Urban Surf 4 Kids Camp

The camp is organized as a single beach-based day with a clear sequence from arrival through afternoon cleanup. Youth arrive for registration, caregiver check-in, pre-surf surveys, and gear preparation before joining land-based surf instruction and stretching. The main water block runs from late morning to noon, when participants surf and take part in beach activities with adult mentors. Youth who choose not to surf can stay on land with the activities and recreation team for sports and other beach-based recreation.

After the water session, participants move into lunch and post-surf surveys, followed by presentations and additional activities. The final part of the day includes a beach cleanup, connecting the recreation program with the organization’s Leave No Trace and sustainability practices. Surf camps are themed and often involve community partners, volunteers, and speakers. The program combines surfing with mentoring, outdoor recreation, practical environmental habits, and time for youth to connect with a consistent volunteer community.

For in-water surfing, the program aims for a 1:1 pairing between a youth athlete and an adult volunteer. CPR and First Aid-certified staff and trained lifeguards support the water environment.

Lunch is provided during the surf therapy camp day. The food program includes a sandwich for each child, chaperone, and volunteer, along with fresh fruit and nutritious snacks. Lunch is scheduled after the main surf and beach activity block, giving participants a break before presentations and afternoon activities. The camp also encourages youth and volunteers to bring reusable water bottles and reduce single-use plastics as part of its sustainability practices.

In-water surfing uses a one-to-one pairing between a youth athlete and an adult volunteer, with the number of participating youth tied to available in-water volunteers. Staff are CPR and First Aid certified, and lifeguards are described as skilled, certified, and trained water experts. Participants are also expected to follow the program’s Code of Conduct, which prohibits behavior that endangers the safety, health, or well-being of others.

Staff supporting the surf therapy camps are CPR and First Aid certified. Trained lifeguards are part of the water-safety team during surf activities.

Surf therapy camps rely on a large volunteer team and a dedicated program staff. During surfing, an adult volunteer is paired one-to-one with a youth athlete for in-water instruction. Staff are CPR and First Aid certified, while lifeguards are skilled, certified, and trained water experts. A Surf Therapy Camp Coordinator manages event communication and camp details, and separate volunteer teams support registration, wetsuits and rash guards, recreation, food service, setup, and teardown. Volunteers arrive before youth participants so registration, water instruction, gear support, recreation, and food service are ready for the camp day.

Caregivers use the email address provided during sign-up to receive additional camp details. Event information is sent during the week of the camp, and the Surf Therapy Camp Coordinator is the main contact for camp questions. Registration pages also collect caregiver contact details so the team can communicate about participation and event logistics. Sign-up forms are generally opened about one month before each scheduled event.

Surf Therapy Camps at La Jolla Shores run as day events, with the published event window from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and youth arrival at 9:00 AM. Check-in includes registration, caregiver and youth pre-surf surveys, and preparation for the water session. Sign-up forms generally open about one month before each event. Participants are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles. Children who prefer not to surf can register for on-land recreation instead of water activities.