Frequently Asked Questions
Enrollment & Readiness
What are the age requirements?
Our camp ranges in age from 4½ to 14 years old.
The average age of our campers is 8 years old.
25% of our campers are 5 to 6 and very few are from 13 to 14.
How do I know if my child is ready for camp?
No two children are the same, but a general rule of thumb is to ask yourself if your child is used to being away from his/her parents all day and is he/she comfortable with kids of all ages.
Another important question is whether you feel your child would be able to choose activities on their own.
While we have “roaming” counselors who help undecided campers make choices, for the most part, your child needs to be independent enough to self direct through the camp day.
This group of campers will not need to ‘self direct’ as our older campers do, but they need to be able to take direction from their group leaders and play well with others.
My child is not potty trained, can they still attend camp?
Unfortunately, no.
All campers must be completely potty trained and able to use the restroom unassisted to attend Fitness by the Sea.
It is my child’s first time at FBS. How can I make sure they have fun?
One of the best ways to ensure a joyful experience for your child is to coordinate camp schedules with a friend of your son/daughter.
It is also helpful to prep them before going to camp give them an overview of our daily schedule.
Another fun way to get familiarize your child with what to expect at camp is to have them watch our camp video.
Safety & Health
My child can’t swim. How will you ensure their safety?
It’s not uncommon for kids to attend FBS who can’t already swim.
We have 5 layers of safety surrounding the children while they’re in the water.
It’s no wonder FBS was called “the safest beach camp ever seen” in LA County for the past 25 years.
Layer 1 – 6 to 1 Staff Ratio In The Water
There is one staff member assigned to watch no more than 6 children at a time in the water.
Their job is to keep a close eye on these 6 children and stay close while they’re in the water.
Our staff has the average age of 23.
Layer 2 – Our Staff Lifeguards
Three staff lifeguards watch over all the kids in the water at all times.
We only hire professional lifeguards who are certified by the Red Cross.
Layer 3 – The Water Director
Our water director has the sole responsibility of watching the children and the staff members in the water.
Their job is to watch over all of the children and ensure that each of the staff members in the water is properly attending to the children.
Layer 4 – The County Lifeguard
A trained county lifeguard is always on the beach monitoring everything that happens.
Layer 5 – The Lifeguard Captain
The Lifeguard Captain will also be near the facilities, posted in a lifeguard station.
His job is to watch the movement of the water and direct his lifeguard and our staff to move and position the children in the water for maximum safety.
As a parent, you can rest assured that our multi-layer safety plan has proven itself effective since 2000.
What can I do to prepare my child for the water if they can’t swim?
We’ll teach them the basics of navigating ocean waters, but a little preparation can be helpful.
If you want to prepare your child for our water activities, make sure they can hold their breath underwater and keep their head above water.
And if possible, try to get them comfortable treading water.
Spending a little bit of time in a pool learning these basic skills, they will have a head start on spending time in the ocean.
We understand that swimming in a pool and swimming in the ocean are very different.
A child that has experience in a pool will feel much more confident spending time in the ocean.
Additionally, our older staff stays close to the kids at all times which further helps them to build confidence and help them feel more comfortable in the ocean.
We literally take campers by the hand to help them handle the ocean waves.
And we never leave a campers side until they feel completely confident in the water.
We also offer dozens of “non-swimming” activities, so even if your child doesn’t want to swim… they’ll still have a blast at Fitness by the Sea.
How can I make sure my child won’t get a sunburn?
We require parents to lather their children from head to toe with high-SPF sunscreen before arriving at camp.
We then have mandatory staff-assisted sunscreen reapplication before lunch.
Staff members also apply sunscreen to campers faces after they come out of the water, which greatly reduces the risk of burning.
Sun safety is a top priority!
What if I have to reach my child in an emergency?
If you need to reach your child or camp location for an emergency please contact our office (310-459-2425) and they will immediately contact the on-site camp director.
My child has life threatening allergies. How does FBS handle this?
FBS takes severe allergies very seriously.
If your child has a life threatening allergy, we ask that you speak directly with the Camp Director on your child’s first day of camp to discuss the specifics with him/her.
It is helpful to have the information in writing if possible so the Camp Director can have the information on hand if needed.
Please include your child’s name, his/her date of birth, specific allergies, treatment plan if applicable, doctor’s name and phone number, and your contact information.
This reduces any miscommunication of information between our office and the people who will be personally responsible for your child.
While we do not regularly provide snacks for our campers, there are occasions when we do give out small camp-wide treats and while we try to be mindful of food allergies when selecting these snacks, we cannot guarantee they will be suitable for your child.
Please discuss this with your child and the on-site Camp Director so everyone is clear on your child’s particular allergies.
What is the procedure for Epi-pens at FBS?
If your child has an Epi-pen, we ask that you put it in a plastic bag clearly labeled with your child’s name, date of birth, your name, and your phone number.
Epi-pens are stored in a temperature controlled cooler.
You may either check it in and out with our Camp Director each day your child attends camp or, if more convenient, you may leave it with us during the duration of your child’s camp dates and pick it up on your child’s last day of camp.
The Director and Assistant Director are both fully trained on the administration of Epi-pens and our First Aid supplies (including Epi-pens) are always within reach.
*If Epi-pens are left at camp beyond your child’s enrollment dates we will attempt contacting you.
If the Epi-pen is not picked up by the end of the camp season, it will be disposed of.
What precautions are taken to prevent the spread of illnesses at camp?
As part of our standard health and safety operating procedures during camp, we work to reduce the spread of communicable illness or disease through regular, rigorous hand washing and equipment cleaning, as well as ensuring that campers or staff who are unwell stay home to get well.
Additionally, if staff members become aware of any sickness in the camp, we take additional precautions including:
- Wipe down all equipment using disinfectant spray between rotations and at the end of each day.
- Avoid high-fives, handshakes, and hugs and adjust games and celebrations to limit person-to-person contact.
- Regular hand washing for both campers and staff.
- If a staff member identifies a child that is not feeling well, we will immediately contact the family to pick up their child and separate the child from the rest of the campers and staff. They will remain with the camp administrator until they are picked up.
Daily Routines & Logistics
What is the daily schedule?
You can check out a full breakdown of our camp day on our Daily Schedule page! It has everything you need to know about what a typical day at camp looks like.
What time does camp start?
Regular Camp Hours are 9:00am – 3:00pm.
Regular drop off starts at 9:00am and regular pick up ends at 3:30pm. Please note that pick ups later than 3:30pm will automatically result in additional charges.
Extended Care is available in one and two hour blocks (3:30pm – 4:30pm or 3:30pm – 5:30pm).
If you need to use extended care, you may add it as an option in the enrollment process.
Please note that extended care pick ups later than 5:30pm will automatically result in additional charges.
Can I drop off my child early?
No. Camp opens promptly at 9:00am and sign-in is not available before that time.
Does FBS provide lunches and/or snacks?
We do not offer catered lunches so you will need to send your child to camp with a packaged lunch and snacks.
We do not provide snacks to campers during the regular camp day with the exception of an occasional camp-wide award. This is generally a very small cookie or a single lollipop.
We do, however, provide a snack to those children who are in our aftercare program.
While we try to be mindful of food allergies when selecting these snacks, if your child has a severe food allergy, it would be best to provide a snack from home if your child is staying in aftercare.
What should my child bring to camp?
Label Everything with both first and last names.
Due to the unique nature of our camp – located directly on the beach – campers belongings tend to get lost in the sand and despite our efforts, every week we end up with an entire bin full of unclaimed clothing, shoes, lunch boxes, sunglasses, hats…you get the picture.
We cannot possibly hold on to these items week after week, so every Saturday we donate all unclaimed items to charity.
Backpack – When campers arrive at camp, their belongings are stored in bins in each cabana.
Therefore, we ask that you send only the items below, packed in the smallest backpack possible.
Campers Need to ARRIVE WEARING:
FBS Rash Guard – Campers will receive a rash guard (uniform shirt) on their first day at camp and need to wear it at all times thereafter.
Bathing Suit – Even if your child doesn’t think they want to go in the water, please encourage him/her to wear their bathing suit anyway.
Once at camp they tend to change their minds and even if they are just playing in the sand, they might get wet and bathing suits dry quicker than clothes.
(Hint for Girls: 2 piece suits make bathroom visits much easier! If your camper chooses a one piece suit she will have to remove both her uniform shirt and her bathing suit each time she uses the restroom.)
Sunscreen – Please apply sunscreen liberally to your child’s entire body BEFORE arriving at camp.
Shoes – Have you ever tried walking in the sand with shoes on?
It’s nearly impossible, right?
That is why we ask that you send your child to camp with only one pair of shoes, either flip flops or aqua shoes.
If your child won’t be wearing shoes in the water (there are sometimes pebbles along the shore), just a pair of flip flops will do fine for trips to and from the bathroom.
On the other hand, if he/she needs a little protection on their feet, you may want to purchase an inexpensive pair of aqua shoes which can be worn both in and out of the water.
Campers Need to ARRIVE WITH:
Packed Lunch & Snacks – You will need to send your child with a packed lunch and snack.
Being on the beach is one of the best things about FBS, but it sure does make eating lunch a bit of a challenge!
A few suggestions for “sand friendly” items are string cheese, pudding or yogurt cups, bananas, Lunchables, single serving packages of Goldfish crackers or other crackers/chips, baby carrots, and definitely don’t forget a cool drink.
We provide plenty of water, but it is nice to have some Gatorade or fruit juice as well.
Sunscreen – As noted above, we ask that you apply sunscreen liberally to your child BEFORE arriving at camp.
Please have your child bring a spray sunscreen and face stick for the staff reapplications throughout the day.
If your child does have a skin sensitivity/allergy, please send in your preferred brand and be sure to tell your child they will need to inform their counselor to use that specific sunscreen for reapplication.
Towel – Just like everything else at the beach, towels get forgotten, buried in the sand, etc, so an older/inexpensive towel would be best.
Aqua Shoes or Socks (optional) – On very hot days, the sand gets hot in the afternoon and socks or aqua shoes (available at sporting goods stores/online) will stay on camper’s feet better than flip flops or other shoes.
Sunglasses & Hat (optional) – Sunglasses and hats are some of the easiest things to lose at the beach because they are taken off to go in the water.
If you choose to send these items, please be sure they are neither expensive nor irreplaceable.
Activities & Grouping
Can you teach my child to surf?
Absolutely!
We hire experienced surfing teachers to help kids learn the basics of surfing and develop confidence standing on a surfboard.
We separate campers into groups based on their skill level to help them further develop their abilities.
While your child is in the water, they are surrounded by a three to one camper to staff ratio.
How are campers grouped?
Because we structure our camp so children are free to move about between activities, they are not forced to stay with any particular group of campers.
This allows them to be with their friends and/or older or younger siblings as they please.
If campers are grouped by activity, does that mean my 4½ year old will be with 14 year olds?
As with anything, campers tend to gravitate to children and activities that are age appropriate.
We also provide activities that are specifically focused towards our youngest campers.