Camper Information

Days at camp are designed to be filled with activities and adventures both on the water and on land. When water conditions or weather is not cooperative, campers may spend more time in the park and on the beach. When the sun is shining and the water is flat, we may spend the entire day on adventure paddles, taking our lunch in Mission Bay or Mission Creek Park. In any case, you can expect your campers to come home tired (you’re welcome).

Since we are so active, we appreciate preparing your kids for the adventure. We’ll do our best communicate and involve them in the planning. We’re quite familiar with how some kids are adverse to expending energy (I didn’t say lazybones). Our counselors are amazing at magically motivating most kids to action.

Crane Cove Park is located at Illinois Street, between Mariposa & 19th Streets. Camp starts promptly at 9am and ends at 3pm every day at our tent in the Park. The easiest place for drop off and pick up is in the loading area just at the end of 18th Street: enter the park after crossing Illinois Street. You’ll see the large crane tower at the end and Building 49 to your right. Drive to the drop off area. You may only park for a few minutes, as we need to keep flow for all of the parents. Campers will not be released at the end of the day unless an authorized person is present, or if you indicated otherwise in your registration form.

Dogpatch Paddle offers extended care programs as follows:

- Before-care: drop off at 8am-9am ($50 per session)
- After-care: pick up at 3pm-6pm ($100 per session)
- Combined before/after care ($120 per session)

During our extended care kids will be with a counselor and play games, relax, explore local parks, historical sites or other activities as the group requires.

Registration for extended care is part of the registration process at our camp booking site.

Lunch & Water: please make sure you camper has snacks and a full lunch. We will exercise them, so they need the energy. We recommend at least a liter water bottle (1.5-2L is great). We have a refill jug on site. Our shop does have a lot of treats and snacks, so please let us know if your kids are allowed or not allowed any of the offerings in the market.

We are in the sun most of the day. We constantly remind the kids to apply sunscreen. Anything you can do to prepare them and equip them to use sunscreen is appreciated. Despite our efforts, this is the number one issue we face at camp.

Proper footwear is important. As we enter and exit the water there are potential hazards with sharp rocks. Flip flops, crocs, or water shoes are a must. Please remind your kids to put them on when entering and exiting the water.

New for 2025! We finally have proper bathrooms in Crane Cove Park. Kids will be able to use the clean facilities throughout the day. They can also change their clothing. We will continue to use our storage bins to keep their belongings.

Swimming is not pemitted at Crane Cove Park. Because of potential submerged hazards from the decades of industrial use, the Port of San Francisco has forbid recreational swimming. Wading, however, is allowed. Please let your camper know that there is no swimming perimitted directly from the beach.

Paddle board or kayak: appropriately sized for age, height, weight.

Paddle & leash: leash must always be attached when paddle boarding.

Dry bag: to carry phones, cameras, snacks, towel, and clothes.

PFD (personal floatation device) / Life Jacket or Vest: You are welcome to bring your own.

Wet suit (optional): We plan to spend most, if not all of our time ON the boards. That said, some may choose to take a swim or accidentally fall in. A wet suit is not required, but some may choose to wear one. You can read more about what to where when you paddle here.

Bathing suit: If you are wearing a wet suit or not, always have a bathing suit on when you arrive.

Water bottles: Please bring at least 1 liters of water per day (ideally 1.5-2). Crane Cove does not currently have a water source. We have a cooler on site so kids can fill their bottles.

Medications: any medications that your child takes (please specify on their medical form)

Sunscreen: Please apply sunscreen BEFORE dropping off camper. We will remind them throughout the day to reapply.

Lunch and snacks: Please pack lunch. If there are any allergy-prone items, please make sure your camper is sensitive to not sharing (we’re outdoors all of the time, so it’s ok). Beginner camps will take lunch at Crane Cove park. Intermediate camps may be on a longer excursion and will have lunch along the way. Please make sure perishables are packed appropriately. Most camps will have an excursion day at Spark Social food trucks. If this happens we will let the campers know the day before so you can prepare with cash or credit card (kids can still bring their own lunch).

Towel: A quick drying camp towel is preferred

Rash guard: A long sleeve, non-cotton rash guard is preferred. We sell rash guards in our shop.

Water shoes, crocs, adventure sandals or flip flops: Paddlers will typically ride barefoot on the board and will need footwear for dock and beach landings. We strongly recommend flip flops or water shoes for on-land. The most common injury at camp is cut feet.

Post-paddle clothes: Please have a change of clothes available in their bag in case they get wet.

Warm hoodie or jacket: This is San Francisco ;).

Phones: Campers can have their phones to communicate with parents only. Please remind campers that phones are not permitted during camp for any other reason than contact their parents.

Please review these rules with your camper. We will go over them again on the first morning:

All campers are good swimmers (can propel themselves across a pool).

All campers are in good physical shape. Paddling is an athletic activity so a certain level of fitness is required.

All campers are prepared to listen to their counselors, take directions, and behave.

All campers must wear their PFD and leash at all times when they are on the water.

Especially when we are on the water, all campers’ attention must be tuned to their counselors.

No touching or feeding any wildlife, any time.

When encountering wildlife, remain at least 50 feet away.

No touching any pilings, piers, buoys, boats, or other stationary or floating hazards on the water.

No horseplay while on your boards, including jousting with other campers, playing chicken, or trying to unsettle each other.

If you fall in the water, remain calm and slowly climb back on your board.

If another camper falls into the water, notify your counselor, do not jump in after them.

When you see plastic or trash, pick it up with your paddle and carry it on your board back to base camp.

All campers have a lot of fun!

We will take photos and videos as much as possible throughout the week and share with you, so we’d prefer that campers not take photos. You will be able to access all of our content at dogpatchpaddle.com/2025photos