We know that the days immediately following an evacuation or a disaster are highly uncertain, stressful, and anxious days. We help parents find normalcy for their family by providing day camps for their kids that are fun, immersive, and safe. While kids have a blast at camp, parents have the time and space to get back on their feet.

A safe place for kids to be kids, while parents rebuild

Register for our Camps in California

  • Glendale - Camp Bob Waldorf

    Our camp at the at Camp Bob Waldorf ran through 1/31.  

    Registration for this camp is now closed.

  • East side L.A. - Eagle Rock recreation center

    Our camp at the at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center ran through 1/24.  

    Registration for this camp is now closed.

  • West Side L.A. - Palms recreation center

    Our camp at the Palms Recreation Center ran through 1/17.  

    Registration for this camp is now closed.

  • Santa Barbara

    Our camp at the Santa Barbara Zoo ran through 1/17.  

    Registration for this camp is now closed.

Frequently asked questions

  • Project:Camp welcomes campers ages 6-16. We unfortunately cannot accommodate campers younger than 6.

  • All campers need to be accompanied to the check-in desk. Once there, the camp director will confirm your camper’s information with you and the information required for check out. Campers will be given a wristband and a name tag to wear while they are at camp! For check-out, an authorized adult (over the age of 18) must come to the check-in desk and provide the required information before your camper will be released.

  • Nope! Project:Camp provides all meals and snacks for campers. Please make sure to include any dietary restrictions or food allergies your camper has in the registration form so we can make sure they have a lunch and snack option!

  • Camp is always free for families!

  • While each day at camp is unique, we generally follow the same structure to create a fun and safe environment for our campers!

    While check-in is running, campers will be able to play games, color, and socialize while campers check in. After check-in, we will have our opening circle, learn our camp rules and meet our cabin groups and counselors for the day! Throughout the day, we rotate through different activities with our cabin groups, with activities ranging from arts and crafts to STEM activities and camp games! We will also sometimes have guests come in and help teach an activity, like local theater groups, the local science museum or sports teams. 


    We close out our day with a gratitude circle before having free play while campers are checked out.

  • Trauma-Informed Care is a modern philosophy and approach that understands and considers trauma’s pervasive nature. It creates and promotes an environment of healing and recovery instead of practices that can trigger re-traumatization. Project:Camp uses the five guiding principles that were first proposed and suggested by Doctors. Maxine Harris and Roger Fallot as a framework for helping create the best possible environment to begin the children’s processing of trauma. These pillars include safety and belonging, choice, collaboration, trust and empowerment. 


    At Project:Camp, we incorporate these pillars through offering multiple ways for campers to participate in activities, ensuring we have clear and consistent expectations for our campers, fostering an environment where strengths are recognized and appreciated, and that emotional, psychological and physical safety is of the utmost importance.  

  • All volunteers must be over the age of 18 and have prior experience working with children. Oftentimes, we partner with local youth organizations to help recruit volunteers for our camps! All volunteers must complete a phone screening and pass a background check that includes a federal, state and county level check. Volunteers receive a training on-site pre-camp as well. 


    Additionally, we always have seasoned camp professionals working as the directors for our camps, who are there to support both campers and volunteers throughout the camp experience. 

  • Each day, we divide camp up into cabin groups that are made up of 10-15 campers each. Cabin groups are divided by age and can change each day depending on what campers we have at camp. If your camper knows someone who they want to be in a cabin group with, or alternatively you know that your camper may have a more positive camp experience if they are not with a certain camper, please let us know either at the check-in table or by emailing us at camps@projectcamp.co

  • Because our site and staffing ability is different from camp to camp, please reach out to us at camps@projectcamp.co if you have any questions about whether or not our camp might be a good fit for your child. 

  • Generally, drop off is from 9am-9:30am and pick up is from 3pm-3:30pm. Please make sure to check your confirmation email for any camp specific information. If you are running late, please email us at camps@projectcamp.co or call/text the camp director on site to let us know when to expect your camper!

  • If there is a need for childcare for school-age children  in the immediate wake of a disaster in your community, please email us at camps@projectcamp.co to begin the conversation of how Project:Camp can help. 

  • In every community, we work with incredible local organizations and camps. Whether you can help Project:Camp find volunteer counselors, have connections to sites for camps, or have leadership staff that want to come out to camp, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at camps@projectcamp.co to start the conversation.

 What A Camp Looks Like

Hear From Campers

“Camp was nice because I had friends I could relate to.”

— Brenda

It was awesome. I got to climb on clouds. I got to do a lot of projects. I got to build stuff.

— Mila

Hear From Parents

“For my daughter, the best part of [Project:Camp] was seeing someone familiar and being able to see one of her best friends from school who, like the rest of us, has been flung about like puzzle pieces. There’s a lot of uncertainty for adults and kids alike so being able to experience something positive in the middle of all this -- I vicariously gained hope through it.”

— Sierra, parent of Cidra

“I cannot tell you how much of a relief it was. I have two active boys. It was such a relief that they were safe, active and having a good time during this period of high stress.”

— Zanetta, parent of Zachary and Vinny

“Project:Camp really was a godsend. Being evacuated, there were no resources, no community. But coming to camp, with the structure and the friends and the fun, gave [my boys] something to look forward to while we figured out next steps.”

— Jenna, parent of Titan and Bear

Some of our past camps

We work nationwide to ensure that every child impacted by disasters is cared for, working with community partners to provide trauma-informed programming for kids to process through play.

  • In response to the Lahaina fire's devastation, Project:Camp was on the ground almost immediately to set up a day camp at the Maui YMCA. Our days at camp were filled with fun adventures like exploring a community garden, crafting paper airplanes, and playing "Captain's Coming," all while providing a nurturing environment for children to process their experiences and find safety and stability. Our presence on Maui was met with overwhelming support, reflecting the community's resilience and desire to heal. After a successful two-week pop-up camp, we transitioned the camp's operations to the Maui YMCA, helping to meet the continued need for childcare on the island. 

  • Project:Camp's response to Hurricane Ian involved a collaborative effort with Charlotte County Government and Save the Children, offering over 2,000 hours of trauma-informed childcare amidst the storm's widespread destruction. With additional support from Walt Disney World Resort, including donations of Mickey Mouse plushies, we brought smiles and comfort to the children, emphasizing the power of community and partnership in times of crisis. The camp also served as a vital support system for the children of first responders, playing a key role in the community's recovery efforts. This experience reinforced our commitment to providing essential childcare during disasters, highlighting its impact on overall recovery processes.

  • Facing the early onset of wildfire season, Project:Camp established a pop-up camp in Glorieta, NM, outside of Santa Fe, offering a safe and engaging space for children affected by the wildfires. The camp featured a variety of activities, including sports, arts and crafts, and an educational tour of the solar system, facilitated by the support of Glorieta Adventure Camps and local volunteers. Over the course of 10 days, we delivered 1,488 hours of free, trauma-informed childcare to more than 50 unique campers, providing relief and normalcy to families in crisis. This initiative not only helped the children and their families but also showcased the strength and generosity of the New Mexico community, coming together to support those in need.