Summer Plans Intro

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And we're back with another episode of Unlocking Huntington Beach. What's going on? My name is Lane Stone, and we have another good one for you today. If you're a parent in Huntington Beach trying to figure out what to do with the kids this summer, this is going to be the episode for you. Summer break is here, and if you need ideas beyond it, just go outside. I've got you covered. Today we're talking summer camps, beach days, nature walks, bike rides, indoor stops, outdoor movies, and a few local programs that can help keep kids busy, active, and off the couch for at least part of the day. Welcome back to Unlocking Huntington Beach. Let's get into it.

Camp HB Overview

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First up, we're going to be talking about Huntington Beach Camp, Camp HB. This is one you're going to want to know. Camp HB is hosted through the city of Huntington Beach at Murdy Community Center. Murdy Community Center is located at 7000 or 7000 Norma Drive. It's designed for kids ages 6 to 12 and runs from June 15th. So it's already running through August 21st, 2026. Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., which makes it a helpful option for working parents or anyone looking for a full-day summer program. Each week includes themed games, crafts, team challenges, dress up days, and activities. Campers also get the chance to build friendships, stay active, and create some actual summer memories that are not just iPad battery percentages.

Camp Options and LIT

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There are two main options. The three-day camp runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and costs $135. Early drop off is $15 and late pickup is also $15. Now the five-day camp runs Monday through Friday and costs $221. This option includes all of the fun of the three-day camp plus off-site excursions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Early drop-off is $25 and late pickup is also $25. If you need something flexible, the three-day option could be a good fit, but if you want the full week experience with field trips included, the five-day option gives kids a little more adventure. Personally, some of my favorite childhood memories were on field trips just like these at similar type camps. Now, Camp HB also has a teen leader in training program for ages 13 to 17. This is designed for teens who want to build leadership skills, help with camp activities, and get hands-on recreation experience. The three-day LIT or LIT program is $40 and the five-day program is $85. Interested teens do need to complete and submit an application.

Weekly Themes Spotlight

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As for the themes, Camp HB has a different one each week. For example, Sports Spectacular is perfect for kids who love games, team challenges, and staying active. Then there's the Superhero Academy, which lets campers take on team challenges, action-packed games, crafts, and dress-up days to close out the summer. So instead of every week feeling exactly the same, kids get a new theme and a new experience throughout the summer.

Junior Lifeguards and Bonfires

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Now, if you want something outside of camp, Huntington Beach is basically built for beach and nature days. One of the biggest summer activities for kids is junior lifeguards. This is a great option for kids who want to build ocean safety skills, gain confidence in the water, and learn more about surf and beach conditions. It's especially helpful in a beach town like Huntington Beach, where knowing how to respect the ocean is not just fun, it's important. I personally had the opportunity of joining junior lifeguards here in HB, and it was awesome. Being at the beach every day, learning life-saving skills such as CPR and rescuing drowning victims, being in the water and fun things like jumping off the pier, which I don't even know if they still do that these days, was amazing. Nevertheless, if you have the opportunity to do junior lifeguards, I highly recommend that you do it. Another classic summer activity is a bonfire and s'mores night. Families can rent or use fire pits at Huntington State Beach or Bolsa Chica and make an evening out of it with dinner, snacks, and beach time. Now, when I say rent, yes, to avoid needing to get to the beach at 5 a.m., you can reserve a pit ahead of time. There are only a few to choose from, but securing one will definitely minimize stress. We're going to put the link to reserve the pits in the show notes. But having a beach bonfire is simple, fun, and usually a kid favorite because apparently putting marshmallows near a fire is still one of society's most successful inventions.

Bolsa Chica and Bike Path

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Another great option is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. You can take a peaceful walk along the trails and look for birds, stingrays, and marine life in the shallow waters. It's a slower-paced activity, but it's a great way to get kids outside, teach them about local wildlife, and do something that feels a little different from a regular beach day. If your kids have the energy to burn, and most of them somehow do, there are plenty more outdoor activities around Huntington Beach. The Strand Bike Path is a great one. You can rent bikes or surreys and ride along the paved oceanfront path that stretches from Sunset Beach toward the Santa Ana River Trail. It's a fun way to get outside, see the coast, and turn a regular day into something more memorable.

Central Park and Nature Center

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Huntington Central Park is another easy go-to. You can pack a picnic, visit the playground, walk around the park, or stop by Shipley Nature Center for a more educational nature walk. The Shipley Nature Center, in my opinion, is a hidden gem and 100% worth a visit. We'll put a link in the show notes if you want to check out a little more behind-the-scenes info on it before going. And you can see it on our Instagram page at UnlockingHB. But Central Park is one of those spots where you can keep it simple and still make a full morning or afternoon out of it. It's also a good option for families who want something outdoors, but not necessarily a full beach day with sand in every possible

More Camps and Indoor Picks

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place. And when you need something more structured or just need to escape the sun for a little bit, there are also different camps and indoor options. The Boys and Girls Club of Huntington Valley offers weekly specialty summer programs. These can include things like Lego activities, sports camps, science camps, themed adventures, and other hands-on programs for kids. This is a good option for families looking for variety, especially if your child has a specific interest. You can also check out City of Huntington Beach Sands recreation programs. The Sands catalog is where you'll find city hosted programs like sports, arts, educational classes, and other summer activities. We will have the link in the show notes to the HB Sands catalog. It's a good place to look if you want something official, local, and organized by category. You can also go to hbsands.org. Another indoor stop to keep in mind is the International Surfing Museum. It's a smaller outing and it's a fun way for kids to learn more about Huntington Beach's surf history and culture. Especially if you have family visiting or want to mix something educational into the week. It's an easy local stop.

Summer Movies Schedule

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I also want to talk about the summer movie series. Huntington Beach has a summer movie series coming up, and I'm personally excited for this. They've even thrown in a couple millennial classics in there, such as Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Little Rascals. These movies will be played at Murdy Park, Edison Park, Lake Park, and Worthy Park. The other two movies that are going to be featured are Minecraft and Despicable Me 4. All of the dates and times will be in the show notes or can be found on our Instagram page at UnlockingHB. But I will still read them off here. On July 10th, we have Honey I Shrunk the Kids at Murdy Park. July 24th, we have Little Rascals at Edison Park. On August 7th, the Minecraft movie is going to be featured at Lake Park. And August 21st, Despicable Before, at Worthy Park. Pre-show activities begin at 7 p.m. I'll

Wrap Up and Parent Checklist

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be there, I'll be giving away some goodies, and I hope you will join us. In closing, the best way to plan summer in Huntington Beach is to mix full-day programs with simple local activities. You don't need every day to be a massive production. Some days some days can be camp HB, some days can be beach, some days can be a bike ride, a picnic, or a walkthrough Bolsa Chica. And some days can be an indoor museum stop or a city recreation class. The goal is to have a few different categories ready beach and nature, active outdoor options, structured camps, and indoor activities. That way when the kids are bored, you're not panic searching things to do with kids near me while everyone is already melting down. Before you sign up for anything this summer, here are a few things parents should check. Number one, and this is for the camps, confirm the dates, age requirements, pricing, and registration details. Number two, for camp HB specifically, you're gonna want to check whether you need early drop-off or late pickup and decide whether the three-day or five-day option makes the most sense for your schedule. Number three, if you're choosing the five-day camp, review the field trip schedule and make sure your child is comfortable with all of the off-site excursions. There are several good ones to choose from. And for number four, for your beach days, you're gonna want to check parking, pack sunscreen, bring water, and plan around the crowds. And number five, for bike rides, make sure everyone has a helmet and that the route makes sense for your kids' age and comfort level. For number six, city programs or specialty camps, you're gonna want to register if you can because good options do tend to fill up quickly. So if you're planning summer with kids in Huntington Beach, there are plenty of ways to keep the season fun. Camp HBA is a strong local option for full-day camp, junior lifeguards, bonfires, Bolsa Chica, bike rides, Huntington Central Park, boys and girls club programs, the Sands Recreation Classes, outdoor movies, and the International Surfing Museum all give families different ways to build out the summer. Whether your kids love sports, nature, beach days, crafts, or just need something to do, Huntington Beach has a ton to work with. As always, thank you so much for watching Unlocking

Final Thanks and Sign Off

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Huntington Beach. Make sure to like, follow, subscribe, and send this to a parent who's already trying to survive their summer break. Each and every week, I love leaving you with the same thing do good. Huntington Beach deserves it, and I'll see you on the next one.