YMCA Camps:
Properties unlike any other!
The YMCA Resident Camping Branch of San Diego County is committed to providing safe, clean and friendly facilities to all. Whether you are soaking up the sun on the beach at Camp Surf or hiking the mountains at Camp Marston these camps are one of a kind.
There is always a hot shower, a warm bed and a delicious meal after your days adventures. We offer various levels of comfort and convenience at each of our three facilities in San Diego County. Just click on a location to the left to find out more.
Staff: Our Biggest Investment
Our highly trained and professional staff are always looking out for the quality of your experience first. With over a 100 years of combined resident camp experience our full time directors are known throughout the resident camping industry!
On site directors lead highly motivated and dynamic college aged staff in all programs. Recruitment and retention is a key focus for directors to ensure safe and high quality programs.
Our Mission:
"The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the developmement of spirit, mind and body."
We are a place with purpose.
The fun of camp will always be there. Laughter, crazy camp songs and silly skits are a part of each day.
There is much more.
New skills are taught. Successfully standing up on a surfboard, posting a trot or thwacking the bull's eye at archery all affect self esteem.
Strong friendships and feelings of acceptance remind youngsters that they are cherished as God's children.
Challenges stretch young minds, leading to personal growth. For many, just staying at camp, away from home, is a powerful experience.
Evening Vespers, devotional stories and the positive influence of Y-staff teach life-long lessons.
We never forget that we are more than "camp". We view Resident Camping as an incredible tool in character development.
We are a YMCA Camp.
The programs at the YMCA Resident Camping Branch focus on much more than activities, classes, and fun. We are a Mission driven organization that focuses on a specific vision and a set of program goals.
Program Vision
We provide life-changing outdoor experiences. All programs emphasize character development, challenge, growth, community, environmental stewardship and fun!
Program Goals
Fellowship
Camp is a place to make new friends; build togetherness and multi-cultural appreciation; a place where everyone feels accepted.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that . - Martin Luther King
Challenge
Campers try new activities, face challenges and experience success.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. - Helen Keller
Personal Growth
Camp provides a safe environment to learn, to grow personally.
I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.
- Abraham Lincoln
Outdoor Environment
Camp provides a simple outdoor-based living experience, closer to nature and Creation. We are reminded of our interdependence with the natural world.
Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the tree. - The Book of Revelation
Values
We teach core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Through our message and direct role modeling, we translate teachings into daily, practical examples of good character.
To know what is right and to not do it is the worst cowardice. - Confucius
Fun
The entire camp package is developed and implemented to include time to play and have fun.
If you don't have wrinkles, you haven't laughed enough. - The Talking Moose