SECURE YOUR SPOT!
*Please Note: Last year, camp sessions SOLD OUT at this location*. You can expect a high demand for these first-come-first-served camper spots, so please be sure to register early. This summer, Santa Cruz is offering two sessions of overnight with a day camp option (9:00am-4:00pm) for ages 14-18 and a day only camp option (9:00am-4:00pm) for ages 10-13. Upon arrival at camp, campers are placed in groups with other players having similar abilities and goals. Our camp staff will do their best to accommodate your needs, keeping in consideration your experience and desire to improve.
2026 OVERVIEW
- Dates: June 22-25 (High School Girls), June 26-28 (Age Group) & June 29-July 2 (High School Boys). Join us this winter for the Nike 5meter Winter In The Tropics Water Polo Camp.
- Gender: We will be running a girls only camp, a boys only camp and a youth coed camp this summer
- Camp Type: Overnight, Day (commuter)
- June 22 & June 29 - Check-In Overnight Camps:
- Campers Check-in between 8:15am - 8:45am on the first day at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen. Day Campers check in at 9:00am each day at the Crown College Residence Hall - Galen.
- June 25 & July 2 - Check-out Overnight Camps:
- Camp concludes at 4:00pm at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen.
- June 26-28 - Check-In/Check-out Day Camp:
- Campers check in at 9:00am each day at the UCSC Pool except for the first day. Camp concludes at 4:00pm each day at UCSC Pool.
- Meals: All meals are provided for Overnight campers. Lunch is provided for all Day (commuter) campers
- Program: The Skills Camp program is designed for youth and high school players (Ages 10-18). This program focuses on advanced skills, position specific training for divers, shooters, goalies and 2 meter offense & defense, team concepts and an overall intense level of competition. Campers also have the opportunity to compete daily in games against each other.
CAMP ADDRESS
UC Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Team Discount: If five or more campers register together, each camper is eligible for a $25 discount. After all team members have successfully registered, contact us to receive a $25 refund per camper.
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CAMP CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
Check-in Monday, June 22nd
Overnight Campers Check-in between 8:15am - 8:45am on the first day at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen. Day Campers check in at 9:00am each day at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen.
Check-out Thursday, June 25th
Camp concludes at 4:00pm at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen
COED YOUTH CAMP CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
Check-in Friday, June 26th
Campers check in at 9:00am each day at the UCSC Pool. Lunch is included each day.
Check-out Sunday, June 28th
Camp concludes each day at 4:00pm at the UCSC Pool.
BOYS HIGH SCHOOL CAMP CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
Check-in Monday, June 29th
Overnight Campers Check-in between 8:15am - 8:45am on the first day at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen. Day Campers check in at 9:00am each day at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen.
Check-out Thursday, July 2nd
Camp concludes at 4:00pm at Crown College Residence Hall - Galen
2026 HOUSING
- Dorm: Crown College Residence Hall - Galen
- Number of Campers Per Room: 2 per room
- Roommates: Rooms are assigned by age & roommate requests. Roommate requests must be mutual and received no later than 14 days before the start of camp. If you don't have a roommate request, you will be placed in a room with someone near your age. It will be a great opportunity to meet someone new!
- Bathrooms: Shared
- Linens: Not included. Bring linens or sleeping bag, pillow, pillowcase, and a towel.
- Air Conditioning: No - dorms do not have A/C
SUPERVISION
The staff reside in the dormitories with the campers and participate in all activities. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited, and constitute, along with general misconduct, grounds for dismissal from camp without a refund.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE FEE?
- Instruction: Morning, afternoon, and evening training sessions
- Overnight campers: Dormitory housing on campus and all meals are provided.
- Day campers: Lunch is provided.
- Supervision: Staff members reside in campers’ quarters and participate in all activities.
- Camp T-shirt & Prizes: Campers at multi-day camps will receive a Nike Water Polo Camps t-shirt and prizes.
INSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT & FACILITY
- Ratio: 1:10 staff-to-camper ratio
- Groupings: Campers are grouped by age, ability, and experience.
- Equipment Needed: Please bring your water polo suit, swim cap, and towel(s)
- Facility: UC Santa Cruz Pool
- Medical Protocol: Most camps have an athletic trainer on-site to help with illness or injury. In case of an emergency, campers will be transported to the nearest hospital.
PREPARE FOR CAMP: COMPLETE YOUR PRE-CAMP CHECKLIST
To view your customer account, complete your mandatory forms, pay balance dues, and review important camp information, visit Pre-Camp Checklist. All necessary camp information is on this page. If there are any imperative changes prior to camp start, registered campers will be notified via email and this webpage will be updated!
OVERNIGHT CAMPERS
Below is a suggested list of clothes, equipment, and personal items. US Sports Camps is NOT responsible for lost or stolen articles or money.
Checklist of things to bring:
- Weather appropriate clothing
- Dryland training Gear (running shoes, t-shirt, athletic shorts, sweatshirt)
- Backpack
- 2-3 Water Polo Suits
- Swim Cap(s)
- Towels
- Hat or Visor
- Sunglasses
- Sandals/flip flops
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen
- Spending Money ($50)
- Linens (twin sheets & blankets or sleeping bag, pillow, pillowcase)
- Pajamas
- Bath Towel
- Toiletries
- Fan - dorms do not have AC
- Signed Health & Release forms and waivers (forms completed online do not need to be printed and turned in at camp)
DAY CAMPERS
Checklist of Things to Bring: We recommend that all Day Campers bring a daily pack with the following items: water polo suit, swim cap, goggles, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, sandals, water bottle, dry land gear (running shoes, t-shirt, athletic shorts, sweatshirt) and any other appropriate clothing for that day’s activities which will be described to you on the first day of camp.
Camp Schedule & Meals
- Day 1: Day Campers should arrive dressed and ready to play. You will be assigned a counselor and given a complete schedule of all events during the week. Day Campers stay until 4:00pm. Lunch is provided.
- Day 2: Day Camper Hours – 9:00am-4:00pm. Lunch is provided.
- Day 3: Day Camper Hours - 9:00am-4:00pm. Check-out is immediately after the camp concludes. Lunch is provided
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is not provided. Campers are responsible for getting to and from camp on their own. There is no supervision before or after camp hours, so please make arrangements to pick up your child on time.
COMPANY POLICIES
For information regarding our cancellation policy and all other company policies, please visit USSC Policies.
OVERNIGHT CAMP AMENITIES
• 2 nights lodging • All meals
• Nightly recreational activities
• Nike Camp T-shirt
DAY CAMP AMENITIES
• Nike Camp T-shirt
Sample Daily Schedule
7:30 AM
Breakfast
8:45 AM
Extended Day and Day Campers Arrive
9:00 AM
Camp Meeting
9:15 AM
Dynamic Water Polo Dryland Warm Up
9:45 AM
Pool Session 1
12:30 PM
Lunch
1:45 PM
Pool Session 2
4:00 PM
Day Campers Depart
5:00 PM
Dinner
6:30 PM
Pool Session 3 or Optional Grass Field Games
7:30 PM
Extended Day Camers Depart
8:00 PM
Supervised free time in Dorm
10:00 PM
Lights out!
UC Santa Cruz
Campers will train each day at the UC Santa Cruz pool and reside on one of the most beautiful college campus in the country with it's ocean views, comfortable dormitories, and an excellent dining hall. Santa Cruz is located at the top of the Monterey Bay on the Central California coast, just south of San Francisco. Getting here is easy since several major highways run to Santa Cruz and the San Francisco, San Jose, and Monterey International Airports are all nearby.