Marine Biology Lab:
This lab provides students a general overview of marine life diversity. Topics may include plankton, algae, invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals. Students encounter live specimens and handle unique artifacts to supplement the lecture. Particular emphasis can be placed on organisms likely to be seen during the SEACAMP visit.
Fish Adaptations Lab:
Students learn fish anatomy and behavior. They observe and discuss adaptations that allow fish to flourish in specific environments, and explore the differences between the three different classes of fish: Agnatha, Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes. Students examine preserved specimens and/or participate in a dissection of a Pacific mackerel. Particular emphasis can be placed on fish likely to be seen while snorkeling during the SEACAMP visit.
Shark Ecology Lab:
In this in-depth investigation of sharks in class Chondrichthyes, students learn the importance of sharks in marine ecosystems, as well as their senses and stresses. Live specimens from our on-site shark tank might be used for observations. The lab may conclude with information on shark conservation and research. A shark dissection may be done when specimens are available.
Invertebrate Lab:
In this lab, students explore the importance of local marine invertebrates. Using live specimens, students investigate the differences in several invertebrate phyla, including Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Echinodermata. The lab generally concludes with a study of the external and internal anatomy of a market squid, through dissection. Particular emphasis can be placed on invertebrates likely to be seen during the SEACAMP visit.
Plankton Lab:
Plankton lab has students discover the importance of plankton in aquatic ecosystems. Students learn the two types of plankton, phytoplankton and zooplankton, and how they remain unique in the food web. This lab generally concludes with a comprehensive hands-on activity, allowing students to showcase their knowledge of plankton. Particular emphasis can be placed on plankton likely to be seen during the SEACAMP visit.
Night Adaptations Workshop:
This workshop contains a broad overview of deep-sea organisms, bioluminescence, and nighttime migration. Students learn of the challenges of living in the dark and how animals use senses other than sight to survive. Students participate in a specially-developed activity showcasing the challenges of living in the dark.
Marine Mammal Workshop:
This workshop covers the taxonomy, physiology, and behavior of marine mammals. With an emphasis on the diversity of marine mammals, students also discover these animals’ relationships to habitats and interactions with humans. This workshop may include a discussion regarding marine mammal training and captivity.
Sea Turtle Biology & Conservation Lab:
This is the only lab at SEACAMP San Diego that explores marine reptiles. Students learn the major characteristics of sea turtles with hands-on activities. Other topics in the lab include turtle reproduction, stresses of sea turtle hatchlings, species identification, and ocean conservation. The lab can be coupled with a visit to the Chula Vista Nature Center, which holds several live sea turtles.
Tidepool Exploration:
Students and SEACAMP San Diego staff members travel to the tidepools during a daytime low tide. Here, the students learn the basics of tides and the stresses of intertidal life. Students are then allowed to explore the intertidal zone and collect specimens in buckets. At the end of their exploration, students are brought together to identify and discuss the specimens collected. An emphasis is placed on adaptations for intertidal living and conservation. All animals are returned at the end of the session.
Kayaking:
Students are instructed on the fundamentals of kayaking, fitted for gear and then embark on a kayak excursion on SEACAMP’s tandem, sit-on-top kayaks. From the kayaks, students may observe a wide variety of local animals including birds, invertebrates, fish and algae. This activity takes place on Mission Bay and may include a discussion of shallow bay ecology or a plankton tow.
Seining:
This activity is usually paired with snorkeling or kayaking at Mission Bay. From the beach, students are taught to work a long collecting net called a “common-sense” seine and attempt to catch some local, inshore marine life. Once caught, specimens are placed in buckets and instructors teach about them and their habitat. All animals are returned at the end of the session.
Boogie Boarding & Physical Oceanography:
Students and SEACAMP San Diego staff members travel to Kellogg Park at La Jolla Shores. Here, they are taught the basics of boogie boarding and the science of tides, waves and currents. After students suit up in the provided wetsuits, they get in the water to perform activities that help demonstrate these oceanographic processes. Afterwards, students are allowed to experience the waves of La Jolla while boogie boarding under the supervision of the SEACAMP San Diego staff. For larger groups, students rotate between boogie boarding and a beach walk where they are taken along the shore to examine a variety of plants and animals, and participate in instructive games.
Physical Oceanography:
Students will explore along the beach usually at La Jolla Shores and receive instruction on physical oceanography with focus on waves and currents. Additionally students will examine a variety of plants and animals, and participate in instructive games.
Beach Games:
Students will participate in instructor led games along the beach and shallows usually at Mission Point Park or La Jolla Shores. Students will also often have free time to dig and play and in the sand under instructor supervision.
SEACAMP San Diego’s Floating Marine Science Classroom:
Students and SEACAMP staff members board a charter research boat for a cruise on San Diego’s Mission Bay. After a safety orientation, the vessel heads out of the bay into the Pacific Ocean for a feel of the ocean waves, a sampling of some giant kelp and possibly a sighting of dolphins and sea lions. Seasonally, we may also cruise around in search of California gray whales. On the way back into the bay, staff members discuss the giant kelp and the ecology of the kelp forest. Once back in the bay, staff members deploy and retrieve a trawl net with the help of the students. Each species of animal collected is displayed and discussed by the SEACAMP San Diego staff. Next, the students are broken up into smaller groups and rotate around the boat to several stations that include plankton collection, plankton evaluation, physical oceanography, mud sampling and examination of trawl animals. On the way back to the dock, the trawl animals are released and some birds and marine mammals of the bay may be observed.
Full Day Boat Trip with Snorkeling Excursion:
Students 7th grade and older have an opportunity to participate in an all-day boat excursion aboard a 65-foot charter boat. After a safety orientation the vessel heads out of the bay into the Pacific Ocean for a feel of the ocean waves, a sampling of some giant kelp and possibly a sighting of dolphins and sea lions. Seasonally, we may also cruise around in search of California gray whales. During the trip, staff members deploy and retrieve a trawl net with the help of the students. Each species of animal collected is displayed and discussed by the SEACAMP San Diego staff. Additionally, students are able to participate in a snorkeling excursion from the boat.
Snorkeling at Mission Point:
Students learn the basics of snorkeling and free diving during snorkel sessions throughout the programs. Students of all abilities have been very successful in mastering the skills of snorkeling through our progressive and well-supervised snorkeling program. Snorkeling activities include an introductory session at Mission Point. This part of Mission Bay has an easy beach entry and several shallow-water environments that are teeming with life. After snorkeling, many groups will participate in the seining activity (see seining section above). Some schedules will also include a SCUBA demonstration in which students learn the parts of the SCUBA unit and the basics of SCUBA diving. Students will then get an opportunity to practice breathing in the SCUBA regulator in shallow water, one-on-one with a SEACAMP instructor.
General Information About Snorkeling at SEACAMP San Diego:
SEACAMP San Diego has been extremely successful taking students of all abilities snorkeling since 1987. All SEACAMP San Diego staff members are certified Lifeguards and extremely comfortable in the water. Students and staff wear thick (7mm) wetsuits which provide a maximum amount of warmth as well as buoyancy. (In other words, the wetsuits make the students float!) Additionally we keep our student to staff ratios very low (no more than 7:1 for snorkeling) and our staff members carry buoyant rescue tubes with them in the water.
Our marine biologist instructors lead students in small groups; the focus of each snorkel session is to learn about the area’s particular ecosystem (kelp forest ecology, bay ecology, etc.) and the specific animals found within it. Instructors and students may even pick up certain animals for a ‘hands-on’ discussion.
Visit to San Diego Zoo
Students will explore all the Zoo has to offer in groups lead by a SEACAMP San Diego Instructor or a school chaperone. If possible students will attend the Wildlife Wonders show at the Wegeforth Bowl together and will take a trip on their double-decker-buses for a guided tour through the grounds.
Visit to SeaWorld San Diego
Students will explore all SeaWorld has to offer either in groups on their own or in groups lead by a SEACAMP San Diego Instructor or a school chaperone. All groups will meet to experience either the Orca Encounter or Dolphin Adventures. SeaWorld is cashless, if students only have cash and want to purchase something, they will have to go to a kiosk and exchange cash for a debit card.
Visit to Birch Aquarium
Students will explore all the Birch Aquarium has to offer in groups on their own. Groups are given a scavenger hunt to complete. Instructors and chaperones will be near by.
Beach Clean-Up
Students will walk along the beach to identify and clean-up trash and debis using pickers and gloved hands. After the clean-up students will weigh and sort their collection to record items.
Campfire
Students will play games and roast marshmallows.