Day Camp at YMCA Camp Surf

SURF'S UP AT THE Y!

Your family can count on YMCA Camp Surf to ensure your child is having fun in a safe, nurturing environment. Located on forty-five acres right on the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, CA, YMCA Camp Surf is one of a kind. With activities including archery, climbing tower, arts & crafts, team building and of course surfing and boogie boarding our staff are committed to working with children and teens to help them develop the skills and relationships they will need to be confident, healthy, and connected as they grow. No need to pack a lunch as all campers can enjoy a hot lunch. Camp Surf is much more than a typical day camp!

Since 1882, our camps have inspired kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead and make lasting friendships. 


FIND YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE!

UPCOMING SESSIONS

  • More information coming soon!

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MEMBERS SAVE

To receive the Y member rate for any program, your membership must be active throughout the duration of the registered program session(s), otherwise the non-member fee will be applied. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Y member, and join us today!

Y COMMUNITY PLUS MEMBERSHIP

  • Up to 15% off day camp and up to 10% off overnight camp. This rate also applies to active members who have not yet upgraded to one of our new membership plans.

Y COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP

  • Up to 10% off day and overnight camps.

     

    TIPS FOR A SMOOTH SIGN-UP

    Please note that you must create a My Y account in order to register. If you are new to the Y, you can set up your account now. If you already have an account, please log in prior to registering to make sure your profile is complete with payment method, valid email address, child's birth date and full name, etc

    SAVE TIME WITH SEARCH CODESpro tip in a sun graphic

    When you're ready to fill your cart, open a tab to our program finder, and log in to your My Y account. Find your camp selections quickly by typing in (or copying/pasting) the SEARCH CODE (e.g. CP04).


    YOUR GUIDE TO DAY CAMP

    Learn more about our day camps! Check out the camp descriptions below.


    TRADITIONAL CAMPS

    camp girl

    Traditional camps are ultra-spirited, fun-filled camps with weekly themes that guide activities for the week. New experiences, skill building, a sense of community and lasting friendships are all part of traditional day camp experience. When you're ready to register, here's a shortcut to all traditional camps at YMCA Camp Surf, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPVOY04) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

    ❯ ❯ TRADITIONAL CAMP DESCRIPTIONS (CLICK TO EXPAND)

    Voyagers

    Age 6-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPVOY04 FIND SESSIONS
    Join YMCA Camp Surf’s traditional Day Camp program to get a little taste of everything we have to offer. Campers have opportunities to participate in all of our traditional camp activities. Our programs focus on building self-confidence, making friends and developing social skills, and trying new things, all while creating lifelong memories and having fun!

    REGISTER


     

    About Us

    Our Branch

    YMCA CAMP SURF
    Address: 560 Silver Strand Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
    Phone: (619) 423-5850

    Camp Locations and Hours of Operation

    YMCA Camp Surf
    Address: 560 Silver Strand Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

    • Camp Hours: 
      • Full day: 9:00am–5:00pm
      • Drop off: 8:00–9:00am
        • Early Bird: 7:30–8:30am
      • Pick up: 4:30–5:00pm
        • Night Owl: 5:00–5:30pm

    Directors and Supervisors

    CAMP DIRECTOR
    Payton Schoonmaker
    [email protected](619) 423-5850 ext. 1884

    About Our Staff

    YMCA Camp Surf takes pride in hiring the best people to fill our camp staff. Each camp leader was hand-selected through an extensive hiring process to ensure the safest environment for everyone. Staff training includes CPR and First Aid certification, transportation safety, behavior management and bully prevention, child protection and abuse prevention, field trip and off-site safety procedures, risk management/prevention and more.


    WHAT IS CAMP SURF?

    surfing boys

    YMCA Camp Surf, located right on the coast with direct access to the beach, is like no other day camp experience around. Your child will enjoy an amazing week filled with adventurous games, crafts, and fun engaging camp activities which promote friendship, achievement and a sense of belonging. Camp Surf has an on-site archery range, climbing tower, skate park, and beach access for surfing, body boarding, or lounging in the sun. Kids will explore and learn about the outdoors searching through tidal life during jetty exploration and learn about ocean safety. Additionally a hot lunch and salad bar is included daily. Please let us know before the session if your camper has any dietary needs.

    We group campers by age and offer all ages tons of time to play, explore and build responsibility in the outdoors. Our staff are passionate about providing a fun, safe and supportive experience. Each day will be spent building lifelong memories. Register your child now for YMCA Camp Surf Voyagers day camp or check out one of our specialty day camps. Here’s a shortcut to all day camps at Camp Surf, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPVOY04) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

    When the water is closed, campers will be transported by bus to off-site beaches (ex. Coronado). Our staff (including lifeguards) will continue to supervise campers at these beaches. Currently, we are planning to transport each camper to off-site beaches on three days a week during water closures.*

    *Subject to permitting and logistic needs.

    WATER QUALITY

    The safety and wellbeing of our campers is paramount to everything we do. We automatically receive daily testing results facilitated by San Diego County. The day-to-day results depend on several factors including swell and current direction, and can be quite unpredictable - open one day and closed the next; open in the morning and closed in the evening; open all week long or closed all week long. In the event we have a beach closure we have plans in place for engaging alternative programming that includes:

    1. When the water is closed, campers will be transported by bus to off-site beaches multiple times throughout the week.* For Summer 2024 have secured access to beaches on the Coronado Navy bases, allowing us to provide the same amazing ocean experiences we are known for! On the rare occasion beaches are closed in Coronado, we also have permits to transport to other San Diego area beaches (ex. Mission Beach). Our staff (including lifeguards) will continue to supervise campers at these beaches.
    2. On-site activities such as our expanded skate park, archery range, climbing tower, sports activities, bicycles, beach and jetty explorations, and more.

    While the ocean is certainly a big draw and part of camp, we are not strictly a surf camp. The value and benefits of the YMCA Camp Surf experience extends far beyond that. Campers will develop strong friendships, spend great time outdoors, develop social skills, feel a sense of belonging, and exhibit increased confidence.


    PAYING FOR CAMP

    At the time of registration, you may choose to:

    • Pay in full (includes a $60 non-refundable deposit). 
    • Place a $60 non-refundable deposit at the time of registration. Deposit discounts may apply based on membership type.
      • Note: any day camps less than three days will have no deposit and will require to be paid in full at time of registration.
    • For Summer sessions, balances will be due three weeks prior to the first day of camp.
      • For school break camps, balance dues will be one week before the camp date.
    • An active membership is required at the time of the program start date to receive the member pricing discount.

    Deposits are non-refundable but can be immediately applied as a deposit for another camp if space is available or applied to an already existing camp balance within the same season. See our Refund/Voucher/Transfer Policies for more information.

    Here's what our parents tell us:

    "My child came home so happy and didn’t want to leave at the end of the day. He said it was the best camp EVER and loved all his camp counselors!"


    REQUIRED FORMS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS

    Day Camp Parent Manual

    Check out our Day Camp Parent Manual for easy reference on what to expect and how to best prepare your camper for day camp. Additional information can be found on the YMCA of San Diego County Day Camp page. 

    UPDATED SAFETY GUIDELINES:

    Your family's safety is our top priority. We have implemented safety protocols that follow state and local guidelines. It's our priority to help your children enjoy a safe and fun program that builds lasting friendships.

    Medical Release Form - Required

    In order to register, all campers must have a current medical release form updated and submitted to the YMCA. Medical release forms can be updated through your My Y account in our Community Portal.

    Vendor Waivers

    Some specialty camps, particularly those that travel to an off-site location, require an additional vendor waiver. Camps that require a waiver to be completed will be contacted and provided the waiver before the start of camp.

    ADAPTIVE CAMP

    Our Adaptive  Camp Program is a designed to support youth with behavioral and developmental needs as it adapts the camp experience to your child's needs and abilities, allowing opportunities for all campers to learn new skills, form new friendships and create lifetime memories. Campers will participate in activities with our traditional and specialty camps based on their interests at a pace that works for them. Our smaller camper-to-staff ratio for Adaptive Camp supports positive inclusion and/or one-on-one support as needed. Space is limited.  

    PLEASE NOTE: Contact the Camp Director and/or Coordinator to initiate an enrollment request and help us prepare a great experience for your camper.  We begin accepting enrollment requests on March 4, 2024 and strive to provide at least one week of camp to all interested families. 

    Camp Scholarships

    Financial assistance is available to families who qualify. Applications are available at the service desk and online. Assistance is based on verified income and completed applications.

    Apply for a Program Scholarship

    More Policies

    For more information about YMCA Day Camp policies, expectations and helpful information, visit our Day Camp Policy page.

    Giving Back

    For every session of camp, the Y provides program scholarships for families seeking financial assistance. This is made possible through the generosity of our community. If you wish to help a child go to camp, please see our Camp Director for information.

    Feedback

    We love to hear from our campers and parents! Camp leadership teams use your feedback to make positive changes to our program. Please feel free to contact our Camp Director Payton Schoonmaker at [email protected], with any questions, comments or concerns!


    CAMP STORE

    The Sugar Shack will be open on Friday during Check out. Cash and Credit Card will be accepted.