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, climbing, high ropes, rock wall activities, wilderness living activities, and unstructured play. All Tom Sawyer Camps activities are 100% outdoors and technology free.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Day Camp and Pre Camp run for 9 weeks in 1- and 2-week sessions, with camp days generally running from morning to mid-afternoon
Tom Sawyer Camps states that it creates lifelong memories by providing fun-filled days where children feel happy and safe, and that camp is a ton of fun and provides the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development children need. Tom Sawyer Day Camp is described as famous for its horse and swimming instruction and for good old-fashioned games, nature activities, and adventures. Campers are grouped by grade into all-boys or all-girls groups of about 13–14 campers led by 2 counselors, and group allegiance and friendly rivalry are described as strong. With guidance from their counselors, group members select their activities, and adventures are described as arising spontaneously with the aid of the staff. Badges are earned at horses.
Day Campers swim in water up to 5 feet deep depending on wristband swim level, with a 3:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio, and campers are swim tested on the first day and evaluated regularly. During free swim blocks, non-swimmers are required to wear Coast Guard approved life vests. Pre Camp swim takes place in the shallowest part of the pool at 3 feet, also with a 3:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio. Each Pre Camp child participates in a coed group of 12–13 children of the same age led by 3 staff, and each Pre Camp group receives age- and skill-appropriate swimming and horseback riding instruction. Pre Camp was founded in 1966 as a program for preschool-age children, and campers must be 3 years old and potty trained by June 1st. Families are asked to send lunch and snacks, as lunch is not provided.
Tom Sawyer Camps describes itself as having a 96-year proven track record since 1926 and as “Growing the Good for 99 Years,” and notes that it has been offering child development expertise for 99 years and counting. The camp has maintained accreditation with the American Camp Association since the 1970s, meeting over 250 standards in safety, health, staffing, and programs. 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. The program emphasizes small groups with high counselor-to-camper ratios and describes itself as a community where multi-generation campers, families, and staff return again and again, and as experts at helping campers make friends, find happiness, and grow.
Parent and family testimonials describe campers waking up looking forward to camp, singing camp songs, talking about horses, and mentioning what they learned. Families report that children learned new skills, made friends, and came home covered in mud, and that some campers hope to be counselors someday because of the examples set by current counselors. Several parents mention their children trying new activities such as archery, horses, swimming, climbing, high ropes, and rock wall, and stepping outside their comfort zone with support from well-trained staff. Testimonials also mention strong communication between camp leadership and parents, support for children’s fears such as fear of swimming, and campers recognizing and naming friends from camp photos. Families describe Tom Sawyer Camps as a summer family tradition and refer to the experience as a gift for families.
Last updated March 15, 2026.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Day Camp and Pre Camp run for 9 weeks in 1- and 2-week sessions, with camp days generally running from morning to mid-afternoon
Tom Sawyer Camps states that it creates lifelong memories by providing fun-filled days where children feel happy and safe, and that camp is a ton of fun and provides the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development children need. Tom Sawyer Day Camp is described as famous for its horse and swimming instruction and for good old-fashioned games, nature activities, and adventures. Campers are grouped by grade into all-boys or all-girls groups of about 13–14 campers led by 2 counselors, and group allegiance and friendly rivalry are described as strong. With guidance from their counselors, group members select their activities, and adventures are described as arising spontaneously with the aid of the staff. Badges are earned at horses.
Day Campers swim in water up to 5 feet deep depending on wristband swim level, with a 3:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio, and campers are swim tested on the first day and evaluated regularly. During free swim blocks, non-swimmers are required to wear Coast Guard approved life vests. Pre Camp swim takes place in the shallowest part of the pool at 3 feet, also with a 3:1 camper-to-counselor supervision ratio. Each Pre Camp child participates in a coed group of 12–13 children of the same age led by 3 staff, and each Pre Camp group receives age- and skill-appropriate swimming and horseback riding instruction. Pre Camp was founded in 1966 as a program for preschool-age children, and campers must be 3 years old and potty trained by June 1st. Families are asked to send lunch and snacks, as lunch is not provided.
Tom Sawyer Camps describes itself as having a 96-year proven track record since 1926 and as “Growing the Good for 99 Years,” and notes that it has been offering child development expertise for 99 years and counting. The camp has maintained accreditation with the American Camp Association since the 1970s, meeting over 250 standards in safety, health, staffing, and programs. 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. The program emphasizes small groups with high counselor-to-camper ratios and describes itself as a community where multi-generation campers, families, and staff return again and again, and as experts at helping campers make friends, find happiness, and grow.
Parent and family testimonials describe campers waking up looking forward to camp, singing camp songs, talking about horses, and mentioning what they learned. Families report that children learned new skills, made friends, and came home covered in mud, and that some campers hope to be counselors someday because of the examples set by current counselors. Several parents mention their children trying new activities such as archery, horses, swimming, climbing, high ropes, and rock wall, and stepping outside their comfort zone with support from well-trained staff. Testimonials also mention strong communication between camp leadership and parents, support for children’s fears such as fear of swimming, and campers recognizing and naming friends from camp photos. Families describe Tom Sawyer Camps as a summer family tradition and refer to the experience as a gift for families.
Last updated March 15, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.