Lobster Jo creates unique summertime camp in and out of the Santa Barbara waters

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - For kids who want a beach summer camp with a variety pack of activities, and not a lot of side-by-side competitions, the development of Lobster Jo's has made a big splash.

Joseph Evers is a UC Santa Barbara physics student, surfer and certified diver who came up with the idea and presented it to the Santa Barbara city parks and recreation leaders. It was supported and Evers then built his first team with his swimming friends.

Since then he has added more counselors and the sign ups have set sail with ten weeks of classes underway this summer.

A typical day includes a choice of activities but it starts with a test of swimming skills.

If they aren't safe enough to be in the water, the camp members are still taking part in many activities that can be done on or near the water.

"We highly encourage the kids, get around the water check it out it is all good if you want to go in. We have tons of alternatives things to do here," said Evers.

The full list of Lobster Jo's camp activities include swimming, constructing sandcastles, snorkeling, surfing, playing beach games, a Mega Stand Up Paddleboard, boogie boards, tents, games, dodgeball, and making beach art .

Evers says any of his daily plans can always be changed.

"We are not stuck to a schedule here at camp.  We are stuck to make sure kids have a great time and there is something for everyone here and our wide age demographic allows for so many cool relationships to be formed," said Evers.

 One of the kids is here for his second year of camp.

Ashton Miller said his parents like the format for the camp.   "They like that I am making new friends, swimming, playing games, and yeah, just having fun."

The camp welcomes a wide range of ages and some of the participants have improved their people skills with the interactions after being inside so long during the COVID crisis.

Many of the camp members stay friends after their week with Lobster Jo is over.

Some of the kids are high school age and they are counselors in training. One said it's more fun than sitting at home on the couch playing computer games.

Future counselor Owen Anton said, "I would come here summer after summer if I could. If the kids want to go out and play in the water, I'll be  happy to go play with them. It's really fun I hang out with them all the time."

Some of the health results are coming to the surface each day. "They want to be around the water increases dopamine decreases stress level a lot of kids go home and want to go back to the beach many parents come down and want to stay and keep going into the water."

Digging in to the wet sand, some kids are far from their fantasy worlds on line.
 Evers said, "kids are super excited about their big Roman architecture aqueducts they make."

The city also assist the camp if they have special needs children to help create a complete experience.

Evers is also looking for donations from supporters that is handled through the Santa Barbara City Parks and Recreation PARC foundation (notation for Lobster Jo) that can help kids get in to the camp if they do not have the funds. The PARC foundation is also with the Police Activities League with the funds and the scholarships.