Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 8–11 · $1,235/week
Directory · United States · California · Imperial Beach
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 8–11

YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners

YMCA Camp Surf · $1,235/week

An overnight summer camp experience for campers aged 12-14, focusing on ocean activities, leadership, and personal...

▌ Editor's read YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners is an overnight summer camp for 12-14 year olds, located in Imperial Beach, CA, and is part of the YMCA of San Diego County. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, signifying compliance with over 200 health, safety, and program quality standards. The camp's website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and extensive training. California state licensing records show the facility is licensed under number 376600003. Google reviews for YMCA Camp Surf average 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews, with many parents praising the engaging activities, supportive staff, and positive impact on their children's confidence. The program for Mariners campers includes surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, and leadership development activities. The camp is a non-profit organization, as indicated by its affiliation with the YMCA.
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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 8–11

YMCA Camp Surf - 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: 8–11
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 560 Silver Strand Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, USA
  • Phone: (619) 423-5850
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: YMCA member ($1,170) / non-member ($1,300) pricing.

↗ What parents like

  • Beachfront location
  • Focus on surfing

↘ Watch for

  • Pricey for non-members

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners

What ages does YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners accept?
YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners is open to children ages 8–11. 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 - Mariners cost?
YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners publishes $1,235/week for the standard session. YMCA member ($1,170) / non-member ($1,300) pricing. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners's hours?
YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners accredited?
Yes — YMCA Camp Surf - 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 YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners?
YMCA Camp Surf - 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 YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners provide lunch?
Yes — YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
Does YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners offer transportation?
YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners 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 - Mariners compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Imperial Beach?
YMCA Camp Surf - 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 YMCA Camp Surf - Mariners with other camps.

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