Accommodation
Camp Fire San Diego’s Traditional Day Camp is a day camp. Campers attend during the day and return home after their scheduled pick-up window. Overnight housing is not included in the regular Traditional Day Camp registration.
The day is organized through staggered drop-off and pick-up groups. Group A drop-off runs from 7:30–8:00 AM, with pick-up from 3:30–4:00 PM. Group B drop-off runs from 8:00–8:30 AM, with pick-up from 4:00–4:30 PM. Group C drop-off runs from 8:30–9:00 AM, with pick-up from 4:30–5:00 PM. Families should follow the group time listed in their registration.
For kids who want a little more camp magic, Thursday Night Overnights are available as a separate program option. Regular day-camp families should not assume overnight care is included unless they register for the specific overnight add-on.
Meals
Campers need to bring lunch from home. Lunch should be non-perishable because refrigeration is not available. Each child should also bring a clearly labeled water bottle. Since camp days include outdoor activity, hiking, games, and warm-weather play, hydration is an important part of the daily routine.
The Camp Store is available during lunch, pick-up, and PM Extended Care. Campers may buy optional snacks, fruit, sports drinks, juice, fun-size candy, or Camp CaHiTo gear such as a lunch bag, water bottle, or backpack. The Camp Store is cashless, so money must be submitted at check-in in the morning. Store balances are not refunded and do not transfer to another season.
Campers should also arrive with sunscreen already applied. Counselors are not permitted to apply lotion sunscreen. Families may want to pack easy-to-eat food that holds up well outdoors and does not require heating or refrigeration.
Safety
Camp CaHiTo is ACA accredited and maintains a structured safety program. The camp must meet or exceed up to 300 health and safety standards connected to staff qualifications, emergency response, and site security. An on-site caretaker lives at the facility and monitors the campgrounds 24/7.
The staff model is built around small groups. For ages 5–13, the ratio is 2 staff members per 16 campers. Staff completes FBI fingerprint criminal background checks, Child Protective Services checks, and National Sex Offender Registry screening. Staff also receive training in First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Prevention, and inclusion strategies.
Drop-off and pick-up use a check-in and check-out system. Parents must walk children to the front of camp for check-in. At check-out, adults should bring a driver’s license, and authorized pick-up names must match the camper registration. Camp is also cell phone-free for campers, which keeps attention on the group, activities, and the outdoor setting.
Health & Medicine
Camp CaHiTo has health support in place during summer sessions. A Health Aid is on duty, and a Registered Nurse is on call. The camp also keeps an Automated External Defibrillator on-site, and staff are trained in its use.
Medications are stored in the centralized Health Center and administered only by designated health staff. Rescue inhalers and EpiPens are the exception, since campers may need fast access to them. Families should provide accurate medical details during registration and follow camp instructions for medication handling.
The camp also plans for heat. Each group has an assigned shaded campsite, and shade tents are placed throughout the facility. Drinking water is readily available, and campers can use the Mist Zone to cool down during the day. Campers should bring a labeled water bottle, wear closed-toed shoes and socks, and arrive with sunscreen already applied.
Camp traditions
Camp Fire San Diego has the feel of a classic outdoor day camp, with traditions that are easy for kids to understand and remember. Camp songs, skits, scavenger hunts, group games, and Thursday Water Day help give each week a camp rhythm. These are the moments kids often talk about later because they are playful, social, and different from a regular school day.
The group-centered format is another important part of the culture. Campers stay with the same counselor and peer group for the session, so friendships have time to form. Kids are not just moving randomly from one activity to another; they belong to a group.
Older campers can also explore nearby Balboa Park museums during specialty trips. That adds a local discovery element to the program. For kids who like outdoor play, silly songs, creative projects, and group challenges, the traditions are simple but effective: get outside, try things, make friends, and come home a little dirty.
