Our campers had lots of fun during our one-week program at Catalina Sea Camp in 2022, and we can’t wait for 2023! If your child didn’t have the chance to explore our private shores this summer while making new friendships, then next year is the perfect time to try their hand at marine biology summer camp.
Before sending your child to our one-week session, you will certainly have some questions. We’ll try to answer some of the big ones here, but if you’re looking for more information you can check out our Parent FAQ page.
Dates & Rates
In 2023 we’re offering five sessions of our one-week-long child and pre-teen summer camp: June 10 to June 16, June 17 to June 23, June 24 to June 30, July 1 to July 7, and July 8 to July 14. If you register your child early you can save up to $150!
Plus, we offer sibling discounts and referrals. Learn more about our 2023 dates and rates here.
Our Activities
Catalina Sea Camp’s one-week ocean adventure summer camp program is full of snorkeling, boat trips, and hands-on marine science. We encourage our campers to build independence by trying new things and stepping out of their comfort zone. Our team of counselors and instructors guide campers through a week filled with exploration, adventure, and connection.
Marine Biology Labs
We offer four different labs so campers can get firsthand experience running experiments and collecting data. The Oceanography Lab has kids take samples from the ocean to test water clarity, temperature, and ocean floor composition. In our Invertebrates Lab, campers get to touch, feel, and learn about the squishy and slimy backbone-less creatures of the ocean. It’s one of our most popular labs!
If your child is more interested in the invisible forces in our environments, then our Plankton Lab is the perfect fit! We take a sample of ocean water and place it under a microscope and campers get to see the microscopic world around them. And finally, our fourth lab is the Fish Lab. Kids get to learn about the local fish species they see on their snorkel expeditions around Fox Landing.
Tubing & Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Marine biology summer camp isn’t all labs and data. We have loads of fun, too! Campers can jump on the back of our tubing boat with their cabinmates and get pulled through the ocean on inflatable tubes. And if they’re lucky, some dolphins might join in on the fun.
If your child or pre-teen is looking for a calmer activity, we encourage them to float around on stand-up paddle (SUP) boards and explore our ocean playground. Different skill levels are encouraged—our campers can kneel, stand, or practice their favorite yoga poses on the boards.
Island Adventure
In addition to ocean adventures, your child can also participate in land-based activities. We offer archery, arts and crafts, a climbing wall, and a low ropes course. Plus, there’s an island ecology hike where campers explore the trails that stretch across the island’s canyons. They get to see, touch, smell, and possibly even taste the different plants on Catalina Island while learning about ecology.
Who Goes To Catalina Sea Camp’s One-Week Session?
The one-week session is built for campers aged eight to 13. If your child is older, don’t feel discouraged! We have a three-week session meant for older teens.
We encourage Catalina Sea Camp campers to have an interest in science and be enthusiastic learners. Even though we’re a marine biology camp for kids, no prior marine experience is needed. We just ask that everyone be excited and open to new things.
What is Fox Landing Like?
Picturesque! It’s protected by Long Point on Catalina Island, making it an incredible backdrop with calm waters for a unique summer camp experience. Check out this virtual tour of our unmatched grounds.
Fox Landing makes camp unforgettable with 15 cabins that circle a central quad where campers can meet up before meals or play a quick game of cards. But what makes our cabins special is they all overlook the ocean for unreal views any time of day.
What makes Fox Landing truly special is our own private dive deck! Here campers get outfitted for snorkeling with wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins. Once the campers are all suited up, they can participate in one of our three snorkeling classes: night snorkeling, shore snorkeling, and boat snorkeling.
Catalina Island and marine biology camp are a match made in heaven. If your child or pre-teen is science-minded and you’re looking to give them an earth-shattering opportunity, register them for our Summer 2023 season! We can’t wait to have them.
