History - YMCA Camp Surf

In May of 1969 a lease agreement was reached between the YMCA and the United States Navy to establish a waterfront camp for youth-serving organizations in San Diego. The new camp was named YMCA Camp S.U.R.F., an acronym for "San Diego Unified Recreation Facility".

The 45-acre site is an absolute treasure, located on the "Naval Radio Receiving Facility" (NRRF) Base in Imperial Beach, California.  In 1940, this station became part of Naval history as it transmitted the first news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to Headquarters in Washington DC.  The Station continued to play an active role throughout World War II in support of Allied Forces fighting the Pacific Campaign.

In 1973 Camp S.U.R.F. served sixty boys and girls. In 1974, Founding Camp Director Dick Mason provided service to many Scout and Church groups, while also developing YMCA Resident Camping programs. Dick is credited with creating the Mariner, Waterman and Beachcomber village names, which remain to this day.

With the tireless efforts of Mason, many of the original Quonset Huts were replaced, new dining and bathroom facilities were built, and the camp gradually moved from a day-use-only facility to a Resident Camping center.

In 1993, with the leadership of Camp Board Members Jeff Wohler, Ron Rouse and Jim Eischen, along with the support of California Senators Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Congressmen Brian Bilbrae, Randy Cunningham and the San Diego Board of Supervisors, legislation from the United States Congress authorized a 50-year lease for the operation of YMCA Camp Surf.

Now serving over 10,000 youngsters each year, YMCA Camp Surf imparts character development and leadership skills via the ocean & resident camp experience.

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