Chess in the morning. Pool in the afternoon. Meals. Movie day. A giant trophy. And every kid leaves with an official USCF rating. This is the camp I'd send my own kids to — because I built it that way.
Sold Out — Get First Dibs on 2027 →
All-Inclusive
$500 covers everything. No hidden fees. No à la carte. Chess camps that charge $500 charge it just for the instruction. We include the rest — pool, meals, USCF rating, the works.
♟️ Chess Program
🌟 Way More Than Chess
The Week
Monday
Jun 15
♟️Chess lessons, puzzles & opening day tournament. Giant chess on the deck.
Tuesday
Jun 16
🏊Chess morning + Pool day at Carmel Valley Community Youth Center. Admission included.
Wednesday
Jun 17
🧩Chess lessons, advanced tactics, puzzle competitions & mid-week tournament.
Thursday
Jun 18
🛝Chess morning + Tatum's Treehouse playground. Outdoor movement and fun.
Friday
Jun 19
🏆Final tournament, Movie Day, Champion trophy ceremony. Parents welcome at 2:30pm.
🏊 Pool days — remember to bring: swimsuit, towel, goggles (if needed)
What They're Playing For
We don't do participation ribbons. The winner of the Friday tournament takes home an honest-to-god championship trophy — three columns tall, with their name on a brass plate that says it forever.
Every kid plays all week to earn it. Every kid leaves with a USCF rating no matter how they finish. But one kid walks out the door at Friday's closing ceremony holding this:
"2026 Carmel Valley Chess Club Summer Championship — First Place."
Straight From a Camp Parent
Want this for your kid next summer? Join the 2027 list →
More From Camp Families
Activity Locations
Flexible Options
I know parents work. Drop off early. Pick up late. Either or both. We've got you.
$40
Early Drop-Off
Drop your child off starting at 8am for supervised care before camp begins at 9am. Available Monday–Friday for the full camp week. $40 flat rate for the week.
$60
Late Pickup
Pick up your child anytime up to 5pm for supervised care after camp ends at 3pm. Available Monday–Friday for the full camp week. $60 flat rate for the week.
$90
Bundle — Both Add-Ons
Bundle early drop-off (8am) and late pickup (5pm) for the full camp week at a discounted rate. The best value for families who need flexibility all day.
By Friday afternoon, every kid at this camp has played in a real tournament with chess clocks and has an official USCF rating — a number that goes on their record for life. No other summer camp in Monterey County offers this. Most chess camps don't either. We do.
Sold Out for 2026 — Join the 2027 ListPolicies
💰 Refund & Cancellation Policy
14+ Days Notice: Full refund minus $35 admin fee, or 100% credit toward a future camp.
7–13 Days Notice: 50% refund or 100% credit toward a future camp.
Less than 7 Days: No refunds. A 50% credit may be issued for emergencies at Coach JB's discretion.
Illness/Injury: Full credit toward a future camp with a doctor's note (valid 12 months).
All requests must be submitted in writing to chessclubcv@gmail.com.
🏊 Pool Permission & What to Bring
Pool days are Tuesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 18 at the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center. Admission is fully included in camp tuition.
Please send your child with:
✓ Swimsuit
✓ Towel
✓ Goggles (if needed)
Pool permission is collected during registration.
📷 Photo & Media
We photograph and video camp activities for promotional use. Parents may opt out during registration. Consent may be revoked at any time in writing — materials will be removed within 24–48 hours of written request to chessclubcv@gmail.com.
🚗 Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Standard hours: Drop-off 9am, Pick-up 3pm
Early Drop-Off: Available from 8am ($40/week)
Late Pickup: Available until 5pm ($60/week)
Closing Ceremony: Friday June 19 at approximately 2:30pm — parents encouraged to attend.
Join the Email List
One list for the whole club — tournament announcements, event reminders, camp updates, and news from Coach JB. No experience required to join. New to chess? You’ll also get his free 5-day video series to get you started.
No spam. Just chess. Unsubscribe anytime. New to the game? Start with our free video series →
