Steve & Kate's Camp runs on a model where campers choose their own activities and plan their own days. All campers must be fully toilet trained, able to speak up for their needs, and able to get through the camp day without a nap. All camp hours, snacks, lunch, and any activities that interest the child are included in the camp fee. • Ages: 4–13 years old • Schedule: Long camp hours, 8am–6pm, all included in the camp fee. Steve & Kate’s Camp has been operating since 1980. The organization has more than 90 locations, with more than 70 described as “glorious islands of freedom from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach” in its About page. The summer camp program is designed for children entering PreK through 7th grade, and the camp generally accepts children aged 4 to 13 years old, with campers who turn 14 while attending allowed to finish out the summer. Steve & Kate's Camp also offers mentorship programs for children aged 14 and 15, with availability that may vary by location. All campers must be fully toilet trained, able to speak up for their needs, and able to get through the camp day without a nap, and no paperwork is required for age verification during registration. Parents can buy any number of days to use whenever and wherever they would like throughout the summer, or they can buy a Summer Pass for unlimited use. Parents can drop off and pick up whenever they want within camp hours. Tasty meals and snacks are included in the camp fee, and there are no additional or surprise fees because of the all-inclusive rates. Parents can get automatic full refunds for unused purchased Day Passes at summer’s end, and if a Summer Pass is underused, the difference compared to the daily rate is automatically refunded. The camp model allows parents to attend camp any time and get automatic refunds for unused passes. Steve & Kate’s Camp offers summer day camps for kids aged 4–12, with some states having slightly higher age requirements, and also offers holiday camps for kids ages 4–12 during fall, winter, spring, and school breaks. The camp philosophy centers on kids being in charge of their choices, and the organization is staffed with people who share a talent for connecting with kids and focus on showing them what can be done rather than telling them what to do. The mission statement says that when kids are empowered to make their own choices and be their own bosses, they discover new reserves of confidence, resiliency, and creativity. The leadership team includes founders Steve and Kate Susskind, along with vice presidents Kevin and Mike. Andrew Stanton, director of WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and Finding Dory, says that “the children that attend Steve & Kate's blossom and discover a freedom of identity that, in a way, no other institution I've experienced has ever managed” and that “kids find their thumbprint at Steve & Kate's.” Apple’s Hot News states, “If kids ruled the world, it might look something like Steve and Kate’s Camp.” Variety magazine notes that Steve and Kate’s Camp “didn’t set out to cater to the children of folks at Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic and the like, but given their philosophy, it’s no surprise so many attend.” The Washington Post describes Steve and Kate’s Camp as “a blend of that traditional camp experience combined with a modern, tech-savvy touch” that “evokes a laid-back aura true to its California roots, complemented by the company’s Silicon Valley-inspired innovative approaches to everything from programming to payment.” The Chicago Tribune writes that “working parents’ worries dissipate as they contemplate Steve & Kate’s model.” Last updated April 30, 2026.

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