"A surf camp buses kids to other beaches, and junior lifeguards travel up the coast from this California beach town plagued by cross-border sewage."

"At YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach last week, a group of middle schoolers spent their morning skateboarding, scaling a climbing tower and practicing archery. 

Then at noon, campers boarded a bus for a 40-minute drive up the coast to Mission Beach, where they jumped in the waves for the camp’s namesake activity: surfing.

Founded in 1969, Camp Surf has catered to generations of South San Diego kids, introducing them to water sports and outdoor activities. With its seaside location and surf hut motif, it’s the picture of Southern California beach life. 

But for the past few years waterfront access has been limited by persistent sewage pollution from Tijuana, forcing the camp to find a workaround."

Deborah Brennan reports for CalMatters July 13, 2026. [2]