Child Care

We will be offering referrals to the following childcare and recreational services. Due to constraints on our time and the difficulty of securing insurance for childcare, we will not be providing these services directly. If you would like any support in identifying the program that would best fit your needs or have additional questions, please contact: 805-893-2003.

UCSB Recreation Center

Recreation and Camps at UCSB offer a variety of activities and programs to accomodate you and your child's needs. Contact camps@essr.ucsb.edu or visit their website for more information.

  • Summer Day Camp for boys and girls ages 5-14, 7:15am to 5:30pm
  • Session 2: June 26th-30th. Sessions run Monday-Friday with arrival time between 7:15 & 8:30am and departure time between 4:30 & 5:30pm. Camp is for boys and girls ages 5-14 and is divided into four age groups. Activities include; Archery, Arts and Crafts, Beach Days, Computers, Field Trips, Floor Hockey, Group Games, Gymnastics, Innertube Water Polo, Lacrosse, Movies, Movement, Nature Hikes, Ropes Adventure Course, Science, Soccer, Softball, Special Events, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, and much more!
  • Surf & Kayak Camp boys and girls ages 9-15, 1:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Session 2: June 26th-30th. Sessions run Monday-Friday, 1:00pm & 5:00pm and departure time between 5:00pm & 5:30pm. Camp is for boys and girls ages 9-15. Activities will vary depending on weather, tide and wind conditions. Ocean activities include: Surfing, Kayaking, Body boarding, Swimming, Paddle boarding and Snorkeling. Beach activities include: Volleyball, Tug-o-war, Tide pooling, Smash ball, Relay Races, Environmental Education, Capture the Chicken, Beach Flags, Sand Castle Building and visits to the UCSB Marine Science Institute Touch Tanks.
  • Summer Day Camp/ Surf and Kayak Combo: boys and girls ages 9-15, 7:15am to 5:00pm.
  • If you need full day care for your children then combining the Surf and Kayak Camp with the UCSB Summer Day Camp is the way to go. You can drop your child off as early as 7:15am at the Summer Day Camp. Campers will be walked to the Surf and Kayak Camp at noon by a counselor. You pick up at the Surf and Kayak Camp in the afternoon. See the Summer Day Camp webpages for more information on activities.
  • Wheelchair Sports Camp is open to children 5-19 years of age who have physical or mobility disabilities.
  • Campers will receive sports instruction in basketball, racquetball, tennis, swimming, floor hockey and other field games.

back to top

Orfalea Family Children's Center

  • UCSB, West Campus, Santa Barbara CA 93106-1060
  • Phone: (805) 893-3665
  • Fax: (805) 893-4907
  • E-mail: ofcc@sa.ucsb.edu
  • Website
  • Leslie Voss, Director
  • Leslie.voss@sa.ucsb.edu
  • 805-893-3347

For children ages 0-3: Early Start Program at 962-7881. Ages 3-5: Santa Barbara County Office of Education: Special Education at 964-4711 or you may contact the Center Family Coordinator at 893-4904. The Orfalea Family Children's Center is located on West Campus, provides child care for student, staff and faculty families within the University community. Infant and toddler classrooms care for children ages 3 months to 3 years in small, intimate groups. Children 3 to 5 years of age are cared for in mixed-age classrooms.

back to top

Finding Other Child Care

Childcare programs in Santa Barbara County can be accessed by contacting Children's Resource and Referral: 692-6988. Also, visit these websites: NAEYC, Child Care Aware, and Zero to Three.

To find out about family and group activities go to Family Activities information.

back to top