Registration is open for the Ocean Institute’s week-long summer camps that teach children about ocean science and maritime history. Summer programs begin June 30 and introduce kids to the tiny world of microscopic plankton to the open seas to look for large sea creatures—seals, dolphins and whales. Maritime history programs introduce kids to the Golden Era of Sail.
The Ocean Institute also offers a multi-day overnight camp and single-day camps. For details and pricing on the camps, visit the Ocean Institute website at www.ocean-institute.org Most camps begin at 9 a.m.; the camps include:
Sea Squirts for ages 5 to 6 (sea life-themed books, crafts and marine touch tanks). The daily three-hour camps are for five days with beginning dates of June 30 (a four-day camp), July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 (a four-day camp).
Neptune’s Mysteries for ages 6-7 (A Sherlock Holmes-worthy experience, including a cruise on the R/V Sea Explorer). The daily seven-hour camps are for five days with beginning dates June 30 (a four-day camp), July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 (a four-day camp).
Buccaneer Adventure for ages 7 to 8 (the world of wooden ships, buried treasure, lost arts of mariners and pirates). Seven-hours per day for five days beginning June 30 (a four-day camp), July 7,Ocean Discovery for ages 8 to 9 (the world of marine scientists, robotic vehicles and a cruise on the R/V Sea Explorer and field trip to Legoland’s Sea Life Aquarium). Seven-hours per day for five days beginning June 30 (a four-day camp), July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 (a four-day camp).
Seafarer’s Odyssey for ages 9 to 10 (tall ships, rowing, steam power—the full world of the Golden Age of Sail, includes a sail on the Spirit of Dana Point). Seven-hours per day for five days beginning June 30 (a four-day camp), July 14, and Aug. 4.
Coastal Explorer for ages 10 to 12 (science, surf-zones, labs, tide pools, research vessel cruise and kayaking exploration). Seven-hours per day for five days beginning June 30 (a four-day camp), July 7, July 14, July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 (a four-day camp).
Ocean Investigator for ages 12 to 14 (marine-science oriented, a cruise on the R/V Sea Explorer, using research instruments, gathering information to understand the ocean environment). Two five-day camps will be offered beginning July 21 and August 11.
Marine Science Careers/Internship Academy for ages 14 to 17 (for marine science career-minded students includes intertidal ecology, animal husbandry, laboratory investigations, R/V Sea Explorer research and more). Students interested must apply for admission to this program and provide letters of recommendation. An application for this program is available online. It will be held Aug. 4 to Aug. 8.
Single-day camps include Junior Neptunes (ages 6 to 8) on April 10 & June 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Junior Oceanographer (ages 9 to 12) on April 10 & June 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Ship’s Naturalist (ages 7 to 9) August 5, 12 & 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Turtles, Sharks, Whales & the Sea on July 16 (turtle day), July 23 (shark day), July 30 (big & little day), 1-4 p.m.
Multi-day Overnight Camp for ages 11 to 13 are the Island Bound Camp planned for July 7 to July 10, July 28 to 31 and Aug. 11 to Aug. 14. The program takes students to Catalina.
A $75 family membership package to the Ocean Institute gives Camp registrants a discount on Summer Camps. Group discounts are available for five or more if participants all register for the same camp. Special pricing, membership and any camp registration is available by calling 949-496-2274.
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. The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), Ocean Institute members free. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery everyday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Jim Graves
