January 13th, 2021

Surf Camp & COVID-19

(This page will be updated as the situation develops. Last update: January 2021)

What you should know about Surf Camp and Covid-19

Surf Camp operated successfully and without any known Covid-19 exposures in the 2020 season. We did this by adhering to a strict set of health and safety measures and modified operating procedures, with our practices informed by the latest public health recommendations.

Surf Camp will be opening for the 2021 season under a similar set of health and safety measures and additional operational precautions. While we are hopeful that with the further advent of the Covid-19 vaccine, the situation will be better in 2021 than it was in 2020, we are planning conservatively for a season much like we had last year.

  • SURF CAMP (DAY CAMP):
    • Opening in a reduced capacity with group sizes initially limited to a max of 24 kids (the same capacity as 2020).
    • Special drop-off and pick-up procedures as implemented in 2020.
    • Daily health screening upon arrival.
    • Reduced sharing of equipment.
    • No indoor rain day option. If the situation is drastically improved by the summer, we may consider an indoor back-up, but are currently planning to operate without.
    • Additional open-air tent space.
    • New cleaning procedures.
    • Mask wearing required at drop-off, pick-up, and around parking lot and concession.
    • All out-of-state participants required to self-quarantine in Maine for 14-days prior to attending or provide documentation of a negative Covid-19 test result in compliance with State guidelines.
  • ADULT SURF CAMP:
    • Opening at normal capacity — max of 12 people.
    • Daily health screening upon arrival for all participants.
    • Reduced sharing of equipment.
    • New cleaning procedures.
    • Mask wearing required around the trailer for gear distribution.
    • All out-of-state participants required to self-quarantine in Maine for 14-days prior to attending or provide documentation of a negative Covid-19 test result in compliance with State guidelines.
  • SURF LESSONS:
    • Opening for Saturday morning group lessons limited to a maximum of 8 people in two groups of 4.
    • Available for Private Lessons during the week (minimum of 3 people required to book).
    • Health screening upon arrival.
    • New cleaning procedures.
    • Mask wearing required around the trailer for gear distribution.
    • All out-of-state participants required to self-quarantine in Maine for 14-days prior to attending or provide documentation of a negative Covid-19 test result in compliance with State guidelines.

MAY 23, 2020 – 11:45am UPDATE

Last week we conducted a survey of our enrolled campers to determine the interest in opening camp. We also received guidance from the state and in response to that guidance have developed a Covid-19 Operating Strategy that we believe will allow us to operate safely in a limited capacity.

As a result of overwhelming positive feedback from parents, and the review of guidance and development of health and safety plans, we have made the decision that Surf Camp will open for 2020 with some size reductions and operational changes.

If you are signed up for day camp, you have already received communications regarding our plans.

If you are signed up for or interested in Adult Surf Camp or Surf Lessons, please note the following:

  • Participants must meet state of Maine 14-day self quarantine rules.
  • Participants must respect new operating procedures that will be shared in the coming weeks.
  • Participants will need to complete new indemnity waivers.
  • All participants will be required to complete a health check each day upon arrival for their program.

Our number one priority is the health and safety of our participants, employees, and broader community and we are taking many steps to have a safe season!


MAY 13, 2020 – 8am UPDATE

We wanted to give a quick update to everyone in the Surf Camp community. We are STILL awaiting guidance from the State of Maine (expected this week) on what re-opening requirements for Day Camps will look like, which will be very important for us in determining how we re-open, what that looks like, and if it is feasible. We are cautiously hopeful and currently planning accordingly for a modified season.

All enrolled Day Camp participants should expect to receive an important email from us later in the week. We will be sending out a COVID-19 Planning Survey that will be a crucial component of our re-opening strategy.


APRIL 21, 2020 – 5pm UPDATE

We know that the current pandemic situation is at that top of your minds and want you to know that preparing for and responding to these events is also our current top priority at Surf Camp.

As a result of the ongoing pandemic situation, Surf Camp is forming various contingency and health safety plans for the Summer 2020 season. No final decisions have been made at this time as to what changes will need to be implemented or whether the season will proceed as scheduled. We will follow the health and safety guidance issued by state and local health authorities as that guidance becomes clear.

We are currently developing plans for the following scenarios:

  • Full Season of Camp: if the health situation continues to improve and we are able to operate a full season of camp, we are developing plans and protocols to decrease health risks at camp. These plans, while still under development, include new drop-off and pick-up protocols, new health screening measures prior to the start of camp, enhanced cleaning and decontamination procedures for camp equipment, additional health safety training for staff, and adaptations to our in-water teaching methods.
  • Limited Camp Season: we are developing contingency plans to open camp later in the summer if necessary, and considering the possibility that depending on the health situation, the size of camp may need to be reduced to allow for additional physical distancing measures or in response to guidelines from the state health department.
  • No Camp Season: in the event that camp is not able to open because of the health situation, in addition to thinking about how we can make 2021 the best season of camp ever, we have developed an updated refund policy including credits for the 2021 season.

In the meantime, we are continuing to accept enrollments for the 2020 season. However, because of the current unknowns, we have stopped requiring or requesting full payments to hold reservations. We have also temporarily stopped accepting payments for balances on 2020 camp tuition and developed a specific COVID-19 Refund & Cancellation Policy. Our policy is as generous as possible, yet still bound by the financial realities and uncertainties created by the crisis.

Please feel free to reach out at any time with your questions or concerns, and we will continue to update this page as more information and guidance becomes available.

We hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe and we can’t wait to see you all on the beach sooner rather than later!

January 14th, 2020

Surf Camp is Open for 2020!

2020-email

Hello friends,

A new year, a new decade… and another season of Surf Camp kicks off today!

SIGN UP FOR THE 2020 SEASON

I hope that everyone is having a healthy and happy start to the new decade. I really can’t believe that our first season of Surf Camp was now almost 18 years ago. Time flies and soon enough we’ll be welcoming second generation campers into our program.

While it’s thanks to all of you that we get to keep doing this, the reality is that the core of what we do has hardly changed at all over the years. Surfing is pretty special that way. We’ve got better wetsuits now and the boards have changed a bit, but otherwise it’s still all about those few things that really matter: the ocean, the beach, being around friends, playing in the waves. As the rest of the world changes so fast, it’s a lot of fun being a part of something that kind of stays the same…

Surfing is one thing that is just good for us — for our health and our heads — whether we’re 9, 19, or 59. 

Details on all of our offerings for 2020 can be found below, and sign ups are online starting today. In the meantime, I just want to say THANK YOU for your continued support and for making Surf Camp possible. Please don’t hesitate to reply to this email with questions or pick up the phone and give us a call – (207) 370-6706

See you soon enough on the beach!
Dustin


2020 Program Details
 

SURF CAMP

Our flagship summer camp program for kids and teens ages 9 to 15. Week long sessions, Monday through Friday, 9am – 3pm all summer long. This will be our 18th season of Surf Camp!

  • Session #1 – June 15th – 19th
  • Session #2 – June 22nd – 26th
  • Session #3 – June 29th – July 03rd
  • Session #4 – July 06th – 10th
  • Session #5 – July 13th – 17th
  • Session #6 – July 20th – 24th
  • Session #7 – July 27th – 31st
  • Session #8 – August 03rd – 07th
  • Session #9 – August 10th – 14th
  • Session #10 – August 17th – 21st
  • Session #11 – August 24th – 28th
     

ADULT SURF CAMP

Adult Surf Camp is the best way to learn to surf if you’re no longer a kid or a teen. Our 4-day evening program is the only offering of its kind, designed specifically to provide adults with the foundation they need to become competent surfers. Ages 21 and up, sessions run Monday – Thursday from 5:30 – 7:30pm. 

  • Session #1 – July 06th – 09th
  • Session #2 – July 20th – 23rd
  • Session #3 – August 03rd – 06th
  • Session #4 – August 17th – 20th

We cap the week off with a beach pizza party, and with the evening schedule, you will get a whole new perspective on our beautiful Maine coast. Check out the schedule, photos, and more details here: surfcampme.com/adult-surf-camp
 


SURF LESSONS and PRIVATE EVENTS

If you’re not ready to commit to a multi-day program or you want to get the whole family in the water together, taking a Surf Lesson is a perfect summer activity!

We offer lessons five days a week throughout the summer (Tuesday – Saturday) and accommodate all ages 9 and up. Our lessons run in the mornings from 9:15am to noon and the schedule and sign-ups are available here: surfcampme.com/surf-lessons

P.S. We can accommodate groups of up to 20 people for events and private lessons, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you want to plan an amazing experience for a big group!
 


 

Don’t hesitate to call or email with your questions or for help signing up for one of our programs. Thanks as always and I look forward to seeing you on the beach and in the water!

Dustin Turin & the Surf Camp team
(207) 370-6706
[email protected]
http://www.surfcampme.com

Surf Camp Maine/Maine Surf Adventures LLC

On Scarborough Beach

Scarborough, ME 04074

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March 15th, 2018

Surf + Climb 2018

Join us this summer for a weekend of Surf + Climb with our friends from Salt Pump Climbing! Learn more about Surf + Climb camp »

2018 Poster

March 9th, 2017

Surf + Yoga Event – Sun, July 16th 2017

Join us Sunday, July 16th 2017 from 9am to noon at Scarborough Beach for a special Yoga + Surfing class presented by Surf Camp and Kirsten Beverley-Waters of Thryve. Learn more and sign up »

SurfCampMaine

January 10th, 2017

2017 Surf Camp Program Dates

2017 is here and we are off and running planning another summer full of programs for kids, teens, and adults of all ages! Enrollment for most programs begins on January 15th.

Sign Up

Surf Camp

Day camp for kids and teens aged 9 to 15. Weekdays 9am-3pm. $469 per week.


2017 Surf Camp Dates
  • Session #1: June 19th – June 23rd
  • Session #2: June 26th – June 30th
  • Session #3: July 05th – July 7th
  • Session #4: July 10th – July 14th
  • Session #5: July 17th – July 21st
  • Session #6: July 24th – July 28th
  • Session #7: July 31st – August 04th
  • Session #8: August 07th – August 11th
  • Session #9: August 14th – August 18th
  • Session #10: August 21st – August 25th

Surf campers getting ready to learn how to surf in Maine!

Sign Up

Adult Surf Camp

4-day evening program for adults aged 21+. Mon – Thu, 5:30-7:30pm. $375 per week.


2017 Adult Surf Camp Dates
  • Session #1: July 10th – July 13th
  • Session #2: July 24th – July 27th
  • Session #3: August 14th – August 17th
  • Session #4: August 28th – August 31st

Adult Surf Camp, Scarborough Beach, Maine

Sign Up

Surf + Climb Camp

Weekend day camp for kids & teens aged 9 to 17. Saturday/Sunday, 9am-3pm. $219/pp.


2017 Surf + Climb Camp Dates

  • Session #1: July 01st – July 02nd
  • Session #2: July 22nd – July 23rd
  • Session #3: August 12th – August 13th

Surf + Climb Camp with Surf Camp @ Salt Pump Climbing

We will of course also be offering both group and private surf lessons for kids and adults of all ages (9 and up). We offer half-day group surf lessons every Saturday morning from 9am to noon at Scarborough Beach, in addition to offering private and semi-private lessons Tuesday – Friday mornings starting in July. These are booked through our website and will become available for reservations starting in February.

January 23rd, 2016

Introducing Surf + Climb Camp

For the 2016 summer camp season, I’m excited to announce a collaborative weekend offering in conjunction with Salt Pump Climbing in Scarborough.

Salt Pump opened their new facility in the fall and the idea was hatched when I started climbing as an alternative to flat surf days. Being new to climbing, I found the challenge of climbing stimulating, and with many of Salt Pump’s staff also being surfers, it became clear that the symbiosis between surfing and climbing is strong.

Both surfing and climbing emphasize a relationship with our environment, and while each activity is usually enjoyed with other people, both are essentially individual pursuits that illicit total focus and presence of being.

There’s also a healthy physicality to both surfing and climbing that requires mind and body be in tune with one another in order to succeed and progress.

Surf + Climb Camp

As a result, I’m happy to introduce a series of Surf + Climb Camps that will take place over the weekends: these Saturday/Sunday programs will run from 9am to 3pm, starting out at Scarborough Beach to take full advantage of light morning winds (good for the surf) and then heading over to Salt Pump after lunch to climb.

As far as I know, it’s the first program of its kind in Maine. We have three weekends scheduled with a maximum of 12 people in each program:

  1. July 02nd/03rd
  2. July 16th/17th
  3. August 20th/21st

The program is designed to accommodate surfers and climbers of all levels. In the ocean, participants will learn from our team of experienced surf instructors and at the climbing facility, we will all learn (myself included) from the equally experienced climbers at Salt Pump. It’s going to be a ton of fun and I hope you’ll join us!

More information and online signups are available on the Surf + Climb page of our website. I look forward to seeing you in the water and ‘on the wall!’

- Dustin

- Learn More About Surf + Climb Camp

August 31st, 2015

Last Week of Surf Camp 2015

The last week of camp for the summer of 2015 did not disappoint. Beautiful weather and fun sized, glassy little walls were fun for everyone. And as the photos show, these guys are RIPPING! Check out Pearl (first photo), Anya (third photo), and Nic (fifth photo) — killing it! What a great way to cap off the summer.

Full gallery available here: Surf Camp 2015 – Session #10 Gallery

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Full gallery here

August 6th, 2015

Another Day, Another Wave…

I can’t believe we’re already through the first week of August… it always goes fast! The waves haven’t disappointed though and we’ve had a ton of good days this summer. Here are a few pics from this morning, session #7. Full gallery will follow soon.

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July 5th, 2015

2015 Season Leads Off With WAVES!

The 2015 season launched full speed ahead last week with waves aplenty. The first week of camp saw good waves and beautiful conditions, with lots of opportunities to challenge and exhilarate everyone.

Day #1 of the season brought clean stomach high surf that delivered consistent waves through the end of the week. And we couldn’t even believe it when Monday of week #2 brought even better waves that lasted right up until Friday afternoon.

Thanks everyone for an awesome kickoff to the season!

Photos from Week #1

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Full gallery here

April 21st, 2015

“Surfers Make Good People”

Another surfer once told me, in no uncertain terms, “surfers make good people.” We were chatting after a surf on the island of Lombok, one of Indonesia’s many surfing gems, and it was the kind of conversation that meanders along when you’re surfed out and don’t really have anything more pressing on the schedule.

We talked about the surf back home: Western Australia for him and not much in the way of comparison to our surf in Maine. He had been telling me about his plans to move from ‘West Oz’ with his Indonesian wife and open a guesthouse just up the road… the type of retirement plan that every surfer dreams about.

His pronouncement came after I told him about teaching kids to surf at Surf Camp. He blurted out with surprising excitement:

“Mate, good job! The world could use more surfers because surfers make good people.”

These are the highlights from the conversation that followed, which was about the life lessons that surfing teaches us.

 

Lesson 1: Rely on Yourself and Always be Humble

Surfing teaches confidence and humility simultaneously. Entering the ocean to ride waves means putting yourself in a position where you’re on your own. If you get into trouble, you can’t just hit the pause button to gather your thoughts.

In the ocean, the situation is always dynamic: in addition to pounding waves, surfing often means contending with rocks and reefs, strong currents, weather, wind, and (sometimes) sea-life. As any surfer knows, when a big set bears down there is nothing and no one that can help.

The ocean will humble the very best surfers.

As a result, surfing teaches us to rely on ourselves and have confidence in our capacity to overcome challenges. It teaches strength and resilience. But even more, surfing shows us our limits and teaches us to know and respect them.

The ocean will humble the very best surfers, and in fact, those surfers are usually the ones that stand most in awe of the ocean’s power.

 

Lesson 2: Cherish Nature

There are few pursuits that are so dependent on a close relationship with nature. After all, good waves are the result of weather events that happen thousands of miles away. They can’t be recreated or manufactured by man and as a result surfers are completely beholden to ‘Mother Nature.’

The Point, J-Bay. Photo: Dustin Turin.

Nature giving in abundance. Photo: Dustin.

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