Project Surf Camp is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational, nonprofit organization designed specifically for individuals with special needs. While great strides have been made in recent years to increase access to goods and services for special needs individuals, opportunities for leisure or recreational activities are often still difficult to access.Sometimes we forget, especially living on the coast, that not everyone has experienced the ocean. One group in particular that has been deprived of such a privilege is those persons with disabilities. Our hope is to introduce people to the water who would otherwise never receive such an opportunity.
Project Surf Camp uses surfing, the beach, and other ocean activities as an educational modality to build self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in individuals with special needs. We further provide opportunities to build social skills, improve physical fitness, develop healthy outlets for stress reduction, and foster independence.
To keep costs minimal for participants of the four-hour day camp, a volunteer staff is employed for the one-to-one instruction. In addition, unlike similar camps, part of our focus is also on specialist intervention. As a result, camp participants will also receive consultation, feedback, and support from two paid specialists. Camper fees are minimal with one quarter of our annual budget generated from participant enrollment fees. The remainder of the budget is funded through private solicitations, grants, and fundraisers.
All photos provided by Mike Jones from AZHIAZIAM