Emerald Cove Day Camp

Campers attend in two-week sessions, Monday through Friday, with the day running from morning check-in to a 3:00 PM pickup. Each child joins a Pod Group made up of similar-age campers and a consistent counselor. These small groups move through scheduled activities together, while larger camp gatherings bring everyone together for songs, stories, themed games, and shared traditions. Specialized activity leaders join Pod Groups for activities such as archery, climbing, and horsemanship.

The activity mix combines physical challenge, creativity, outdoor discovery, and social play. On site, campers rotate through archery, the climbing wall, low ropes, creative arts, outdoor cooking, skateboarding, nature discovery, water play, GaGa Ball, and adventure games. Off-site outings occur several times during the week and can include horsemanship, hiking and nature exploration, tide pools, and beach days. Some experiences vary by age: younger campers can visit the Emerald Cove Ranch, while older elementary campers take part in horsemanship.

Christian content is integrated through devotions, songs, Bible stories, role modeling, and everyday teachable moments. The program’s stated goals center on growth in character, skills, relationships, and faith, with counselors encouraging participation, friendship-building, cooperation, problem solving, and persistence.

Campers bring their own lunch and a healthy snack each day. The camp does not provide lunches or snacks because of individual food preferences and the growing number of dietary allergies. Campers are encouraged not to share food. ECDC provides water and schedules frequent water breaks to support hydration throughout the day.

Campers stay with small Pod Groups led by consistent counselors, and trained activity leaders join groups for specialized activities such as archery and climbing. Staff selection includes interviews, reference checks, and background screening for staff age 18 and older, and staff receive training in child development, behavior management, activity leadership, role modeling, and emergency preparedness. All staff are CPR certified.

Water outings use additional safeguards. On beach days the overall staff-to-camper ratio is 1:3, campers wear a required rash guard, water play stays within a staff boundary in front of a California State Lifeguard tower, and play is kept waist-deep. Counselors also help campers reapply sunscreen and take frequent water breaks. For significant illness or injury, parents are contacted immediately and emergency personnel are called when needed.

Camper medication is collected at the start of the session, must be in its original packaging, and is stored safely. Daily medication distribution is overseen by the camp’s Health Supervisor. Minor bumps and scrapes are handled on site, and parents receive an “Ouch Report” at pickup when first-aid attention was provided. If a more significant illness or injury occurs, parents are contacted immediately and emergency personnel are called when necessary.

Families also complete health-related forms before camp. The camp asks families to keep sick children home, and its published guidance emphasizes sunscreen and hydration during the outdoor day.

Senior staff include youth-development professionals and college students. Pod Group Counselors must be entering or already in college, while co-counselors are high-school juniors and seniors who serve alongside lead counselors. Staff are selected for social and emotional maturity, youth-work experience, and communication and activity skills. Screening includes interviews, reference checks, and background screening for staff age 18 and older. Training covers child development, behavior management, activity leadership, affirmation, devotional content, and emergency preparedness, and all staff are CPR certified. The camp also reports a high rate of returning staff each summer.

Families are told at the start of the session which days their child’s Pod Group is scheduled for off-site adventures. Parents may contact the camp office with questions, and the camp encourages families to use its parent Facebook page during the session to view photos. After camp, families receive a satisfaction survey and can continue to receive camp updates through email, the camp blog, and social media.

Camp begins with arrival and check-in at 8:30 AM and ends with pickup at 3:00 PM. Required camper forms are due four weeks before the session starts. Children should bring a sack lunch, healthy snack, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, beach towel, and a swimsuit; closed-toe shoes are required daily, and long pants are needed for assigned horsemanship days. Off-site adventures are scheduled two to three times a week and use chartered school buses. Families are notified which outing days apply to their child.