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    Campus By The Sea

    4.7 (20 reviews)
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    Christine C.

    Amazing family camp! We brought our three teen children for the first time last summer and it was truly unforgettable. My husband attended Campus by the Sea family camp as a child and wanted his children to have the same experience. We plan on going again this summer and are bringing his parents with us! If you want to create memories with your children that will last and lifetime and build a legacy of godliness that will continue to your grandchildren, the I highly recommend registering for Campus by the Sea!

    5/2019
    Jen S.

    UPDATE as of OCT. 2019 Updated details are quoted corrections as requested by the business owner and they're details to better help anyone else planning an excursion. --Transportation is not provided by Catalina Express - it is a research vessel operated by the Long Beach Marine Institute. That's why your voyage was a little rougher. But LBMI's vessel, "Challenger," does have touch tanks on board for the kids to examine sea life sampled from the ocean's floor. Weather may have been too rough to allow this for your group. --In-house we refer to OTS as "Opportunity To Serve" --CBS is just the host facility for The Long Beach Marine Institute which provided your transportation to the camp and all the instructional and supervision elements of your experience. Campus by the Sea provided the meals, lodging, care for facilities and snack shop. *Readers might want to know that they initiate the Long Beach Marine Institute to line up a similar event. https://www.yelp.com/biz/long-beach-marine-institute-long-beach ----------------------------------- INITIAL REVIEW MAY 2019 Advice for future Catalina campers if you visit here in May: TAKE DRAMAMINE/ Motion Sickness Medicine if needed. Our boat ride to the island was VERY choppy and wet!!! Waves sprayed on the top deck. DRESS IN WARM & COMFORTABLE LAYERS When it got windy and cloudy it was pretty COLD BRING A WARM SLEEPING BAG BRING WATER SHOES (rocky beach) BRING EXTRA SOCKS & Clothes (at least 2-3 extra outfits) PUT YOUR NAMES ON EVERYTHING (Sooo much was left behind on the cabin floors, the ground, shower stalls, pj's dropped on the way to the showers, etc. BRING A RELIABLE FLASHLIGHT!!! No lights at night. They ran out of lanterns. ALSO a good idea to have shower items in easy to carry bag and another bag to keep clothes dry once in the restroom/shower. BRING BUG SPRAY/LOTION/CHAPSTICK (very dry air) SNACK BAR HRS after meals or during free play. Snack shop had chips, candy, ice cream, souvenirs, sweatshirts, hats, flip flops NO CELL PHONES We had lost phones (in the water)&chargers, so to avoid losing them don't bring them. Kids have a phone within reach, at their use at any time during the day and there was plenty of downtime to make calls home. WATERPROOF cameras advised or have one of those clear pouches attached to a necklace so kids can keep their hands free while they're exploring. STAFF are first-aid-trained. They ring a bell to cue the next activity.They may or may not give the kids a heads up, so they should just always be ready for the activity coming up. I'm sure each camper's experience is different, but here is the gist of our 3- day 7th Grader Itinerary with about 120 middle school kids and our chaperones. EACH DAY's DETAILS ARE NOTED IN MY INITIAL REVIEW FEOM MAY 2019

    Daniel C.

    A place to rejuvenate and be spiritually fed. I've been coming her on and off since 1996 and have enjoyed every moment. I have fond memories of this place.

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    13 years ago

    A wonderful place. Staff makes it their mission to serve you. Well maintained and always improving. Best camp food ever.

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    Review Highlights - Campus By The Sea

    We have been attending CBS as family campers for a week each summer for the last 15 years or so.

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    Catalina Island Marine Institute - Bunk 23. 6 bunk beds, 1 electrical outlet by the back door. Wood floors splinter, so you'll need flipflops.

    Catalina Island Marine Institute

    3.8(43 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I just got back yesterday from chaperoning middle school kids at CIMI, Fox Landing…read more My 5 star review is for the activities we did as well as the incredibly passionate, patient, and knowledgeable staff we got to work with, Brenna and Sofie. As a company, I hope you acknowledge, compensate generously, and appreciate the staff on your team for their hard work and dedication to the people who visit your camp and for giving us the experiences we have that make us want to send our kids the following years. It is them, and their talents, that turn a 2-star facility into a 5-star experience. I can not emphasize that last sentence enough, so a little louder for the people in the back: BRENNA AND SOFIE TURNED YOUR 2-STAR FACILITY INTO A 5-STAR EXPERIENCE. Our school signed up for intro to snorkeling, a night snorkel, a second day snorkel with play time (jumping off the floater), tide pooling, the large air swing, and kayaking. I read quite a few of the 1-3 star reviews from years past and could not disagree with them more. Could the facilities be upgraded? Yes. Should they be? Maybe. But this is camp. Have none of you gone camping before?? Camping is dirty. It is dusty. There are bugs. You're lucky when there are flushing toilets. This isn't a hotel with maids! And all of these kids- they could all use a lesson or two on cleaning up after themselves. You want the bathrooms to be clean? Teach your kids to not piss on the seat. You want camp floors clean? Teach your kids to shake off sand before coming in, and how to sweep the floors. It was embarrassing to see how many 13yo didn't know how to sweep the cafeteria of the food THEY DROPPED ONTO THE FLOOR 5 mins ago. I felt like all of these things, they were learning experiences for the kids and the ones that complained the most needed the lessons the most. The only time I had a real concern during the camp was during the night snorkeling; as the chaperone, I had a few minutes of panic when I felt claustrophobic as half of the kids (Sofie and I were watching 16 13yos) were climbing on top of me/the boogie board I was given, and the secondary chaperone, not a strong swimmer, also started to drag on me. During the night dives, I wonder if it would be possible to provide not just a buddy system, but have a handful of body boards provided to the kids? Some of these kids have 0 swim skills and not knowing if school-appointed chaperones are good swimmers, taking 16 kids into the ocean at night, hoping for the best... feels like there could be a couple extra measures in place. Food was sufficient- it was all "edible" and while I did see kids eating only cereal all three days, I also saw kids piling up their plates and eating it all. I did wish there was a way to keep the hundreds of small black fruit flies off of the salad greens and broccoli in the salad bar. Our rooms were inspected upon departure and another school did arrive by boat as we were departing. This means that the only cleaning done for bathrooms/cabins was by our departing kids, so my advice for future parents sending their kids- pack clorox wipes so your kid can wipe down the plastic mattress before setting up their bed and to wipe the toilet seat before their cheeks touch the pee-splattered seats. Pack crocs so they have shower slippers- shower floors were really gross. Know in advance that your kids will be wearing recently-pissed-in wetsuits, about 2 hours after another kid has worn them- but I'm going to guess this is true for every single rental gear dive spot at any vacation destination. And also know that they'll have a great time at camp.

    I've sent my kids, nephews and recommended to friends. The program is top shelf! They deliver fun,…read moreadventure, and space for kids to be be kids.

    Photos
    Catalina Island Marine Institute - Bunkbeds

    Bunkbeds

    Catalina Island Marine Institute
    Catalina Island Marine Institute - Tide pooling. We caught a moray eel and many little crabs.

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    Tide pooling. We caught a moray eel and many little crabs.

    Catalina Sea Camp - Beachfront

    Catalina Sea Camp

    4.3(11 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    To improve, 1.when you say the class schedule is going to be emailed on Friday then send it…read more Instead, told on Friday will get it when we arrive. We asked when we arrive to drop off still no list of what they are doing and when. 2. Just pretend that Jacque might care when kids are bullying your child. He went to her the first day and said he needed a new cabin because the kids were mean and the counselor in the cabin and she refused. Pretty much said handle it. After that he did not want to go to any of the classes he signed up for because there was always one of the kids from the bullies in that class. Then it was hard because there was no direction on the classes for a kid with dyslexia. I could go on and on but I'll just say unless your child or teen is going with a friend find a different camp.

    Both my sons went to Catalina Sea Camp one week session. My 9 year old has adhd I was told by Jaqui…read morethat they are not counselors or therapists so they cannot accommodate him. My 11 year old was accused of cussing at a camper and jaqui made him sit out for the last day of camp. I spoke to my son and he told me he didnt cuss and I believe him when I asked him how camp was he told me he wasn't having fun and that Jaqui was mean to him based off of her connection with the other camper. I thought my kids were going to have a great experience instead it was the total opposite when I asked to speak to my son jaqui hung up the phone. I called back and asked to speak to a supervisor. Spoke with a gentleman named Paul I will say that Paul was respectful and very understanding and willing to fix the situation I think they should fire Jaqui to be honest. Ruining a child's summer experience based off hear say is totally not fair. Just want to give parents a heads up before they send their kid.

    Camp Cherry Valley - Island Gray fox

    Camp Cherry Valley

    4.1(7 reviews)
    10.7 mi

    What's up: The first time I came to Camp Cherry Valley, I was with my Venture Crew to experience…read moreone week of resident camp fun. This time around, my troop and I are here to help them out with trail restoration after they experienced heavy rains and mudslides. Access: We traveled via the Catalina Express from San Pedro to Two Harbors. It was about an hour ride. Environment: With all the rain, this was the first time I've seen the place look so green! It's gorgeous out here even though it was a bit overgrown in some areas. The water was cold but refreshing. We spent a good majority of the time shoveling dirt around, but it was worth the hard work. Campsites are on raised platforms with each tarp tent having 2 cots each. Since they are not completely enclosed, critters can sneak in through the openings. Kybo (restrooms/shower area) is located further up the hill. The mess hall is located near the parade grounds and the lovely Sea Breeze campfire ring overseas the beach. Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. It's always nice to visit CCV. When the camp is up and running, there are plenty of activities to do. From archery, catamaran sailing, kayaking, rifle shooting, snorkeling, and more! Scouts attending this camp will have a great experience.

    For 99 years, Camp Cherry Valley has been one of the premier BSA camps on the West Coast of the…read moreUnited States. Located just west of the isthmus on Catalina Island, Cherry Valley has been offering an outstanding summer camp experience for generations. Campers arrive at two harbors by boat, and then hike about a mile along the Catalina coastal trail until they arrive at camp. The facility includes canvas side/wood-floor tents with steel-frame cots, an archery range, a shooting sports/firearms range for BBs and .22 rifles for the older scouts, a state of the art kitchen and dining facility, an incredible waterfront with swim beach, canoes, kayaks, and snorkeling gear, and arguably one of the most beautiful campfire areas in the world. I recently visited this camp with my children and our Cub Scout pack, and all of the kids had a great time. More than 35 years ago, I visited the camp as a Cub Scout myself, and we have fond memories of that trip. At that time, there was still a population of wild pigs on the island, and at night they would visit our campsites and eat the cherries that had fallen from the trees... Along with any food that scouts were foolish enough to leave in their bags or around their sleeping areas. These days, the pigs are all gone, but island gray foxes and other critters will get into your food if you're not careful. All part of the experience. The camp staff and volunteers are outstanding, well trained, and excellent with supporting youth from all backgrounds and ages. All of this, of course, is set in the beautiful backdrop of Catalina island, with her crystal clear waters for snorkeling, abundant underwater wildlife, and fresh air blowing off the sea. Next year, camp Cherry Valley will celebrate it's 100 year anniversary. Here's to many more years of excellent summer program for generations to come.

    Photos
    Camp Cherry Valley - Parade grounds and the dining hall

    Parade grounds and the dining hall

    Camp Cherry Valley - Sunrise view towards the waterfront

    Sunrise view towards the waterfront

    Camp Cherry Valley - Island subspecies of California quail

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    Island subspecies of California quail

    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

    4.4(14 reviews)
    100.3 mi

    BEST WEDDING VENUE EVER!…read more My husband and I dreamed of a wedding where everyone could stay together onsite, immersed in nature, with no worries about driving after a night of fun, and Camp Osito Rancho made that dream a reality. Our families stayed in the health center, lodge, and electrified cabins, while our friends embraced the adventure of summer cabins and tents. The venue offers so many stunning spaces, from the spacious dining hall for meals to the stage/amphitheater with fire pits--perfect for s'mores and late-night stories. We exchanged vows at the top of a hill near the outdoor pavilion, with a gorgeous backdrop of pine trees and a view of Big Bear Lake in the distance. We were able to offer our guests camp activities like archery and a pool day, as well as had room to setup other activities like craft tables and lawn games. The biggest perk was the complete freedom to choose our own vendors, allowing us to create a truly personalized experience (huge shoutout to Scratch Kitchen for catering--our guests still rave about the food). We spent a year making signs, collecting décor, buying solar lights, and crafting to transform this Girl Scout camp into a full-blown wedding festival. If you're up for planning the details, this venue is the ultimate blank canvas. Last but not least, the Camp Osito Rancho team is absolutely amazing. A huge thanks to Angel for her help throughout the year, Ryan for his help throughout the weekend, and to Gerardo for the tour that sold us from the start. For a wedding that feels like an unforgettable getaway, this place is pure magic

    Amazing camp!! Came with sweet elite Girl Scouts 2020. My daughter canoed, rode horses, zip lined,…read morelearned archery. So many activities. Well worth the work. Beautiful campsite.

    Photos
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

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    Camp Adventurewood - Archery is always one of the campers' favorite activities at Camp Adventurewood.

    Camp Adventurewood

    4.8(40 reviews)
    56.8 mi
    79 years in business
    Locally owned & operated

    My son attended his first season at Camp Adventurewood in 2023 - it was his first experience at a…read moresummer camp and he was a little nervous and shy but all his counselors made him feel so welcome and comfortable and after the first day he was hooked! He loved the variety of activities and made so many new friends. He came home with fun stories each day. I loved that they offered a variety of options from 2 days/week to 5 days. We returned last summer and an unexpected and sudden medical event threw our summer for a loop. They were beyond kind and accommodating. Michael, the owner, personally made sure we were taken care of at a very scary time and was just incredibly kind and communicative. I can't thank him and his staff enough for the support. I would recommend this camp for any family. Its like a classic, old-school summer day camp experience!

    My son attended Adventurewood camp for the first time this week. For the most part he enjoyed…read morehimself -- particularly the characters they introduce throughout the week. However, we decided to pull him out for next week because of a very disturbing situation. He shared that a counselor had pushed him with both hands on his shoulders during a capture the flag activity. He had dropped his flag and was putting it back on when a counselor (he didn't know her name) pushed him back hard enough to make him lose his balance and fall. She also barked "you need to reset!" She didn't ask if he was ok or help him up. You'd think if this was an accidental push and he fell over she would say something like "sorry bud are you ok? Here let me help you up" but nope, not a word. A friend he's attending camp with witnessed the whole incident. Since I pick them both up in the afternoons they both recounted this situation to me and both of them noted how inappropriate her behavior was. I immediately reached out to Michael, the owner of the camp. He said he wanted to identify this counselor and get her side of the story. Understandable. My son felt uncomfortable going back the next day but I reassured him it would be handled and offered to drop him off in the morning and stick around to talk to Michael and the counselor. I wanted him to feel safe. Michael identified her (her name is Carson) and said he wanted to talk to her first, which he did a few feet away from me. I heard her say she didn't push him. They then walked over to me and she again denied everything. So we asked both kids to come over and recount what happened. They both did -- in front of her -- and reiterated she pushed him. She denied even touching him. So Michael suggests at this point that perhaps it was an accident and my son responds by saying "how do you push someone like that by accident?!" No response. So I ask her, are you saying these kids are lying? She again said she didn't touch him and at this point we send the kids away. I'm incensed because not only does she gaslight both of them to their face but tells this bold faced lie to her boss in front of the campers and me. I tell her I believe them and I think she's the one lying. At this point she gives me this dirty look - angry, irritated and almost rolls her eyes at me. I turn to Michael and say "and now she's giving ME an attitude?!" Unbelievable. In a follow up call, he tells me how good of a person she is and that this is shocking for him to hear but that she doesn't seem like someone who would do something like this...that she's getting her teacher credentials and he knows her really well. I am getting the vibe he doesn't actually believe any of this and he sounds very skeptical. I respond by telling him that it's almost always surprising when people exhibit bad behavior and that even teachers do bad things...that doesn't make her any more credible in my eyes. He acknowledged that. In fact, it's worse because I would be really concerned to have someone like that teaching a kid. Lack of empathy, accountability, and integrity. I mean, I think it's great he's trying to have her back but there are moments in life when you need to draw a line and act swiftly...these are one of those moments. Because ultimately, this impacts the reputation of your camp. I told him that it would be good to offer training to his staff in case this ever happens again in the future and honestly he sounded baffled and asked me to clarify...I said well maybe tell your staff not to give dirty looks to a mom who's clearly upset that her son just got pushed by a grown adult at summer camp?? I told him that the response to this situation could've resulted in a totally different outcome. Had she said something like "I really don't recall pushing you but if I inadvertently did and made you feel bad I'm sorry - I didn't mean to do that" - I would've went home that morning feeling fine about the situation. When I told him this he said that he's not going to police all her reactions, that she's still young, that she's still learning and made all kinds of excuses for her. Exhausting. Apparently she got a "warning" and will sit out of the flag activity (umm, ok...). He seems like a smart guy and wish him nothing but success in the future and I was earnestly trying to offer advice for how to handle a situation like this better but it fell on deaf ears. I really hope that some kind of learning comes out of this for both of them. Oh and to top it off, my son's friend told her mom that Carson was giving her looks several times throughout the day today and when she asked what kind she said "side eye" looks. NOT COOL. My son also said she was kind of mean to him but wondering why they were even in close proximity when Michael said they'd absolutely be separated and would not see each other? Validates we both made the right choice by pulling them both out. He offered a refund but I'm still pissed about the situation.

    Photos
    Camp Adventurewood - Campers row their canoes in search of battery-operated fish.

    Campers row their canoes in search of battery-operated fish.

    Camp Adventurewood - The campers erupt in cheers at Camp Adventurewood!

    The campers erupt in cheers at Camp Adventurewood!

    Camp Adventurewood - Megan and Giovanni's Troop of campers arrive at the campsite.

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    Megan and Giovanni's Troop of campers arrive at the campsite.

    Campus By The Sea - campgrounds - Updated August 2026

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