Ocean Institute Offers
Summer Programs for Children
Dana Point, CALIF., March 2009 –¬ Registration has opened 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 tallships, 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 Nautiloids 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 Life Refuge and take a cruise aboard the research vessel Sea Explorer.
Lil’ Buccaneer Camp (6-7) – Step into the world of pirates, buccaneers and sailors. Learn what life was like at sea during this exciting week filled with maritime activities, crafts, sea chanteys and much more.
Ocean Discovery Camp (7-9) – 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.
Tallship Adventure Camp (8-10) – Learn traditional boating skills of the Golden Era of Sail. Weigh anchor, row, navigate, and sail historic San Juan Harbor (Dana Point), with a crew of fellow sailors. Practice the battle tactics of Lord Admiral Nelson and Sir Francis Drake and learn island survival skills used by marooned sailors.
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.
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 ROVs and much more! Successful graduates may qualify to become Ocean Institute interns.
Parent-child Overnight Camps:
Grunion Run Sleepover (age 8+) – Watch as this amazing fish comes up on the beach to spawn. Learn about the grunion around a bonfire, followed by a late night as we try to see this curious fish.
Voyage to Avalon (8+) – Join the crew of the Spirit for a sunset dinner at sea during the overnight motor-transit to Catalina. In the morning, explore the charming town of Avalon and then sail the Spirit home; with the wind! Take part in traditions such as night-watch, story-telling, chantey singing and knot tying, as well as sailing.
Mysterious Lights (age 8+) – Learn about the fascinating world of bioluminescence in marine animals onboard the research vessel Sea Explorer.
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 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 4-12. 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.
2008 Business of the Year – The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has selected the Ocean Institute as Dana Point’s “Business of the Year.” The award recognizes the positive contribution the Ocean Institute has made to the Dana Point community.
Submitted By Jim Graves
