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
Price Per Room: $1800 minimum donation. This covers housing, food, and activities. Rooms have bedding for up to 4 people. There are no rollaways available at this hotel. If you have more than 4 people serving in your family, please reach out to julie.h@whereskiesareblue.org about pricing.
Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable; covers background check)
Why is there a cost?
Every Blue Skies camp costs between $50,000 and $75,000 to make happen. Volunteer support typically funds about 25-50% of what it actually costs to host a retreat. If you know of a church, company, or individual who would be willing to help sponsor part of camp to bring hope, that would help immensely! We want families walking through pediatric cancer to experience camp completely free of charge—a place where they can rest, laugh, and reconnect. Your contribution helps make that possible. We work hard to keep volunteer costs as low as we can, and if you need help, we have a limited number of scholarships available. Just ask! If you are coming by yourself and need help finding a roommate to share the cost, let us know!
Fundraising Made Simple
We’ll send you an email with a link to your personal fundraising page and easy instructions to get started. Many volunteers share their page on social media or through email and letters as these are great ways to invite friends and family to join you in making a difference. Plus, it spreads the word about Blue Skies and the hope we bring to families.
Payment Details
Support is due one week before camp. (Check out our cancellation policy for details.)
The Impact of Your Volunteering
When you volunteer, you’re not just helping with meals or activities, you’re giving families a break from cancer. You’re creating space for laughter, rest, and joy during one of the hardest seasons of their lives. Parents get to breathe. Kids get to play. Families get to feel hope again.
Even if you can’t attend, you can still make an impact by sponsoring a volunteer or donating to send a family to camp. Every gift matters. Every act of service changes lives.
Local Volunteers
If you’re a local and live in the community where we host camp, we’d love your help too! You can join us for the week or help out at some of our activities. You’ll need to fill out an application with background check and references. And, we would sure appreciate your support in helping the children with cancer and their families attend at no cost. We can create a fundraising page for you! We ask that everyone who serves for the full camp raise or give $300/individual or $500/family.
schedule
Here’s what a day at camp looks like! You’ll get the full schedule along with theme nights for your week at camp about one month before your camp begins. We have theme nights like Luau, Red/White & Blue Skies, Western Hoedown & more!
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.