Camp Info
| Ages: | 5–18 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | Coast |
| Water: | Water, Surfing |
| Health: | Health, Special Needs |
| Time: |
|
| Staff to Сamper Ratio: | 1:3 |
[email protected]
Encinitas, CA, USA
A typical camp day centers on learning to read the ocean, practice surf technique, and spend repeated time in the water with close instructor support. The youth program accepts all skill levels, with the main camp serving ages 5-14 and a separate Little Dolphins track serving neurodiverse campers ages 5-18. Children learn surf etiquette, ocean safety, and ocean conservation alongside beach games, camp-wide surf contests, and video coaching analysis.
Campers are divided into larger groups that rotate between surfing with surf instructors and other water activities or beach games with camp counselors. During surfing, the ratio is one instructor to three children; during non-surfing rotations, the ratio is one counselor to six children. The program provides wetsuits, foam surfboards, and rash guards, so families mainly need to send standard beach-day items such as a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, snacks, a hat, and sunglasses.
Families can choose half-day or full-day formats for the main camp, and daily drop-in participation is also available. Little Dolphins was designed by a licensed Occupational Therapist and includes an optional 1:1 supervision format. Across the program, the focus stays on surfing skills, ocean awareness, and supervised time at the beach rather than classroom-based instruction daily.
| Ages: | 5–18 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | Coast |
| Water: | Water, Surfing |
| Health: | Health, Special Needs |
| Time: |
|
| Staff to Сamper Ratio: | 1:3 |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
You can still submit a quick request to let the camp know you’re interested.
The main youth camp runs in half-day and full-day formats, with morning and afternoon half-day blocks plus a full-day option. Daily drop-in participation is also available. Children work on surf technique, surf etiquette, ocean safety, and ocean conservation, with beach games, camp-wide surf contests, and video coaching analysis built into the program.
Campers are divided into two larger groups that rotate. One group surfs with surf instructors while the other takes part in other water activities and beach games with camp counselors, then the groups switch. Surfing time uses a 1:3 instructor-to-camper ratio, while non-surfing rotations use a 1:6 counselor-to-camper ratio. This rotation gives the day a clear mix of instruction, water time, and beach-based activity without relying on a classroom schedule.
Little Dolphins Surf Camp serves neurodiverse children. That track was designed by a licensed Occupational Therapist and is offered as a morning program, with both standard participation and a 1:1 supervision option. Equipment support is consistent with the broader camp: wetsuits and foam surfboards are provided, and rash guards are also included with camp gear.
| Format | Hours |
|---|---|
| Half-day morning | 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Half-day afternoon | 12:30 PM - 04:30 PM |
| Full-day | 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM |
| Little Dolphins | 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Families are instructed to send campers with water and snacks. These are part of the standard items children are asked to bring for the beach day.
Camp instruction includes ocean safety and surf etiquette, and surf-camp staff are CPR and First-Aid certified. During surfing, the ratio is one surf instructor for every three children. Campers rotate in larger groups between surfing and other water or beach activities; the non-surfing rotation uses one camp counselor for every six children.
Little Dolphins Surf Camp is designed specifically for neurodiverse children by a licensed Occupational Therapist. The program also offers a 1:1 supervision option for families who want individual support.
Surf-camp staff are CPR and First-Aid certified, and Encinitas Surf Lessons instructors are highly trained and knowledgeable about the ocean. Camp operations use a 1:3 surf-instructor ratio in the water and a 1:6 camp-counselor ratio during non-surfing rotations. Instruction is kept small for more personalized support, and teaching is tailored to participants' age, abilities, and goals. The Little Dolphins track was designed by a licensed Occupational Therapist for neurodiverse campers.
Campers should bring sunscreen, water, a swimsuit to wear under the wetsuit, a towel, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and any personal surf equipment or beach games they want to use. The main camp operates Monday-Friday and offers half-day and full-day formats, along with daily drop-in participation for added scheduling flexibility. The Encinitas location is D St. Beach. Families do not need to provide the standard surfboard or wetsuit, and rash guards are also included with camp gear.
Bookings of two or more full weeks receive a 10% discount. Purchases of six or more daily drop-ins also receive a 10% discount. Little Dolphins lists separate standard and 1:1 supervision prices.
