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LOS ANGELES SUMMER CAMPS BLOG

L.A. summer camp programs and opportunities for kids and teens

Beach Camps Toggle Back Amid Rising Coronavirus Cases in L.A.

7/1/2020

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Fitness by the Sea Beach Camp, and Malibu Makos surf camp, decided to open their respective day camps this summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Unfortunately Fitness by the Sea closed after just one day, and Malibu Makos completely changed course, deciding against even reopening in the first place, due to rising coronavirus cases in Los Angeles. This is an unfortunate situation, especially because kids need camp now more than ever.  Let's all hope for better days ahead!
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Five Summer Surf Camps for Kids Worth Your Consideration

2/17/2020

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Boy receving surfing instruction from his camp counsleor while enjoying his Los Angeles surf camp experience at summer camp.
For kids who live in L.A., going to the beach each summer is a natural part of growing up.  It's just something kids around here do! There's nothing better than spending time at the beach on those hot summer days.  Kids can boogie board, swim in the ocean, play games on the sand with their families and friends and so much more.
But what if your child wants to learn to surf? Thankfully there's a number of summer camps here in L.A. that can teach your child how to surf.  We've listed five of these programs below. Many of these programs offer surfing as the primary camp activity all day, every day. Others offer a more comprehensive beach camp experience , where the surf camp component is a smaller part of the entire camp program.

It all depends what you're looking for and your child's primary interest. Contact the camps individually fore more information about their respective programs.

Los Angeles Summer Surf Camp Listings

1. Aloha Beach Camp, located at Zuma Beach in Malibu, is widely regarding as one of L.A.'s top surf camps  for beginning campers ages 4 to 15 who are new to surfing and want to learn the sport at their own pace. This program is also accredited by the American Camp Association and offers free transportation on buses with seat belts so you don't have to drive your child to camp yourself. If your child is a "hard core surfer," this may not be the ideal program for you. But if your son or daughter wants to learn the basics of surfing while enjoying any number of other fun camp activities every day they're at the beach, consider Aloha Beach Camp this summer.
2. CampSurf,  located in Manhattan Beach, offers not just summer surf camps for kids but surf parties, lessons and corporate surf events, too.  In fact CampSurf is the official surf school of the Manhattan Beach and other nearby L.A. cities. CampSurf teaches kids how to navigate the ocean and study the waves from the point of view enabling surf campers to enjoy the ins and outs of surfing safely all their lives. The camp even provides wetsuits so campers stay warm in the water.
3. Malibu Makos,  located at the northern most part of Zuma Beach, is another Malibu based surf camp for kids offering special events and private surfing lessons, too. Campers ages 5 to 17 can enjoy weekday and even Saturday surf camps and classes. Surfboards, wetsuits and all equipment is provided for all participants.  Even campers living further away from Malibu can enjoy the Malibu Makos surf camp program as the camp offers transportation service for an additional fee.
4. Perfect Day Camp Surf offers surf camps for kids at several locations including Santa Monica and Redondo Beach. Campers are  encouraged to surf but can also enjoy boogie boarding, beach camps, and a more typical beach camp activities. Kids as young as 5 years old up to 17 are eligible to participate in the program. Sibling discounts and early bird discounts are available. This is a popular L.A. surf camp, so sign up for the program soon.

5. Summer of Surf is a beach and surf camp serving campers in the Pasadena area. In fact it's the only surf camp for kids in the area. If your child can tolerate what might be a longer-than-usual bus ride to the beach, this is definitely a camp to consider if you live in the Sierra Madre, Pasadena, or La Canada Flintridge areas and surrounding communities. Summer of Surf is offering early bird discount specials going on now, so if you sign up for camp today your child can learn to surf this summer and you'll save a few bucks at the same time. Summer of Surf is in partnership with Perfect Surf Day Camp, another surf camp program on our list.
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Meet Representatives From Learn to Surf LA and Other Top Programs at the UCLA Camp Fair on Saturday, March 9, 2019

12/9/2018

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Four kids and their camp counselor sitting on their surfboards in the ocean with their hands up in the air.
Meet camp representatives from LA to Surf LA surf camp and other camps and programs on Saturday, March 9 at UCLA. Tickets are FREE!
There will be many different types of summer camp vendors exhibiting at the UCLA Camp Fair on Saturday, March 9 at Pauley Pavilion. If your child is interested in trying a surf camp this summer. Learn to Surf LA is worth your consideration.

Regarded by many families as one of the top surf camps in Los Angeles, Learn to Surf L.A.'s mission is to get your kids stoked on surfing! The camp
 has been teaching new surfers since 2002. Classes are small, with no more than five students per instructor, ensuring personal attention. Small class sizes give campers an easy way to make new friends while building new skills. As students progress, they are introduced to intermediate and advanced surfing techniques. The camps's instructors are experienced and CPR/First Aid trained. Safety is the camp's primary concern. Camp is well structured, reasonably priced, and scheduling is flexible – come try a one day class before committing to a full week. Sibling and multi-week discounts available. Extended care is also available before/after camp. 

Meet Camp Representatives From Over 75 Summer Programs at the UCLA Camp Fair

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Learn to Surf LA won't be the only surf camp vendor at the UCLA summer camp fair.  In fact, there will be many others, too. -- at least 5 or 6 surf camp vendors in all.  And there will be more kinds of camps other than surf camps, too, just in case your child is not the surfer type but you still want to find an amazing camp experience for them this summer.

What other kinds of camps and programs are exhibiting at the L.A. Camp Fair at UCLA?

We're talking cooking camps, day camps, overnight sleepaway camps, robotics camps, horseback riding camps, family camps, sports camps, beach camps, adventure camps, and just about every other type of camp you can imagine.

So make your plans to join us at the UCLA Camp Fair and learn about all the various summer camp opportunities for your child this summer. There will be at least 75 different camps and programs at this event and you will have the chance to meet all of them. Get your free tickets to the Camp Fair today! Hope to see you at the camp fair!
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Fitness by the Sea Participating at L.A. Camp Fair 2018 at UCLA on March 11

1/9/2018

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One of the best things about attending a summer camp expo is discovering so many diverse kinds of program opportunities -- some of which you may have never even known existed!

If you are looking for an unconventional type of camp for your kids this summer, a beach or surf camp program is something you might consider.
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After all, it gets awfully hot in the summertime, so camp at the beach sounds like a pretty inviting idea!

There's a number of beach camp opportunities in L.A.  Several will be attending the L.A. Camp Fair at UCLA on Sunday, March 11, including Fitness by the Sea (FBS), among others.

The FBS formula for success blends an experienced and spirited staff (average age 28), with dynamic and creative activities offered in an encouraging, nurturing environment. The camp's emphasis is on personal growth, friendship, and FUN!

Grab your free tickets to the L.A. Camp Fair at UCLA and be sure to stop by the FBS booth to learn more!
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Sign up for an L.A. Surf Camp this Summer

11/30/2016

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Teenage girl surfing on a blue surfboard at Aloha Beach Camp's Los Angeles, CA surf camp program
As you may recall, earlier this week we mentioned how sports camps are gaining popularity in and around Los Angeles.  Just this week we've heard from families wanting our opinion on the best football camps, hockey camps and tennis camps in the city.  And even though we're about to head into the coldest time of year, three other moms emailed us about their kids' surf camp interest for the upcoming 2017 summer season.

One of the things we learned long ago through our involvement with camps is when children express interest in learning a new skill or trying a new activity, it’s best to help them pursue those interests as much as possible to the extent that you can.

In this manner, you will be helping your son or daughter learn more about themselves as a person by discovering their likes and dislikes, interests and non-interests, while simultaneously helping them increase their self confidence and esteem as they grow into happy, healthy adults.

If your son or daughter has expressed interest in learning to surf, why not sign them up for surf camp this summer?

Surfing and Summer Camp Were Made for Each Other

If you live in L.A., you probably already know we're blessed with some of the best beaches, weather, and waves in the world.  After all, our local beaches are here and available for your child's enjoyment, and if you're like most L.A. parents, you'll probably be sending your child to camp this year.

Why not combine the two and sign your child up for surf camp? Surfing and summertime go hand in hand.

No Prior Surfing Experience? No Problem

Girl surfing as her surf instructor looks on at Ballona Beach Summer Camp in Los Angeles
Photo credit Ballona Beach Camp www.ballonabeachcamp.com
While the prospect of sending their kids to surf camp appeals to many parents, families are often concerned about the lack of prior surfing experience their kids may have.

But even if your child's a newbie at surfing -- even if they've never caught a single wave -- don't worry! One thing you shouldn't do is deny your child an exciting surf camp experience just because they haven't surfed before.

To the contrary, many reputable Los Angeles surf camps actually specialize in serving kids who have little to no prior surfing experience. (Let's put it this way ... most of the kids who've already become proficient surfers usually aren't those attending surf camp. So even if your your camper's a first-time beginner, we assure you they'll fit right in.  Learning to surf from the ground up is what surf camp's all about.

What if My Child Doesn't Know How to Swim? Can They Still Go to Surf Camp?

Great question. The answer depends on what "kind" of surf camp you're looking for. 

It's important to distinguish between a pure surf camp -- where surfing's the primary (if not the only) activity offered -- from other camps which may offer surfing as a smaller component to a more comprehensive summer program that might also boogie boarding, water play, sand games, and other beach-related activities in addition to surfing.

If you want a pure, dedicated surf camp program -- where surfing's the primary focus -- we highly advise learning to swim before signing up for the program.  Sending your child to surf camp if they don't know how to swim could potentially be a very unsafe (and not very fun) proposition.
Boy boogie boarding at Fitness by the Sea summer camp
Photo credit Fitness by the Sea Summer Camp www.fitnessbythesea/santamonica
On the other hand, there's several beach-oriented summer camps here exist here in L.A. where kids can not only learn to surf,  but also enjoy many other activities besides surfing.  Ballona Beach Camp and Fitness by the Sea come to mind.

Some of the eye-catching activities at these programs include  counselor talent shows, hula dancing, beach yoga, kite making and much more. You obviously don't need to know how to swim to enjoy all that! :)
Now there's just one more thing to note.

Despite our personal thoughts on this subject, individual camps may have their own guilelines regarding previous swimming experience required of their campers.  Check with the camp director for their particular policies before signing up for any program.

How to Choose a Surf Camp

As a parent, there should be no mystery as to what you looking for in a surf camp. You want a safe, fun program your child will enjoy while making new friends, connecting with their counselors, and mastering the basics (if not the art) of surfing. 

Choosing a surf camp with competent instructors, modern equipment, and an established reputation will help you meet these goals. 

"Buyer beware" comes into play here.

In this day and age, practically everyone starts their search for a camp (plus anything else they're buying) online.
Boy surfing with arms spread out in the air surfing on a blue surfboard at Camp Surf
Photo credit CampSurf.com
Given the sheer number of surf camps available, it's tempting to type "Surf Camps Los Angeles" into Google, then sign up for the first one you find.
While that's not a bad way to find a surf camp, keep in mind ANYONE can make ANYTHING look good online! This means you must be absolutely certain you're not choosing some fly-by-night program that just started teaching kids to surf yesterday.

This isn't to say newer surf camps aren't qualified to deliver an outstanding camp experiences to your child.  All we're saying is, it's pretty darn easy to put up a website, head down to the beach, set up a tent or canopy and call yourself a surf camp. 

Fortunately, there's a number of reputable, established surf camp programs in L.A. and Malibu you can choose from. One consideration is to contact the American Camp Association for a referral to qualified surf camps in your area.  Asking your friends if they can recommend a program is always a good strategy, too.

Once you find some surf camps that interest you, talk to each camp director to narrow down your choice. Eventually you'll find one or two you consider to be the best match for your child.

How Will My Child Get to Surf Camp?

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Aloha Beach Camp is one of a few L.A. surf camps that provides free transportation so you don't have to brave the beach traffic. Photo credit AlohaBeachCamp.com
This is an important question and one often overlooked by families when choosing a summer surfing program. If you don't live near the beach, or your work schedule prevents you from driving your child to camp yourself, consider a surf camp that provides transportation. Some of the surf camps providing transportation do so for free, while others charge extra for the convenience.

Other programs require you to pick-up and and drop-off your kids yourself, so you'll need to find a way to get your child to camp yourself while braving the beach traffic. One popular arrangement we've seen used at many surf camps is a carpool arrangement with other camper families. Ask the camp director to help you facilitate a carpool for your program if this idea would benefit you.
The main point to remember is you have numerous transportation options when it comes to getting your child back and forth to camp.

When Should We Sign Up for Surf Camp?

Many camps in the L.A. area, notably the more popular ones, tend to fill up quickly.  Camps register children on a space-available basis, so when the last spot's gone, it's generally gone for good. The only option you may have at that point is to join the waiting list and hope for the best.
L.A. surf camps registration form
Sign up for an L.A. surf camp this summer!
One notable point about space availability is that surf camps generally keep enrollment intentionally small.

That means they may sell out even faster than general camp programs. Maintaining small enrollment numbers, particularly for surf camps, is an idea we support here at L.A. Summer Camps.com.

For one thing, smaller enrollment lends itself to a safer surf camp experience.  For another,  it promotes a better learning environment, because when kids learn to surf in small groups, they get maximum personal attention from their instructors rather than getting lost in the crowd, a definite possibility in larger groups.
All in all, when you find a program that appeals to you, it's best to register sooner rather than later. This way you can sidestep the frustration and disappointment of finding a surf camp your child's eager to try, only to find out later they don't have room for you.
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    Blog posts by Cora Carter of L.A. Summer Camps.com

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