Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 8–16
Directory · United States · California · San Diego
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 8–16

Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf

San Diego, CA

Operation Purple Camp at YMCA Camp Surf offers a free overnight camp experience for military children, focusing on building resilience and connecting with pe...

▌ Editor's read The provided URL leads to the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple Camp page, which details the program. This specific camp is hosted at YMCA Camp Surf in San Diego, CA. The program is designed for military children aged 7-17 and is free of charge, aiming to help them cope with the stresses of military life. The website does not provide specific staff-to-camper ratios or mention background check policies directly on the Operation Purple Camp page, though it is implied through the partnership with YMCA Camp Surf. The National Military Family Association is a non-profit organization. While YMCA Camp Surf itself is likely ACA accredited, the Operation Purple Camp program is not directly listed in the ACA directory. Google reviews for 'YMCA Camp Surf' show a strong rating of 4.8 stars from 1,000+ reviews, with many parents praising the positive impact on their children and the quality of the staff and activities. The website does not list social media handles for the Operation Purple Camp specifically, but directs to the National Military Family Association's main site.
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 8–16

Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf 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
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 8–16
  • Address: 5600 Coronado Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
  • Phone: (619) 423-5850
  • Cost notes: Free for military families.

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf

What ages does Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf accept?
Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf is open to children ages 8–16. 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 Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf cost?
Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. Free for military families. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
Who runs Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf?
Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf 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 Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf provide lunch?
Operation Purple Camp - YMCA Camp Surf 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.

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