Surfers Healing Surf Camps for Children with Autism

Surfers Healing Surf Camps for Children with Autism gives children the chance to go surfing on tandem boards with experienced surf instructors. At camp, activities include time in the water surfing, as well as beach set-up, a registration table, T-shirt sales table, goodie bag distribution, food and refreshments serving, medal distribution, a life vest station, and support at mid beach. Volunteers also help with family relations by working the beach to answer questions and guide families.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Dana Point, CA – Wednesday, June 3, 2026; registration takes place March 23–27, 2026
• Price: It takes approximately seventy-five dollars for a single child to attend camp; that includes life vests, wetsuits, surfboards, beach permits and insurance.

Surfers Healing has been serving the community since 1996 and has over 25 years of taking kids out on the water. The mission of Surfers Healing is to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. Surfers Healing is described as the original surf camp for children with autism, and Surfers Healing 2025 is described as a 501c non-profit organization. The organization is a grassroots, non-profit group that depends on volunteers and offers camps across the country, as well as in Mexico and Puerto Rico, with volunteer-staffed camps giving over 4,500 children with autism and their families a day at the beach each year. One volunteer said, “For parents to see their kid up on a surfboard … sometimes, it's nothing less than a miracle.” Co-founder Israel “Izzy” Paskowitz leads the organization, and Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz is described as a surfing legend and Stanford M.D.

Last updated March 14, 2026.