Choose an Age Group to Learn More
Explorers | Ages 7-9 years old | Grades 2-4
For our youngest summer camp group, our top priority is creating a safe, comfortable and fun camping experience for each and every kid. Campers work together on friendship, discovery and outdoor activities.
Key Info for Explorers
- This is your child’s first step into summer camp – we take that very seriously.
- We place a strong emphasis on camper belonging.
- Campers will share a lodge with other campers of the same age group.
- Built in support time for rest, getting ready, applying sunscreen, etc.
- Nutritious meals with fruit and cereal at breakfast and a salad bar at lunch and dinner.
- Fun evening programs like campfires, skits and theme nights.
- Bedtime routines include brushing teeth (yes we’ll make sure!), a quiet story or activity and time to share thoughts and adventures from the day.
- Staff stay in the lodges overnight, the campers are always with an adult.
- Our camp week ends with a special candlelight ceremony on Thursday night and a family BBQ on Friday afternoon.
Challengers | Ages 10-12 years old | Grades 5-7
Our most energetic campers enjoy a true outdoor adventure with a focus on building skills and self-confidence. The Challenger village is designed to give our summer campers more independence and decision-making opportunities while being guided by our trained staff.
Key Info for Challengers
- Each camper has the opportunity to choose their Mad Skills from home. Campers will get to participate in these activities throughout the week they are at camp getting to learn deeper skills in the activities they chose.
- Camp activities are co-ed to build a sense of community and belonging.
- Trained staff build an adventure in a safe and supportive environment.
- Nutritious meals with fruit and cereal at breakfast, a salad bar at lunch and dinner.
- Evening programs include traditional campfires, skit-nights and themed all camp events.
- Bedtime routines include cabin responsibilities, reflection and recognition.
- Staff stay in the cabins overnight, the campers are always with an adult.
- Our camp week ends with a special candlelight ceremony on Thursday night and a family BBQ on Friday afternoon.
Adventurers | Ages 13-15 years old | Grades 8-10
The Adventurers Village is a teen based program for those feeling a little more adventurous, wanting to combine the traditional summer camp experience with adventure based programming. Campers will stay in our semi-permanent canvas tents, with a concrete floor and bunk beds. The village has an awesome community pavilion to enjoy smores, share stories and connect with friends. The Adventurers Village is co-ed, but campers sleep in single gender tents with camp counselors. Our Adventurers will have the opportunity to participate in some day trips to explore the local area. Other activities will include swimming, archery, hiking, canoeing and adventure focused activities such as survival skills and fire building.
Key Info for Adventurers
- Adventure campers will participate in our “all camp” activities (Opening Campfire, Carnival, PYP, evening programs and Candlelight Ceremony).
- Camp activities are co-ed to build a sense of community and belonging.
- Adventurers will have the opportunity to participate in some day trips to explore the local area and have the opportunity to have more input as to what their schedule looks like.
- Adventurers will build leadership and communication skills through multiple teambuilding activities and a service project with other teen campers.
- Adventure campers will build lasting friendships and self-confidence in a supervised “unplugged” environment.
- Nutritious meals with fruit and cereal at breakfast and a salad bar at lunch and dinner.
- Adventurers’ stay in a rustic canvas-tent village with their very own gazebo and outdoor fireplace that they get to customize and decorate every week.
- Bedtime routines include canvas-tent responsibilities, reflection and recognition
- Staff stay in the canvas-tents overnight, the campers are always with an adult
- Our camp week ends with a special candlelight ceremony on Thursday night and a family BBQ on Friday afternoon.
Pathfinders | Ages 13-15 years old | Grades 8-10
The Pathfinders Village is an exciting opportunity for teens to experience the best of what Camp Marston has to offer. Pathfinders will stay in a mixture of both lodges and yurts. Note that there is adult supervision in every yurt and lodge. Before arriving at camp, campers will choose their mad skills to participate in based on their interests. These include mad skills such as canoeing, archery, climbing tower, art/crafts, swimming pool and Pathfinder specific activities such as blacksmithing. By giving the campers input as to what their experience will be, they’ll not only gain confidence and independence but also learn about leadership and community.
Key info for pathfinders
- Pathfinder campers will participate in our “all camp” activities (Opening Campfire, Carnival, PYP, evening programs and Candlelight Ceremony)
- Camp activities are co-ed to build a sense of community and belonging
- Pathfinder campers will experience the same magic of camp by participating in the traditional camp activities and have the opportunity to have more input as to what their schedule looks like.
- Pathfinders will build leadership and communication skills through multiple teambuilding activities.
- Pathfinders will build lasting friendships and self-confidence in a supervised “unplugged” environment.
- Nutritious meals with fruit and cereal at breakfast, a salad bar at lunch and dinner.
- Every yurt and cabin/lodge with have an accompanying adult supervisor.
- Our camp week ends with a special candlelight ceremony on Thursday night and a family BBQ on Friday afternoon.
Marston O.W.L. | Ages 14-17 years old | Grades 9-11
Our Outdoor Wilderness and Leadership (OWLs) program is a 4-day backpacking adventure that immerses campers in the natural beauty of Catalina Island. While traversing the island campers will get to experience the beautiful and unique landscape while building their leadership skills.
Key Info for Marston O.W.L.'s
- Our OWLs learn independence, reliability, self-efficacy and leadership skills through practical backpacking experiences.
- During our OWLs program, teens will overcome difficulties allowing them to build confidence in themselves.
- The OWLs participants will feel the reward of carry everything the need to survive with them in their packs, setting up their tents and cooking their own food.
- OWLs will work closely with trained staff throughout the trip, learning deeper skills in independence and leadership.
Equipment Guide
50L Backpack
Sleeping Bag with Stuff Sack
Sleeping Pad
Non-cotton Clothes for Hiking:
2–4 Synthetic Shirts
1–2 Athletic/Lightweight Pants
1–2 Athletic Shorts
4–5 Light Athletic Socks
1–2 Wool Socks for Sleeping (optional)
5–6 Pairs of Underwear
1 Pair of Warmer Pants
1 Jacket (fleece or puffy recommended)
Trail Shoes or Hiking Boots
2 Reusable Water Bottles
Sustainable Toiletries
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hat for Sun Protection
Camp Towel
Journal (optional)
Cards or a Book
Trekking Poles (optional but encouraged)
(Camp can help provide supplies.)
Note: Everything must fit into your backpack, with room for shared tent supplies.
L.I.T.s | Ages 15-17 years old | Grades 10-12
This two week program is designed for our oldest teens looking to build responsibility, leadership and community in a more intimate setting. As the oldest campers on camp, the Pioneers focus on personal growth, communication and teamwork. During the second week our Pioneers get practical experience working with the campers throughout the day, shadowing the staff and participating with the campers providing an opportunity to build connection and grow as role models.”
Key Info for Marston L.I.T.s
- Our LITs learn through leadership development workshops, practice and hands-on activities.
- During our LITs program, teens learn what great leaders do and say.
- The program makes time for camp fun like the Climbing Tower and swimming.
- Our Leadership Counselors act as mentors to all of our LITs Participants.
- Every evening, LITs come together to debrief and discuss what they have experienced and learned that day.
- LIT participants graduate from the program with lifelong skills and friends.
- Successful graduates of the LIT program are encouraged to apply for the Camp Assistant program the following summer!
CA's — Camp Assistants | Age 17 years old | Entering Grade 12
- Our CA program is a three-week overnight volunteering experience that helps transition enthusiastic campers to successful counselors.
- Teenagers in the CA program participate in leadership workshops throughout the first week.
- During their second and third weeks CAs will assist in facilitating Mad Skills and camp activities. CAs stay in cabins with the younger campers, shadowing counselors and learning group facilitation and dynamic skills.
- CA’s are challenged daily to lead and create activities with children.
- Our CA’s are provided with an evaluation and a letter verifying how many Community Service Hours were completed.
- The CA program is a competitive volunteer experience for those teens entering 12th grade and they must apply and interview for placement.
To apply: Please complete and return the Application Form. Applications will be available by December. You can start submitting your application in January and interviews occur in March.
Please note: There are a VERY limited number of openings for the CA program each summer and acceptance into the program is not guaranteed.
DATES & RATES
Category
Members
Non-Members
Explorers, Challengers, Pathfinders & Adventurers
$1,080
$1,200
L.I.T.s
$1,620
$1,800
O.W.L.S
$1,530
$1,700
Transportation
Members
Non-Members
Mountain Bus
$50
$50
Please Consider A Donation At The Time of Registration
Since 2005, more than $500,000 has been given to help offset repair and replacement costs at our camps from families like yours!
Help Send a Kid to Camp
YMCA of San Diego County Overnight Camps is committed to providing everyone in our community access to the power of the camp experience, regardless of their ability to pay. Through the generosity of donors such as you, we are able to provide financial assistance to families in need.
Support the True Cost of Camp
Our camp fee is a subsidized rate and doesn’t represent the true cost of sending a child to camp. We are asking each family to consider adding a tax-deductible donation to support the actual cost of camp operations to include long term care, upkeep, and facility improvements.
- $300 deposit is required for all registrations and is applied to the total amount due
- Balance Dues: All balances are due by May 15, 2026 (Sessions 1-9).
Scholarships Available – As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, the YMCA is committed to serving everyone in our community and ensure they have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive — which is why we provide financial aid through our ACCESS Scholarship Program, reducing the cost of memberships, program fees and child care services offered by the YMCA of San Diego County.