Mar Vista Summer Camp – FBS Beach Camp for Kids

If you’re searching for a Mar Vista summer camp, you’ve come to the right place. Imagine your kids spending their summer days playing in the sand and surf, trying new activities, and making friends – all under the care of experienced staff with a 26-year 100% safety record. This isn’t just any kids camp near Mar Vista – it’s a one-of-a-kind kids beach camp that Mar Vista families have loved for years.

At a Glance – Why Mar Vista Families Choose Fitness by the Sea:

• Beachfront Locations: Two beach camp locations (Santa Monica & Pacific Palisades) are a short drive from Mar Vista, giving your child a true oceanfront camp adventure.
• Safe & Trusted: Recognized as the “Safest Beach Camp” in Los Angeles for 26+ years with mature, trained counselors (6:1 camper-to-staff ratio) and a 100% safety record.
• 40+ Activities Daily: Surfing, boogie boarding, sports, arts & more – over 40 exciting activities every day in a pressure-free environment, so every child finds something they love.
• Convenient Transportation: Save the drive – a Mar Vista bus stop (at the Vons parking lot on Centinela Ave) provides air-conditioned, supervised bus service to camp.
• Flexible Scheduling: Sign up by the week (no rigid sessions!) with 11 weeks to choose from – pick the weeks that work for you, and even add more on the fly as your child begs for more camp fun.

Close-to-Home Beach Camp Adventure for Mar Vista Families

Fitness by the Sea (FBS) brings the beach to your doorstep. We operate at two Westside locations – a summer day camp in Santa Monica and another summer day camp in Pacific Palisades – both within 1.5 miles of each other and just a short trip from Mar Vista. That means your child enjoys a genuine beach day camp without a long commute. Mar Vista is only about a 15–20 minute drive from our camps, and we make it even easier with a local bus option (more on that below).

Our Santa Monica camp (north of the Pier at 810 Pacific Coast Hwy) is especially convenient for Mar Vista families – it offers all the activity variety and high-energy fun of FBS, in a slightly smaller setting perfect for younger campers. Prefer an even larger camp experience? Our Pacific Palisades camp at Will Rogers State Beach (Tower 14) is our flagship location, known for its unrivaled range of activities and spirited atmosphere. No matter which site you choose, your child will get the same signature FBS mix of high-energy activities, safety, and personal growth in a beautiful beach setting.

Proximity matters for busy parents – and FBS delivers. You won’t have to trek across Los Angeles for a great camp. Mar Vista residents can literally head straight west to the coast and arrive at camp in no time. Being close by means it’s easy to drop in for a visit, join us for special events, or just have peace of mind knowing your child is nearby and having a blast by the ocean.

Safe, Supervised Transportation from Mar Vista

One big convenience that sets our program apart is bus transportation for Mar Vista campers. We know Los Angeles traffic isn’t fun – so let us handle the driving! Fitness by the Sea provides a dedicated Mar Vista bus stop at the Vons Grocery Store parking lot (Washington Blvd & S. Centinela Ave). Each camp morning, you can drop your child off at 8:00 AM at this local meeting point, where our friendly, certified bus driver and energetic camp counselors welcome campers aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. In the afternoons, the bus will return around 3:30 PM, bringing your happy (and likely sandy!) camper back to the same spot.

What’s more, the bus ride is not just transportation – it’s part of the fun. Our counselors lead songs, games, and supervision on the ride, so the camp excitement begins the moment your child steps onto the bus. All buses are equipped with seat belts and driven by professional drivers through a licensed school transportation service, so you can rest assured your child is in good hands on the road. This convenient option means Mar Vista parents don’t have to battle beach traffic each day, and kids get to socialize and safely transition into camp mode every morning.

(Prefer to drive your child yourself? No problem – drop-off at camp is always an option too. But many Mar Vista families love the bus for the convenience and camaraderie it provides.)

A Unique Beach Camp Experience Kids Love

Unlike a typical park district program or indoor camp, Fitness by the Sea offers something truly unique: an entire day camp on the beach. From the moment campers arrive, they’re stepping into an oceanfront paradise of fun. All activities take place right on the sand or in the water – and if you need a little shade, there’s plenty of fun in under our beachside cabanas. The Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Bay shoreline become our playground and classroom.

Why choose a beach camp? Simple – it’s the ultimate summer setting! Instead of being cooped up indoors or on asphalt all day, FBS campers spend their days splashing in the surf, building sandcastles, and playing seaside games. The fresh ocean breeze and coastal environment keep kids active and engaged. Every day feels like a mini beach vacation for your child, which is something no traditional Mar Vista day camp can match.

And don’t worry if your child isn’t a strong swimmer or has never been in the ocean before. We accommodate all comfort levels. Non-swimmers are welcome, and kids are never forced to do any activity they’re uncomfortable with. There’s plenty for everyone to enjoy, both in and out of the water. We create a pressure-free, encouraging environment so that every camper, from the shy first-timer to the fearless wave-rider, feels at home and excited to participate.

40+ Exciting Activities – Something for Every Interest

One of FBS’s biggest differentiators is the sheer variety of activities we offer. In fact, we’re proud to be one of the most comprehensive beach camps in LA, with over 40 dynamic activities available each day. That means your child will never get bored – and they’ll have the opportunity to explore new interests all summer long.

Our program is designed to give campers choice: each day, kids can pick from a menu of age-appropriate activities spanning aquatics, sports, and creative pursuits. Is your child an ocean enthusiast? They can try surfing, boogie boarding, or swimming under the careful watch of our instructors and lifeguards. Do they love sports? We’ve got beach soccer, flag football, volleyball, and more on the sand. Creative kid or future performer? They can jump into dance, drama games, arts and crafts, or even join theme day events and talent shows.

Here’s just a sampling of what a day at this Mar Vista summer camp could include:

• Water Adventures: Surfing lessons, boogie boarding, ocean swimming, paddle races – all with counselors in the water alongside campers and lifeguards on shore for maximum safety.
• Beach Sports & Games: Soccer, kickball, volleyball, capture the flag, obstacle courses, and tag on the sand – great exercise disguised as fun!
• Creative & Performing Arts: Sandcastle contests, treasure hunts, musical theater, dance parties, face-painting, and arts & crafts projects under our shaded tents.
• Individual Challenges: Gymnastics and tumbling, martial arts, yoga for kids, board games, or even just beachside relaxation if they need a break.

With so many activities to choose from, campers get to chart their own adventure. We encourage kids to try new things, but ultimately they decide how to spend their day. This “power of choice” approach builds confidence and ensures that every child is engaged at their comfort level. Whether your son wants to perfect his soccer skills or your daughter wants to catch her first wave on a surfboard, we’ve got them covered. And with new activities introduced throughout the summer (including creative theme days and special events), each day at camp is a fresh experience.

Safety First: 26+ Years of a 100% Safety Record

We know that as a parent, your number one concern is camp safety – especially when water activities are involved. At Fitness by the Sea, safety is our top priority in everything we do. We’re proud to have been recognized as the “Safest Beach Camp” in the Los Angeles area for over 26 years, with a 100% safety record since our founding in 2000. Mar Vista parents can trust that we take every precaution to keep our campers safe, happy, and healthy at the beach.

Our comprehensive safety measures include:

• Vigilant Supervision: We maintain a 6:1 camper-to-staff ratio at all times. Counselors are never passive observers – they are in the water swimming alongside campers during aquatic activities and actively engaged during on-land games. In addition to our staff, certified LA County lifeguards watch over the beach and ocean from nearby lifeguard towers.
• Trained, Experienced Staff: Every counselor is trained in water safety, first aid, and CPR. Many are teachers or child development professionals experienced in managing groups of children. Our team undergoes rigorous safety drills and orientations before camp starts each year. (More on our amazing staff in the next section!)
• Strict Safety Protocols: From the moment campers arrive, we follow strict protocols. We apply sunscreen multiple times a day on all campers to protect from sunburn. We require regular water breaks and shade breaks to keep kids hydrated and cool. During ocean play, boundaries are clearly marked, and kids are grouped by swim ability so no one ventures out of their comfort zone.
• Secure Check-in/Check-out: We use a secure sign-in and sign-out procedure at both the camp and the Mar Vista bus stop, ensuring that only authorized individuals can pick up your child. Campers are closely supervised during transitions like changing into swimsuits or moving between activities (including chaperoned bathroom visits for younger campers).

We’ve thought of every detail when it comes to safety so that you can relax and your child can focus on having fun. Our equipment is top-of-the-line and regularly inspected, and we continuously refine our risk management plan each year. The bottom line: your child is as safe with us as they would be at home or school – we stake our reputation on it. (In fact, we invite any curious parent to come observe camp in action and see our safety protocols firsthand!)

Caring, Qualified Counselors (No Teenagers in Charge!)

Another aspect that makes Fitness by the Sea a top choice for Mar Vista families is our amazing staff. We believe the quality of camp counselors can make or break a camp experience, so we hire only the best. Unlike some camps that might rely on teenage counselors-in-training, FBS has an older, mature staff with an average age of about 23 years. Our counselors are college students, educators, and youth development professionals – many are even parents themselves – who truly understand how to connect with kids.

Every staff member is carefully screened and selected for their experience, enthusiasm, and dedication. We look for people who will be positive role models and treat your children like their own. For example, many of our counselors are studying education or childhood development, or they have prior experience working at schools, tutoring, coaching sports, or leading youth programs. This background means they come to camp prepared with techniques to encourage shy campers, manage group dynamics, and make sure every child feels included and supported.

Our team goes through extensive training before summer starts, covering safety, activity leadership, behavior management, and FBS’s philosophy of nurturing each child’s growth. They bring high energy and big hearts to camp every day. Whether they’re leading a silly camp song, teaching a camper how to catch a wave, or applying a Band-Aid with a comforting smile, our counselors always put your child’s well-being first. It’s no surprise that many campers rave about their counselors and come back year after year to reunite with their “camp family” leaders.

With this kind of staff, we maintain a warm, family-like atmosphere even as kids try crazy new activities. Parents from Mar Vista often comment how relieved they are to find a camp with such professional supervision, where they know the staff is mature and fully focused on the kids. At FBS, you can drop your child off each morning knowing they are in extremely capable hands all day long.

Flexible Scheduling – Summer Camp that Fits Your Busy Life

Summers are meant to be relaxing, so we’ve made enrolling in FBS as flexible and parent-friendly as possible. We understand that Mar Vista families have busy schedules, vacations, and other commitments during summer. That’s why Fitness by the Sea allows flexible week-by-week registration – you’re not locked into a rigid multi-week session. You can choose any number of weeks throughout the summer for your child to attend, and these do not have to be consecutive. Whether you need just one week of camp in June or want the full summer experience across several weeks, we can accommodate your needs.

Here’s how our flexible scheduling works: we offer 11 separate weeks of camp (from June 15 through August 21). You pick the weeks that work for your family. You can sign up for just one week to start, or multiple weeks upfront – it’s entirely up to you. If your plans change or you hit a conflict, no worries! We allow you to switch weeks or add extra weeks later in the summer (space permitting) with no penalty. In other words, we’ll work with YOUR schedule. This is a huge relief for many parents who can’t commit to a full month of camp or who might want to schedule around vacations and summer school.

We also offer extended care hours in the afternoons. Standard camp pick-up is around 3:30 PM, but for those who need a later pickup, we have extended care available until 5:30 PM. This added flexibility is great for working parents in Mar Vista – your child can continue having supervised fun at camp a couple hours longer, giving you peace of mind while you finish the workday.

Affordability: We strive to keep our camp accessible and offer competitive rates for the value. By signing up weekly, you only pay for the weeks you use. We even have Early Bird discounts and occasional promotions – with early registration, weekly rates can be as low as $495 per week. Considering that includes all activities (and memories that last a lifetime), we’ve made sure camp is a worthwhile investment for Mar Vista families. There are no extra membership fees required, and you can opt in or out of services like the bus depending on your budget and needs. Our goal is to make experiencing this premier beach camp as easy and reasonable as possible for your family.

(Tip: Be sure to check our Dates & Rates page for the latest camp week schedule and pricing options. And don’t wait too long – many of our weeks fill up fast, and you won’t want to miss the Early Bird deals!)

What Sets FBS Apart from Other Camps in West LA?

West Los Angeles has plenty of summer programs, but Fitness by the Sea stands in a league of its own. Here are a few ways FBS differentiates itself from other Mar Vista and Santa Monica area camps:

• Beachfront Location: Most local camps take place in parks, school gyms, or community centers. FBS is one of the only camps that’s 100% at the beach – giving kids the fresh air and freedom of the ocean environment every day. This unique setting provides experiences (like ocean swimming, surfing, and sand play) that typical city camps simply can’t offer.
• Unmatched Activity Variety: While some camps specialize in one theme (sports, tech, art, etc.) and others offer a standard mix of games, Fitness by the Sea packs in 40+ activities spanning sports, aquatics, and creative arts daily. Our campers can surf in the morning and do arts & crafts in the afternoon, all in one place. Few, if any, camps in LA can match the breadth of our program.
• Proven Safety & Reputation: We’ve operated for over two decades with an impeccable safety record. Not every camp can say that – and many don’t have the stringent safety protocols we implement (especially important for a beach setting). Our reputation as the safest beach camp is earned, and Mar Vista parents recognize the difference. Additionally, our program is well-established and trusted by thousands of families (over 36,000 kids have attended FBS in the past 26 years!).
• Transportation Convenience: Very few day camps in the Santa Monica/West LA area offer bus transportation at all. FBS provides community bus stops serving Mar Vista and surrounding neighborhoods, which is a game-changer for working parents. It’s like having a local day camp, but with the added benefit that we do the pickup and drop-off for you.
• Flexible, Low-Commitment Schedules: Many traditional camps require you to enroll for 2-week sessions or the entire summer. FBS’s flexible day-by-day or week-by-week enrollment means you can create a custom camp schedule for your child. This flexibility is rare and highly valued by our camp families.
• Older, Enthusiastic Staff: Our counselors’ experience and maturity set us apart. Some other programs rely on high school volunteers or have less favorable staff-to-child ratios. At FBS, our 6:1 ratio and mature staff (often college-age or older) ensure better supervision, guidance, and mentorship for your child. Parents often notice that our staff’s professionalism translates into a more organized and caring camp environment.

In short, Fitness by the Sea combines the best elements of various camps into one: the adventure of a beach camp, the variety of an all-around activity camp, the convenience of local services, and the personal touch of a family-run program. It’s the ultimate summer day camp experience for Mar Vista kids, right in our Westside backyard.

Join the Fun – Give Your Mar Vista Child an Unforgettable Summer

At Fitness by the Sea, we know you want nothing but the best summer for your child. As a parent in Mar Vista, you have an opportunity to send your kids to a camp that’s not only nearby and convenient, but truly extraordinary in the experiences it offers. From learning to surf their first wave to making new friends on the bus ride, your child will create memories that last a lifetime at FBS.

Ready to learn more or get started? We invite you to explore our site for details on Dates & Rates and Bus Transportation, or check out our FAQ for common parent questions. Better yet, come visit us at the beach during camp hours to see the magic in action – once you see those happy faces running around in the sand, you’ll understand why we’re the talk of the town among Mar Vista families.

Don’t miss out! Our camp spots fill up quickly each summer, and Mar Vista families keep coming back year after year. Secure your child’s spot at the premier Mar Vista summer camp today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team – we’re here to help. We look forward to welcoming your family to the Fitness by the Sea community and delivering a summer experience your child will never forget.

Sign up now and let your child spend their summer days at the beach, growing, learning, and having the time of their life at Fitness by the Sea!