2026 Camp Dates & Rates
Tuition for all sessions includes meals, platform tent sleeping accommodations, instruction, equipment, and supervision. Campers must bring their own sleeping bag, backpack (if they want to go on a backpacking out-trip), and personal items.
| Sessions | Dates | Age Requirement | Enroll by Oct. 31 | Cost | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Week Sessions | ||||||
| Session 1 | June 21-July 4 | Ages 8-17 | $4400 | $4700 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Session 2 | July 5-July 18 | Ages 8-17 | $4400 | $4700 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Session 3 | July 19-August 1 | Ages 8-17 | $4400 | $4700 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Session 4 | August 2-August 15 | Ages 8-17 | $4400 | $4700 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Four-Week Sessions | ||||||
| Session 1/2 | June 21-July 18 | Ages 8-17 | $8400 | $8900 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Session 2/3 | July 5-August 1 | Ages 8-17 | $8400 | $8900 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Session 3/4 | July 19-August 15 | Ages 8-17 | $8400 | $8900 | Open | Enroll Now |
| One-Week Sessions | ||||||
| Session 1A | June 21-June 27 | Ages 8-17 | n/a | $2650 | Opens Jan.15 | |
| Session 4A | August 2-August 8 | Ages 8-17 | n/a | $2650 | Opens Jan.15 |
| Leadership Sessions | Dates | Age | Enroll by Oct. 31 | Cost | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor-in-Training | Ses. 1 - Jun 21-Jul 4 | Ages 14-17 | $4400 | $4700 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Leader-in-Training | Ses. 2/3 - Jul 5-Aug 1 | Ages 15-17 | $8400 | $8900 | Open | Enroll Now |
| Wilderness Guide-in-Training | Ses. 2/3 - Jul 5-Aug 1 | Ages 16-17 | $4400 | $4700 | Limited | Enroll Now |
| Other Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bus Transportation (with stops in Redwood City, Concord, and Sacramento) | One way $140 | Round-trip $260 |
| Whitewater Raft Trip (must be at least 85 lbs & 4’10” tall, with good swim skills; not available to LITs) | $240 | |
| Deposit for Camp Store (for any forgotten necessaries - balance refunded after camp) | Store carries water bottles, toothpaste, headlamps, etc., and Camp T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc. | $100 |
Waitlists
Enrollments are processed in order received. If your first choice session is full, please contact us (650-369-4382 or email) if you would like to be placed on the waitlist. If a spot opens up close to camp, we will call the waitlist in order and first family to reply will get the spot.
Deposits & Payment Schedules
- A deposit is required at enrollment: $1000 for One-Week and Two-Week sessions, $2000 for Four-Week sessions
- Payment is due in full by March 31.
- Installment Billing: Payments due January 15, February 28, and April 15
- Paying by a physical check is the most economical way to pay your camp tuition. A convenience fee will be charged for credit/debit cards (3%) or eCheck (1%).
Discounts
- Sibling Discount: Enroll multiple campers from your family and take $100 off for each camper.
- Early bird discounts are included in prices above.
- Refer a new family to camp.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Cancellations must be in writing. We hire staff and make other commitments for camp based on enrollment. If you cancel:
- On or before March 31, 2026 – Fully refundable except for a $250 administrative fee
- During April, 2026 – 80% refundable – cancellation fee is 20% of tuition
- On or after May 1, 2026 – NO refunds
- Fees are charged per camper, and families who cancel multiple children would incur fees for each camper.
In the event that Camp determines it is unable to operate or accommodate all the enrolled campers due to events beyond its control Camp’s closure policy will apply. (Examples would include closure for acts of nature, weather, fire, smoke, flood, drought or other force majeure conditions including government shutdown.)
- Option 1: Place full tuition (less deposit) on account for future use. Transferrable to friends and family. Must be used within 2 years. Credits on account from prior summers are not eligible for cash refunds.
- Option 2: Make a tax-deductible donation of any part of full tuition (less deposit) to the DCWC Campership Program.
- Option 3: Receive a pro-rated refund for days that camp is closed (less deposit).
Camp has not been able to obtain adequate insurance for these risks. Losing one of our eight weeks of camp is equivalent to a year-round business losing 1.5 months with no reduction in expenses. It would take several years to recover from such a loss. We are asking you to share a limited part of the risk (your deposit) so that we can continue offering our wilderness program. Fortunately there IS camp tuition insurance available and we recommend you consider it.
Camp Tuition Insurance
We HIGHLY recommend that you purchase camp tuition insurance because it is your only avenue for obtaining a refund after April. Read the policy carefully! There are generally two types available regardless of company.
- Standard tuition insurance typically covers campers who get sick and are unable to come to camp, or if they get sick at camp. The group rate through enrollment is 5% of tuition.
- Enhanced insurance includes standard insurance but also adds partial tuition reimbursement if you “cancel for any reason” at least 48 hours prior to the start of camp. The group rate through enrollment is 7.5% of tuition.
Camp receives no benefit from sale of insurance, but every year we see illness and sports injuries prevent almost 5% of campers from arriving at camp. This insurance is available at a group rate as part of the camp application process or within a limited period after enrollment through other companies including TravMark, AM Skier.
Colds and other illnesses that are brought into camp tend to spread and (despite our protocols that reduce transmission) tend to really diminish a week for at least several other campers. We ask parents to keep sick campers home. Sick campers recover faster and more comfortably at home. If space is available we may be able to accommodate a recovered camper in a later session. If not, tuition insurance is the only option for a refund.
Withdrawals, Absences, Late Arrivals, Dismissals
There is no refund for late arrival or early departure, including homesickness or physical problem. Due to the progressive nature of our program, late arrivals are very difficult to accommodate, especially for first-time campers.
One of the most difficult things for the camp director is to expel a camper. Before leaving for camp, please discuss with your camper this important condition of enrollment. Camp will dismiss a camper immediately whose conduct or influence is unsatisfactory, dangerous, illegal, or, at the discretion of the Director, is detrimental to the camp and/or other campers. This includes, but is not limited to, possession of or any involvement with recreational or illegal drugs, alcohol, smoking, weapons, vandalism, fighting, and any other disruptive behavior that is determined by Camp to threaten the health, safety, or well-being of any person, or the smooth operation of Camp. In the event of dismissal, there is no refund and the parent agrees to pick up their child at camp as soon as possible.
Camperships / Scholarships
Summer camp is powerful – it has the ability to develop character and change lives in important ways. Now more than ever, children need the life skills, experiences, and time in nature that camp provides. We believe camp is for everyone!
The DCWC Campership Program gives children from underserved communities the life-changing experience of summer camp. Thanks to our donors, in 2024 we provided 8 campers full or partial camperships. Our goal for 2025 is to double the number of camperships.
Your tax-deductible donation to the DCWC Campership Program will help send deserving children to Deer Crossing Wilderness Camp. We greatly appreciate any level of support! Please contact us (650-369-4382 or email) if you are interested in donating to the DCWC Campership Program, or if you would like to learn more about the program.