01 / DAY CAMPS
Home for dinner. Big days in between.
4 campsFour practical choices in Danville, San Ramon and Lafayette.
01Best local all-rounder
Adventure Day Camp
San Ramon · The Dorris-Eaton School
2027 details pendingThe most practical starting point for a varied outdoor summer close to Danville. Swimming, boating, archery, climbing and arts let the boys try different activities without committing to one sport.
For the boysBoth ages fit; expect separate age groups.
- Age / grade
- Ages 3–15
- Session
- 2 or 3 weeks
- Daily coverage
- 9am–4pm; care 8:30am–5pm included
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED$1,920 / 2 weeks2026: $2,875 for 3 weeks. Extended care included.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
The latest published San Ramon season is June 8–July 31, 2026. No 2027 schedule verified.
Next step
Ask for the 2027 San Ramon schedule and availability for both ages in the same session.
What to weigh up
The program favors multiweek sessions. Some activities involve off-site trips; confirm the 2027 San Ramon location and transport arrangements. Horseback riding is offered once per session for eligible grades, not every day.
Official sources
San Ramon program ↗ · Dates & tuition ↗ · Hours & care ↗ · Age range ↗
02Best premium outdoor choice
Roughing It Day Camp
Lafayette Reservoir · Danville bus service
2027 dates tentativeA strong choice for boys who want a sustained outdoor experience: swimming and waterfront activities, consistent groups and a lakefront setting. Included transportation serving Danville is a major practical advantage.
For the boysBoth ages fit; groups follow age and grade.
- Age / grade
- Ages 4–16 · Pre-K–10th grade
- Session
- 2–8 weeks
- Daily coverage
- Full day; confirm 2027 bus and care hours
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED$3,660 / 2 weeks2026: $6,775 / 4 weeks; $9,950 / 8 weeks. Confirm fees and care separately.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
Tentative 2027 four-week blocks: June 14–July 9 and July 12–August 6. Final dates and rates are still coming. The page contains older registration text, so do not treat its January 29 line as a confirmed 2027 opening.
Next step
Join the camp’s notification list and request 2027 tuition, bus stops and extended-care details.
03Best for makers & STEAM
Camp Galileo
San Ramon · 2026 site: Montevideo Elementary
2027 early enrollment advertisedThe best fit on this shortlist for children who enjoy designing, building and creative problem-solving. Weekly sessions are easier to fit around travel than a multiweek outdoor camp.
For the boysBoth likely fit; confirm each boy’s fall 2027 grade.
- Age / grade
- Rising K–8th grades at this location
- Session
- Weekly sessions
- Daily coverage
- 9am–3pm; paid care 8am–6pm
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED$575 / week example2026 five-day 4th–5th-grade price. The older boy’s 6th–8th-grade rate was not verified.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
The visible local session grid covers June 8–July 24, 2026. Specific San Ramon 2027 dates and prices were not verified.
Next step
Check the enrollment portal for San Ramon and both grade groups; ask about extended-care charges.
What to weigh up
The website advertises 2027 early enrollment but still displays a 2026 location guide and session grid. Confirm the site, dates, grade group and final checkout price before relying on them.
Official sources
San Ramon program, rates & hours ↗
04Best value close to home
DesTEENation & Junior
Danville · Los Cerros Middle School
2027 details pendingA good-value local choice with field trips and age-appropriate groups. Both programs used the same school campus in 2026, making this a practical option even though the boys cannot join the same group.
For the boysAge 10: Junior. Age 12: DesTEENation. Separate programs.
- Age / grade
- Junior 9–11 · DesTEENation 11–14
- Session
- Weekly sessions
- Daily coverage
- 9am–3:30pm
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED$360 / $420 per week2026 nonresident rates: Junior $360; older program $420. Resident rates were $300 / $350.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
The 2026 guide lists weekly sessions June 15–July 31, with a shortened holiday week. No 2027 schedule verified.
Next step
Check the town’s next summer activity guide and confirm the residence rule, care options and trip schedule.
What to weigh up
Budget at the nonresident rate until the town confirms whether your summer stay qualifies for resident pricing. A 3:30pm finish does not cover a full working day; additional care is unverified.
Official sources
Town summer guide · printed page 18 ↗
02 / SLEEPAWAY CAMPS
A little independence. A bigger adventure.
5 campsFive residential camps within an estimated 1½–4½ hours of Danville.
05Best first sleepaway & value
YMCA Camp Campbell
Boulder Creek · Santa Cruz Mountains
2027 details pendingOur first sleepaway pick because its short introductory session suits both ages, with a shorter drive than the Sierra camps. Swimming, archery, climbing, woodshop and cabin life provide a classic camp experience.
For the boysBoth ages fit; cabins are grouped with similar-age peers.
- Age / grade
- Ages 7–16
- Session
- 6 days / 5 nights or 2 weeks
- Daily coverage
- Residential · overnight supervision
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED$1,076 / 5 nights2026 nonmember mini-camp rate. Two-week program: $1,670. Member rates were lower.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
2026 mini-camps ran in June, July and early August; two-week sessions were June 21–July 3 and July 5–17. No 2027 dates verified.
Next step
Ask when 2027 enrollment opens and whether the same mini-camp week can accommodate both boys.
06Redwood alternative
YMCA Camp Loma Mar
Loma Mar · San Mateo County
2027 details pendingA nearby sleepaway alternative with redwoods, climbing, archery, creative activities and camper choice. Its separate grade-based villages could give each boy an experience matched to his stage.
For the boysBoth likely fit; village depends on entering grade.
- Age / grade
- Cubs: grades 2–5 · Bobcats: grades 6–8
- Session
- Confirm 2027 session lengths
- Daily coverage
- Residential · overnight supervision
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED2027 quote neededA current session price was not verified on the official summer page.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
No 2027 session dates verified. Do not plan travel around an assumed one-week schedule.
Next step
Contact clmteam@ymcaeastbay.org for dates, pricing and placement by fall 2027 grade.
What to weigh up
The official page describes the program but did not provide a verifiable 2027 schedule or price. Ask about session length, sibling contact and any Bay Area transport before comparing total cost.
Official sources
Summer program & grade groups ↗ · Camp overview ↗
07Best premium adventure choice
Camp Augusta
Nevada City · Lake Vera
2027 details pendingA premium option for boys who want a broad choice of outdoor challenges and creative activities. The camp lists more than 150 activities, and tuition includes horsemanship and off-site excursions without activity surcharges.
For the boysBoth ages fit the regular one- and two-week programs.
- Age / grade
- Ages 8–16
- Session
- 1 or 2 weeks
- Daily coverage
- Residential · meals included
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED$2,425 / 1 week2026: $4,775 for 2 weeks. Regular camp; the ages 7–8 mini-camp does not fit.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
The published 2026 season offered one-week sessions in June and August and two-week sessions from late June through early August. No 2027 dates verified.
Next step
Submit a camper-interest inquiry and request the 2027 calendar and refund terms before paying a deposit.
08Best for performing & creative kids
Camp Winnarainbow
Laytonville · Mendocino County
2027 fall announcement plannedThe most distinctive arts choice: circus and performance skills in an outdoor camp setting. Especially appealing if either boy enjoys putting on shows, trying unusual skills or making creative friends.
For the boysBoth ages fit the children’s program.
- Age / grade
- Kids camp: ages 7–14
- Session
- 1 or 2 weeks
- Daily coverage
- Residential · circus & performing arts
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED$1,425 / 1 week2026 reference: $2,850 for 2 weeks. 2027 rates are coming in fall.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
2027 dates and fees are due this fall. The displayed 2026 sessions ran June 22–August 1; those dates are historical only.
Next step
Join the camp’s updates now and check for the exact December registration opening.
09Best if Jewish camp life appeals
Camp Tawonga
Near Groveland · Yosemite region
2027 dates publishedA strong fit for a family seeking Jewish community and an outdoor sleepaway experience. Its published 2027 Session 2 has a grade range broad enough to be a promising shared session for both boys.
For the boysBoth likely fit Session 2; confirm their fall 2027 grades.
- Age / grade
- 2027 Session 2: rising grades 3–8
- Session
- 2 weeks in Session 2
- Daily coverage
- Residential · Jewish camp community
PER CHILD · HISTORICAL UNLESS NOTED2027 price pending2026 two-week reference: $5,250 per child. The 2027 schedule has changed.
Dates, tradeoffs & official sources +
Schedule & registration
Published 2027: Session 2, June 20–July 2 (grades 3–8); Session 4, July 25–August 10 (grades 3–10). Taste of Camp: June 13–18 (grades 2–6). Fees and registration details are due later in fall.
Next step
Confirm entering grades, cultural fit and the new 2027 fee before choosing a session.
What to weigh up
This is explicitly a Jewish camp, so consider the cultural fit. The short Taste of Camp is limited to rising grades 2–6; a 12-year-old entering seventh grade would not qualify for that option.
Official sources
Official 2027 lineup · PDF ↗ · 2026 rates & camp context ↗
03 / AT A GLANCE
What would it cost for both boys?
Planning comparisons using published 2026 prices, not 2027 quotes. Totals below double one-child tuition, except DesTEENation, which adds the two different age-group rates. No sibling discounts, optional care, transport extras or registration fees are deducted or added.
Historical tuition comparison for two children · session lengths differ| Camp | Format | Two-child reference total | Age fit |
|---|
| Adventure Day Camp | Day | $3,840 / 2 weeks | Both ages fit; expect separate age groups. |
|---|
| Roughing It Day Camp | Day | $7,320 / 2 weeks | Both ages fit; groups follow age and grade. |
|---|
| Camp Galileo | Day | Request grade-specific quote | Both likely fit; confirm each boy’s fall 2027 grade. |
|---|
| DesTEENation & Junior | Day | $780 / week, nonresident | Age 10: Junior. Age 12: DesTEENation. Separate programs. |
|---|
| YMCA Camp Campbell | Sleepaway | $2,152 / 5 nights | Both ages fit; cabins are grouped with similar-age peers. |
|---|
| YMCA Camp Loma Mar | Sleepaway | Request a two-child quote | Both likely fit; village depends on entering grade. |
|---|
| Camp Augusta | Sleepaway | $4,850 / 1 week | Both ages fit the regular one- and two-week programs. |
|---|
| Camp Winnarainbow | Sleepaway | $2,850 / 1 week | Both ages fit the children’s program. |
|---|
| Camp Tawonga | Sleepaway | $10,500 / 2 weeks, 2026 reference | Both likely fit Session 2; confirm their fall 2027 grades. |
|---|
These are package totals, not equivalent weekly prices. A five-night sleepaway stay and two weeks of weekday day camp provide different amounts of care. Loma Mar pricing and Galileo’s older-grade rate remain unverified.
04 / GET READY FOR 2027
The dates to keep an eye on
01Now → fall 2026
Decide on travel weeks, each boy’s fall 2027 grade and whether they want to sleep away. Roughing It has tentative dates; Tawonga has published its new session calendar. Galileo advertises early enrollment, but local details need checking.
Read Tawonga’s 2027 calendar ↗ 02Before December
If Winnarainbow appeals, watch for its opening date. The camp says enrollment typically starts in the first week of December and can fill on the first day. That is a published pattern, not an exact 2027 deadline.
Check Winnarainbow’s announcement ↗ 03When 2027 catalogs open
Recheck all rates, site addresses and care hours. Reserve matching sessions for both boys only after their age or grade groups are confirmed. For the town program, ask whether a temporary Danville address qualifies for resident prices.
2026 town guide for reference ↗ How this guide was researched
Selected for the fit with ages 10 and 12, travel from Danville, activity variety, scheduling practicality and published cost. “Best” reflects an editorial judgment for this family’s brief, not an independent quality or safety rating. The shortlist includes four day-camp options and five residential camps; the baseball program is an additional specialty lead.
Research checked September 27, 2026 against camp-operated websites and the Town of Danville’s official guide. Each profile links to its sources. Ages, activities and hours use the latest published program information, which is generally from 2026 unless a 2027 update is explicitly marked. This is a research snapshot and does not update automatically.
*Travel estimates: approximate one-way planning ranges from central Danville, inferred from location rather than live traffic or a timed route. Actual travel depends on your address, traffic and camp drop-off instructions. Route links let you check your dates. Sleepaway camps are regional trips, not daily commutes.
Terminology: “Full time” is interpreted here as residential / sleepaway. Day-camp profiles also show full-day and extended-care coverage. Grade-based placement must be confirmed using the boys’ grades in fall 2027. No spots have been reserved.
Mount Diablo photograph by Miguel Vieira / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Displayed with a crop. Scenic context, not a camp facility.
