Our story
ABOUT
The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 30 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor; adjacent to a Marine Protected Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth Marine Science and Maritime History education.
The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel. Immersion-based field trips range from one-hour science labs to multi-day programs at sea. All programs are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning.
A Brief History: The Early Days
“Using the Ocean as Our Classroom
We Inspire Children to Learn”
The Ocean Institute was established in 1977 as the Orange County Marine Institute. Today it is a community-based, federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization nationally renowned for its ocean science and maritime history educational programs.
Under the leadership of its founder, Stan Cummings, the Ocean Institute was originally established under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that included the County of Orange, the Orange County Department of Education, Saddleback Community College District, Rancho Santiago Community College District, North Orange County Community College District, and Coast Community College District. In 1992 the agreement was redrafted to include the City of Dana Point.
In September 1996 OI’s Board of Directors transferred the assets and operating authority to a 501(c)(3) called the Friends of the Marine Institute in Orange County. In November 1999, the Board changed the name to Ocean Institute.
In July 1999, the Institute signed a new, 35-year lease with the County of Orange for 2.4 acres at the west end of Dana Point Harbor, at the edge of the ocean and adjacent to a Marine Protected Area, a location that is ideal for hands-on learning about the ocean and its creatures.
The Institute grew steadily from inception to the point when the facilities were at 100 percent capacity. In 1999 the board voted to expand and initiated a capital fundraising campaign for the design and construction of new facilities. A ground-breaking ceremony on March 28, 2001, kicked off construction of the six-building, 33,800-square-foot campus. It took 18 months to build for $16.5 million. The capstone event came in October 2002, when the new Ocean Education Center opened its doors to the people of Southern California and beyond.
Ocean Institute Founder Stan Cummings, Ph.D.
A Legacy: 1945 – 2021
The late Stan Cummings had a vision back in 1977: To create an oceanside learning facility that would accommodate study programs in support of the school curriculum by providing exciting hands-on opportunities for students to become research scientists, oceanographers, and explorers, while immersed in Ocean Institute school-day and weekend programs.
Just a few highlights from his time leading the Ocean Institute:
- He established the institute’s annual Tall Ships Festival in 1986. It continues to this day as the Maritime Festival.
- He led the way to create the Ocean in Motion van, which brought ocean education directly into classrooms.
- He brought the R/V Sea Explorer into the Ocean Institute family in 1994.
- He led the continued development of the Ocean Institute to what it is today.
As time went by, awards and recognition followed, including:
- The inaugural Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Maritime Education from the National Maritime Historical Society in 1995
- The Sea Education Program of the Year award from the American Sail Training Association in 1996
- National Science Foundation Awards in 2003 and 2005
- Orange County Department of Education Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education
Today the Institute serves approximately 100,000 visitors each year and has continued to fulfill Dr. Cummings’ legacy by providing programming that embodies the tagline he created, “Experience is the Teacher.”
Ocean Institute Today
All programs at Ocean Institute are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning. They include:
- The 65-food Research Vessel Sea Explorer; is the institute’s floating lab equipped with underwater cameras, an acoustic hydrophone, onboard computers, video microscopes, touch tanks, and a viewing aquarium.
- Whale and Marine Life Tours aboard the R/V Sea Explorer
- Bioluminescence Night Cruises. Guests experience the luminous underwater world where marine animals glow in the dark.
- Tall ship sails aboard the Spirit of Dana Point. Take a step back into maritime history.
- Tide pool hikes and kayak harbor tours guided by Ocean Institute’s expert naturalists to explore the mysteries of the rocky Marine Protected Area.
- School field trips designed to complement teachers’ curriculum.
- Summer camps.
- Career-oriented conferences such as Girls in Ocean Science and Stoked on Science.
- Signature fundraising events like the annual Jazz and Maritime festivals.
- Gift Shop for holiday treasures, children’s books and educational toys and games, and Ocean Institute-branded apparel.
- Venue rental space, including the Samueli Conference Center for extravagant dining, weddings, and other celebrations; the Surf Science Deck with its spectacular ocean view for smaller gatherings; the Maddie James Maritime Wharf; and the Executive Boardroom.
- The Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series.
YOUR Stories
We want to hear from you!
Ocean Institute has 46 years of history with the southern California community and beyond. As we approach our 50th Anniversary, we want to hear your stories of impact! Were you a teacher who introduced your kids to the wonders of the ocean through our field trips? Or maybe, a student who actually participated in our programs? Did you launch down a certain career path because of what you learned through our highschool internships?
Whatever your story with Ocean Institute is, we want to hear it! From Alumni, to teachers, students, and parents, we want to hear how OI has impacted your life. Please fill out the form below to share your story!
Share YOUR story with us here!
About the Ocean Institute
The Ocean Institute is nationally known for its award winning, hands-on marine science, environmental education and maritime history programs. Students, families and the general public become tall ship sailors, research scientists, oceanographers, and explorers while immersed in Ocean Institute programs.
Ocean Institute Mission
Brief History of the Ocean Institute
The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977 as the Orange County Marine Institute, is a community-based 501 © (3) organization that educates students and public visitors through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. Located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor, adjacent to a Marine Protected Area, the site is ideal for hands-on learning about the sea.
The Institute grew steadily from inception to the point that the facilities were at 100% capacity. In 1999, the Board of Directors voted to expand, and initiated a capital fundraising campaign for the design and construction of new facilities. Construction of the six building, 33,800 sq. ft. campus began in early 2001. It took 18 months to build at a cost of $16.5 million, all generously donated by numerous friends from throughout the country. The capstone occasion came in October 2002 when the new Ocean Education Center opened for the people of Southern California and beyond.
Educational Facilities
Ocean Education Center – comprised of the Sahm Family Foundation Marine Education Center, At Sea Learning Center, Surf Science Learning Center, and the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center; teaching stations include marine life tanks, wet-tables with video-microscopes, a wave tank, a children’s theater, a ROV testing tank, and a sleeping deck with sweeping ocean views.
Maritime Center – a hands-on teaching facility built for exploration of maritime history.
Maddie James Seaside Learning Center – our spectacular “on the water” facility featuring a 300’ Ocean Science Landing with fascinating science and maritime learning stations and vessel moorings.
R/V Sea Explorer – a 65-ft. marine science research vessel with state-of-the-art oceanography equipment where students become oceanographers for a day.
Spirit of Dana Point – a 118-ft. topsail schooner used for living history and at-sea maritime adventures.
Marine Protected Area – a natural intertidal ecosystem of eight acres adjacent to our site.
Chambers Gallery Book and Gift Store – carrying the latest educational materials and ocean-themed items with proceeds benefiting Ocean Institute programs.
Samueli Lecture Hall and Conference Center – a unique setting for events with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. The center is also used for a variety of educational programs.
Current Facts
Annual Students Served: ~15,000
Staff: 115 (full and part-time)
Volunteers: 100
Photo / Video Guidelines
By entering, you consent to your voice and photography or video of you, including accompanying children, to be used without compensation in any and all media and marketing materials, and you release Ocean Institute from any liability of usage.
Taking photos or video for editorial purposes
Anyone can take photos and video for their personal use only. Media should contact the Marketing department in advance to arrange to shoot photos and videos that will be used with articles or media that include Ocean Institute.
Taking photos or video for commercial purposes
Taking photos or video for commercial purposes, including for stock images, commercial products and other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior authorization from the Marketing department. If permission is granted, payment of location fee may be involved, depending on the scope of the project.
Location filming/photography
We consider each location request on an individual basis, and fees may be charged for shooting. Requests can be accommodated only if they do not conflict with scheduled events.
National Recognition
- Dana Point Chamber of Commerce – Business of the Year 2008
- Orange County Department of Education – Outstanding Contributions in Education Award
- U. S. Sailing – National Outstanding Community Sailing Program Award
- 2005 National Science Foundation Award
- 2003 National Science Foundation Award
- Inaugural Walter Cronkite Award, National Maritime Historical Society
- Program of the Year, American Sail Training Association
- Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation Grant Recipient