Some of my favorite memories are from time I spent at the beach. Playing in the water, riding long, smooth, peeling waves, feeling the surge of energy just sitting in the shallows, connecting with others in the purest of ways, with the purest of emotions.

The simplicity extracted from the complexities and physics and timing that make riding a wave happen is astounding. All the things that come together to be in that place at the right time are mind boggling. Having the opportunity to make that happen for someone else is an unimaginable gift from the universe. Taking the time and giving of yourself to create that opportunity for a child in need is a priceless note of selflessness.

We long for a fun, relaxing day at the beach because it’s soothing, it’s refreshing, it’s a gift. Most of us just have to decide to go. Pack up a few things and hit it.

Imagine if you weren’t allowed to go. Because of liability concerns (injuries, insurance), most of the 4400 kids in foster care, in San Diego alone, don’t get that opportunity. Someone else would have to take on that risk, that liability should something happen to that child while participating in those activities.

Many of these kids are in a cycle of visiting with therapists and case workers on top of moving around homes or care facilities and then trying to keep up with school work. It’s no wonder that 90% of kids in foster care enter the system at least one year behind in school. Some of these kids are even actively involved in the court system, testifying against a parent or family member involved in their abuse or neglect.

Urban Surf 4 Kids is a volunteer run, volunteer and grant funded and volunteer dependent non-profit organization that serves foster youth through water based activities. Our insurance covers each child that attends one of our events so they can do what kids want to do. Have fun at the beach.

A day at the beach with us is just a brief respite in a life of struggle, but it’s a day that these kids can see that an entire group of strangers and friends can become a family, Ohana, and lift each others’ spirits and shine a light of hope and love on kids who deserve that and so much more.

Many of our kids make a connection here, some for the first time, that can be life changing. It can shine a light on the darkness that can be overwhelming at times. Some of these amazing kids continue with our Ohana and help to change the lives of others.

This may be “Just a Surf Camp”, but that’s exactly how we like it.

Join us for our next event on June 17th at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach to surf with the SoCal Surf Dogs.

With over 100 volunteers who signed up it’s hard to remember everyone, but I met Katy and Jess at Uncorked and here they were helping kids in and out of wetsuits, I met Keisha in Oahu on our DOA trip and here she was connecting with our kids, I met Augustine, Sebastian, Will, Jose and so many others for the first time, I saw so many people again for the first time in a very long time, Ian, Brad, Rex and so many others. Mucho Mahalo Urban Surf 4 Kids and everyone here volunteered, who gave of themselves and their time for da kids.

-mg :0)