Updated October 18, 2026. Dates and fees on this page are from summer 2026 unless they say 2027.
If you are planning summer 2027 for a child or teen in Gardena, Carson or Lomita, expect some programs here to sign up on paper or in person. Lomita’s Teen Program opened on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at the Lomita Park Recreation Office only, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson take paper applications at each LAUSD site.
This page lists the city, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, library and LAUSD summer programs in Gardena, Carson and Lomita, plus the LA Galaxy youth camps in Carson, with summer 2026 dates and fees where the programs posted them.
When does registration open in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
- Lomita Teen Program: 2026 registration opened Friday, May 15 at 9:00 a.m., in person only at the Lomita Park Recreation Office, with a signed waiver.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson: paper applications at LAUSD Beyond the Bell sites, open year-round until each site is full; the Main Street Clubhouse camp signs up through the club’s online membership application.
- Gardena-Carson Family YMCA day camp: $189 a week for YMCA family members and $229 for the community rate in 2026, with financial assistance based on family income.
- City of Gardena Summer Day Camp for ages 5 to 12: check the city’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Which day camps run in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
Summer Day Camp
Gardena-Carson Family YMCA (YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles)
Sports, STEM and arts with weekly themes. Ages 4 to 6 stay on site with field trips that come to the Y; ages 7 to 11 also take bus field trips. The camp is American Camp Association accredited.
- Ages
- Ages 4 to 11 (typically grades K to 5); campers must be at least 4 years, 9 months old on their first day
- Where
- Gardena-Carson Family YMCA, 1000 W Artesia Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90248
- Summer 2026
- Weekly, Monday to Friday, June 15 to August 7, 2026, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Friday, July 3. The 2026 theme was Summer Refreshed.
- Fees in 2026
- $189 a week for YMCA family members, $229 a week for community members.
- Registration in 2026
- Through the YMCA’s ActiveNet site (search ‘GARDENA 2026 summer’); Y membership is not required. Optional swim lessons, two 30-minute classes a week during camp hours, can be added. A program handbook is posted in English and Spanish.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
- Help with fees
- YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles offers financial assistance for most programs, based on family income, household size and availability of funds.
Summer Camp at LAUSD Beyond the Bell Sites
Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson, at LAUSD Beyond the Bell sites
Summer day camp run by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson for current LAUSD students at Towne Avenue Elementary School and Dolores Street Elementary School.
- Ages
- LAUSD U-TK to 8th grade (current LAUSD students with an LAUSD ID number)
- Where
- Towne Avenue Elementary School; Dolores Street Elementary School
- Summer 2026
- June 15 to July 24, 2026, closed Friday, June 19 and Friday, July 3. Towne Avenue: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Dolores Street: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. June 15 to 18 and July 21 to 24; 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. June 22 to July 20.
- Fees in 2026
- Free at LAUSD sites.
- Registration in 2026
- Paper applications only, turned in at the site to the site lead or the school’s front office. Enrollment is open year-round until the site is full.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Summer Camp, Main Street Clubhouse
Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson
Weekly summer day camp at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson Main Street Clubhouse for kindergarten to 8th grade.
- Ages
- Kindergarten to 8th grade (ages 6 to 14)
- Where
- Main Street Clubhouse, 21502 Main St., Carson, CA 90745
- Summer 2026
- Weekly, Monday, June 15 to Friday, July 31, 2026, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Friday, June 19 and Friday, July 3.
- Fees in 2026
- $100 a week for the clubhouse summer camp membership.
- Registration in 2026
- Through the Club’s online membership application, linked from the summer camp page. The 2025 to 2026 program year application includes Summer Camp; camp fees are separate. Admin office (310) 522-0500.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
- Help with fees
- The Club says it never turns a family away due to financial constraints, and scholarships are often available.
Summer Camp
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor
Weekly summer day camp with sports, art and STEM, run by the Club at sites across Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lomita, San Pedro and Wilmington. Check the Club’s summer camp page for which sites host camp.
- Where
- Harbor Hills club site; Fleming Middle School (school site)
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
- Help with fees
- No weekly fee for campers with a valid LAUSD member ID; a military family voucher is available.
Summer Day Camp
City of Gardena
City day camp with two snacks a day, activities, educational work, arts and crafts and excursions, at Freeman Park and Arthur Lee Johnson Memorial Park.
- Ages
- Ages 5 to 12
- Where
- Freeman Park; Arthur Lee Johnson Memorial Park
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Summer Camp
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor
Weekly summer day camp with sports, art and STEM, run by the Club at sites across Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lomita, San Pedro and Wilmington. Check the Club’s summer camp page for which sites host camp.
- Where
- Harbor Gateway Club; Environmental Charter Middle School (school site)
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
- Help with fees
- No weekly fee for campers with a valid LAUSD member ID; a military family voucher is available.
LA County Parks Summer Programs at Victoria Community Regional Park
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
County park summer programs. The county’s summer guide listed a Nature in Your Neighborhood event at this park with live animal presentations, hands-on activities, games and a resource fair.
- Where
- Victoria Community Regional Park
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
School Age Summer Program
Golden City Child Development Center
Full-time summer care for school-age children at a licensed child development center, with a weekly theme on a different state or country (its culture, cuisine and language) and field trips.
- Ages
- School-age children (the center serves ages 6 weeks to 12 years)
- Where
- Golden City CDC (Carson)
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
- Help with fees
- The center lists subsidized care, tuition support and corporate discounts.
Which sports camps run in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
South Bay Rockies Summer Baseball Camp
South Bay Rockies
Four days of baseball drills, skills work and scrimmages led by Coach Nate Houts and staff of the South Bay Rockies club team.
- Ages
- Ages 8 to 14, in groups of 8 to 9, 10 to 11 and 12 to 14 (the registration form lists fall 2026 grades 3 to 8)
- Where
- Navy Field (Lomita Little League), 26800 S Western Ave, Lomita, CA 90717
- Summer 2026
- Monday, July 27 to Thursday, July 30, 2026 (four days).
- Fees in 2026
- $140 for the week, paid to the coach on the first day of camp. Single days can be arranged with the coach.
- Registration in 2026
- Online 2026 Summer Camp Registration form on the club’s Lessons and Camps page. Questions: Coach Nate Houts, 310.421.7073.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
LA Galaxy Youth Development Camp
LA Galaxy Youth Programs
Half-day soccer camp with camp games, ball mastery and tactical instruction from USSF certified youth coaches, for beginner to intermediate players.
- Ages
- Ages 6 to 14
- Where
- Dignity Health Sports Park, 18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson, CA 90746
- Summer 2026
- Monday, July 20 to Thursday, July 23, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Carson session sold out.
- Fees in 2026
- $255.
- Registration in 2026
- Through the LA Galaxy camps page, which posted the 2026 schedule; the Carson session sold out. Questions: [email protected] or (310) 630-2287.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Summer Co-ed Baseball
City of Lomita
Co-ed youth baseball league listed in the summer season of the city’s Youth Sports Leagues schedule. It is a league, not a day camp; call Parks and Recreation at (310) 326-0140.
- Ages
- Ages 4 to 12
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Youth Baseball and Softball
City of Gardena
City youth baseball and softball league. Baseball divisions run from Introduction to Baseball and Coach Pitch to Single A and Double A, and youth sports clinics are held before each season.
- Ages
- Grade divisions TK to K, 1st to 2nd, 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th (grade at registration)
- Where
- Freeman Park; Thornburg Park
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
LAB FIVE Soccer Camps and Summer Academy
LAB FIVE Soccer
Summer Academy soccer training for players from preschool through high school at LAB FIVE’s indoor and five-a-side facility in Gardena. LAB FIVE also runs Monday to Friday soccer camps with two soccer sessions, lunch, a quiz and a snack.
- Ages
- Preschool through high school (Academy)
- Where
- LAB FIVE Soccer, Gardena
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
- Help with fees
- Family and referral discounts for the Academy.
LA Galaxy Elite Camp
LA Galaxy Youth Programs
Application-based soccer camp for competitive to elite players, led by LA Galaxy Youth and Academy coaches. Full-week campers receive a full kit, and the camp includes development workshops and a Galaxy Discovery Program evaluation opportunity.
- Ages
- Ages 9 to 16 (the page’s summary tag says 10 to 17)
- Where
- Dignity Health Sports Park
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
LA Galaxy Striker/Keeper Camp
LA Galaxy Youth Programs
Position training for strikers or goalkeepers at the intermediate to competitive level. Camps held at Dignity Health Sports Park include player appearances and a stadium tour.
- Ages
- Ages 8 to 16
- Where
- Dignity Health Sports Park
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Power of One Martial Arts Summer Camp
Power of One Martial Arts Carson
Martial arts summer camp focused on respect, discipline, focus and fitness. The studio sends its schedule and prices after families submit the form on its camp page.
- Ages
- Kids of all ages
- Where
- Power of One Martial Arts Carson
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Prodigy Futsal Camps
Prodigy Futbol (Prodigy Futsal)
Futsal camps from a Carson training program established in 2016, which says it runs new camps every month. Dates and prices are on its Book Online page.
- Where
- Prodigy Futsal
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Which surf, beach, swim and sailing programs run in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
Gardena Aquatic Center Programs
City of Gardena
City aquatic programs at the Gardena Aquatic Center, including a Dive-In Movie. Every aquatic program requires advance registration, and residents get priority registration before nonresidents.
- Where
- Gardena Aquatic Center
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
City of Carson Aquatics
City of Carson
Swim lessons from Tiny Tot to Adult levels and recreational swim at Carson Pool, Dominguez Aquatic Center, Foisia Pool and Hemingway Aquatic Center.
- Ages
- 6 months and up (lesson levels from Tiny Tot to Adult)
- Where
- Carson Pool; Dominguez Aquatic Center; Foisia Pool; Hemingway Aquatic Center
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Which art, theater, dance and music camps run in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
Adriana’s Art Summer Camp
Summer Studios Arts Academy
Clay hand building and wheel throwing in the morning session, and drawing and painting in the afternoon, taught by instructor Adriana Anderson.
- Ages
- Ages 5 and up
- Where
- Summer Studios Arts Academy, 2161 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA 90717
- Summer 2026
- July 6 to August 14, 2026, meeting Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. AM session 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; PM session 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; a full day combines the two.
- Fees in 2026
- AM session $90 a day; PM session $70 a day. Full sessions $640 (the studio’s page lists $640 for four weeks of one full day a week, and also $640 for one full week on consecutive days). Prices subject to change, per the studio.
- Registration in 2026
- The studio asks families to call ahead to check class availability. Email: [email protected].
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Teens and Kids Summer Art Series
Summer Studios Arts Academy
Art classes in pottery wheel, clay, drawing, cartooning and illustration that meet once a week. Some classes are ongoing, so students may join at any time.
- Ages
- Ages 5 to 14 (by class: Drawing, Cartooning and Illustration ages 8 to 19; pottery wheel ages 13 and up; Clay Exploration ages 8 and up)
- Where
- Summer Studios Arts Academy, 2161 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA 90717
- Summer 2026
- June, July and August 2026 (subject to change), once a week for four weeks per class. Classes generally run 1.5 hours; Drawing and Cartooning runs 2 hours on Sundays.
- Fees in 2026
- Kids and Teens Wheel $180 for a four-week class (new students, basic materials included). Clay Exploration $180 for four weeks or $80 for one day. Drawing and Cartooning $270 for six weeks, $180 for four weeks or $60 a session (materials included).
- Registration in 2026
- Call ahead to check availability. The studio’s 2026 Schedule at a Glance lists class days.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Summer Entertainment Camp
The 3in1 Experience Inc.
Singers, dancers and actors work on theatre, singing and dance through the summer, and camp ends with a performance.
- Ages
- Ages 7 to 17
- Where
- 19707 S Central Ave, Carson, CA 90746
- Summer 2026
- Weekly, June 15 to August 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Performance Sunday, August 9, 2026.
- Fees in 2026
- $100 a week. Early drop-off, 8:00 a.m. to 9:59 a.m., is $20 more a week; late pickup, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., is $10 more a week.
- Registration in 2026
- Online sign-up form on the camp page. Contact 800-715-8380 or [email protected].
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
- Help with fees
- The organization’s site has a Sponsor A Student page.
Book Arts Day for Girls
International Printing Museum
A full day of rotating stations for papermaking, bookbinding, printing book covers, screen printing a t-shirt and letterpress. It helps Girl Scouts complete the Cadette Book Artist badge and is open to all girls.
- Ages
- Girls ages 10 to 18
- Where
- International Printing Museum
- Summer 2027
- Summer 2027 date: Saturday, July 17, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Other 2027 dates: February 27, May 22 and November 14. The next date is Saturday, November 14, 2026. Advance registration through the museum’s Eventbrite page.
- Help with fees
- Underwritten by the PIASC RAISE Foundation.
Scout Merit Badge Day
International Printing Museum
Scouts complete the Graphic Arts and Pulp and Paper merit badges by rotating through stations: screen printing a t-shirt, running an offset press, grinding pulp, making paper and letterpress printing.
- Ages
- Registered scouts
- Where
- International Printing Museum
- Summer 2027
- 2027 dates: February 13, March 27, June 19, August 6 and September 11, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The museum lists them all as Saturdays, but August 6, 2027 falls on a Friday, so check that date with the museum.
- Help with fees
- PIA underwrites much of the program’s expense.
Which STEM, science, nature and cooking camps run in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
Tanoshii Fun Camp
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI)
A week of activities on Japanese American culture and heritage. The 2025 camp included The Gaman Experience, a hands-on history design project about World War II incarceration camps, with a Friday open house.
- Ages
- Ages 7 to 10 at the start of camp
- Where
- Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, 1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247
- Summer 2026
- Monday, July 27 to Friday, July 31, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.
- Fees in 2026
- The camp’s FAQ page lists these prices with no year shown: early bird through March 31, $330 for one camper or $325 per camper for groups of two or more; standard, April 1 to May 29, $345 for one camper or $340 per camper in a group.
- Registration in 2026
- Online through the form linked from GVJCI’s Camper Registration page; enrollment is limited to 50 campers. Group pricing applies to two or more campers registered together, siblings or not. Cancellations within 30 days of camp start get a 50 percent refund; no refunds within one week of camp. Questions: GVJCI office, (310) 324-6611 ext. 102.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
What summer school and academic programs run in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
Summer Discovery Program and Lunch at the Library
LA County Library, with LA County Parks and Recreation for lunch
Readers log books, complete activities, earn badges and are entered to win prizes. Kids and teens 18 and under can eat a free lunch at Lomita Library Tuesday to Friday.
- Ages
- All ages (Summer Discovery Program); 18 and under (Lunch at the Library)
- Where
- Lomita Library, 24200 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717
- Summer 2026
- Lunch at the Library: Tuesday to Friday, June 15 to August 7, 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., no lunch Friday, June 19 or Friday, July 3. Summer Discovery Program: summer 2026.
- Fees in 2026
- Free. Lunch has no family income requirement.
- Registration in 2026
- Summer Discovery Program: sign up online or pick up a game card at the library. Lunch is first come, first served, and meals must be eaten at the library during lunch hours.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Summer Program
Hope Learning Center
Nine weeks of weekly themes, such as Our Bond with Horses, with guest presenters, homework help from teen volunteers and a student-run charity cafe.
- Where
- Hope Learning Center, 24205 Narbonne Ave, #101, Lomita, CA 90717
- Summer 2026
- Nine weeks in summer 2026, underway by mid-June. A student-run charity cafe was held Thursday, June 18, 2026 with visiting students from Noto, Japan.
- Registration in 2026
- Contact the center at [email protected] or 310-755-8575.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Summer Discovery Program and Lunch at the Library
LA County Library, with LA County Parks and Recreation for lunch
Readers log books, complete activities, earn badges and are entered to win prizes. Kids and teens 18 and under can eat a free lunch Tuesday to Friday, and the library has a Teen Space.
- Ages
- All ages (Summer Discovery Program); 18 and under (Lunch at the Library)
- Where
- Gardena Mayme Dear Library, 1731 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
- Summer 2026
- Lunch at the Library: Tuesday to Friday, June 15 to August 7, 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., no lunch Friday, June 19 or Friday, July 3. Summer Discovery Program: summer 2026.
- Fees in 2026
- Free. Lunch has no family income requirement.
- Registration in 2026
- Summer Discovery Program: sign up online or pick up a game card at the library. Lunch is first come, first served.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Bridges Summer STEAM Academy
Bridges Community Economic Development Corporation (Bridges CEDC)
Math enrichment from Pre-Algebra through Algebra 2 with credentialed teachers, plus college prep workshops, college tours and STEAM field trips. It includes the CSU Summer Algebra Institute, run with the CSU Office of the Chancellor.
- Ages
- Rising 6th to 12th graders (program overview); students entering 5th to 11th grade (Summer STEAM Academy page); rising 8th to 12th graders for the CSU Summer Algebra Institute
- Where
- Bridges Academic Center of Excellence, 225 West Torrance Blvd., Suite D, Carson, CA 90745
- Summer 2026
- Summer 2026; dates and hours were not posted.
- Fees in 2026
- A program fee is charged to offset incidental expenses; the amount is not posted.
- Registration in 2026
- Through Bridges’ AfterSchoolHQ registration page. Office 310.538.6943, [email protected].
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
- Help with fees
- Need-based scholarships available.
Beyond the Bell Summer Expanded Learning
Los Angeles Unified School District, Beyond the Bell
Learning and care for eligible LAUSD students in TK to grade 6 on intersession days, including summer, under the state Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. Families apply at their school or online at btb.lausd.org.
- Ages
- Grades TK to 6 (state eligibility rules apply)
- Where
- LAUSD school sites in Lomita
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
- Help with fees
- No charge for eligible students.
Beyond the Bell Summer Expanded Learning
Los Angeles Unified School District, Beyond the Bell
Learning and care for eligible LAUSD students in TK to grade 6 on intersession days, including summer, under the state Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. Families apply at their school or online at btb.lausd.org.
- Ages
- Grades TK to 6 (state eligibility rules apply)
- Where
- LAUSD school sites in Gardena
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
- Help with fees
- No charge for eligible students.
Summer Discovery Program
LA County Library
LA County Library’s summer reading program: readers log books, complete activities, earn badges and are entered to win prizes. Sign up online or pick up a game card at the library.
- Where
- Carson Library
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Beyond the Bell Summer Expanded Learning
Los Angeles Unified School District, Beyond the Bell
Learning and care for eligible LAUSD students in TK to grade 6 on intersession days, including summer, under the state Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. Families apply at their school or online at btb.lausd.org.
- Ages
- Grades TK to 6 (state eligibility rules apply)
- Where
- LAUSD school sites in Carson
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
- Help with fees
- No charge for eligible students.
What is there for teens in Gardena, Carson and Lomita in summer?
Lomita Park Teen Program
City of Lomita
Teen Nights, daytime Field Day, STEM Challenge, Teen’s Choice, Art Day and a Nitrolab Show, plus field trips to an LA Galaxy game, a Dodgers game, a ropes course and Knott’s Soak City.
- Ages
- Ages 11 to 14
- Where
- Lomita Park, 24428 Eshelman Avenue, Lomita, CA 90717
- Summer 2026
- Tuesday, July 7 to Thursday, August 6, 2026 (the city’s program page says June through August). Teen Nights July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and August 4, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; daytime activities 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; field trips July 16, 22, 23 and 30 and August 6, each with its own times.
- Fees in 2026
- $30 registration fee. Field trips extra, $20 to $40 each: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Segerstrom Center $20, LA Galaxy game $20, Fulcrum Adventures ropes course $40, Dodgers game $30, Knott’s Soak City $30. Field trip transportation is donated by Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office.
- Registration in 2026
- Opened Friday, May 15, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., in person only at the Lomita Park Recreation Office. Payment by card or by check payable to The City of Lomita, with a signed waiver. Field trip sign-ups began at the first Teen Night, Tuesday, July 7, and only enrolled teens may go on field trips.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Summer Leadership Program
A.C. Green Youth Foundation
A week-long day program at Rowley Park with basketball skills, guest speakers, goal setting, career exploration and character building, supervised by former NBA player A.C. Green.
- Ages
- Ages 9 to 16
- Where
- Rowley Park, 13220 Van Ness Ave, Gardena, CA 90249
- Summer 2026
- Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Fees in 2026
- All expenses paid; the Foundation sponsors participants.
- Registration in 2026
- By application. The 2026 Gardena application is now closed. Questions: 1.800.AC.Youth or the Foundation’s contact form.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
- Help with fees
- The Foundation sponsors participants, so families pay no fee.
Get Summer Teen Membership
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, Gardena-Carson Family YMCA
A free summer YMCA membership for teens, with use of the Gardena-Carson Family YMCA, including its indoor heated pool and indoor basketball court.
- Ages
- Ages 12 to 18 (18-year-olds must be current high school students)
- Where
- Gardena-Carson Family YMCA, 1000 W Artesia Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90248
- Summer 2026
- Summer 2026 through Sunday, August 16, 2026. Current center hours: Monday to Friday 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., closed Sunday; summer hours may differ.
- Fees in 2026
- Free.
- Registration in 2026
- Enroll online through the YMCA’s ActiveNet membership search (keyword ‘get summer’).
- Summer 2027
- After summer, Get Summer teens could stay on at $19.99 a month through December 31, 2026; the rate returns to $25 a month on January 1, 2027.
Teen Camp
City of Gardena
Recreation program with excursions to local and out-of-city sites, on-site entertainment, arts and crafts, sports, life skills lessons and community service.
- Ages
- Ages 13 to 17
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Tanoshii Fun Camp Counselor Program
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI)
Volunteer counselors assist with activities and supervise and mentor elementary campers at Tanoshii Fun Camp. Applicants should have knowledge of or experience with Japanese American culture and heritage.
- Ages
- High school students entering junior or senior year, and college students (Senior Camp Counselors must be college students)
- Where
- Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
- Summer 2027
- Check the program’s page for summer 2027 dates and fees.
Which adaptive and inclusive summer programs run in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
The Summer of STEM
City of Carson Youth and Family Services, Therapeutic Recreation
Hands-on STEM activities and competitions from the city’s Therapeutic Recreation program. A parent or guardian is welcome to attend with their youth.
- Ages
- Ages 10 to 14
- Where
- Carson Event Center, 801 E. Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745
- Summer 2026
- Thursdays, June 25 to July 30, 2026 (six weeks), 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Fees in 2026
- Free.
- Registration in 2026
- For details, call (310) 952-1782 ext. 1671.
- Summer 2027
- Not posted yet.
Questions people ask about summer camps in Gardena, Carson and Lomita
Are there free summer programs in Gardena, Carson and Lomita?
Yes. In 2026 the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson camp at LAUSD Beyond the Bell sites was free for current LAUSD students, Carson’s Summer of STEM for ages 10 to 14 was free, and the Gardena-Carson Family YMCA’s Get Summer membership gave teens free summer access.
What does the Gardena-Carson YMCA day camp cost?
In 2026 it was $189 a week for YMCA family members and $229 for the community rate, Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with optional swim lessons. The YMCA offers financial assistance based on family income.
How do you sign up for Lomita’s summer teen program?
In 2026 registration opened Friday, May 15 at 9:00 a.m., in person only at the Lomita Park Recreation Office, with payment by card or check and a signed waiver.
We do our very best to supply facts drawn from official sources so that the information you find here is reliable and accurate. If we find conflicting information, we report on all of it. Program details come from each program’s own pages and the cities’ published guides, read October 16, 2026. Dates, fees, ages and rules change from year to year, so check with the program before you register. For Junior Lifeguards and programs that serve the whole South Bay, see South Bay Summer Camps.
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