San Diego, CA
Kona Kai Resort
Sunday, April 12 - Wednesday, April 15, 2026
California Dreaming! Let’s go!
Are you ready for some fresh air and sunshine? Join us for a beach getaway at Kona Kai San Diego Resort in San Diego, California! Escape to a waterfront paradise surrounded and enjoy the beauty of the San Diego marina!
Experience the fabled southern California vibe at THE San Diego waterfront resort
Sun, surf, and sea are the core of the California-contemporary hotel at one end of Shelter Island. With a family pool, a private beach over looking the marina and so much more, there is always something to uncover at Kona Kai San Diego.
WHAT TO KNOW
where
Kona Kai San Diego Resort
Address: 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
Volunteer arrival time: Sunday early afternoon
Volunteers arrive the same day as our guest families. We will have volunteer training, prepare for camp, and have an opportunity to get to know one another during the pre-camp gathering and at team training when you arrive!
Volunteer departure time: Thursday by 9:30am PT
COST
Adult volunteers: We are working hard to bring down the rising costs through sponsorships and donations. Last year, the cost was $1400/adult (based on two adults/room). (Single room $2200.) Students $200. Costs for 2026 will be announced before applications open!
If you need help with funding, a limited number of partial scholarships are available. Email us at info@whereskiesareblue.org.
(There is a separate non-refundable application fee of $50/application to cover the cost of the background check and application processing.)
Support is due one week before camp. See cancellation policy below.
Your support helps make it possible for our guest families to come to camp at no cost. Our goal is to bring down the cost of camp for volunteers. Costs continue to rise, but we are doing all we can to hold and hopefully decrease the volunteer expense. If you need help with funding, don't hesitate to contact us. We also have a limited number of partial scholarships available.
We ask volunteers to use the Blue Skies online personalized giving campaign (Givebutter). Our staff will send you super quick and easy instructions for you to create your personal page. When volunteers self-fund their trip, we ask that they reach out to their friends and family through social media, calls, letters, etc. allowing others to know about their trip to Blue Skies so they can pray, learn about Blue Skies, and have the opportunity to give directly to send a child with cancer and their family to camp. So many people are unable to serve at camp yet want to help and are glad to support others who can serve in their place!
Projected camp schedule
SUNDAY:
4pm Guest family check-in and camp welcome
SPLISH SPLASH BLUE BASH POOL PARTY (Pizza/Pool party)
Volunteer Gathering
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday:
8:15am Volunteer Gathering
Good Morning Blue Skies! (Fellowship and Chapel)
Kindred Journeys (Parent Group); all children and volunteers pool and game area (We ask each parent to join us for our first Kindred Journeys session as they introduce themselves and begin sharing their stories.)
Lunch
POOL and BEACH Enjoy time with our guests!
Evening Activity
Volunteer Gathering
Thursday:
CHECK OUT 9:30 am PT
your role
Get ready for a week packed with fun mixed with relaxation combined with meeting so many new friends! We will have worship, teachings, and time in the great outdoors. We’ll spend time connecting with our team and the families we are serving to share with one another the hope and joy Jesus brings.
housing
Volunteers and guests will stay in rooms at Kona Kai San Diego Resort. Your room assignments will be given at check-in.
Each volunteer family will share a hotel room. (That means mom, dad, and the kiddos are sharing a room together - that might be the greatest challenge at camp but also one of the greatest rewards and fondest memories you'll make as a family). There is great peace and blessing when we sacrifice for the good and benefit of others for His namesake.
travel
The closest airport to Kona Kai is the San Diego airport (which is only 3 miles away).
guidelines
Please review our guidelines for volunteering at camp by clicking HERE. We ask all volunteers to abide by these guidelines to ensure we all have an incredible week together!
podcast
Click here to hear Melinda’s heart behind the ministry and the hope Blue Skies brought to the Dryden family as they join Christy Nockels on her podcast!
Click here to listen to our very own podcast, Above the Clouds, full of lots of stories of hope from Blue Skies retreats!
volunteer manual
Click here to view our volunteer manual with lots of helpful information!
Guest family welcome letter
Click here to read a welcome from Melinda to our guest families to learn more about Blue Skies!
Cancellation Policy
If for some reason you are unable to attend once your application has been accepted, you are required to raise/give the full amount of volunteer support due to find another volunteer/volunteer family (approved) to take your spot.