Camp Caltrain invites kids to explore the magic of rail travel with hands-on fun and icy treats

Bay Area – Caltrain is hosting a free, family-friendly event at the Santa Clara Station on Wednesday, August 6. The goal is to get kids interested in trains and show how much the railroad cares about safety and the community. The mid-summer event, which is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is called “Camp Caltrain.” It promises a dynamic mix of rail-themed fun, educational activities, and hands-on experiences.

The event is part of Caltrain’s “Go Explore” summer marketing and will include a lot of fun things for kids to do. The South Bay Historical Railroad Society will feature a model railroad display, and Kona Ice will provide shaved ice delights. There will also be colorful face painting, arts and crafts stations, and more. Bay FC will also give out free stuff to visitors, which will lend a sports touch to the events.

Caltrain’s low youth price makes it even easier to get to the event. Kids 18 and younger can travel for just $1. For kids to take part, they need to be with a parent or adult. This makes it easy and affordable outing for families across the region.

Camp Caltrain is more than just a fun event; it also has a bigger goal: to get families back on trains and get more people to ride them. More and more people are using the service, with more than a million passengers in June alone—a 76% increase from the same month last year.

Read also: Caltrain raises base fare as ridership climbs and financial pressures mount

The event’s timing also fits in with Caltrain’s larger goals of building public trust and making things safer. The American Public Transportation Association recently gave the organization the 2025 Commuter Rail Safety Gold Award. This top national award acknowledged Caltrain for being a leader in updating safety rules and spending money on new technologies like AI-powered crossing systems in cities like Palo Alto and Burlingame.

Caltrain is setting a new standard for rail safety in the U.S. with solar-powered lane markers, real-time alarm systems, and a new internal safety organization that includes a Chief Safety Officer. These things, while not the major point of Camp Caltrain, assist to show what the event stands for: safety, exploration, and community connection.

Read also: Ridership soars but funding gaps grow as Caltrain balances expansion with fiscal reality

Caltrain believes that the day will be more than just fun for the kids and parents who enjoy the laid-back summer vibes. It’s an opportunity to show families how magical and reliable rail travel can be, one shaved ice and toy train at a time.