Summer at the Club
Middle School Camp
Please note: We are located in San Marcos, California.
At Middle School Summer Camp in the Teen Center, youth will have the chance to flex their creativity, cook, game and explore state-of-the-art technology in the Teen Tech Center. Campers will try new activities and make the Teen Center their space to learn, create and have fun all summer long, under the guidance of our experienced staff who work with teens all year long.
In the afternoon, high school leaders have the opportunity to join the camp program as Leaders in Training (LITs), taking on a mentorship role alongside our youth development staff to build leadership skills while making a positive impact on younger campers.
Registration is available online through the Parent Portal! Create an account or log in to complete registration.
Need help with the online registration process? Click the button below to download our step-by-step registration guide or send us a message below!
Camp Details
Location
Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos
Jennifer Loscher Branch - Teen Center
1 Positive Place, San Marcos, CA 92069
Hours
Monday - Friday
Flexible drop-off & pick-up times between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
While drop off and pick up times are flexible during camp hours, we recommend campers attend between 8:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. for an optimal camp experience!
Cost
(incoming 6th-8th graders in the 2026-2027 school year)
- $100 per week
- $50 annual membership (one-time) for the 2025-2026 membership period required for each child. Memberships must be renewed each year at the beginning of summer.
Financial assistance is available for eligible families through our Great Futures Scholarship Fund. Please contact our Membership Desk at (760) 471-2490 to learn more!
Summer Camp Daily Schedule
7 a.m. Open Clubhouse & Optional Breakfast
From June 15 - July 31, a free breakfast will be available for day campers who arrive by 7:30 a.m. in partnership with Child Nutrition Services at San Marcos Unified School District.
8:30 a.m. Announcements &
Minute-to-Win-It Games
9 a.m. Activity Block 1
10 a.m. Activity Block 2
11 p.m. Lunch
From June 15 - July 31, a free lunch will be available for day campers in partnership with Child Nutrition Services at San Marcos Unified School District.
12 p.m. Activity Block 3
1 p.m. Activity Block 4
2 p.m. Activity Block 5
3 p.m. Snacktime
3:30 p.m. Activity Block 6
4:30 p.m. Open Clubhouse
DIY Workshops
The Club's Teen Tech Center will host a series of two-week workshops where campers are challenged to put their creativity, engineering and hands-on design skills to the test. Workshops will focus on exciting projects like 3D-printing and engineering challenges using only cardboard. Each workshop will run for two weeks, giving campers time to plan, build, test, and improve their creations while developing problem-solving, teamwork and innovation skills.
The workshops will be open to all campers and pre-registration is not required.
Workshop Schedule
Rolling Engineering - Marble Runs
June 15 - June 26
Youth will design and build marble run courses using cardboard and maker tools. They’ll experiment with ramps, turns, funnels and obstacles while exploring how gravity and motion affect their designs as they develop problem-solving skills, practice teamwork and bolster confidence while building their own inventions.
Bring it to Life - Paper Puppeteering
June 29 - July 10
Campers will design and build their own puppets while learning how characters come to life through movement and storytelling. Using digital tools, crafting materials and Cricut machines, they will create unique puppets with moving parts and expressive features, blending art, technology and imagination to express their ideas in a fun and engaging way.
Puzzle Makers
July 13 - July 24
In this exciting workshop, campers will design and build a giant chain-reaction machine where each action triggers the next. Using cardboard, marbles, ramps and levers, they’ll create sections that connect into one collaborative build, learning how engineers test, troubleshoot, and improve their ideas through experimentation.
Ultimate Chain Reactions - Build Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine
July 13 - July 24
Campers will step into the role of puzzle designers as they create their own escape room challenges. Using cardboard, locks and clever mechanisms, they will build hidden compartments, coded clues and interactive puzzles for others to solve. Youth will stretch their creativity muscles and collaborate as their team builds and test their designs to create and test a fully playable escape room experience.
Gear Up for Weekly Competitions!
Each week, groups will compete in a themed challenge designed to test their creativity, teamwork and camp spirit. Staff will select one winner from each group, with one overall champion earning a point toward the Summer of Champions title!
Challenge Themes
Week 1: Art
Week 2: Sports
Week 3: Cooking
Week 4: T-shirt Design
Week 5: STEM
Week 6: D.I.Y.
Week 7: Tech Center
Week 8: Baking
Week 9: Sculpture
What to Bring & Wear to Camp
- Backpack to store any personal belongings or projects that members want to take home.
- Refillable water bottle (youth will have access to filtered water bottle fillers throughout the facility).
- Closed-toe shoes and socks (No sandals, Crocs or Heelys).
- Comfortable clothing suitable for active play and arts and crafts. A light jacket labeled with your camper's name is recommended for cooler mornings and late afternoons.
- Personal electronics and toys should be left at home in order to prevent damage and/or loss.
- Sunscreen - please apply before arriving at the Club.
- A sack lunch and snacks that do not require heating or refrigeration. Please see below for dates that campers will have the option to receive breakfast and lunch at the Club.
Meals & Snacks
June 15 - July 31
Youth attending camp during these weeks will have the option to get breakfast and lunch provided through San Marcos Unified School District's (SMUSD's) Summer Meals Program. If your camper would like to join us for breakfast, please ensure they arrive by 7:30 a.m.
August 3 - August 13:
Youth attending camp during these weeks must pack a sack lunch and snacks that are ready to eat and do not require heating or refrigeration. Lunch will not be provided by BGCSM.
When packing lunch and snacks, we recommend sending your child with an insulated lunch bag with ice packs for any perishable items. For safety reasons, we ask that food sharing is not allowed, and families should avoid packing peanuts or tree nuts.
Campers should also bring a refillable water bottle labeled with their name. Refill stations are available at the Clubhouse.
Specialty Clubs
Each Tuesday and Thursday, middle school campers can choose a Specialty Club activity to participate in throughout the summer. These 60-minute sessions provide youth with opportunities to explore different interests while building new skills and confidence through engaging activities and projects led by our staff.
Cooking Club: Build basic cooking skills while learning about essential nutrients and how to make healthy food choices while preparing a variety of recipes together.
Soccer Club: Campers will develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills while learning fundamental skills of the sport. Campers will practice drills and play scrimmages as they exercise good sportsmanship in a fun, supportive environment.
Add-On Field Trips (optional and available at an additional cost)
Add some extra adventure to your camp experience by registering for a field trip! Add-on field trip opportunities will include the pool, Sea World, a Padres game and more!
To keep weekly camp fees affordable, an additional cost applies for each field trip. Youth must be registered for the week of day camp. Before and after each field trip, youth may participate in regular camp activities at the Clubhouse. All youth must be dropped off and picked up at the Clubhouse.
All youth must be dropped off and picked up at the Clubhouse. For safety reasons, drop offs and pick ups from the field trip venue is not permitted.
To ensure all campers are easily identifiable and part of the group, youth are required to wear a Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos t-shirt on a field trip day. BGCSM T-shirts are available at the membership desk for $10. If a camper forgets their BGCSM t-shirt on field trip day, they will be provided a new one at a $10 charge added to your Parent Portal account.
Scroll through the table below to check out the add-on field trip opportunities you can add to your summer adventure!
| Date | Cost | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 6/17 | $36 | Sky Zone Carlsbad |
| Wednesday 6/24 | $48 | Slime Kitchen |
| Wednesday, 7/1 | $98 | Sea World |
| Wednesday 7/8 | $19 | Cinépolis Vista |
| Wednesday 7/15 | $8 | Woodland Park Pool |
| Wednesday 7/22 | $49 | The Wave Waterpark |
| Wednesday 7/29 | $55 | Petco Park: Padres vs. Rockies |
| Wednesday 8/5 | $85 | Carlsbad Lagoon |
Food Court Fridays
Every Friday, campers are welcome to join us for Food Court Fridays, a fun outing where staff will walk with campers to nearby restaurants for lunch. Registration is not required through the Parent Portal, but permission slips must be completed by a parent/guardian for any campers interested in attending. Therre is no additional cost to attend, but campers must bring money to purchase their meal.
Restaurant Schedule
June 19: La Michoacana
June 26: Tony's
June 3: McDonald's
June 10: Starbucks
June 17: Carl's Jr.
June 24: Panda Express
July 31: Chick-Fil-A
August 7: In-n-Out
FAQs
How can I get help with the online registration form?
Our Membership Team is happy to assist with all of your registration needs! Feel free to call us at (760) 471-2490 or email daycamps@boysgirlsclubsm.org for any questions or to schedule a registration appointment to walk through the process in person.
What's included with camp registration?
Summer Day Camp registration includes access to traditional camp activities at the Clubhouse with flexible drop off and pick up between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Optional add-on field trips are separate from camp registration and require separate registration at an additional cost.
Can high school students attend camp?
High school students (entering grades 9-12 in the fall) may drop in to the Teen Center between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
There is no weekly cost for a high school student to attend the Club, but they must have an active annual membership ($10 per year).
Does my child have to wear a Boys & Girls Club shirt to camp?
Members are only required to wear a Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos t-shirt if they are attending a field trip.
Add-on field trips are available at an additional cost. Please visit the Parent Portal or contact our Membership Desk to learn more.
Can I drop off and pick up my child at any time?
- Campers may be dropped off and picked up any time between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Any pick-ups past 6 p.m. will result in a $1 per minute charge to your Parent Portal account.
- While drop-off and pick-up times are flexible, we recommend campers attend between 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. for the full camp experience!
- Members must sign in and out using their membership number (given to them on their first day of camp). If they forget or need assistance, our Front Desk staff can help.
- For pick up, parents and guardians must also fill out the paper sign-out sheet to ensure accurate attendance records.
- An authorized parent or guardian must have a government-issued photo ID for pick-up. The authorized person must be 18+ years of age, with a valid ID, and on the authorized pick-up list filled out by the member’s legal guardian through the parent portal.
- Parents and guardians will not be permitted into the program areas.
- If your child is attending an add-on field trip, they must be dropped off and picked up at the Clubhouse. For safety reasons, campers may not be dropped off or picked up from the field trip venue.
Are lunch and snacks provided?
A free daily breakfast and lunch will be available for all members attending Summer Day Camp until July 31. Meals are prepared by the San Marcos Unified School District's Child Nutrition Services as part of the Summer Food Program.
If your camper would like to join us for breakfast, they must arrive at the Club by 7:30 a.m. Please notify our Membership Desk if your child has any allergies or dietary restrictions so we can accommodate them accordingly.
Campers are welcome to bring extra (non-perishable) snacks and food for the day. Please note that we cannot refrigerate or heat food for our members.
Is financial assistance available?
Financial assistance is available for eligible families through the Great Futures Scholarship Fund. To apply, a parent or guardian of the camper must complete a scholarship application and submit the required documents to daycamps@boysgirlsclubsm.org. Applications are processed on a weekly basis, and families are provided an update on their application status within 7 business days of submission. Once processed, approved discounts will be applied to the camper’s account at the time of registration.
Students eligible for select Extended School Services (ESS) programs through the San Marcos Unified School District can attend Summer Day Camp at no cost during the weeks of June 16 and June 26.
What is your cancellation policy?
- When beginning registration for a week of camp, a $25 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space for each camper.
- Families must provide at least 7 days' notice before the start of a session or program to request a cancellation and receive a partial refund. Processing fees may apply.
- No refunds will be granted for cancellations made less than 7 days before the session starts.
- Refunds or credits will not be provided for missed days due to illness, personal reasons, or other absences.
- Due to limited space and pre-arranged costs, cancellations for field trips are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.
Is there camp for high school students?
Teen Center and Teen Tech Center drop-in hours for high school students are 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
There is no weekly cost for high school students (entering grades 9-12 in the fall) to attend, but they must have an active annual membership. The annual membership for a high school student is $10 per year.
