Why Parents Trust Bunger Surf Camp: A Closer Look at What Sets It Apart

Every summer, parents across Long Island ask the same question: What’s a camp my child will actually love — and one I can feel confident sending them to?
For hundreds of families, the answer has been Bunger Surf Camp at Gilgo Beach.

While the surf camp page on the Bunger Surf Shop website covers the essentials, there’s a deeper story behind the program — one rooted in experience, structure, and a serious commitment to safety. If you’re considering a surf camp for your child this summer, here’s an inside look at what makes Bunger Surf Camp different, and why families return year after year.

Nearly Two Decades of Experience in the Water

Bunger Surf Camp has been running continuously since 2008, long before surf camps became commonplace on Long Island. This longevity matters. It means the program has been refined over time, shaped by real-world experience, parent feedback, and years of working with kids of all skill levels.

This isn’t a pop-up summer program. It’s an established camp built by a local surf family that understands both the ocean and the responsibility that comes with teaching children in it.

Intentionally Small for a Reason

One of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of Bunger Surf Camp is its strict enrollment cap. Each session is limited to no more than 30 kids, supported by 12 to 15 instructors.

That instructor-to-camper ratio is exceptional, and it’s intentional.

Smaller groups allow instructors to:

Closely monitor each child in the water
Adjust instruction based on confidence and ability
Quickly respond to changing ocean conditions
Build trust and rapport with campers

For parents, it means peace of mind. Your child isn’t just another number in a crowded lineup.

Local Instructors Who Know These Beaches

All Bunger Surf Camp counselors are from Long Island and deeply familiar with the South Shore’s ocean conditions. That local knowledge makes a real difference.

Tides, sandbars, currents, and weather shifts vary beach to beach. Having instructors who grew up surfing these waters adds a layer of situational awareness that simply can’t be taught in a manual. Most counselors are also CPR certified, reinforcing the camp’s safety-first approach.

Soft-Top Boards Only — Safety Comes First

At Bunger Surf Camp, all instruction is done on soft-top surfboards. These boards are more stable, easier to learn on, and significantly safer for kids in a group environment.

Each camper also receives a Bunger rash guard — theirs to keep at the end of camp. Beyond being a great souvenir, the rash guards serve an important purpose:

All campers wear the same color, making it easy for instructors to identify and track everyone at a glance

Campers may bring their own soft-top boards, but hard boards are not permitted — another decision made entirely with safety in mind.

A Structured Day with Clear Boundaries

Bunger Surf Camp runs from 10:00am to 2:00pm, with a scheduled lunch break built into the day. The structure of the camp day is designed to keep kids safe, accounted for, and focused.

Key guidelines parents appreciate include:

Campers may not leave the camp tent area without permission from a camp director
Lunch at the Gilgo Beach Inn is permitted only if accompanied by a parent or instructor
If a camper takes a break from surfing, parents are asked to sit with them on the beach
Campers do not swim during breaks
Guests and siblings must use lifeguarded swimming areas, separate from camp operations

These rules aren’t arbitrary — they’re what allow the camp to operate smoothly in an active public beach environment.

More Than Surfing: Confidence, Discipline, and Respect

While learning to surf is the obvious highlight, many parents notice something else by the end of the week: confidence.

Kids leave camp with:

Greater comfort in the ocean
Improved listening and focus
Respect for rules and instructors
A sense of accomplishment from learning something challenging

Whether a camper stands up on their first wave or simply gains confidence paddling out, the progress is real — and parents notice it.

Why Sessions Fill Quickly

Because of its limited size and strong reputation, Bunger Surf Camp fills up fast — especially for peak summer weeks. Many families register early to ensure their spot, knowing that the small-group structure is a big part of what makes the camp special.

If you’re looking for a surf camp that balances fun, structure, and safety — and one backed by nearly two decades of experience — this is the kind of program you don’t want to wait on.