If your child likes to hang ten, he may love surfing camp. Surfing camps, located along the seashore, teach kids a range of techniques for the sport, from beginner basics to advanced teachings. Targeted at kids ages five to ten and even into their teens, summer beach camps are all about fun, sand, sun, surfing and ocean awareness. Campers gain a healthy respect of the water, learning how to get up on a surf board, ride a wave and take all safety precautions necessary.   

Counselor Certifications: All course instructors should be C.P.R. and First-Aid trained and certified. Some are current surfing competition stars, while others are retired coaches. Some are college students. Whatever the case, they should boast many years of experience.

What to Ask the Camp Director: Inquire as to what the instructor to student ratio is. In some camps, it's as low as 1 to 4. You want low numbers here to ensure personalized attention.

Highlights: Some examples of fun itineraries for surfing camps include sun protection awareness, stretching, basic surfboard handling, how to stand up on a board, fundamentals, paddling, surfing etiquette, tricks and maneuvers demonstrations, and discussion topics such as current surfing events.