Are you searching for an incredible Van Nuys summer camp experience that goes beyond the ordinary? Imagine your kids enjoying sunny beach days filled with surfing, sports, arts, and new friends. Van Nuys is known as “The Heart of the Valley,” with landmarks like the Valley Relics Museum and a bustling civic center. But when summer heat kicks in, many families are ready to head for cooler shores.
Fitness by the Sea brings that seaside adventure to you – offering the ultimate beach day camp for Van Nuys kids without the hassle. Just a drive “over the hill” (roughly 17 miles via the 405 freeway) separates you from our Pacific Palisades summer camp and Santa Monica summer camp locations. And with our convenient transportation options, your child can enjoy a true beach camp experience while you skip most of the traffic.
Our 2026 camp season runs from June 15 to August 21, and we welcome campers ages 4½ to 14. For over 26 years, Fitness by the Sea has been the go-to choice for Los Angeles families seeking a safe, flexible, high-energy day camp. In fact, we’re often called the best Van Nuys day camp alternative because we blend the fun of a beach day with the community and convenience that local parents love. If you enroll by April 17, you can secure Early Bird pricing – as low as $495/week – so don’t miss out on this great deal!
Fitness by the Sea has proudly served thousands of kids from Van Nuys and across LA since 2000. More than 39,000 children have joined us over the years, and our reputation speaks for itself. We’ve even been recognized as the “safest beach camp” in Los Angeles. Below are just a few features that make FBS the top choice for a Van Nuys kids camp at the beach:
- Flexible week-by-week scheduling: Choose your weeks freely with no minimum commitment – pick one week or all eleven, whatever fits your summer plans.
- 100% safety record over 26 years: Our camps are known for being the safest beach camp in Los Angeles, so you can relax knowing your child is in good hands every day.
- 40+ camper-selected activities daily: From ocean swimming, surfing, and boogie boarding to soccer, martial arts, dance, and arts & crafts – every child will find something they love each day.
- All-adult, experienced counselors: Our staff members are energetic role models (average age 23, including many teachers and parents) who create a nurturing, silly, and supportive camp atmosphere.
- Extended care options: Need a longer day? We offer optional extended care from 3:30–4:30pm or 3:30–5:30pm to help working parents with late pick-ups.
- Easy bus transportation: Skip the long drive! We provide air-conditioned, supervised bus service with convenient stops at Cheviot Hills and Mar Vista – perfect for Van Nuys families commuting west.
Life Happens – Enjoy Week-by-Week Flexibility
As parents, we know plans can change in a heartbeat. That’s why Fitness by the Sea was one of the first camps to offer true week-by-week registration. Unlike many traditional camps that lock you into rigid multi-week sessions, we let you decide your schedule. Want to start with just one week in July and see how it goes? No problem. Need to skip a week for a family vacation and then come back for more beach fun? You can do that too! Our flexible enrollment means you aren’t stuck with a preset agenda – you create the summer camp calendar that works for your family.
This flexibility is a lifesaver for busy Van Nuys families juggling work, summer school, and other activities. You can pick any combination of weeks between June 15 and August 21. Even better, if life throws you a curveball after you’ve enrolled, we offer hassle-free rescheduling of your camp weeks (just give us notice by the Friday before your week starts). We believe a great Van Nuys day camp should fit into your life, not the other way around. With FBS, you’re in control – add more weeks if your child can’t get enough, or adjust your dates without penalty. It’s summer camp on your terms.
Early Bird Special – Save with Discounted Rates
Every parent loves getting a great value, and we’ve made our camp as affordable as possible. Sign up early to take advantage of our Early Bird rates! We offer a special discount for families who enroll ahead of time – as low as $495 per week when you register for 4 or more weeks by April 17. That’s a significant savings off the regular weekly rate, and it’s our way of saying thank you for planning ahead.
Importantly, this Early Bird price includes everything – all camp activities, supervision by our amazing staff, high-quality equipment for every activity, and of course endless beach fun. There are no surprise fees (just a one-time registration fee for the summer, which covers a camp rash guard shirt and admin costs). You get incredible value for the price. We remember how impactful summer camp was in our own childhoods, and we’re dedicated to making that experience accessible for as many kids as possible. Take advantage of the Early Bird special and give your child the gift of an unforgettable summer at the best price. The sooner you secure your spot, the more you save!
Convenient Bus Stops for Van Nuys Campers
Worried about the drive from Van Nuys to Santa Monica or Pacific Palisades every day? We’ve got you covered. Fitness by the Sea provides optional bus transportation that makes camp drop-off and pick-up a breeze. Our professional chartered buses are climate-controlled and equipped with seat belts (with booster seats available for younger kids), ensuring a comfortable and safe ride. Even better, two energetic FBS counselors ride along on every bus route, turning the commute into a fun pre-camp party with camp songs, trivia games, and jokes. For many kids, the bus ride quickly becomes one of their favorite parts of the day!
Families can choose the stop that’s most convenient – our buses pick up each morning at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center (in West LA near Rancho Park) and at a central Mar Vista location (by the 405/10 freeway junction). Both spots are on the Westside, meaning Van Nuys parents can take a quick detour over the hill, drop the kids at the bus, and let us handle the rest of the drive to the beach. It’s a huge time-saver, sparing you the full trek to Santa Monica or Pacific Palisades during rush hour. In the afternoons, the bus will bring your camper back to the same spot, happy and tired from an awesome day at our Van Nuys beach camp.
Our transportation option is all about convenience and peace of mind. You can skip fighting cross-city traffic, and your child gets to travel with friends under the watchful care of our staff. Of course, bus service is completely optional – you’re welcome to drive your child directly to camp if you prefer. But many Van Nuys families love having this “door-to-beach” service available. It’s just another way we make summer easy and fun for both kids and parents.
How Safe Is Our Camp? (100% Safety Record!)
Safety tops every parent’s priority list – and it’s our number one priority too. We know sending your child to a beach camp (especially if it’s their first time by the ocean) can feel daunting. Rest assured, Fitness by the Sea maintains a 100% safety record over 26 years of operation. In fact, local parents and publications have dubbed FBS the “safest beach camp” in Los Angeles. What does that mean for you? It means we have decades of proven protocols and experience keeping kids safe while they have a blast by the water.
Our counselor-to-camper ratio is kept very low (around one staff member for every 6 campers), so each child is closely supervised at all times. All staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid. At the beach, we implement multiple layers of security: our counselors are not just on the sand but right in the water alongside the kids during swim activities, while on-site lifeguards watch from the shore.
We only operate at approved, safe beach locations with professional LA County lifeguards on duty (for example, the gentle shores of Will Rogers State Beach at our Pacific Palisades camp). Non-swimmers and first-time ocean-goers get extra attention – no child is ever pushed to do an activity they aren’t comfortable with, and we have Coast Guard–approved flotation devices for those who need them.
Beyond water safety, we take care of all the little things that keep campers safe and healthy. Counselors make sure everyone reapplies sunscreen throughout the day, stays hydrated, and takes breaks in the shade to avoid too much sun (we set up plenty of shaded tents on the sand for downtime and “in-the-shade” activities). Bathroom trips are always supervised – no camper goes alone. Our staff undergo thorough background checks and intensive training in child safety, emergency procedures, and positive behavior management. After 26 summers, we’ve truly thought of everything. You can drop your child off knowing they will be protected, cared for, and come home safe and smiling every single day.
40+ Exciting Activities – Something for Every Child
At Fitness by the Sea, boredom is simply not an option! We offer over 40 different activities each and every day, so your child will have no trouble finding things they love. In fact, our Van Nuys kids camp has something for everyone. Is your child a water enthusiast? They can spend hours splashing in the ocean waves, learning to surf or boogie board, and exploring marine life along the shore. More of a sports fan? We run tons of team sports and beach games – from soccer and kickball on the sand to friendly games of capture the flag and beach volleyball under the sun.
Perhaps you have a creative or performing arts lover. They might join an improv comedy skit, put on a puppet show, get their face painted, or dive into arts & crafts making jewelry and sandcastle creations. And that’s just the beginning! Every day at FBS is “camper’s choice.” We group our activities into several categories: Water Activities, Team Sports, Individual Sports, Creative Arts, In-The-Shade Games, Shoreline Exploration, Specialized Activities, and more – including wacky Theme Days and special events.
Campers are free to move between activity stations as their interests change. Maybe your child starts the morning with a swimming lesson, then wanders over to try gymnastics or martial arts, and later joins a big sandcastle-building contest. We encourage kids to try new things, but it’s always up to them. If your camper wants to stick with their favorite activity all day, that’s okay too! With so many options available, each day becomes a choose-your-own adventure.
This huge variety of activities lets every camper shine. Whether they’re an athlete, an artist, a performer, or an adventurer, they will find a place at our camp to build skills and confidence. By letting children change activities as often as they wish, we also foster independence and decision-making. Campers feel empowered because they get to design their own day.
It’s amazing to see how a shy child might try karate for the first time and walk away beaming, or how a kid who “doesn’t like sports” discovers they love beach soccer when it’s on their terms. With us, your child will uncover new interests and talents in a supportive environment. They truly get to discover their best selves through play.
Two Beach Camp Locations – Find Your Perfect Fit
One size does not fit all when it comes to camps, so we have two unique beach camp experiences for you to choose from. Both of our locations warmly welcome Van Nuys families, and you’re free to select whichever site you think your camper will love most (some families even try both over the summer!). Here’s a quick overview of our two camps:
- Pacific Palisades Beach Camp (Will Rogers State Beach, Tower 14): This flagship location hosts the largest number of campers on a typical day and offers the widest variety of activities. If your child thrives in a bustling environment with tons of new friends to meet, the Palisades camp is ideal. (Approximate drive time from Van Nuys: 35–50 minutes via the 405 freeway and Sunset Blvd.)
- Santa Monica Beach Camp (North of the Santa Monica Pier, Lot 8 North): Our Santa Monica site provides the same amazing activities but in a slightly smaller camp setting. It’s perfect for kids who prefer a more close-knit vibe while still enjoying plenty of beach fun. (Approximate drive time from Van Nuys: 30–45 minutes via I-405 and I-10.)
Both camps serve ages 4½–14 and run on the same dates (June 15 through August 21). And don’t worry – no matter which location you choose, you’ll get our exceptional staff, safety standards, and program at each site. Some Van Nuys parents pick the beach that’s a few minutes closer, while others choose based on where their child’s school friends are going. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Many of our camp activities and theme days are offered at both Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades, so campers at each location get the full FBS experience. If you ever want to switch locations during the summer, we can accommodate that (space permitting). We want this to be a customized camp experience for your child!
Our Amazing Counselors Are Like Big Kids (Who Keep Your Little Kids Safe!)
No camp can be great without great counselors. We are extremely selective in hiring our staff, because we know their energy and kindness set the tone for the whole summer.
At Fitness by the Sea, we look for counselors who are mature (the average age of our team is 23, and many are parents or college-educated adults) yet also young at heart. Our team knows how to be responsible and ensure rules are followed, while also bringing that goofy, spirited camp magic that makes kids feel comfortable to be themselves. It’s not unusual to see our counselors leading a silly dance contest one minute, then applying sunscreen or bandaging a scraped knee the next. They do it all with a smile.
Many of our counselors return year after year – a number have been with FBS for five, six, or even ten summers (some of them first joined us as campers when they were younger!). This continuity means you have experienced mentors who truly understand our camp culture and standards.
We train every staff member thoroughly in water safety, first aid, child development, and how to engage kids of all personalities. But what really makes them special is their passion. They genuinely love working with children, and it shows. Your child will come home not only talking about the cool activities they did, but also raving about “the funniest, nicest counselor ever” who cheered them on and made them laugh all day long.
As parents ourselves, we understand the trust you place in us when you send your child to camp. Our counselors take that responsibility to heart. They strive to inspire every camper – whether by teaching a new skill like how to stand up on a surfboard, or by simply listening to your child’s stories and being a supportive friend. We’re proud to have an amazing team that feels like a family. By the end of summer, don’t be surprised if your kid begs to come back next year just to reunite with their favorite counselors! That bond and positive role-model influence is something we cherish and cultivate every season.
Happy Campers Guaranteed (Your Satisfaction Matters)
We are so confident that your child will love Fitness by the Sea, we back it up with a satisfaction guarantee. Our philosophy is that camp should be a positive, rewarding experience for both campers and parents. If for any reason you’re not completely happy after your child starts camp, let us know and we’ll make it right. We’ll do everything we can to address your concerns – whether that means switching your child to a different week, moving them to the other camp location (Santa Monica vs. Pacific Palisades), or even offering a refund if absolutely necessary. Our goal is to find the perfect fit so your kid has the time of their life at camp.
Additionally, we offer a very flexible cancellation policy before summer begins. We know plans can change or unexpected events can arise (perhaps an extended family trip or a relocation). That’s why we provide full refunds of camp fees up until May 15. After that, we’ll still work with you if something comes up closer to or during the camp season – we never want a child to miss out on camp if we can help it.
In fact, research by the American Camp Association shows that camp experiences help children develop self-confidence, independence, and strong social skills that last long after summer. In over 26 years of running FBS, we’ve seen thousands of campers return year after year – a testament to how much they love the experience. We’re confident your child will love it too.
Our promise is simple: we want every camper grinning ear to ear, and every parent feeling they made the right choice in choosing our Van Nuys summer camp by the beach.
Give your kids the summer of a lifetime at Fitness by the Sea! Our team is excited to welcome more Van Nuys families into our camp community. Spots are filling up fast, so be sure to secure your spot at summer camp soon. Whether you choose our Santa Monica or Pacific Palisades location, your child will create amazing memories, develop new skills, and come home each day sandy, happy, and full of stories. If you’re ready for the best Van Nuys beach camp experience for your kids, reach out to us today – we can’t wait to see you on the sand!