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.

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.

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.

Lab Circuit:
Students have the opportunity to rotate through several hands-on stations that will encompass either three or four different topics. Option 1 will cover fish adaptations, invertebrates and sharks. Option 2 include fish adaptations, invertebrates, sharks and seining.

Invertebrate Lab at SEACAMP Facility:
Suggested Field Activity – Snorkeling at Mission Point or Tidepooling at Sea Ridge

In this lab students will be introduced to the major phyla of local marine invertebrates. Students will explore these animals’ characteristics and adaptations through the use of a variety of live and preserved specimens. The lab will conclude with an in-depth study of the external and internal anatomy of a squid, through dissection. Particular emphasis can be placed on invertebrates likely to be seen during SEACAMP field activity. Squid dissection would not be included for students younger than 3rd grade.

Fish Adaptations Lab at SEACAMP Facility:
Suggested Field Activity – Boogie Boarding or Snorkeling at La Jolla Shores

In this hands-on lab, students will study fish, including sharks, skates and rays, anatomy and behavior. Observations and discussion will occur regarding adaptations that allow fish to flourish in specific environments. Students will explore the differences between the three different classes of fish: Agnatha, Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes. In the second half of the lab, students examine preserved specimens and may participate in a fish dissection. Particular emphasis can be placed on fish likely to be seen during SEACAMP field activity. Fish dissection would not be included for students younger than 3rd grade.

Marine Biology Lab at SEACAMP Facility:
Suggested Field Activity – Snorkeling at Mission Point or Tidepooling at Sea Ridge

This lab is designed to give students a wide overview of all of the types of life in the ocean. Topics that may be covered include Plankton, Algae, Invertebrates, Fish and Marine Birds, Reptiles and Mammals. Live specimens, artifacts and photographs will be used as teaching tools. A major goal of the lab is to stress the diversity of life in the ocean. Particular emphasis can be placed on organisms likely to be seen during SEACAMP field activity.

Shark Ecology Lab at SEACAMP Facility:
Suggested Field Activity – Snorkeling at La Jolla Shores or Mission Point

Join us as we dispel the myths about sharks. Using live and preserved specimens, our staff share interesting facts about sharks and their life cycle. We discuss seven shark senses as students observe and touch sharks’ preserved skin, fins, and teeth. We may employ live specimens from the on-site shark tank for observations and preserved specimens to explain shark anatomy. We will conclude the lab with information on shark conservation and research. We close this lab with a discussion of what we can do to help protect sharks from extinction.

Plankton Lab at SEACAMP Facility:
Suggested Field Activity – Kayaking and Seining on Mission Bay

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 at SEACAMP Facility:
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 at SEACAMP Facility:
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 at SEACAMP Facility:
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 and species identification. Additionally, students will identify environmental stressors for sea turtle hatchlings and discuss the environmental impact on sea turtle habitats. Plastics being one environmental impact, the lab reviews the history of plastic, how it impacts the ocean/environment and steps to do help.