Teen Sleepaway Surf Camp in Bolinas, California

A typical day starts at 9am with a buffet breakfast at the house: eggs, bacon or sausages, cereal, oatmeal, toast, bagels, fruit, yogurt and waffles. At 9:55am the group drives down to surf camp. From 10am to 3pm they join the regular surf camp schedule, with a packed lunch on the beach. After camp ends, it is back to the house for a snack and a rest from 3pm to 4pm.

From 4pm to 6pm the overnight group heads out for a West Marin adventure. That could be an extra surf or boogie board session, ice cream at Stinson Beach, shopping in Point Reyes, a hike to Jack's Creek or tide pooling. Dinner is at 6pm — fajitas, stir fry, pasta or BBQ — followed by a movie at 7pm. Campers are in the cabin by 10pm and lights out at 11pm.

The surf instruction happens during the day camp hours, and campers who still have energy can get an extra evening surf session in. All equipment is provided, so there is no need to bring a board or wetsuit. Instructors are with the group throughout, including the evening activities.

What sets this apart from a standard surf camp is the overnight element and the small group size. It is not a large commercial camp — the group stays together in a backyard glamp setup, eats meals cooked at the house, and spends the evenings exploring the coast rather than being bused home. The camp is based in Bolinas, a small town in West Marin, with Stinson Beach, Point Reyes and Agate Beach all a short drive away.

The camp is run by Pacific Coast Surf Lessons. The page does not name individual instructors or list certifications, but the programme is described as supervised by experienced instructors and camp leaders. The company has been operating surf lessons and camps in Bolinas for years, with separate programmes for kids, teens and adults.

Sessions are split by age and gender. Teen boys (13-16) and teen girls (13-16) each get a 5-day/4-night week for 085. Pre-teen girls (11-13) get a 4-day/3-night session for $875. Dates run through June, July and August. Several sessions are already full, and at least one has a single spot left, so early booking matters.

What's included

- Full days of surf camp with all equipment provided - Sleeping accommodations in Bolinas (heated cedar shack with bunk bed cots) - Homemade meals, snacks and drinks - 24-hour access to indoor facilities - Guided hikes and West Marin activities - Campfires and movie nights - Daily West Marin adventures (Stinson Beach, Point Reyes, Agate Beach, Jack's Creek) - Supervision by experienced instructors and camp leaders

What's not included

- Transport to and from Bolinas - Personal expenses - Travel insurance - Any items not listed as included