YMCA Camp Surf - Imperial Beach, California

Yain P.

My family of 5 and I went during Veteran's Day weekend, and we had the most amazing time! The food was delicious, the staff were all very friendly and helpful, and the facilities were great. Their showers had hot water (although it did take a bit to get it going), and their cabin had 16 bunks.

There was an itinerary, and activities planned every night, in typical campy fashion with board game night and minute-to-win-it games. You didn't have to attend any of their events, but it was a welcome addition.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all great. There was fresh fruit available for breakfast every morning, and salad provided for lunch and dinner. The staff ate their meals with the campers, so it wasn't anything they wouldn't eat!

The beach was just a 5-8 minute walk away from our cabin, and we spent a majority of our time there. They provided free wet suits for all campers for their stay, had rock climbing walls, archery, and surf lessons. They also had a volleyball sand court, a pickleball court, and basketball area that our kids enjoyed. There was a small skate park area, but it was out of the way and we didn't have any scooters or skates with us.

We stayed at the camp the entire weekend, and only left to grab some snacks from the store. There was more than enough to keep us entertained!

barahona A.

It was so fun I went for a school trip the councilors were so nice and the food is actually so good too the beach was pretty as well but we couldn’t swim

Ken C.

Cool place to go camping or just hang out. We went with our cub scout troop. They have a lot of activities and the food was good. They have unlimited coffee almost all day also which is nice and they have a rock wall and archery. I would stay here again if I was able to. It's a little walk from parking to to the beach.

Tomas C.

Great campground, it's one of our favorite destinations in the YMCA Adventure Guides program. Beach camping or brand new cabins, and a full lineup of activities for kids by the ocean, climbing wall, archery and arts and crafts. It has to be one of the only places in southern California where you can camp on the beach

Dawn

The YMCA Adventure Guides (Corona-Norco) Mother-Daughter program looks forward to this camp all year!! Join Today!

YMCA Camp Surf is an opportunity for the older, middle and high school, daughters. The expanse of activities, over a good amount of land, the amazing views, helpful and friendly faculty, and charming cabins and overall character of this establishment is worth planning ahead and going with a group.

Meals are provided for lunch & supper on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. The Dining Hall is a magnificent large space that skillfully highlights the ocean view.

They provide a great agenda to layout your day with several hours chuncked together for free activity time. You choose which activity you would like to do throughout that open block of time.

Wet-suits are rented out for $10 for the day.

Surf and Boogie Boards are accessible on the beach, free of charge (and staff are EMT trained and on-site during specific times of day. They also provide surf lesson/instruction, upon request, free of charge,) limitless craft supplies are provided in the quaint craft area that feels like a you are hanging out in a large open room of a tree house, boardered with paint spattered nice picnic tables, no ceiling and a large grass matt on the floor....it's a private space, away from it all, crafting for as long as you want...fully included in the cost of camp...no extra expense.

Two excellent examples of litter art decorate the wooden fence of the perameter with a positive, uplifting and encouraging message of thought-provoking awareness.

You are welcome to leave camp to explore a local activity and return to camp, and you may order food to be delivered to you if you wish, (you'll need to meet the delivery person in the parking lot). We love the experience of the dining hall and reserve eating at a local spot for prior to the start of camp or after camp, before we head home.

There are 2 great Ga-Ga Ball areas, (one with shade, benches and raisers for little ones to see over the wall,) Archery and Rock Wall Tower climbing (both with staff on location to educate and facilitate), plenty of Basketballs to shoot hoops, and Footballs too. There is also a Volleyball court between the cabins and dining hall with a great view of the shore's breaking waves off in the distance. There is a cute pirate ship stage where skits are done as well as the required safety meeting. The staff make skit night interactive and fun for all!

Campfire pits are located outside cabin areas and on the beach for the tent campers that set-up their camps there rather than using tents. Forewood, lighters and starter pods are available free of charge.

Shout out to the use of cloth napkins, and actual dishes and silverware that are washed and reused!

You can donate a unique coffee mug for future campers to enjoy too! It's a quaint touch to select from an assortment of various coffee mugs when grabbing your hot cocoa or coffee and you get to walk around with them and return them to the dining hall later.

Easily overlooked, yet so important in these times when so many are struggling, is the opportunity to bring canned goods they collect to help a local organization. Bring them to the office!

I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy this experience! Our daughter and I will cherish it for a lifetime. ❤️

Tricia M.

We always have fun here. This year was different because of covid but we still enjoyed our selves. My daughter was stung by a sting ray, which is very common here, so do the shuffle when coming to shore.

Nicole W.

Love this beach. Dogs are welcome. 🐕They keep it pretty clean. U can find massive amounts of sand dollars here, really cool! Not too many ppl where its overcrowded, and there are lifeguards on duty.🎣 u can fish as well right off the rocks. 🦀🌊⛱

F. V.

Camping on the beach is always very nice. They have clean restrooms and shower facilities that make it easier for the campers. They also have different activities to pass the day, such as archery, wall climbing, surfing on the beach, arts and crafts, gaga ball, carpet ball, and skits to entertain the children. There are Porta potty’s on the beach so you don’t have to walk all the way back to the facilities. There is food and beverages but don’t expect high end quality food. This is camping and it comes with.
Breakfast: Eggs biscuits and gravy, fruit, bagels, toast, waffles, chicken, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, orange juice coffee other juices and milk and tea.
Lunch: Hot dogs, burgers, salad, fruit, and beverages.
Dinner: Assorted salad, ribs, corn bread, beverage and possible piece of brownie for dessert.
Took my so as part of the Boy Scouts camping on the beach and he had a very fun time.