 
• Refunds: 100 percent minus a $200 fee before Apr 1, 75 percent through Apr 15, 50 percent through Apr 30, no refunds after May 1 
• Ages: 7-16 for camp, 15-16 for the CIT program 
• Accreditation: site displays ACA and WAIC logos, but parents should confirm current status in the ACA directory

Registration snapshot

• Status: open; early tuition deadline Jan 15 
• Next step: submit the $500 deposit online 
• Tuition: public; early-bird discount applies when paid in full by Jan 15 
• Session length: one or two weeks, plus CIT option 
• Refund clock: drops sharply after Apr 1

Lock the rate before Jan 15 if you want the lowest price, and set calendar alerts for the March and May payment checkpoints.

8. Camp Ramah in California

View full details on the Camp Ramah dates and rates page. Perched on a hilltop outside Ojai, the camp blends classic waterfront and ropes-course fun with joyful Jewish learning. Imagine Hebrew pop at flag and Shabbat songs under the oaks.

• Who can attend: Gesher taste-test sessions serve rising 3rd-5th graders; full four-week blocks welcome rising 4th-11th graders; Tikvah provides dedicated support for campers with learning or developmental disabilities 
• Deposit: a $500 non-refundable application fee is included in the first payment 
• Early discounts:
  • Returning families: apply by Sept 25 (1st session) or Nov 2 (2nd session) 2026 
  • First-time families: apply by Dec 31, 2026 to save $150-$250 depending on session length
• Cancellation ladder: full refund minus the $500 fee through Dec 31, 2026; $1,500 fee Jan 1-Apr 1, 2027; no refunds after Apr 1 
• Medication fee: $50 for up to two prescriptions, then $25 each, max $125 
• Financial aid: need-based scholarships reviewed on a rolling basis after the early window closes

Registration snapshot

• Status: open; priority spots for returning families filled in September 
• Next deadline: Dec 31, 2026 first-time family discount 
• Deposit: $500, non-refundable 
• Refund clock: $1,500 fee starts Jan 1; zero refunds after Apr 1 
• Tuition: public; early-enrollment price shown on the dates and rates page

Locking a berth before December 31 secures the discount and the broadest choice of Gesher or full-session dates.

9. Camp Alonim

The registration portal for 2027 is live on the Camp Alonim site, but the fine print still shows 2026 details as of November 12, 2026.

What usually happens once dates publish:

• Deposit: historically $500 and non-refundable 
• Balance: due in late March or early April 
• Scholarships: awarded on a rolling basis after enrollment 
• Tuition: posted publicly, with sibling discounts most years 
• Ages/grades: rising 2nd-11th, split into lower camp, upper camp, and CIT tracks (verify when the 2027 grid appears)

Registration snapshot

• Status: portal open; awaiting official 2027 calendar 
• Next step: join the email list and check the official page for updates 
• Deposit & tuition: to be confirmed; expect public pricing and sibling discounts 
• Accreditation: ACA status not listed. Parents should verify in the ACA directory once updates go live

If your camper mixes horseback mornings with guitar jam nights, set a calendar reminder for late November and refresh the official page until the 2027 countdown posts.

10. Camp Bravo

Camp Bravo packs a full performing-arts season into one week at 6,500-foot Angelus Oaks. Days start with acting, voice, dance, and improv workshops and flip to tech theater and set design so every camper sees both sides of the curtain.

• 2027 session: typically late June (early-registration discount ends March 15) 
• Who can attend: entering 7th grade through first-year college (about ages 12-18) 
• Deposit: required at checkout (amount revealed in the registration cart) 
• Discounts: early-registration discount ends March 15; sibling discounts available 
• Refunds: 50 percent of the deposit refunded until May 25; no refunds afterward 
• Scholarships: financial-aid application opens the same day as registration; funds are limited and require a deposit to hold the seat

Registration snapshot

• Status: 2027 enrollment open 
• Next deadline: submit deposit now; early discount ends Mar 15 
• Tuition: public during online checkout 
• Seats: cabins house 12-18 students each; sessions can sell out quickly

If your teen thrives on eight counts and stage lights, join the email list and register early; the single June session and small capacity mean late planners often land on the waitlist.

11. Ojai Valley School summer camp

Families can register on the OVS summer portal. Set on a 195-acre hilltop campus, the resident program blends horseback lessons, marine-biology fieldwork, robotics labs, archery, and overnight hikes to the school’s historic fire lookout.

• Ages: 8-15 for the resident program 
• Deposit: $300, non-refundable, due at checkout 
• Balance: full tuition payable before the session start date (see parent portal for exact schedule) 
• Accreditation: ACA and WASC listed on the camp site 
• Transportation: optional LAX shuttle on opening and closing days; seats are limited and first-come first-served 
• Capacity: several 2027 sessions were already flagged “limited space” as of Nov 12, 2026, so register early to secure preferred weeks

Registration snapshot

• Status: 2027 enrollment open 
• Next step: pay the $300 deposit; select shuttle if needed 
• Tuition: public in the registration cart; academic and outdoor electives included 
• Forms: medical and activity waivers are required before arrival (see parent portal for schedule)

Reserve sooner rather than later if you need the LAX shuttle or have your eye on a specialty elective; both can fill even when bunks remain.

Camps with 2027 details still to come

A few Southern California favorites have not posted their 2027 calendars yet. Registration portals are live, but key dates such as opening day, refund ladders, and scholarship cut-offs still read “coming soon.” Join each camp’s email list, create a parent-portal account if offered, and watch for updates over winter break. Last verified November 12, 2026.

Camp	County	Current 2027 status	Where updates appear	Parent action
Camp JCA Shalom	Los Angeles	“2027 information coming soon” banner on site	Email newsletter; Instagram feed	Follow both channels and enable notifications
Camp Bob Waldorf	Los Angeles	Returning-family enrollment open; new-family dates pending	Parent portal; website alerts	Create portal account now; prep scholarship documents
Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps	Los Angeles	Registration form live, but session dates still list 2026	Official FAQ; Facebook page	Bookmark FAQ; refresh weekly

Add these programs to your calendar and set alerts for early January so you can grab a spot the moment their 2027 dates drop.

Registration dates parents should track after enrollment

Booking a bunk is only step one. Keep these four follow-up dates on your calendar so the reservation, and your refund, stay intact.

Deposit and balance deadlines

A non-refundable deposit locks the spot the day you enroll. Miss the final balance date and many systems cancel the booking automatically. Set an auto-pay or calendar alert the moment you click “submit.”

Medical and medication paperwork

All ACA-accredited camps require a camper health history or physical before arrival (acacamps.org). Most programs ask families to upload forms 30-60 days ahead so the nurse can flag allergies, inhalers, or daily prescriptions. File early and you skip last-minute phone tag with the pediatrician.

Scholarship and financial aid windows

Need help with tuition? Aid pools open early and can empty fast. Many camps ask you to register first, then complete a separate assistance form, so tackle both tasks in the same afternoon to land near the top of the queue.

Cancellation, insurance, and session-change cut-offs

Refund percentages shrink as summer approaches. Some operators offer third-party tuition insurance, but only within a short window, often 7-14 days after enrollment. Pali Adventures, for instance, offers its own camp-cancellation insurance, bought at enrollment, that refunds 100 percent through February 1, 75 percent through March 1, and 50 percent through April 1 before switching to zero refunds.

Circle that date, read the exclusions carefully, and decide quickly whether the policy fits your risk tolerance.

Block one focused hour with your calendar today and you will glide past these checkpoints instead of scrambling for paperwork in May.

How to compare camp safety and accreditation

Understanding accreditation versus licensing

In California, overnight camps must hold a county or state organized-camp permit that covers essentials such as food service, water quality, and first-aid stations (cdph.ca.gov). Those permits focus on facilities, not the full camper experience.

Many parents look for an added seal: American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation. The ACA’s independent auditors review more than 250 standards on staff screening, supervision ratios, emergency plans, aquatic safety, and health-care protocols. Camps renew every five years and file annual compliance statements in between (acacamps.org).

Licensing and accreditation are not the same. A camp may hold its county permit without ACA status, or it may have ACA status while county paperwork is still in progress. Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC) members also complete a peer review that complements ACA or state oversight (waic.org).

Before you pay a deposit:

1. Search your county public-health site to confirm the camp’s organized-camp permit. 
2. Look up the camp in the ACA accreditation directory. 
3. Check for WAIC membership if the camp operates in California’s mountains or coastal zones.

This three-click audit adds a strong layer of confidence long before the bus rolls up.

Questions to ask before paying a deposit

Before you click “pay,” confirm these points with the registrar so you avoid an “I wish I’d known” surprise in June.

1. Is my child’s exact age group still open, or already on the waitlist? 
2. When does the deposit switch from refundable to non-refundable? 
3. What happens if our school-district calendar shifts and overlaps the session we booked? 
4. Can we transfer to a different week, and what, if anything, will that cost? 
5. Is transportation included, optional, or mandatory through the camp? 
6. Are specialty activities, gear rentals, or off-site trips included in tuition? 
7. When are medical and medication forms due, and who reviews them? (acacamps.org) 
8. How does the waitlist work: first-come timestamp or balanced by age and gender? 
9. What protocols cover food allergies, EpiPens, and daily prescriptions? 
10. What are the daily phone, photo, and parent-communication policies?

Getting clear answers now keeps deadlines, costs, and safety steps in plain sight later.

Frequently asked questions

When should I register for a Southern California sleepaway camp in 2027?

Aim for October-December 2026 if you are booking a private program. Several camps opened on Oct 1, 2026 (for example YMCA Camp Marston and Amplify) and filled high-demand cabins quickly. Public or nonprofit camps may open later, but their most popular age groups still sell out first.

Do camps accept registrations after the early-bird deadline?

Usually yes, if beds remain. The early date locks a discount or keeps last year’s rate. After it passes, tuition rises and refund windows shorten, but enrollment stays open until the session reaches capacity.

What happens if my child’s preferred session is full?

Add your name to the waitlist right away. Some camps fill openings by timestamp, while others balance by age or gender. Monitor email closely because many camps give families 24 hours to accept an opening.

Are sleepaway camp deposits refundable?

In most cases, no. A few programs offer a brief grace period (24-72 hours) or allow refunds only if you purchase optional tuition insurance. Always read the deposit clause in the confirmation email before you pay.

What paperwork is required after registration?

Expect a physician-signed health form, immunization record, medication authorization, and pickup consent, typically due 30-60 days before opening day, per ACA health-form guidance. Submit early so the camp nurse can flag allergies or prescription needs without a rush.

How can I tell whether a camp is safe?

Confirm three items: 

1. A current county organized-camp permit (check the local health-department site). 
2. ACA accreditation and/or WAIC membership in the public directories. 
3. Written policies on staff background checks, supervision ratios, emergency communication, and wildfire or evacuation plans. Clear, prompt answers show solid preparation.

Final registration takeaway for summer 2027

Register early, log every deadline, and screenshot the policy page the day you enroll. These three steps protect both your child’s bunk and your budget. Most private Southern California camps opened enrollment in October 2026, and the last remaining spots usually go to families who already noted balance-due, medical-form, and refund dates on their calendars.

Lock your session now, save every confirmation email, and head into spring knowing your camper’s summer is already on the books.