​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​Join Inside the Outdoors
for Summer Day Camp 2026!​

Experience unique activities that incorporate science, fun, learning, and being outdoors​.  Summer Day Camp is geared toward campers age 6 to 12 years old, with leadership and camp opportunities for campers age 13-17.  Each week of summer camp will have themed daily activities that are science/nature based that also include a daily nature journal prompt and a take-home craft.  

Dates 2026

• July 6 - 10, 2026​:  Animal & Habitat Expl​​orers - $295
  
• July 13 - 17, 2026:  Creature Keepers ​- $295
  
• July 20 - 24, 2026:  K-P​op Bug Hunters​ - $295
  
• July 27 - 31, 2026:  ​​Animal Superheroes​ - $295
  

​Registration Summer 2026​​

New Link- PayPal Payment for ITO Summer Day Camp  ​​
Note:  Click the blue link on the top of the PayPal page to add different weeks, extended camp, and the number of participants, to the cart.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________​​

We are looking forward to another great year of songs, skits, making great friends, science experiments, live animals, crafts, games, FUN and laughter! If you have any questions, please feel free to call/email us. Thank you for giving your camper the opportunity to connect with science as they have hands-on experiences in nature!​  Once you have registered:

Payment:

Online Payment - PayPal Payment,  or send a check to: 
OCDE-Inside the Outdoors, 200 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Attn:  Summer Camp

Important Forms / Documents:

Medical Release Form - Must be completed prior to your first day at camp.  Two options to submit.

• Medical Release Form​ via Droplet​ - Upon completion it will be sent direclty to us for our records.

• Medical Release Form​ - PDF email: insidetheoutdoors@ocde.us​ the completed version.

Map to Camp - Shipley Nature Center, Huntington Beach, California

What to Bring

Reminders:

​Behavior standards apply to all campers/participants.​​

Summer Day Camp is an outdoor experience using Shipley Nature Center and Huntington Beach Central Park.

Students with special needs are welcome with their aides (aides or one-on-one care is not provided by program). One-on-one aides who accompany children are responsible for supervision, restroom assistance and ALL the individual care services the child may require throughout the program.

Extended Camp is only available to campers that particpate during regulart camp hours (no exceptions).​

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Description of Themes 2026

Week 1:  Animal & Habitat Explorers

Step into the role of an Animal & Habitat Explorer for a week of hands-on adventure! Campers will journey through diverse environments—including a redwood forest, oak forest, coastal sage scrub, and even a pond habitat—while journaling their discoveries along the way. From creating animal tracks and meeting animals to building their own habitats, this week is all about exploring how animals live, adapt, and thrive in the wild.

​Week 2:  Creature Keepers

Step into the shoes of a wildlife expert and become a Creature Keeper! Campers will discover the essentials of animal care by meeting live animals, crafting their own keeper badges, and building personalized animal first aid kits. Through a mix of hands-on crafts and high-energy games, it’s an exciting week dedicated to teamwork, creativity, and our favorite furry, scaly, and slimy friends!

Week 3:  K-Pop Bug Hunters

Get ready for a week where K-Pop meets the great outdoors! At our K-Pop Bug Hunter camp, campers will explore nature, get creative with crafts inspired by insects and music, and move to fun, catchy tunes. From games and challenges to hands-on projects, every day is packed with energy and imagination. It’s a playful, unforgettable week for kids who love nature and a little K-Pop sparkle

Week 4:  Animal Superheroes

Superpowers aren’t just for comics, animals have them too! Campers will explore the amazing world of animals, get creative with superhero inspired projects, and take on fun, action packed challenges. Each day is full of adventure, imagination, and hands-on fun. It’s a heroic week where kids can discover, play, and bring out their superpowers!​