For interested students under 12 years of age, please inquire prior to registering!
We want to ensure that all students are fully capable of participating in all Jr. Waterman Camp activities happily and independently. Jr. Waterman Camp is designed to have a high-level of activity, and we are often faced with challenging weather conditions. Our goal is to foster your child’s love for the water, not deter it. Please reach out to [email protected] to determine if your child is ready for camp this season!
Back for its 15th season, Jr. Waterman Camp is the Great Lakes’ premier surf & water adventure camp for the aspiring waterman!
Designed and led by passionate water people, this one-of-a-kind program is built around the power and many moods of Lake Michigan. Because we can’t make waves — and we certainly can’t control the weather — each day at camp becomes a new adventure guided by whatever conditions the lake provides.
At the heart of Jr. Waterman Camp is learning to adapt, observe, and move confidently in open water. Campers develop a deeper connection to the lake while building essential water awareness and safety skills that stay with them long after camp ends.
While we love to score waves, the lake often has other plans — which opens the door to even more ways to experience the water. Depending on the day’s conditions, campers might chase freshwater waves on a surf safari, paddle beneath the towering Sleeping Bear Dunes, explore a winding river, practice breath control and underwater skills, learn rescue technique, or team up with new friends on the Supsquatch.
No matter what the lake delivers, every day is about expanding confidence, curiosity, and learning the ways of the waterman. Leave it up to the wind… and a little positive energy.
What to expect: Jr. Waterman Camp is designed to test, strengthen, and encourage our student’s abilities to embrace the wild of the water, while holding a major emphasis on safety and FUN. This high-energy, high-vibe camp is packed full of various lessons on water safety, stewardship, etiquette, and all things Surf, SUP, Swim, Breath, and Free-Dive. Anticipate action-packed days, that will both challenge your child, and further transform them into competent, passionate Great Lakes Watermen.
Jr. Waterman Camp runs rain or shine. For safety, Camp will only be cancelled in the event of thunder or lightning. If severe weather requires a cancellation, we will reschedule that session to the closest available day that week (Tuesday or Thursday).
Camp operates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm
Meeting location will depend on the weather and activity of the day. Camp location will be, at maximum, within 25 miles of Empire Public Beach. Parents will be notified of drop-off and pick-up locations by 6:00pm the day prior to each camp day.
What’s included: All daily gear rental, top-quality instruction at an instructor to student ratio of ~1:5, rental coupons for the whole family to use on down-days, exclusive in-store discounts, camp-exclusive swag, and endless knowledge, confidence, & memories to keep fueling your child’s sense of adventure.
Families who register on or before April 15 may choose to pay in full or reserve their camper’s spot with a 50% deposit ($285). The remaining balance will be automatically charged on April 15. Beginning April 16, full tuition is required at the time of registration to reserve a spot.
Payment Plans: If spreading payments out over time would make registration easier for your family, we’re happy to help. Please reach out to [email protected] and we can arrange a payment schedule that works for you.
Scholarships: We believe every child should have the opportunity to build confidence and strong water safety awareness on the Great Lakes. Thanks to generous community support, we are able to offer a limited number of scholarships each summer for families experiencing genuine financial hardship.
Because funds are limited, scholarships are intended for campers who would not otherwise be able to attend without financial assistance.
If this applies to your family, please complete our short Scholarship Application. All information is kept confidential and used only to help us allocate support fairly.
If you know a child who would greatly benefit from this experience but may not have access otherwise, we also welcome referrals.
If you would like to help make Jr. Waterman Camp accessible to more young watermen and waterwomen, you may contribute to the Scholarship Fund by emailing [email protected]
Every contribution goes directly toward helping a child participate who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Terms & Conditions:
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations are subject to a $115 non-refundable cancellation fee per registration.
Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the first day of your registered camp session are eligible for a refund of tuition paid, minus the non-refundable cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 30 days of the first day of camp are not eligible for a refund unless the vacated spot is filled by another camper. If the spot is filled, a refund will be issued minus the non-refundable cancellation fee.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email and must be received and confirmed by Sleeping Bear Surf.
No refunds or credits are given for no-shows, missed days, late arrivals, or early departures.
Program Changes & Weather:
Sleeping Bear Surf reserves the right to reschedule camp sessions if conditions are determined to be unsafe for participants or staff.
Camp days are cancelled or rescheduled only in cases of severe weather, including thunder and lightning, or other conditions that present a safety risk. If a session must be rescheduled due to safety concerns, families will be notified promptly and provided with the updated schedule. The session will be rescheduled to the nearest available day that week (Tuesday or Thursday), based on weather conditions and scheduling availability.