Steve & Kate's Camp
St. Didacus Parish School, 9255 Towne Centre Dr., San Diego, CA 92121
About
Steve & Kate's Camp gives campers the chance to choose their own activities and plan their own days. Throughout the day, campers spend time designing, building, creating, playing, eating, and clowning on their own schedule. 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.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Long camp hours, 8am–6pm, all included in the camp fee
Since 1980 in Mill Valley, California, Steve & Kate’s approach has centered on kids’ independence. The camp’s mission is to let campers choose their own activities and plan their own days, with staff celebrating each individual as campers express themselves freely. The organization is staffed with people who share a talent for connecting with kids, and the original vision of Steve and Kate is carried out through the current VPs, Kevin and Mike. Steve & Kate’s Camp also offers holiday camps for kids ages 4–12 during fall, winter, spring, and school breaks, and mentorship programs for children aged 14 and 15, with availability that may vary by location. Camp age limit is 13, and if a camper turns 14 while attending summer camp, they may finish out the summer. 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.
Parents can buy any number of day passes to use whenever and wherever they would like throughout the summer, or they can buy a Summer Pass for unlimited use. Parents can buy day passes, attend camp any time, and receive automatic full refunds for any unused purchased Day Passes at summer’s end. If a Summer Pass is underused, the difference compared to the daily rate is automatically refunded. There are no additional fees, as all-inclusive rates cover all camp hours from 8am to 6pm, snacks and lunch, and any activities that interest the child. Tasty meals and snacks are included in the camp fee. Drop-off and pick-up can occur whenever parents want within camp hours. Parents can also get a Virtual Orientation link before camp starts. Steve and Kate’s Camp is included as an option for families who have Bright Horizons Back-Up Care benefits. More than 90 locations from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach are mentioned on the search result page, and more than 70 locations are mentioned on the about page.
Testimonials describe the camp in various ways. Andrew Stanton, Director of WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and Finding Dory, says that children at Steve & Kate's “blossom and discover a freedom of identity” 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 did not set out to cater to the children of people at Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic, but that “given their philosophy, it’s no surprise so many attend.” The Washington Post describes Steve & Kate’s Camp as “a blend of that traditional camp experience combined with a modern, tech-savvy touch” with a “laid-back aura true to its California roots” and “Silicon Valley-inspired innovative approaches to everything from programming to payment.” The Chicago Tribune states, “Working parents’ worries dissipate as they contemplate Steve & Kate’s model.”
Last updated April 30, 2026.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Long camp hours, 8am–6pm, all included in the camp fee
Since 1980 in Mill Valley, California, Steve & Kate’s approach has centered on kids’ independence. The camp’s mission is to let campers choose their own activities and plan their own days, with staff celebrating each individual as campers express themselves freely. The organization is staffed with people who share a talent for connecting with kids, and the original vision of Steve and Kate is carried out through the current VPs, Kevin and Mike. Steve & Kate’s Camp also offers holiday camps for kids ages 4–12 during fall, winter, spring, and school breaks, and mentorship programs for children aged 14 and 15, with availability that may vary by location. Camp age limit is 13, and if a camper turns 14 while attending summer camp, they may finish out the summer. 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.
Parents can buy any number of day passes to use whenever and wherever they would like throughout the summer, or they can buy a Summer Pass for unlimited use. Parents can buy day passes, attend camp any time, and receive automatic full refunds for any unused purchased Day Passes at summer’s end. If a Summer Pass is underused, the difference compared to the daily rate is automatically refunded. There are no additional fees, as all-inclusive rates cover all camp hours from 8am to 6pm, snacks and lunch, and any activities that interest the child. Tasty meals and snacks are included in the camp fee. Drop-off and pick-up can occur whenever parents want within camp hours. Parents can also get a Virtual Orientation link before camp starts. Steve and Kate’s Camp is included as an option for families who have Bright Horizons Back-Up Care benefits. More than 90 locations from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach are mentioned on the search result page, and more than 70 locations are mentioned on the about page.
Testimonials describe the camp in various ways. Andrew Stanton, Director of WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and Finding Dory, says that children at Steve & Kate's “blossom and discover a freedom of identity” 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 did not set out to cater to the children of people at Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic, but that “given their philosophy, it’s no surprise so many attend.” The Washington Post describes Steve & Kate’s Camp as “a blend of that traditional camp experience combined with a modern, tech-savvy touch” with a “laid-back aura true to its California roots” and “Silicon Valley-inspired innovative approaches to everything from programming to payment.” The Chicago Tribune states, “Working parents’ worries dissipate as they contemplate Steve & Kate’s model.”
Last updated April 30, 2026.