The Importance of Outdoor Adventure and Summer Camps

Encourages Independence

Our mission at Catalina Sea Camp is to empower our campers to explore their independence under the guided expertise of our camp counselors and marine biology instructors. Through exciting and unique outdoor summer camp activities like sailing, ocean kayaking, flattop boat coastal exploring, and more, our campers learn to take risks and trust themselves — two necessary attributes for being independent.  

Gain Valuable Life Lessons

Life lessons such as social skills, risk assessment, cause and effect, and spatial learning are just a short list of the valuable life lessons children can experience during outdoor adventures, especially at summer camps when they’re trying new activities with new people.

Not only during our marine biology and ocean exploration activities are our students learning these lessons, but also during our summer camp fun activities like our Deck Dive Social, campfires, and elective nights. Campers will flex their social skills and be able to connect with children from different walks of life who share common interests.  

Learn How to Respect the Environment

Respecting the environment is often an integral part of summer camps whose focus is outdoor adventures. As a marine biology and ecology education camp, teaching our campers how to respect and protect our environment is a major overarching theme to our activities. 

Activities such as our outdoor snorkeling adventures, labs, and island exploration will immerse our campers in all facets of the Catalina Island ecosystem from the algae to the fish to the marine mammals and everything in between.  

Increase Physical Fitness

One of the most obvious benefits of outdoor adventure activities and summer camps is the increased physical activity of our campers. According to the National Wildlife Foundation, childhood obesity rates have more than doubled in the last 20 years, and it is important now more than ever to get our children out and active in their environment. 

Besides just the aerobic and strength training benefits of outdoor play, being outside also raises Vitamin D levels, which can help protect children from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues.

At Catalina Sea Camp we spend most of our time outdoors — basically from breakfast to bedtime. Between our core activities, our recreational free time, and our exciting group activities like socials and bonfires, we’re soaking up the sun and fresh air all day!   

Reduce Stress

Being outside for most is a relaxing and healing experience, but spending time outdoors for children is a critical outlet for reducing stress. With children’s daily life routines getting more demanding by the day — with school, extra curricular activities, and more — it’s important to allow them space to unwind and reconnect with nature. 

About Catalina Sea Camp

Catalina Sea Camp welcomes kids ages 8-17 who are interested in marine biology and ocean adventure for a summer full of fun and exploration. During our one and three-week sessions, campers are encouraged to enjoy learning about marine biology on a private beach at Toyon Bay on Catalina Island.

Learn more about our marine biology camp safety this summer or reach out to the team for more information about Catalina Sea Camp’s programs.