OCEAN INSTITUTE’S SUMMER CAMPS FOR CHILDREN IN CALIFORNIA

Using the ocean as a classroom, and with the philosophy that the experience is the teacher,  The Ocean Institute in Dana Point (California)  has been inspiring children of all ages and from all over the world to learn and love the ocean.

The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually.  From Kindergarten through college, the Ocean Institute provides transformative programs in science, maritime history, and outdoor education.  Through immersive teaching techniques, the Ocean Institute encourages experimentation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership.

Considered one of the best summer camps in Southern California, these immersive educational camps cover maritime and environmental education and take place at the top class facilities of the Ocean Institute, in a unique coastal setting. Their modern campus is adjacent to the Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area.  

Children benefit from the top-notch resources of the learning science labs, an aquarium collection of 1.100 live specimens of local marine life, 22.000 square feet of hands-on-exhibits, vessels (two historic tall ships, and a research vessel), and an outdoor education facility in the Cleveland National Forest.

Our kids attended the Summer Camps at Ocean Institute, and we cannot recommend these hands-on-science fun camp enough.  My kids learned so many fascinating facts about the ocean ecosystem, and they developed, even more, their life love for marine life.

My youngest son attended the “Ocean Discovery” camp. He discovered how our oceans work, collected samples of the local organisms, dissect a fish and used microscopes to study plankton. He also loved exploring the Dana Point Marine Conservation Area and his field trip to the Aquarium in Long Beach.

Our oldest son enrolled in the “Coastal Explorers” camp. He enjoyed kayaking, learning about sustainable resources and the impact on the environment, and cruising along with the coastline fishing. But above all, I think he will never forget that he watched whales and dolphins during a marine life exploration cruise. 

 Even if you are a tourist and you will be in California for just a few days, do not miss the many programs that the Ocean Institute offers to families. Their cruises and whale tours (on Saturdays and Sundays) are fantastic. All the activities are dedicated to science-based environmental education, providing the whole family the opportunity to become a scientist for the day.

The Ocean Institute is opened from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm with daily tours every hour. On Saturday and Sundays, the OI is open from 10 am to 3 pm and with general admission.

If you are interested in other science and marine camps for children, you might want to read our article about the outstanding Marinelife Biologists Camps in Florida.