Join us for our first-ever Ocean Family Endeavor!
November 6-9, 2025 - San Diego, CA
Register Here-
Join us for our first-ever FAMILY Endeavor at YMCA Surf Camp with leadership by Coach James and Coach Cindy! Designed for our learners that want to attend an Endeavor, but feel more comfortable in making it a fun family event - this weekend will offer outdoor education and games, surfing and connection - 3 nights and a whole lotta fun! This camp is located 20 minutes from the San Diego Intl Airport. The cost per family member will be $295 for the entire weekend including all meals and activities - including optional surfing lessons. Please see FAQs below for all sorts of answers to your questions!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN > https://my.cheddarup.com/c/1125familyendeavor
Take a look back at our past Learner Endeavor at YMCA Camp Surf - January 2025. What an extraordinary week it was!
Who is our Camp Director - Coach James?
The first time I remember articulating my purpose in life was within a week of starting at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina: to positively impact as many kids’ lives as possible. I’ve always kept this in mind throughout my career in education, and it was what ultimately led me to find Prisma.
I’ve learned that teaching is very simple (but not easy), as you only have to do two things: care about your learners, and do your absolute best. These principles (combined with my purpose in life) have led me to observe and teach in hundreds of classrooms in the U.S. and Europe, build some seriously engaging lessons for students, and above all to go above and beyond for my learners and families.
I’m always trying to serve others and learn, as my two core values are teamwork and growth. Whether it’s as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in New Jersey, a small business owner, a Red Cross CPR and First Aid instructor, or a Senior City Counselor at American Legion Jersey Boys State, I always endeavor to help everyone around me do their absolute best.
Every learner needs something different, but every single learner benefits from having a caring mentor push them to achieve something they didn’t know was possible. Some of my most formative experiences in life came while at camp, away from my home but surrounded by caring adults and friends. Even though I struggled initially being away from home, it was overcoming those struggles that opened up so many doors in my life; I want to give learners the opportunity to experience the same empowering, life-changing growth in a safe and challenging space.
One of the best lessons I was ever taught was by my entrepreneur dad was that in order to be successful, you had to ask the question, “What can I do next?” I’m so excited to tell you:
Endeavors are what’s next!
FAQs
What is a Family Endeavor?
Family Endeavors are new for this 2025-2026 school year and will be led by none other than our extraordinary Coach James and Coach Cinday. We aim to give our Prisma learners ongoing opportunities for in-person connection several times throughout the year. Family Endeavors are different from Learner Endeavors in that parents and siblings have the opportunity to attend together. We see this Family Endeavor as a great way to “try on” camp alongside your parents and siblings - and perhaps it will serve as a stepping stone or bridge to attending a Learner Endeavor in the future too. This is a GREAT opportunity for families that are looking to connect with other families at Prisma as well! Our goal is to have a lot of fun as Prisma families together.
What is “YMCA Camp Surf” - our Family Endeavor location?
Welcome to Camp Surf. Forty-five acres right on the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, CA. YMCA Camp Surf is one of a kind. Enjoy summer camp at the beach year round. You won't find another facility like Camp Surf anywhere in Southern California. From Pirate's Cove Amphitheater to McKinney Dining Hall to our beachy cabins, this nautical-themed paradise is fantastically unique. Not to mention the quarter-mile of open beachfront to enjoy.
In addition to trained and certified surf instructors, thousands of students experience the excitement of the Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) program at YMCA Camp Surf every year, exploring coastal ecosystems, understanding natural resources, and improving outdoor and group building skills. Their naturalist staff hails from across the United States and around the globe. They are hired for science skills, teaching experience, and their enthusiasm.
Where is “YMCA Camp Surf”?
YMCA Camp Surf is located in Imperial Beach, Calif. - approximately 20 minutes from the San Diego airport.
What is the cost?
The cost for November 6-9, 2025 includes 4 days and 3 nights as is $295 per person. This cost includes lodging, meals, and all activities for for each family member. Registration is now open.
Can I bring my learner’s siblings that are not in Prisma?
Absolutely! All immediate family members are welcome - including siblings that do not attend Prisma. Sorry, we are not able to accommodate any other attendees other than immediate family members at this camp.
What is the cabin arrangements?
Cabins will be shared bunkhouses by families. Each family will be together in a bunkhouse with approximately 2-3 other families. Bathrooms are “bathhouses” by gender. A nonbinary bathroom is available on request as well.
What is the anticipated daily schedule?
Being on the Pacific Time Zone - we expect that our days will roughly look like breakfast, morning fun activities, lunch, afternoon activities, break/free time. This will be followed by dinner and then a shared group evening activity like karaoke, campfires, dance parties or trivia, etc. Surfing will also be offered by YMCA Camp Surf staff and gear is provided. This is optional - so if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea - no problem!
What is the food like? What about food allergies?
From Camp Surf: Our McKinney Oceanfront Center and Dining Hall is a great setting for meals, board games or socializing with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean, Point Loma, the Coronado Islands and Imperial Beach pier.
Indoor seating for more than two hundred people, with a shaded, outside patio that can seat an additional hundred-sixty people.
We offer buffet and family style service with most meals prepared from scratch. This is not your typical camp fare! Amenities include:
Fruit and cereal bar at every breakfast
Salad bar at lunch and dinner
Hot entree at all meals
Buffet and family style meals
Protein option available for vegetarians
Fresh fruit at all meals
Delicious and nutritious meals are the focus of the YMCA Camp Surf kitchen! Environmental stewardship is also important, and we carry our respect for the Earth from the kitchen to your table. Camp and school programs eat family style to promote conversation and community. Our weekend guests eat buffet style to support positive smaller group and parent/child interactions. Healthy choices are available for all appetites, from little campers to adults!
We can accommodate special food needs and diets as follows:
Vegetarian: Our breakfast bar includes fresh fruit, cottage cheese, yogurt, oatmeal, and cereal (soy or cow milk). Our lunch/dinner salad bar offers a healthy selection of fresh vegetables, salads, and fruit. We serve a vegetarian alternative to each main course which is similar, but with a non-meat protein.
Gluten allergies: We are able to provide some gluten free items such as pastas, pizza, pancakes, breads and desserts.
Tree nut and peanut allergies: We do not use or buy nuts of any kind, however we do offer peanut butter (kept in the kitchen for requests only). We also label cereals that have been made in factories the process nuts.
Lactose intolerance: We serve soy milk and can make great dishes without dairy.
Kosher: We may be able to meet your needs with vegetarian options. Please ask!
Vegan: We do not provide vegan meals, but can provide a lot of animal-free food. Feel free to ask us.
If we are not able to adequately meet your food needs, we are happy to refrigerate items that you bring in a self-contained and clearly labeled box or cooler to supplement your meals.
If you have any questions or your dietary concerns are not addressed, please feel free to contact Jenna Walker at 720.327.9727.
What kinds of medical care will be available?
Coach James has been a certified Emergency Medical Technician in New Jersey since 2011 and a lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor since 2021. He has extensive experience as a medical director and EMT at day and sleepaway camps (some with as many as 900 campers), an aquatics director, and a first aid and CPR instructor. Whether it’s medication storage/administration or allergy concerns, we will have it covered. After registration we will collect and review medical forms for each learner, and Coach James will happily meet with parents and families to discuss individual medical concerns!
Every learner with an epinephrine autoinjector (Epi-Pen, AuviQ, etc.) or asthma inhaler will have their medication marked with a Medic Mark bag tag and bracelet, provided for free.
Can my child come to this camp without a parent?
We are not offering options for learners to attend without a parent. However, if you would like to bring other PRISMA learners with you or your immediate family - and will commit to being their chaperone and guardian during camp - then this is definitely a welcome thing!
When can we officially sign up?
Registration is now open and can be found here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/1125familyendeavor
When will payment be due?
By registering your child for camp - you agree to pay 100% of the amount due of $295 for your family members to be able to attend camp. A $150 pre-payment will be needed at the time of registration per person and final payment will be due at the end of October. No exceptions can be made if your schedule changes and you are not able to attend camp.
Are there any meetings prior to camp for parents?
There will be a pre-camp mandatory meeting for parents and campers approximately 1 week prior to camp so you can meet each other in advanc. More details and invites to follow for those registered.
How many families can sign up?
At this time we expect we can support up to 75 campers for our first family Endeavor.
Do I have to surf?
Campers will have the option to skip surfing and participate in a different activity - however, we will likely need these commitments in ADVANCE of camp. More info coming soon.
What about water pollution in San Diego?
San Diego and Imperial Beach work every day to make sure that ocean conditions support clean and healthy surfing / swimming in the ocean. Should the water not be deemed at acceptable water quality safety levels, those choosing to surf will be transported via parent volunteer driven vans or pre-arranged transportation to the Mission Beach area of San Diego. This is out of our control and mandated by the YMCA Camp Surf staff.
Will there be lifeguards?
Absolutely. There is no free swimming allowed in the ocean outside of supervised and YMCA Camp Surf certified lifeguard staff.
I have more questions - who can I talk to?
Please contact our Endeavors team at endeavors@joinprisma.org on additional questions, etc. regarding camp logistics, schedules, etc. If you have specific medical questions or concerns about your camper’s individual needs and whether camp will be a good fit this time around, please reach out to Coach James at james@joinprisma.org.
Expectations for Learners and Parents
Learners:
We will live by our core values (Teamwork and Growth) for the whole trip, and will apply them in our daily lives.
We will treat each other as teammates at all times. We will help each other grow together.
We are here to grow in each of the Prisma Powers: applied curiosity, initiative & follow through, communication & collaboration, innovator’s mindset.
We will reflect on our growth and progress daily.
We will build good habits and mindsets that we can use for the rest of our lives.
We will use the buddy system at all times.
We will be present and take every opportunity! Therefore we will not have our cell phones with us throughout the week. Here’s why. Phones will be collected upon boarding the bus, then stored in a safe, secure location until it’s time for us to travel home.
The goal of this policy is to ensure that learners will be able to fully engage with the experience and fellow Prismarians in front of them, and grow in their independence. All chaperones and coordinators will have cell phones on them in case of emergencies. All parent communication should go through the lead chaperone or coordinator. Of course learners will be allowed to use an adult chaperone’s phone to call home when needed!
Exceptions will obviously be made for learners with phones tied to medical monitoring devices (such as Type 1 Diabetes).
Learners will have access to their computers during school hours so they can attend workshops, check emails, and complete asynchronous work.
Parents:
We are committed to helping our child grow in independence and the Prisma Powers.
We are committed to providing our child with the space and time to grow.
Many parents’ most formative, memorable experiences in their own childhood took place away from electronic devices. We are endeavoring to provide those same types of experiences to today’s Prismarians in a safe, supportive environment.
We know that this experience may be a significant opportunity for us to grow as well.
If you’ve never done it before, it is challenging to give your child the opportunity to grow independently on their own. But it is in their best interest!
We are ready for our child to have independent experiences in a safe, supportive environment without our direct supervision.
We will attend all pre-trip calls as a family, so we will all be prepared for the amazing experience!
There will be several pre-trip Zoom orientations where questions will be answered and concerns assuaged.