FAQs
General frequently asked questions are listed below. For information regarding COVID-19, please refer to our COVID Information page. If you do not find the answer to your question, please reference the Parent Guide, email our Summer Camp Registrar at registrar@gdi.org, or call us at (909) 625-6194.
When should I sign up?
With a return rate of 75%, Sea Camp can fill up very quickly! Registration opens in late September or early October, with early registration incentives available until January 31st. Registration is always subject to availability, and we recommend that you sign up as soon as possible to reserve a spot in your preferred session.
Do you offer scholarships and/or financial aid?
Yes, a limited amount of need-based financial aid is available. Applications for financial aid should be received prior to March 1st for that year’s summer program. Please contact the Summer Camp Registrar at (909) 625-6194 for an application or more information.
My camper will be flying in from out of state. How will they get to Sea Camp?
Catalina Sea Camp does offer airport transportation for summer. We offer a pick-up and drop-off service for campers. There is a $50.00 charge each way for this service. All flight arrangements are to be made only to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). A Catalina Sea Camp staff member will meet them at the gate and escort them to the Long Beach Boat Terminal by bus. See our Transportation page for more information.
Can I write or e-mail my camper while they are at camp?
You can both write and e-mail your camper while they are at camp. Care Packages are discouraged and will be returned to you unopened. More information can be found on our Camper Communication page.
Can I call my camper while they are at camp?
You cannot call your camper while they are at camp. However, if there is an emergency or if you want a report on how your camper is doing, we encourage you to call the Camp Director. More details can be found on our Camper Communication page.
Can I visit my camper at camp?
No. In order to keep our camp population as safe and healthy as possible we will not be
hosting a Visitor’s Day for summer 2022.
If my camper has special needs, how are they accommodated?
We will make every effort to accommodate any special needs your camper may have. Please contact the appropriate Summer Camp Director (One-Week Director Jacqui Howe or Three-Week Director Paul Kupferman as soon as possible, and they will discuss any needs and issues with you. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Summer Camp Registrar or Summer Camp Directors by phone at our business office: (909) 625-6194.
How does the Camp Store work?
Before camp, you can set a camp store limit against a credit card, or by sending a check, separate from the tuition check, to the mainland office. We recommend a maximum of $100. The store then works on a debit system against the camper’s store credit. Your credit card is charged at the end of camp for any purchases made during camp up to the limit you set. For accounts paid by check, any money left in the store account once the session ends is returned. The store contains a variety of snacks, bottled water, and soda as well as Sea Camp themed shirts and sweatshirts, hats and personal hygiene items.
Are there laundry facilities available?
We have campers’ laundry professionally cleaned by a laundry service in the town of Avalon twice during the 3-week camp session. In the case of an emergency, an individual camper’s laundry can be done at the laundry facilities in camp.
What if there is a family emergency?
In case of an emergency or any essential communication, we are happy to arrange a time for your camper to be near a phone, as appropriate. Our camp secretary is on duty from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, and a staff member is assigned to answer the phone every night from 6:30 – 9 p.m. and on weekends. Additionally, the Summer Camp Director has a camp phone in their house 24 hours a day. Fox Landing can be reached at (310) 510-1890, and Toyon Bay can be reached at (310) 510-1622.
What is the daily camp schedule?
The general Sea Camp schedule is outlined below. Campers find this schedule rather easy to follow and usually get used to it within the first few days. Activities may start earlier or end later on certain days, and the schedule may change slightly due to any number of factors, but announcements about schedule and activity changes will be made at each meal. For more details about camp schedules, see the One-Week Program and Three-Week Program pages.
7 a.m. Rise and Shine
7:30 a.m. Announcements & Breakfast
8:15 a.m. Dorm Clean-up & Get Ready for Morning Classes
9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning Activities
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1 – 2 p.m. Chill Time & Camp Store
2 – 5 p.m. Afternoon Classes
5 – 6 p.m. Shower, Rest, & Relax
6 p.m. Dinner
6:30 – 8 p.m Rec Time & Camp Store
8 – 9:15 p.m. Evening Program (i.e., Crew Nights, Carnival, Dance, etc.)
9:30 – 10:30 p.m. Dorm Time
10:30 p.m. Lights Out
10 – 11 p.m. Extended Hours for Three-Week “C” Campers
What is the Sea Camp Dining Hall like?
Our food service staff provides three high-quality, well-balanced meals per day. Meals always include a variety of options, including vegetarian items and a salad bar. Campers eat in our dining hall with a counselor at each table.
We also often dine in our barbecue area, where campers sit at picnic tables and eat buffet-style. Barbecues are favorites among campers and staff alike, where the food service staff freshly prepares amazing meals like grilled chicken, hamburgers, ribs, fajitas, stir fry, even eggs and pancakes at breakfast, right in front of the campers and staff! The food service staff does a great job of changing the menu often and providing the campers with a wide variety of meals during the session. The food is high quality, and there is always plenty of it! The kitchen also provides a variety of snacks and beverages to campers throughout the day and at night.
We do our utmost to accommodate food allergies and special dietary needs. If this is an issue, you are encouraged to contact the appropriate Summer Camp Director by email (One-Week Director Jacqui Howe or Three-Week Director Paul Kupferman) or at our business office: (909) 625-6194.
Please DO NOT send additional food and/or snacks with your camper as these attract insects and rodents in the dormitories.