Choosing a summer camp is a big decision—and when families find the right one, they stick with it. Catalina Sea Camp has become a tradition for thousands of families because it offers something truly special: ocean adventure, meaningful friendships, hands-on discovery, and a community where every child can grow. Here are the top five reasons families choose Catalina Sea Camp—and why so many return summer after summer.
1. The Ocean Is Their Playground—Every Single Day
Families love that Catalina Sea Camp isn’t just near the ocean—it’s in the ocean. Campers snorkel in kelp forests, kayak along rugged coastline, touch sharks and rays, try sailing, and explore Catalina’s marine world firsthand.
It’s the kind of immersive experience most kids never get anywhere else.
10 Unforgettable Ocean Adventure Activities for Kids at Catalina Sea Camp
2. It’s a Safe, Supportive Environment Where Kids Feel Included
Parents consistently share that their children feel supported, welcomed, and encouraged from day one. Counselors are trained, caring, and intentional about creating a positive cabin environment where kids make friends, build confidence, and feel like they truly belong.
How Summer Camp Friendships Form for Life on Catalina Island
3. Hands-On Marine Discovery Makes Learning Fun
Marine science comes alive at Catalina Sea Camp. Instead of sitting in a classroom, kids explore tide pool habitats, study plankton under microscopes, participate in shark and ray touch tanks, and learn how Catalina’s ecosystems work.
It’s engaging, memorable, and sparks lifelong curiosity.
From Tide Pools to Tropical Fish: Why Marine Discovery Should Be Fun, Not Textbook-Heavy
5 Hands-On Marine Biology Experiments Campers Do at Catalina Sea Camp
4. Teens Can Dive Deeper With the NAUI Scuba Program
For campers ready for a bigger challenge, the scuba program is a major highlight. Teens train with NAUI-certified instructors in the ocean, earn their scuba certification, and explore Catalina’s underwater world at a whole new level.
Parents love that the program builds responsibility, confidence, and focus—in ways few other activities can.
How Campers Earn Their NAUI Certification at Catalina Sea Camp
Top 5 Reasons Scuba Diving Builds Confidence in Teens
5. Campers Come Home More Confident, Independent & Inspired
Perhaps the biggest reason families keep coming back: the growth.
Kids return home with new skills, new friendships, and a renewed sense of who they are.
Parents see positive changes in independence, resilience, curiosity, and self-confidence—gains that last long after summer ends.
Why Choosing an Overnight Ocean Adventure Camp Builds Confidence in Teens
Why Families Keep Coming Back
The blend of ocean adventure, hands-on learning, supportive staff, and tight-knit community makes Catalina Sea Camp a place families return to again and again. Many campers go from 1-week sessions to longer sessions, and later return as CILT participants or staff—because camp feels like home.
Ocean Adventure Summer Camp Guide
Ready to Join the Catalina Sea Camp Family?
Give your child a summer they’ll talk about for years.
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