Belonging and camp as second home
We want Mountain Camp Woodside to feel like a second home for our campers, and you and your camper are now a part of the Mountain Camp Woodside Family.
Explore on the camp’s websiteBelonging and camp as second home
Mountain Camp Woodside
Portola Valley, CA
Getting here & daily schedule
- Address
- 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028
- Camp type
- Day & overnight
- Meals
- Day campers receive lunch and afternoon snack. Resident campers receive all meals. Meals prepared by Woodside Priory School's year-round chef. Nutritionally balanced; vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
- Enrollment
- Coed
- Accreditations stated by camp
- American Camp Association
Activities
Land Sports
- Tennis
- Archery
Arts & Creative
- Dance
Outdoor Adventure
- Mountain biking
More activities
- arts & crafts
- cooking (Wacky Wednesday)
- creation station (cardboard building)
- drama
- fencing (foam swords)
- glee
- horseback riding (add-on)
- LARPing
- movie making
- nature hiking
- newspaper
- outdoor survival
- rock band / music
- rock climbing (Wacky Wednesday)
- rockets (Wacky Wednesday)
- science & discovery
- slip n slide (Wacky Wednesday)
- spa (Wacky Wednesday)
- sports & games
- swimming lessons (add-on)
- swimming / pool
- TGIS Saturday overnight (add-on for day campers)
- wizardry (Wacky Wednesday)
Clues to fit
Core values — community, healthy lifestyle, positive self-image
Mountain Camp Woodside seeks to illuminate the special and unique character in every camper. We want campers to shine. Ultimately, our goal is to create experiences, friendships, and laughter that stay with them for the rest of their lives. Activities are designed to build confidence by rewarding effort and enthusiasm over proficiency. Campers develop a sense of achievement by setting and pursuing their own individual goals.
Explore on the camp’s websiteCore values — community, healthy lifestyle, positive self-image
Setting — Portola Valley, near Palo Alto, minutes from Stanford
Mountain Camp Woodside is located on the spectacular Woodside Priory campus in Portola Valley. Portola Valley is conveniently located on the Peninsula and is near Palo Alto, Stanford, La Honda, Woodside, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Atherton, San Carlos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Los Altos. In the event that urgent care is required, Mountain Camp Woodside is located minutes from Stanford University Hospital and across the street from Portola Valley Fire Station.
Explore on the camp’s websiteSetting — Portola Valley, near Palo Alto, minutes from Stanford
Themes & shared moments
Alpiner Cup — camp-wide competition tradition
This week at camp, we had our Alpiner Cup competition! For those of you that don't know what our Alpiner Cup competition is, it is the most hilarious and fun series of games, ever. The campers were split into their teams with Georgia leading the blue and white team, Lo leading the pink and black team and Joseph leading the red and yellow team.
Explore on the camp’s websiteAlpiner Cup — camp-wide competition tradition
Wacky Wednesday tradition
Wacky Wednesday is a wonderful Mountain Camp Woodside tradition where the entire day is full of fun, free-choice, and new activities for the campers to choose from. Along with all of the activities of the day already, we also have a weekly theme for each Wednesday throughout the summer.
Explore on the camp’s websiteWacky Wednesday tradition
Growing confidence & friendships
ACA accreditation and standards
Mountain Camp Woodside is dedicated to meeting the highest standards in the camp industry. We are a member of the Western Association of Independent Camps and are accredited by the American Camp Association. Our programs inspire campers to try new activities and take home memories that will last a lifetime.
Explore on the camp’s websiteACA accreditation and standards
Programs & camp life
Activity breadth — over 24 activities per day, free choice
Each day, campers will get to do six different hour-long activities. We offer over 24 camp activities per day! Two will be with their camper groups and four will be 'free' choice activities that the campers get to pick.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗Activity sign-ups — camper choice and schedule design
One of the most important aspects to the program at Mountain Camp Woodside is that campers get to design their own schedule and sign up for the activities that interest them the most. On Monday morning, all campers (2nd graders and up) will choose their camp activities for the week. They will have four Free Choice camp activity periods per day and will have between five to seven different choices for each period. If campers don't like an activity, they can change into another.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗Archery — most popular activity, MCW Master of Archery
The most popular activity at camp! Trained counselors instruct campers in range safety, proper techniques, and scoring. Bows and arrows of all weights and sizes are available for every sized camper and skill level. Try to become a 'MCW Master of Archery'. Campers learn resilience and how to try something new.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗For parents & families
Food — chef-prepared, dietary options available
Mountain Camp Woodside takes pride in our excellent food. All of our nutritious lunches are prepared by the Woodside Priory School's year-round chef and professional food service team. Every lunch will have a 'hot' option along with other items to choose from, like fresh fruit and vegetables. A salad bar, baked potatoes, pasta bar, and a sandwich bar are available. A vegetarian or gluten-free option can be made available for every lunch.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Food allergies — designed with common allergies in mind
Food allergies are extremely common, and our menus are designed with most common food allergies in mind. If your child has a food allergy or you have questions regarding any special dietary needs, please call our camp office at (650) 576-2267.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Health & safety — nurse, CPR-certified staff, proximity to Stanford Hospital
At Mountain Camp Woodside, the health and safety of our campers and staff is our top priority. Most of our staff is First Aid and CPR certified and our pool staff are all certified lifeguards. Additionally, we have a registered nurse who is at camp daily and on call as needed. In the event that urgent care is required, Mountain Camp Woodside is located minutes from Stanford University Hospital and across the street from Portola Valley Fire Station.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Making new friends — supportive counselor training and first-night cabin meetings
Kids are encouraged to venture out of their comfort zones in order to try new activities and meet new people. Being comfortable around unfamiliar people is a valuable skill that we hope all campers can improve on each summer. Our counselors complete an intensive training program prior to camp starting and a significant portion of this time is devoted to helping them create an inclusive group and activity environments. On the first night of camp, counselors hold cabin meetings, organize team building games and ensure that everyone has time to positively connect.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Reviews & ratings
Historical reviews from CampRatingz.
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