Sign Up Your Child to Participate
Give your child a chance to feel the thrill of surfing a wave with the assistance of our capable and passionate volunteers.
Best Day Foundation creates adventure day experiences for kids and young adults with special needs. We provide the opportunity for kids to build confidence and self-esteem by taking on new challenges. At our events, we pair your child with a Beach Buddy—their guide, friend, and cheerleader for the day.
We support kids between ages four and twenty-four, with all types of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, hearing or vision impairment, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries, cancer, and other physical or developmental challenges.
The $40 registration fee goes directly to our programming, which costs approximately $300 per participant per event. We never want the cost to limit a child from joining us, so we offer a self-selected scholarship program upon registration.
As a volunteer-based 501(c)3, we rely on donations to fund our events and appreciate any contribution.
During the Event
At Best Day events we usually create the following activities : tandem surfing, body boarding, Stand Up Paddling (SUP), kayaking, and beach activities. Please note that based on the venue or conditions these activities may or may not be available.
Pairing your child with a Beach Buddy volunteer for the day is one of the many unique elements of the Best Day Foundation program. This person will be your child’s best friend throughout the day, getting your child suited up and signed up for activities, cheering your child on, and hanging out all day. This will give you the freedom to just watch and enjoy the event. Safety is our number one priority, and all Beach Buddies are trained on our systems and operations for keeping participants engaged and safe.
Safety
Safety for all participants and volunteers is our number one priority on the beach and in the water, and we follow strict operating procedures on event days. We take the time to educate our volunteers about the challenges our participants face. We also teach the operating procedures and safety procedures during the event.
For all children to experience the thrill of riding a wave, we have special beach wheelchairs to navigate the sand and a custom-built surf chair featuring a Formula 1 racing seat mounted on a surfboard carefully designed and crafted by world-renowned shaper Bob Pearson. During events, Best Day will provide a wetsuit, life vest, and helmet for your child. The helmet and life vest are mandatory for all participants in the water.
Event Details
Most of our events run from 9:00 a.m. till about 1:00 p.m.
We typically start check-in for participants at 9:00 a.m. and pair them with their Beach Buddies right away. The day wraps up with an awards ceremony where each child is celebrated by his or her new friends and receives a team surfer medal. We follow up with a group picture and lunch. Participants are then free to leave.
Typical Beach Event Schedule
9:00 a.m. Participants check-in opens and are matched with their volunteer Beach Buddy.
9:30 a.m. Volunteers & Participants gather together on the beach for welcome and warm up exercises.
9:45 a.m. Beach Activities Begin!
12:00 p.m. Awards ceremony & group photo
12:30 p.m. Group lunch
1:00 p.m. Participants are free to leave
What To Bring
We will provide all participants and volunteers with snacks and lunch, however, we cannot provide special meals. If your child requires a special diet, please plan accordingly. Additionally, please plan to bring food for family members not participating in our event.
We recommend bringing your normal beach gear such as sunscreen, towels, chairs, an umbrella, a change of clothes, and water. Some of the facilities that we operate in have access to shower areas.
Capacity for all Best Day Foundation events is limited for safety and spots fill up fast! Since space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, please join our mailing list today so you will know when our registration links will be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most likely, yes! At our events, we always take the time to assess and adapt to the diverse needs of our participants. We promise to provide your child with a personalized, fun, and safe experience. If you have specific concerns, please feel free to contact us at hello@bestdayfoundation.org.
Many parents have told us that it helps to talk about the event beforehand. You can supplement the conversation with pictures and videos of prior events that can be found online. Do not worry. Your child’s Beach Buddy will be patient and supportive, striking the perfect balance between accommodating their trepidations and encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zone.
In most cases, we wait until the absolute last minute when deciding whether to cancel an event. Once we determine that we need to cancel, we’ll send an email and write a post on our social media pages to let you know. Follow us on social media on Facebook and Instagram!
When an event is cancelled, there is no rain date.
We encourage participants to come on time. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate participants who arrive over thirty minutes late. It will be possible for you to leave early, but please let us know ahead of time.
No. After your child has been registered and partnered with his Beach Buddy, you’ll be free to hang out, watch the activities and enjoy the day with us!
Ideally, your child should wear a swimsuit or another outfit they will feel comfortable leaving on underneath a wetsuit.
Because we will provide your child’s wetsuit, lifejacket, helmet, sunscreen, snacks, drinks, lunch, and water sports equipment, all you need to bring for him is a towel, a dry change of clothes, and anything else you think is necessary. Unfortunately, we will not have enough sunscreen, snacks, drinks, or lunch for the participants’ families, so please plan accordingly and pack your family whatever else you would want to bring for a regular day at the beach.
To prioritize your child’s safety, a lifejacket and helmet are required for water activities. Wearing a wetsuit is optional. Most children, initially hesitant, change their minds when they see the exciting activities the safety equipment allows.
Your child has the power! While your child’s Beach Buddy will encourage your child, ultimately every child will be able to decide exactly what they do and do not want to do.
Although parents and siblings are welcome to watch and cheer, only registered children with special needs can participate in the activities we offer.
We would love to have you volunteer–but we also want you to be able to enjoy the experience of cheering on your child as they excels in the activities. It’s up to you whether you’d like to volunteer or simply watch from the shore.
Unfortunately, because our lunches are often donated, we don’t have the luxury of gearing them to meet various dietary needs. If your child has dietary restrictions, please pack a lunch for them. Typical lunches include pizza.
We will not be able to provide lunch for the families of our participants. Please bring food if you’d like to eat at the event!
If you want to stay in the loop, please create an account in our registration system and follow us on social media on Facebook and Instagram!
Typically, we limit participation to one event per child per year. If we have additional availability, we will allow participants who have already attended an event during the season to return.
We serve children and young adults between ages 4 to 24.