Summer Camps Serving Oakland
An all-outdoor day camp the East Bay. Free home transportation provided from Oakland.
Outdoor Summer Camp Ages 4-16
Since 1972, Roughing It has been offering summer camps in an all-outdoors environment for children ages 4 to 16. We serve many Oakland families and are located at the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir.
We provide many outdoor activities including swimming, waterfront activities, and more! We also have programs specifically designed for younger campers and teens. Come check us out at a local event or talk with a camper parent in your area.
FREE transportation!
Our transportation service serves San Francisco, East Bay, Contra Costa and Tri-Valley .
Our buses are driven by year-round professional school bus drivers in safe school buses.
Need more info on times or want to inquire about home pick up? Contact Us!
Oakland Bus Stops
- Broadway Terrace
- Mandana & Carlton (By Crocker Highlands School)
- Montclair Tennis Courts
Extended Care
We offer free extended care (Before & After Camp) to families who choose to drop off and pick up directly at camp. Learn more here!
What Parents are Saying
Our son LOVED Roughing It. He’s never happier than at camp. He was calmer, more compliant, happier. He just grew up a lot this summer. – Andrea and Brook D, Oakland
On the bus ride to camp, my son started singing and making up songs. His driver told me about it. It’s the first time that my son ever showed interest in singing, let alone making up his own songs. I was very impressed by this because it shows me how comfortable he felt with the other campers and how even the bus ride sparked his imagination and was an outlet for his creativity. my son had a fantastic time. He loved his counselors and all of the activities. He especially loved riding the bus and going through the “magic tunnel.” – Jana V, Oakland
Roughing It Supports Oakland Schools!
Roughing It gives back to many of the schools our campers attend. We have made donations to the following schools:
- Escuela Bilingue Internacional
- Redwood Day School
- Hillcrest Elementary
- Thornhill Elementary
- Chabot Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Bentley School
- St. Paul’s Episcopal School
- Crocker Highlands Elementary
- Melrose Leadership Academy
- Bay Farm Elementary
- Franklin Elementary
- St. Joseph Elementary
- Ecole Bilingue Elementary
- The Berkeley School
- Piedmont Schools Auction
- Corpus Christi School
Oakland Parent References
We understand that finding the right camp for your child can be challenging. We can put you in touch with another family in your area (or school) who can speak about Roughing It. Here are Oakland families who would be happy to talk with you:
- Andrea & Brook Dooley
- Christine & Rick da Silva
- Dawit Kidane & Aster Yosief
- Dele & Daniel Kammen
- Hilary & Jason Keith
- Jennifer & Edan Kabatchnick
- Jennifer & Felix Baum
- Jennifer Judy & Jared Caldwell
- Kara Winter & Tim Golden
- Meghan & Kevin Leader
- Rebecca Johnson
- Ruth Singer & Daniel Bodner
- Selamawite Negusse & Amanuel Zerit
Contact Us to get in touch with a family in your area who has attended Roughing It Day Camp.
Come visit camp!
Please visit our event page for information about the next Camp Open House or Camp Show!
We are ACA accredited
Roughing It is accredited by the American Camping Association. Learn why accreditation matters.
