Two Weeks in Baja

After three decades, we’re going back to BAJA! Join us for a two-week adventure in Baja, Mexico, complete with round-trip flights from LAX to Cabo, accommodations, meals, activities, and all transportation within Mexico. CIMI Expeditions: Baja offers fantastic opportunities for diving, snorkeling, surfing, and off-site camping.

Please note, Catalina Sea Camp Expeditions: Baja is an application-based program with a selective approval process to ensure all participants meet the criteria for this unique experience. Additionally, all campers must have a valid passport.

  • Application-Based Program

  • All Inclusive

  • July 28 – August 9

  • Ages 15 – 18

  • Only 24 Spots

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

1. How do you apply?

If you are new to Guided Discoveries, visit our Online Application.

If you are an existing member of our Sea Camp family, use your existing account information to Log In. To reset an existing Login password, please reach out to registrar@gdi.org.

Step 2: Hold Your Space.

Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. In order to hold your space for a program, you must complete the Online Application Form and submit e-signed Agreement Form. Your application will be placed on the waitlist through our system, there is no fee.

Step 3: Complete Your Application.

Before we can make a final admissions decision, you must submit two Teacher Reference Surveys. These documents are available here and are due no later than March 1st.

Our Admissions Team will review your application and the (2) reference surveys within a few days of completion and notify you of the decision by email.

2. When should I apply?

We have a rolling admissions process and will accept applicants until the program fills. However, we expect to receive more applications than we can accept in our first season, so early applicants have the best chance of being accepted into our program.

3. Who is Accepted?

Applications are carefully reviewed by our Admissions Team and students are selected on the basis of their maturity, enthusiasm, motivation, and willingness to live and participate constructively in a supportive community environment.

Sea Camp Expeditions and leaders work with our students and families to foster a safe and supportive experience for all students regardless of their race, national origin, religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

 

4. What happens if I am not accepted?

If an application is not accepted, or if space is not available in the program, you will be notified by our team. Your application will remain in our system and be moved to the next in line.

5. Who follows up with my teacher references?

Students are responsible for following up with teachers to ensure that they have sent the completed reference survey to Sea Camp Expeditions. Please make sure the reference surveys are submitted no later than March 1st.

6. Do you offer travel insurance?

YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. This is a separate, third-party company not affiliated with, Guided Discoveries, Inc. Please note, your only opportunity to purchase such protection is at this time.

Cost

1. What is included in the tuition?

Tuition for Sea Camp Expeditions covers Hotel fee the night before the flight to Cabo San Lucas, and flights to and from LAX to Cabo. All day-to-day expenses including three meals each day, lodging, excursions, entry fees, bike and boat rentals, local guides, equipment rental, tips, and all ground transportation during the program (including boats, trains, buses and taxis). Tuition does not include travel to LAX/Hotel, baggage fees, visa and entry/exit fees, laundry, health care, gifts, snacks, or other personal expenses.

2. What additional fees might I encounter?

Unaccompanied Minor Fee • $150 fee each way if your child flies as an Unaccompanied Minor to/from the U.S. Gateway Airport or program destination requiring a Sea Camp Expeditions representative as an escort. Many major airlines have policies that require students under a certain age who are flying independently to register as an “Unaccompanied Minor.” Please note that registering with the airline as an “Unaccompanied Minor” often incurs a fee in addition to your ticket cost and requires the student to be escorted at all times (between security, departure/arrival gates, and connecting flights) when they are not with their leader(s) and group. To avoid these fees and complications, it is recommended that you travel with your child to and from the group meeting point at the Gateway Airport. Please give us a call if you would like to further discuss options.

3. Is there a discount if my camper attends another Guided Discoveries program?

The multi-session discount is 10% off the Sea Camp Expeditions tuition. Please reach out to Crystal, at registrar@gdi.org to receive the discount.

4. What is the Payment Schedule?

$7000 All-inclusive price:

Enrollment Acceptance Fee (Deposit) = $1000 – this is due within 7 days of being accepted into the program.

            $2500 payment due by 3/15/25

            $3500 payment due by 5/1/25

**Delinquent Accounts- payments not received within 10 days after due date will be subject to cancellation by Sea Camp Expeditions and our cancellation policy will take effect. Spot will be released to the next person on the list.

5. What is the Cancellation and Refund policy?

Cancellations due to illness or injury before camp require a letter from a physician in order to receive any sort of refund. Cancellations for non-medical reasons will result in a cancellation fee in addition to the non-refundable deposit, based upon the date of cancellation.

  • Cancel before 4/1 – $1,000 non-refundable deposit
  • Cancel 4/1 thru 4/30 – 50% of full tuition (up to $3,500 non-refundable)
  • Cancel 5/1 thru 5/31 – 75% of full tuition (up to $5,250 non-refundable)
  • Cancel on or after 6/1 – 100% of full tuition (all payments made to this point are non-refundable)

Travel Logistics

1. How do I get to my program?

Students are responsible for all travel costs and arrangements to and from LAX. Students are responsible for making arrangements to arrive at LAX or the Hotel at the designated date and time.

2. What documents do I need to travel?

You need a valid passport for international travel. Many international destinations require that your passport expiration date be at least six months after your scheduled return home. If your passport has less than six months of validity, please research the passport requirements for the country you will be traveling to here. In addition, you may need a visa depending on your nationality and the country or countries you are visiting. For countries requiring a visa from U.S. travelers, we will provide you with information necessary to help you apply for and obtain a visa upon acceptance of your application. Non-U.S. citizens must check local visa requirements, including requirements for countries passed through in transit. For U.S.-based programs, we recommend bringing a school I.D., driver’s license, or other form of identification.

3. Do I have to travel with an adult from my hometown to the U.S. Gateway Airport where I meet my group?

Not necessarily. Students can fly alone from their hometown airport to LAX where they meet their group and leader(s). If you plan to fly independently, please note that many major airlines have policies that require students under a certain age who are traveling alone to register as an “Unaccompanied Minor.” This age requirement varies by airline, so it is important to research each airline’s policies carefully before purchasing a ticket. If necessary, Sea Camp Expeditions can provide staff and logistical support for “Unaccompanied Minors” who are traveling to and from LAX, for an additional $150 fee each way; this fee is separate from and in addition to the airline-imposed Unaccompanied Minor fees. Please call us with questions and/or to coordinate meet-up details.

Health & Safety

1. What forms are required?

Required paperwork can be found on the camper account under “forms and documents.” Each student is required to submit a physical exam within 1 year of the start date of camp, immunization record, parent authorization with insurance information, and health history information.

2. Does Sea Camp Expeditions require COVID-19 vaccination?

Sea Camp Expeditions strongly encourages, but does not require, all students, leaders, and experts to be up to date with their vaccinations against COVID-19 prior to their program, according to current recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additional information about vaccinations and boosters can be found on the CDC’s website.

Please note that certain program destinations may require COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters, or testing, and we will share those specific requirements with participants enrolled in those programs.

These policies are subject to change in response to the ever-changing environment. As we move closer to summer 2025, we will continue to update our policies and information with regards to COVID-19 if the situation requires.

3. What vaccinations are recommended for travel to my destination?

We recommend that you consult the CDC’s Travelers’ Health resources online and your healthcare provider to make the right decision for your family. Once a student has been accepted on a Sea Camp Expeditions adventure, we will provide information on general wellness for travelers, in addition to destination-specific CDC recommendations.

4. How do I stay healthy during the program?

The best way to stay healthy during your program is to start your trip well-rested and to pay attention to your eating, sleep, and hygiene habits while traveling. Our leaders provide guidelines on hygiene and how to stay healthy during the program.

5. What if I get sick on my program?

Adjusting to the differences in food, climate, etc. can take a little time. It is important to be open and tell your leaders about any physical discomfort you may be experiencing. For any situation that we feel requires professional medical attention, leaders take students to a nearby clinic or hospital. Health decisions are made as a team based on input from the student, parents, leaders, and our home office in San Clemente.  All students are required to carry their own medical insurance.

6. What if I have specific dietary needs or medical needs?

We can accommodate many medical and dietary needs. Please contact our office to discuss your specific situation before applying.

7. What are your safety protocols?

At Sea Camp Expeditions, students’ health and safety is our top priority. Since 1979, we have delivered active, educational, safe, meaningful, and fun programs. We maintain close relationships with the communities we visit and have strong networks of in-country contacts. Our leaders are well-traveled and trained in first aid and CPR. They can teach students how to be safe and responsible travelers.

8. What are the rules?

We expect our students to maintain high standards of personal behavior. We impose very few rules other than those designed to ensure that students can live in a safe, friendly, and constructive environment. Instead, we support an open atmosphere of mutual respect, trust, and consideration. Since students are encouraged, within the context of our programs, to take leadership roles and to make some of their own discoveries, students whose parents require them to be under constant surveillance or who are likely to act irresponsibly, use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, or behave in a disruptive manner, should not apply. Any student whose attitude or behavior is in violation of our rules or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of standards or to the successful operation of our program will be dismissed from the program at our sole discretion and travel home at their parents’ expense. If a camper is sent home for a violation, no refund will be issued.

Expectations

1. Essential Eligibility Criteria

The mission of Sea Camp Expeditions is to help young people broaden their perspectives and interact with the world beyond the familiar surroundings of home. We strive to create challenging and stimulating programs that transform the outlook of young people, and positively influences their actions throughout their lives. We work to engage young people in exciting, hands-on, active learning that encourages them to be better citizens of the planet.

The Essential Eligibility Criteria are designed to aid potential applicants in determining whether a Sea Camp Expeditions is a good match for them. For our organization, they serve as useful guidance for our Admissions Team in making Admissions decisions. Please note that these criteria are baseline measures that do not necessarily address unique situations or considerations and that if you have questions about any of the criteria or our ability to accommodate specific physical or mental needs, we would welcome the opportunity for a conversation.

2. Participation

Sea Camp Expedition students are expected to maintain high standards of personal behavior. We impose few rules, all grounded in group safety and supporting an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust, and consideration.

On Sea Camp Expeditions, a secure, open, and tolerant group experience is central to ensuring a positive learning environment and a fun experience. We require that students take personal responsibility for their conduct, and that they adhere to certain minimum standards of behavior.

We celebrate diversity and inclusivity. As individuals and as an organization, we devote time, energy, and resources to education about identity, equity, power, oppression, and privilege.

Relationships take time to develop and require immersion into daily life. We believe growth emerges from experience, reflection, and action. We encourage our students to step out of their comfort zones and bring their learning back to their own communities in the form of awareness and action.

Your program will be what you make of it and the attitude you bring with you on your program may be more significant than you realize. Participating eagerly and enthusiastically, taking responsibility, caring about one another, and working together as a team will be essential ingredients of your Sea Camp Expeditions experience.

3. Environmental and Cultural Responsibility

We help young people broaden their perspectives and interact with the world beyond the familiar surroundings of home. We aim to create challenging and stimulating programs that transform the outlook of young people and positively influence their actions throughout their lives, encouraging them to be better citizens of the planet.

We strive to encourage, promote and practice ethical and socially and environmentally sustainable travel with positive impacts on partner communities and the planet.

We cultivate a culture of integrity and mutual respect within our organization, with our peers in the field of educational travel, and with the communities and individuals we work with around the world. We invest in long-term relationships with our partners rooted in authentic cultural exchange with positive social impact.

In forging friendships with your peers as well as local people you meet, we encourage you to show an interest in their ideas, interests, art, music, food, and way of life. Be ready to eat unfamiliar foods and to adjust to different customs, traditions, and values. Ask yourself why you believe what you believe and try to understand other people’s points of view, even though you may not always agree with them.

In these times, we are reminded how interconnected our futures are, as individuals, communities, and countries, as well as the deep responsibilities we have to one another. Be thoughtful, open-minded, and adventurous in mind and spirit, and the rewards will be great!

4. Physical and Mental Health and Safety

  • Abide by Sea Camp Expeditions’ Summer Program Standards.
  • Be able to carry your own bags and gear for up to a quarter mile.
  • Be able to communicate physical, mental, and emotional health concerns to your program leaders.
  • Be willing to participate in varied outdoor activities. Come to the program ready to be fully present and take part in whatever adventure may come your way. Your willingness to try new things can help you feel more comfortable in a new environment.
  • Applicants should be in good physical and mental health.
  • Sea Camp Expeditions is not able to accept students who require therapeutic support or who have not applied to the program on their own volition.

Our Leaders

1. What are the qualifications of your leaders?

Sea Camp Expedition leaders are dedicated educators with extensive experience traveling and working with young people. They have worked at least 3 seasons at a Guided Discoveries’ facility (CIMI Fox Landing, CIMI Toyon Bay, or AstroCamp). They are often graduates of the nation’s top colleges and universities and many hold graduate degrees as well. All leaders also hold basic First Aid and CPR certifications. In addition to their professional experience and travel expertise, Sea Camp Expedition leaders are role models who teach students how to be safe and responsible travelers and inspire them to explore their interests and make their own discoveries

Communication

1. Am I allowed to bring a cell phone?

Yes, you can bring a cell phone to travel with, but once you have arrived at the location you will be turning in your cell phone. Sea Camp Expedition’s travel philosophy values deep connection with your surroundings, cultures, languages, experiences, and with your group. In a word, being fully “present.” To achieve this, our programs are structured to build positive group dynamics early, without the complexities that technology can present. Students contact their families after arrival at their program destination before setting their phone to airplane mode. We find that being intentional about technology use enables our students to fully engage in the experience, build a stronger sense of community in their group, and strengthen skills in creating interpersonal relationships.

2. Can I use my phone as a camera during the program?

Most smartphones can take photos from the lock screen, which you can later review and edit when you have access to your unlocked phone beginning on the eighth day. You are also welcome to bring a digital camera.

3. How do we communicate during an emergency?

For all essential health and safety communications during the summer, leaders will be in touch with Sea Camp Expedition headquarters staff who will then be in direct communication with parents at home. Our home office in San Clemente, California can be reached during the business day during the summer months and our leaders travel with local cell phones. For absolutely essential communication, families can call our emergency line, and we can reach leaders in the field.

Scholarships

1. Does Sea Camp Expeditions offer financial aid?

Not during our first summer as this is a pilot program and we only have 24 spots.

Our Activities

Begin Baja Expedition

Experience