Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 12–14 · $315/week
Directory · United States · California · Imperial Beach
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 12–14

YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen

YMCA Camp Surf · $315/week

A traditional day camp with a variety of activities including swimming, boating, and archery.

▌ Editor's read YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen is an overnight camp for teens aged 13-17, specifically designed for those interested in surfing and ocean activities. The camp is ACA accredited, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, and holds a California state license (Facility #376600003), indicating adherence to recognized safety and operational standards. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and receive extensive training. The program focuses on developing surfing skills, ocean safety, and leadership through activities like surfing, bodyboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding. Google reviews for YMCA Camp Surf generally show a high rating, averaging around 4.8 stars from over 500 reviews, with many parents praising the positive impact on their children and the quality of the staff. The camp is part of the YMCA of San Diego County, a well-established nonprofit organization.
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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 12–14

YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. overnight/sleepaway programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day 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: 12–14
  • Address: 560 Silver Strand Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, USA
  • Phone: (203) 754-9622
  • Cost notes: Preview week is 15, regular sessions are 25 per session (2 weeks).

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

  • Variety of activities
  • Specialty camps available
  • Located in a natural setting

↘ Watch for

  • No direct email for the camp itself

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen

What ages does YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen accept?
YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen is open to children ages 12–14. 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 YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen cost?
YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen publishes $315/week for the standard session. Preview week is 15, regular sessions are 25 per session (2 weeks). Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
Is YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen accredited?
Yes — YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen 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 YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen?
YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen 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 YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen provide lunch?
YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen 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.
Does YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen offer extended care?
Yes — YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen offers extended care alongside the main program day. Extended care is usually billed separately from the core session; ask whether single-day drop-in is allowed or if it requires a full-week commitment.
Does YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen offer transportation?
YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.
How does YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Imperial Beach?
YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen 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 YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside YMCA Camp Surf: Watermen.