Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 8–12 · $1,170/week
Directory · United States · California · Imperial Beach
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 8–12

Mariners

YMCA Camp Surf · $1,170/week

A traditional overnight camp for grades 3-6 with a focus on water safety and aquatic skills.

▌ Editor's read The website for YMCA Camp Surf loads successfully and provides detailed information about their overnight camp programs. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, indicating a commitment to industry standards for safety and program quality. California state licensing information shows license number 376600003. The camp is owned and operated by the YMCA of San Diego County, a non-profit organization. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and extensive training. Program types are exclusively overnight, with a strong emphasis on ocean activities like surfing and bodyboarding for campers aged 8-17. Google reviews for YMCA Camp Surf show an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 300 reviews, with many parents praising the engaging activities and caring staff. Social media handles include @ymcacampsurf on Instagram and YMCACampSurf on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 8–12

Mariners sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right overnight/sleepaway fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
Not listed
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 8–12
  • Address: 560 Silver Strand Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, USA
  • Phone: (858) 292-9622
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: Members: ,170, Non-Members: ,300

7 sessions (7 one-week), from Jun 7 to Jul 31.

Sessions

Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.

  • Session 1 Jun 7 – 12, 2026 · 1 week · $1,300
  • Session 2 Jun 14 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $1,300
  • Session 3 Jun 21 – 26, 2026 · 1 week · $1,300
  • Session 5 Jul 5 – 10, 2026 · 1 week · $1,300
  • Session 6 Jul 12 – 17, 2026 · 1 week · $1,300
  • Session 7 Jul 19 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $1,300
  • Session 8 Jul 26 – 31, 2026 · 1 week · $1,300

↗ What parents like

  • Oceanfront location
  • Focus on water safety
  • Variety of activities

↘ Watch for

  • No direct email for the camp itself

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Mariners

What ages does Mariners accept?
Mariners is open to children ages 8–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Mariners cost?
Mariners publishes $1,170/week for the standard session. Members: ,170, Non-Members: ,300 Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
Is Mariners accredited?
Yes — Mariners is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Mariners?
Mariners is operated by a nonprofit organization. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Mariners provide lunch?
Mariners does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Mariners compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Imperial Beach?
Mariners is one of 5 overnight/sleepaway camps in Imperial Beach that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Mariners with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Mariners.