Give your child an unforgettable summer at the beach without straying far from home. Fitness by the Sea (FBS) offers a premier Rancho Park summer camp experience that has delighted Westside families for over 25 years. We operate at two sunny beachfront locations in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades, bringing the joy of the ocean to kids ages 4½ to 14 in a safe, nurturing environment. As the go-to Los Angeles summer camp for so many local families, FBS combines the excitement of 40+ activities with the convenience and peace of mind parents need.
Rancho Park is a close-knit neighborhood nestled between West Los Angeles and Cheviot Hills, known for its quiet, tree-lined streets and family-friendly vibe. Many parents here are busy professionals who value quality time and enrichment for their kids. With top-rated schools and a safe community focus, Rancho Park families seek the best opportunities for their children. That’s exactly what FBS provides – a beach day camp that mirrors the community’s values of safety, growth, and fun. Plus, with Rancho Park located only about 6 miles from the coast, our camp is practically in your backyard!
No more settling for ordinary day camps or long daily drives. FBS makes it easy for Rancho Park kids to enjoy a summer full of adventure. We offer flexible week-by-week enrollment, extended care until 4:30 or even 5:30pm for working parents, and convenient bus transportation from nearby Cheviot Hills and Mar Vista. At our Santa Monica beach camp and Pacific Palisades kids camp, campers spend their days surfing, swimming, playing games on the sand, doing arts and crafts, and making friends – all under the watch of experienced counselors. It’s the ultimate Rancho Park day camp solution: total peace of mind for you, and non-stop fun for the kids.
Why Rancho Park Families Love This Beach Camp
For years, FBS has been more than just a typical Rancho Park kids camp – it’s a summer tradition for many Rancho Park families. Parents choose FBS because it offers the perfect blend of excitement and security. Our program is designed with local families in mind, from the flexible scheduling to our 100% safety record over decades. We understand the lifestyle in Rancho Park – many households have two working parents and active kids with diverse interests. That’s why we’ve built a camp that checks all the boxes:
- Safety First: With a flawless safety record spanning over 25 years, FBS is known as the safest beach camp in L.A. We have lifeguard-certified staff, low counselor-to-camper ratios, and strict protocols to ensure every child is secure at all times.
- Flexible Scheduling: Forget rigid multi-week commitments. At FBS you can sign up week-by-week (across an 11-week summer from June 11 to August 22), so your family vacations and other plans can fit right in. Choose one week or all eleven – it’s up to you!
- Extended Day Options: Need a longer day? We offer extended care until 4:30pm or even 5:30pm, so your child can stay entertained and supervised while you finish the work day. It’s a lifesaver for busy Rancho Park parents.
- Convenient Transportation: Mornings are a breeze thanks to our air-conditioned bus service from Cheviot Hills and Mar Vista. Drop your child at a nearby stop and our certified drivers and friendly bus counselors will whisk them off to camp safely. The fun truly starts the moment they hop on the bus!
- Community & Friendship: Rancho Park is known for its strong community spirit, and at FBS your child will instantly feel part of our camp family. They’ll meet kids from all over the Westside, forge new friendships, and come home each day bubbling with stories of their beach adventures.
In a neighborhood where commuting is convenient and family time is precious, FBS stands out as the ideal Rancho Park day camp choice. Our camp’s locations are easy to reach – whether you take the Expo Line or the 10 freeway, the beach is just a short trip away. And with our bus pick-ups so close by, you can skip the driving altogether. We strive to make your child’s Rancho Park summer camp experience effortless for you and extraordinary for them.
40+ Exciting Activities at Our Rancho Park Beach Camp
What makes Fitness by the Sea truly special is the sheer variety of activities available each day. We believe summer is the time for kids to explore new interests and build confidence, so we offer an incredible range of options – over 40 activities in total! Every camper, whether timid or bold, will find something they love at this Rancho Park beach camp.
From high-energy water sports to creative art projects, there’s always something fun happening on the sand. A typical day might include:
- Ocean Adventures: Surfing lessons, boogie boarding on the waves, and safe, supervised swimming to keep cool.
- Beach Sports: Soccer and volleyball on the sand, gymnastics, dance, and martial arts that get kids moving and laughing.
- Creative Fun: Imaginative arts and crafts, sandcastle building contests, drama games, music, and more to spark creativity.
- Theme Days & Special Events: Wacky costume days, talent shows, treasure hunts, and weekly themes that add extra excitement to camp life.
Best of all, campers have the freedom to choose what they want to do. There’s no rigid schedule imposed on them – every hour offers a new adventure they can opt into. Maybe your child will spend the morning catching waves and the afternoon making jewelry or learning magic tricks. It’s their day to design!
Our counselors are experts at helping indecisive campers find activities they’ll enjoy. If a child tries an activity and doesn’t like it, we’ll quickly guide them to another option, no problem. This freedom of choice empowers kids to pursue their passions and try new things in a supportive setting. Every day is different, and every day is filled with smiles and accomplishments.
Importantly, no prior beach or ocean experience is required to join in the fun. Our professional instructors ensure that even children with no ocean background learn to navigate the water safely while developing a healthy respect for the sea. From water safety to sun protection, your child’s well-being is always our top priority, and they’ll gain confidence and care in the waves.
Non-swimmers are absolutely welcome – we provide extra attention so that everyone can enjoy water activities at their comfort level. Seeing a hesitant first-time swimmer gain confidence by week’s end is one of the true joys of camp! Watching campers conquer new challenges and come home proud of what they’ve achieved is what FBS is all about.
Age-Appropriate Programs for Kids 4½ to 14
At FBS, we celebrate the fact that campers span from preschoolers to teens. Our program is thoughtfully divided into age-appropriate groups so that every child is engaged and comfortable. Whether your child is a young 5-year-old starting their first camp adventure or an experienced 13-year-old camper, they’ll be in a group with peers and activities suited to their age and skill level.
Our youngest campers (ages 4½-5) are given extra care and gentle encouragement as they try new things – we make sure their introduction to camp is positive and nurturing. Grade-school campers dive into a wide array of sports, crafts, and team games that match their growing abilities and interests. Our oldest campers (middle school ages up to 14) enjoy more advanced challenges – think paddle boarding, leadership roles, and chances to mentor younger kids – all while still getting to be carefree kids at the beach.
Having age-specific programming means every camper gets the right balance of supervision, challenge, and freedom. Parents often tell us how much they appreciate this attention to developmental needs; the 5-year-olds come home happy and tired, and the teenagers never feel bored or “too old” for camp. It’s a win-win, and it ensures that each child makes the most of their time at FBS.
Safety and Staff – Why Our Rancho Park Summer Camp Is Trusted by Parents
We understand that as a parent, your number one concern is safety – especially when water activities are involved. That’s why safety is the cornerstone of everything we do at Fitness by the Sea. We’re proud to have a 100% safety record in all our years of operation, and we maintain that perfect record through rigorous standards and training. In fact, FBS has been recognized as the safest beach camp in Los Angeles for over 25 years, a distinction we work hard to uphold every single day.
Here’s how we keep campers safe and parents worry-free:
- Experienced, Caring Staff: We hire the best of the best. Our counselors and instructors are highly trained (including CPR and First Aid certified) and truly love working with kids. On average our staff are in their early 20s – energetic, responsible, and relatable role models. We hand-pick only about 1 in 10 applicants to join our team, so you can be sure your child is in capable hands.
- Lifeguards & Swim Safety: There are always dedicated lifeguards watching the water during ocean activities. We strictly enforce safety measures through daily safety briefings and close monitoring during all water play.
- Low Ratios & Personal Attention: We keep our counselor-to-camper ratios low, especially for younger age groups, so that every child gets plenty of personal attention and supervision. Our team gets to know each camper by name and personality, making sure no one slips through the cracks.
- Proven Protocols: After 25 years of running camps, we have a comprehensive safety protocol for everything from sun protection and hydration to secure check-in/check-out procedures. We anticipate situations before they arise and always have multiple layers of oversight at camp.
The result is a camp environment where kids feel safe to spread their wings and parents can relax knowing their children are well looked after. We often hear from Rancho Park moms and dads that they were initially nervous about a beach camp, but after seeing our safety measures in action (and hearing their kids beg to go back the next day!), they knew they made the right choice. Your child’s well-being is our top priority – from the moment they step on the bus in the morning to the moment they get dropped off in the afternoon, they are supervised, supported, and cared for like one of our own.
Convenient for Parents: Easy Drop-Off & Transportation
One of the biggest challenges for any day camp is the drop-off and pick-up logistics. FBS takes that stress off your plate with convenient solutions tailored for busy Rancho Park parents. If you’ve ever battled morning traffic trying to shuttle the kids to different activities, you’ll appreciate what we offer!
Our camp provides a morning and afternoon bus service that has become a favorite feature for many families. We have a dedicated bus pickup in Cheviot Hills (right next door to Rancho Park) around 8:15 AM, and another in Mar Vista at about 7:55 AM. Simply bring your camper to the designated spot, and our modern, air-conditioned bus will do the rest. Each bus is equipped with seatbelts and driven by a certified, professional driver. Even better, we have enthusiastic camp counselors ride along to lead songs, games, and supervise the kids on the journey. The camp magic truly begins the moment your child boards – by the time they arrive at the beach, they’re already smiling and energized for the day!
In the afternoon, the bus returns campers to the same pickup locations, making it easy for you to swing by after work. And if your schedule requires a later pickup, remember we offer extended care at the beach until 4:30 or 5:30pm. Knowing that your child is safe and having fun for a full day – even if you can’t be there exactly at 3pm – is a huge relief for working parents.
Of course, you’re also welcome to drive your child to camp directly if that’s your preference. Both of our beach locations are a straight shot from Rancho Park: Santa Monica’s site is conveniently north of the pier (accessible via I-10 west), and Pacific Palisades is at Will Rogers State Beach (PCH near Temescal Canyon). Either way, the commute is reasonable and scenic – no “cross-town traffic” headaches to worry about. Many of our Rancho Park families remark how refreshing it is to have a camp option that doesn’t require an hour of driving each day.
Two Amazing Beach Camp Locations
Fitness by the Sea operates two camp locations on L.A.’s best beaches, and Rancho Park families can choose the one that suits them best. Both locations offer the same core FBS experience – a huge range of activities, excellent staff, and a vibrant camp spirit – but each has its own unique flavor. Here’s a quick look at our camps in Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica:
- Pacific Palisades kids camp (Will Rogers State Beach, Tower 14) – This is our flagship location and largest camp. It’s known for an unmatched variety of activities and a high-energy atmosphere. Campers here range from 4½ to 14, and the beach site offers plenty of room to run, play, and explore. If your child loves having tons of options and a big camp feel, Palisades might be the perfect fit.
- Santa Monica beach camp (North of Santa Monica Pier, at Lot 8 North) – Our Santa Monica location provides a more mid-sized camp experience. It hosts the same age range (4½-14) but in a slightly smaller setting. Many parents choose Santa Monica for its close-knit feel – it’s bustling with activity yet easier to navigate for younger campers who may prefer a cozier environment. It’s the best of both worlds: all the FBS fun in a camp that’s just the right size for your child.
Not sure which to pick? You can’t go wrong – and you can even try both! Some families do one session in Santa Monica and another in Pacific Palisades. Since both sites are within easy reach of Rancho Park (roughly a 20-minute drive), you have flexibility. No matter which location you choose, your child will be in for an amazing summer by the sea.
Early Bird Discounts & Easy Enrollment
Ready to give your child the summer of a lifetime? Now is the perfect time to secure your spot. FBS offers an Early Bird registration discount for families who sign up early. Sign up by May 1 to lock in our special Early Bird rates – as low as $472 per week for multi-week signups! By taking advantage of this discount, Rancho Park parents can save significantly on camp fees, especially if you’re planning to enroll siblings or multiple weeks.
Our enrollment process is flexible and hassle-free. You can reserve just a week or two to start – there’s no obligation to commit to the whole summer (unless you want to, of course!). If your plans change or your child is having such a blast that they beg for more weeks, we make it easy to add sessions or switch weeks. Want to try a different location halfway through the summer? We can accommodate that too. We know family schedules can be unpredictable, so we strive to be as accommodating as possible. Your only job is to sign up early to get that great Early Bird deal, and we’ll handle the rest.
Over the past 25 years, thousands of Los Angeles families have trusted Fitness by the Sea to deliver safe, memorable summers for their kids. We’re excited to welcome our Rancho Park neighbors into that tradition. FBS has truly become the Rancho Park summer camp of choice for so many Westside families, and we can’t wait to welcome yours in 2025.
Don’t wait – spots fill up quickly each season as summer approaches. Give your child the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, and enjoy healthy outdoor play in 2025. It’s the kind of enriching, joyful experience that defines childhood and creates lifelong memories.
Enroll today and let this Rancho Park summer camp be the one your child talks about for years to come! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions – our team is here to help every step of the way. We can’t wait to see your family on the sand at FBS, where the safety, joy, and convenience of our program will make it a summer you and your child will love.
(Learn more about the Rancho Park community on the LA Times Rancho Park guide.)