Member Registration: Monday, March 10th 2025*

• *Family, Senior Sea Star, Captain’s Compass, Sea Life Sponsor, and Ocean Advocate members

General Public Registration: Monday, March 17th 2025

Week Before Camp

The week (7 days) before camp sessions begin we will be sending camp reminder emails! If you didn’t receive the email or registered within 7 days of the session starting you can view everything in the folder linked below!

To prepare yourself and your camper(s) please see the link below!

>> 2024 Summer Camp Prep Folder <<

It contains:

• Session dates and times
• What to Bring & Check-in/out
• Camp Maps
• Individual Camp Schedules
• Additional Paperwork (if applicable)

Please review it and if you have additional questions email camps@oceaninstitute.org. 

In order for the campers to be put in the same instructor group they will need to be registered for the same camp, during the same week.

On the first day of camp, you can request for your child to be put in the same group as a friend when you drop them off. Please be aware, if there are any behavioral issues, campers may have to be seperated into different groups.

Each Ocean Institute staff person is fingerprinted, background checked, and drug tested upon hire.

Training includes camp-specific training, Ocean Institut Emergency Procedures, CPR, AED, and First Aid. 

Camper Medical Information

Ocean Institute is a safety-conscious organization and works hard to ensure campers have the safest experience possible. Please fill in the medical information with as much detail as possible to ensure your camper’s success while at camp.

Campers with Medication: All medications must come in their original container with dosage and scheduled indicated above OR on the first day of camp. Prescription medications must be accompanied by a physicians note verifying the medication, dosage, and schedule. Over the counter medications must have a note from the legal guardian verifying mediation, dosage, and schedule. Additionally, we must have a completed Administration of Medication form and bring it for the first day of camp.

Please ensure any medication for motion sickness is administered before the camper arrives OR is sent with the camper on the first day of camp in the original packaging. 

Administration of Medication Form

Ocean Institute is a safety-conscious organization and works hard to make your camper’s experience is the safest possible. We have provided information on activities your child may participate in with a level of risk because of the potential for injury in any activity. Our goal is to mitigate risk, balancing fun with safety at camp, so your camper will have an unforgettable experience!

Campers participate in a variety of hands-on activities with our instructors; while Ocean Institute makes every effort to create a safe and fun learning environment, the following are activities that may need additional explanation.

NOTE: Please read carefully, as each specific activity lists which camp(s) participate. Not all a camps participate in all specific activities.

Outside Activities: All Camps

 Many of the camp activities will occur outside and this usually means in the sun. We provide shade for some activity areas and Ocean Institute requires sunscreen be applied in the morning before camp; campers will be asked to reapply sunscreen during the day. Campers should bring their own sunscreen and are responsible for applying it themselves; staff are available to help!

Maddie James Seaside Learning Center: All Camps 

This floating dock contains labs where campers discover the techniques and technologies used by scientists as well as the Maritime Historical Boathouse for Maritime camp activities. Campers are always supervised, and the facility has rescue equipment readily available.

R/V Sea Explorer Cruise: Neptune’s Mysteries, Buccaneer Adventures, Ocean Discovery, Shipwreck Hunters, Coastal Explorers, and MSCIA 

The R/V Sea Explorer is a federally documented and US Coast Guard certified vessel and does not require the use of passenger life jackets. Approved Coast Guard Certified life jackets are available for use ONLY in the case of an emergency. If you would prefer your camper to wear a life jacket, you may provide your own and staff will ensure camps wear it; again, life jackets are not required on this vessel. There is a safety rail around the vessel and campers are always monitored while onboard. R/V Sea Explorer is equipped with heavy scientific gear used to collect samples for camper use during cruises and these areas are marked and off-limits to campers. Like any vessel during times at sea, the environment of the boat can be slippery and unsteady. Safety orders are given before the vessel departs the dock.

Exploration in the Dana Point Marine Protected Area: Neptune’s Mysteries, Buccaneer Adventures, Ocean Discovery, Coastal Explorers, and MSCIA 

Campers visit the tide pools at the Dana Point Marine Protected Area. This is a wilderness area with rough terrain, uneven footing, and slippery rocks. Slipping and falling are possible; proper footwear (close-toed, close-heeled shoes with good traction) is required. Instructors carry first aid kits and radios. Please be aware tides are generally not low enough in the daytime during the summer to guarantee observation of tide pool animals, but we do our best to explore the intertidal area!

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Specialized Activities: Camp varies, please refer to specific camp description. 

Sail on Spirit of Dana Point:

Spirit of Dana Point is a federally documented and US Coast Guard certified vessel and does not require the use of passenger life jackets. Approved Coast Guard Certified life jackets are available for use ONLY in the case of an emergency. If you would prefer your camper to wear a life jacket, you may provide your own and staff will ensure they wear it; again, life jackets are not required on this vessel. There is a safety rail around the vessel and campers are always monitored while onboard. There are lines and spars under pressure, hydraulics and working pulley systems. As with any vessel during times at sea, the environment of the ship can be slippery and unsteady. Safety orders are given before the vessel departs the dock.

Kayaking:

Dual sit-on-top kayaks are utilized for kayaking in Dana Point Harbor. There will be two campers per kayak; campers are required to always stay on their kayaks and wear life jackets. There is always an instructor on a separate kayak and a certified lifeguard in a safety boat supervising the activity.

Fishing:

Campers are supplied with a conventional fishing pole. The staff and captain always supervise campers and no overhead casting is permitted.

Going up the Mast in the Bosun’s Chair: (Buccaneer Adventures only) Campers will be lifted, individually, 8 – 10 feet off the deck in a traditional ship’s bosun’s chair. The chair has a safety line attached, handled by an instructor.

Learning Gunnery:

Campers practice the arts of an 1800’s gunner aboard the Schooner Spirit of Dana Point’s quarterdeck. Under the supervision of instructors, campers operate an unloaded replica cannon and gunnery tools to explore how ships defended themselves in the 1800’s.

Rowing Long Boats in the Harbor:

Campers row traditional long boats in Dana Point Harbor. All campers and instructors are required to wear lifejackets while in the long boat. A lifeguard in a motorized boat with a first aid kit, radio and life-saving equipment monitors the activities from the water. Campers practice rowing while tied to the dock and then apply their skills in the harbor.

 Laying Aloft on the Practice Yard:

In the Maritime Center Barn, campers climb onto the foot ropes of a replica yard. The foot ropes are 1-3 feet off the ground with mats below and minimum risk of falling. There are gymnastics mats under the yard and the campers are always supervised.

Moving Cargo with the Cargo Net or Barrel:

Campers handle lines to move cargo from one place to another using traditional block and tackle systems consisting of wooden blocks and synthetic lines. Campers are given line handling instructions before the activity and are supervised during by an instructor.

At Ocean Institute, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of the campers who attend our programs. To ensure the safety of our campers, we follow the following procedures for Check-In and Check-Out at summer camps.

Valid photo identification (such as a Driver’s License) is required to release campers to any individual, including parents, guardians, relatives, and emergency contacts. 

• Campers must be signed in and out by an adult (18 + y.o) every day.
• Campers will ONLY be released to listed authorized persons. Parents/guardians must complete and sign the form below, authorizing release of the camper to the adults listed in registration.
• If a custodial parent requests a camper not be signed out to a non-custodial parent, such a request must be in writing and the non-custodial parent should not be listed on this form or as an emergency contact. 
• Legal guardians are welcome to add names to the Release of Camper form during the week. Please contact Ocean Institute or provide name at check in or check-out.
• Campers may not leave camp early without prior authorization from the legal guardian and informing the camp administrator. 
• During registration list all adults authorized to pick up your child, including yourself and other guardians previously listed on the form.
  • Please submit legal names that will be on the adult’s photo identification (etc. ID, Passport). Labels such as grandma, dad, babysitter, and nicknames will not be accepted. 

Yes, please add your name to the waitlist!