Tom Sawyer Camps
Tom Sawyer Camps, 707 W. Woodbury Rd, Suite F, Altadena, CA 91001
About
Tom Sawyer Camps offers horseback riding, swimming, archery, axe throwing, rock wall climbing, high ropes, and other climbing activities. Campers also take part in wilderness living activities and unstructured play, with all Tom Sawyer Camps activities held 100% outdoors and technology free. Day Camp is known for horse and swimming instruction along with games, nature activities, and daily adventures, and Pre Camp groups receive age- and skill-appropriate swimming and horseback riding instruction.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Day Camp and Pre Camp run for 9 weeks in 1- and 2-week sessions, with Day Camp days from 9:15am–3:45pm and Pre Camp days from 9:00am–3:15pm
Tom Sawyer Camps states that it creates lifelong memories by providing fun-filled days where children feel happy and safe, and that camp days include social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. The program describes itself as a community where multi-generation campers, families, and staff return again and again. Tom Sawyer Camps has operated since 1926, notes a 96-year track record in creating “lifelong memories where children feel happy and safe,” and describes itself as child development experts for 99 years and counting, with Pre Camp founded in 1966 and the organization celebrating 100 years of Tom Sawyer Camps.
Day Camp groups are single-gender groups of about 13–14 campers by grade, led by two counselors, and group members choose activities with guidance from their counselors. Pre Camp serves ages 3 to 5 (currently in TK or younger), and campers must be 3 years old and potty trained by June 1 to attend. Each Pre Camp group is coed, includes 12–13 children of the same age, and is led by three staff, with small groups and high counselor-to-camper ratios. Each group receives swimming and horseback riding instruction that is described as age and skill appropriate, and badges are earned at horses.
Day Campers are swim tested on the first day and evaluated regularly, and they swim in water up to 5 feet deep depending on wristband swim level, with a 4:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio. The Pre Camp swim area is the shallowest part of the pool at 3 feet, also with a 4:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio, and during free swim blocks, non-swimmers must wear Coast Guard–approved life vests. All pool staff are certified by the American Red Cross as lifeguards, including First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications, and they conduct regular drills throughout the summer. The camp conducts background checks on all staff, provides thorough and ongoing staff training and supervision, and assigns specialist counselors to each activity who receive additional training in the activity they oversee.
Tom Sawyer Camps is accredited by the American Camp Association and states that it has maintained this accreditation since the 1970s, meeting over 250 standards in safety, health, staffing, and programs. Families are asked to send lunch and snacks, as lunch is not provided. The program notes that campers who are ready for an overnight experience can visit Catalina Island Camps.
Parent and family testimonials describe campers waking up looking forward to camp, singing songs, talking about horses, and mentioning what they learned. Families report that campers talk about friends from their camp photos, that some campers want to be counselors someday, and that camp has given their children confidence to try activities such as archery, horses, swimming, climbing, and high ropes, as well as making new friends. Parents mention children stepping outside their comfort zone on the rock wall and high ropes, coming home covered in mud, and having fears of swimming addressed by counselors. Several testimonials mention strong communication between camp leadership and parents and describe Tom Sawyer Camps as a summer family tradition.
Last updated June 16, 2026.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Day Camp and Pre Camp run for 9 weeks in 1- and 2-week sessions, with Day Camp days from 9:15am–3:45pm and Pre Camp days from 9:00am–3:15pm
Tom Sawyer Camps states that it creates lifelong memories by providing fun-filled days where children feel happy and safe, and that camp days include social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. The program describes itself as a community where multi-generation campers, families, and staff return again and again. Tom Sawyer Camps has operated since 1926, notes a 96-year track record in creating “lifelong memories where children feel happy and safe,” and describes itself as child development experts for 99 years and counting, with Pre Camp founded in 1966 and the organization celebrating 100 years of Tom Sawyer Camps.
Day Camp groups are single-gender groups of about 13–14 campers by grade, led by two counselors, and group members choose activities with guidance from their counselors. Pre Camp serves ages 3 to 5 (currently in TK or younger), and campers must be 3 years old and potty trained by June 1 to attend. Each Pre Camp group is coed, includes 12–13 children of the same age, and is led by three staff, with small groups and high counselor-to-camper ratios. Each group receives swimming and horseback riding instruction that is described as age and skill appropriate, and badges are earned at horses.
Day Campers are swim tested on the first day and evaluated regularly, and they swim in water up to 5 feet deep depending on wristband swim level, with a 4:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio. The Pre Camp swim area is the shallowest part of the pool at 3 feet, also with a 4:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio, and during free swim blocks, non-swimmers must wear Coast Guard–approved life vests. All pool staff are certified by the American Red Cross as lifeguards, including First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications, and they conduct regular drills throughout the summer. The camp conducts background checks on all staff, provides thorough and ongoing staff training and supervision, and assigns specialist counselors to each activity who receive additional training in the activity they oversee.
Tom Sawyer Camps is accredited by the American Camp Association and states that it has maintained this accreditation since the 1970s, meeting over 250 standards in safety, health, staffing, and programs. Families are asked to send lunch and snacks, as lunch is not provided. The program notes that campers who are ready for an overnight experience can visit Catalina Island Camps.
Parent and family testimonials describe campers waking up looking forward to camp, singing songs, talking about horses, and mentioning what they learned. Families report that campers talk about friends from their camp photos, that some campers want to be counselors someday, and that camp has given their children confidence to try activities such as archery, horses, swimming, climbing, and high ropes, as well as making new friends. Parents mention children stepping outside their comfort zone on the rock wall and high ropes, coming home covered in mud, and having fears of swimming addressed by counselors. Several testimonials mention strong communication between camp leadership and parents and describe Tom Sawyer Camps as a summer family tradition.
Last updated June 16, 2026.
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