Registration opens March 15th for the Ocean Institute’s summer programs for children ages 5 and older. Programs have been designed to utilize the Institute’s various facilities such as the state-of-the-art Ocean Education Center, its research vessel Sea Explorer, its two tall ships, Pilgrim and Spirit of Dana Point and the nearby Dana Point Marine Life Refuge. Programs include:
Week-long, Half-day programs:
Sea Squirts Camp (ages 5-6) – Bring children’s literature to life in the Ecology Learning Center. Highlights include stories, poetry, crafts and encounters with a variety of sea life.
Week-long, Full-day programs:
Neptune’s Mysteries Camp (6-7) – Similar to Sea Squirts, this camp uses children’s literature to teach students about the ocean world. Examine tiny sea creatures, observe animals in the aquariums, explore the Dana Point Marine Protected Area and take a cruise aboard the research vessel Sea Explorer.
Buccaneer Adventure Camp (7-8) – Step into the Golden Era of Sail, a world of wooden ships, buried treasure and pirates. Activities include fun crafts, sail handling, rowing, story telling, treasure hunts, encountering historic characters from the past and going up the mast in a boatswain’s chair.
Ocean Discovery Camp (8-9) – Spend a week immersed in the fun and fascinating world of eyes, vision, and the properties of light in the ocean. Learn about moon jellies, work with oceanographic research tools, enjoy a day at the beach and take a two-hour adventure cruise aboard the research vessel Sea Explorer.
Seafarer’s Odyssey Camp (9-10) – Set sail aboard the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point, row traditional longboats, explore sea legends and lore, race miniature steamboats and investigate the harbor floor with a remotely operated vehicle.
Coastal Explorer Camp (10-12) – Explore the science of the surf zone. Forecast weather and waves, investigate marine animals and their environment, cruise aboard the research vessel Sea Explorer and enjoy a kayak ride in Dana Point Harbor.
Ocean Investigator Camp (12-14) – Explore marine science, and technology and skills used by intrepid ocean scientists. Cruise aboard the RV Sea Explorer; use research instruments to gather data and better understand the ocean environment. Learn to use a remotely operated vehicle; take an exploration trip through Dana Point Harbor on a kayak.
Marine Sciences Careers/Internship Academy (14-17) – Learn about the ocean and careers in marine science. Study intertidal ecology and animal husbandry, conduct shipboard research aboard the R/V Sea Explorer, build remotely operated vehicles and much more! Successful graduates may qualify to become Ocean Institute interns.
Multi-Day Overnight Camp:
Island Bound Camp (11-13) – Voyage to Catalina Island aboard the Spirit of Dana Point. Day 1 is spent at the Institute learning navigation, watch-standing skills and the responsibilities of the crew. Days 2-4 are spent sailing, hiking, snorkeling and learning nautical skills in Catalina.
Parent-child Overnight Camps:
Pilgrim Parent-Child Overnight Camp (8+) – Join the crew of the tall ship Pilgrim for an overnight adventure that includes rowing in the harbor, raising sail, going up the mast in a boatswain chair, singing chanteys and listening to seafaring stories from your captain. Includes meals; the ship does not leave the dock.
Parent-child Single-Day Programs:
Catalina Snorkeling Cruise (age 9+) – Experience the waters off Catalina Island onboard the R/V Sea Explorer. Snorkeling, catch-and-release fishing, BBQ dinner.
Blue Whale Safari (age 8+) – Day-long search for the world’s largest animal.
4th of July Fireworks Cruise (age 5+) – Sunset cruise and fireworks onboard the R/V Sea Explorer. Celebrate our nation’s founding to the music of Jazz! FM 88.5 KSBR.
For dates, times, costs, registration and other information about Ocean Institute summer camps, please visit www.ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274.
Open to the Public on Weekends – The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Weekend visitors can enjoy special seasonal exhibits, as well as hundreds of living ocean animals, and shark and jellyfish feedings. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children ages 3-12. Or, with the purchase of a membership, a family can enjoy year-round free admission, benefit from member-only events and receive discounts on all other programs.
Visitors can also board one of the Ocean Institute’s sea-going vessels, the state-of-the-art R/V Sea Explorer or the historic tallship Spirit of Dana Point. Cruises are an additional charge. For information, visit www.ocean-institute.org.
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean.
