Travel to/from SEACAMP San Diego
Residential, overnight school groups can choose to either fly or bus to SEACAMP San Diego. Arrival and departure windows of time are provided on Schedule Options. Group travel must be scheduled to arrive/depart San Diego in the given windows of time provided and the group must arrive and departure together. SEACAMP San Diego is able to customize timing, if you don’t see an option that will work for your group. Arrivals or departures outside provided windows may result in longer waits at the airport or will require groups to wait in the bus and scheduled activities may be removed or modified. Group travel information must be provided with the Final Confirmation Form. Groups arriving by bus/auto must provide a specific arrival time and departure time on the Final Confirmation Form.

Flying: Flights will arrive and depart San Diego International airport. SEACAMP San Diego will provide complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off at San Diego International airport. SEACAMP San Diego is located about 15 minutes from the San Diego Airport.

Bus/Auto: Buses will drop off students and chaperones at our SEACAMP San Diego facility on Mission Bay on the first day of camp. The group is then picked-up on the last day of camp.

Transportation During Session
SEACAMP San Diego provides all transportation in San Diego.Throughout the session, students and adults are transported to and from activities and the airport in our 15 passenger vans.

Chaperone Transportation
Transportation will be provided everywhere we go in San Diego. Participating adults are expected to accompany the group to the day’s sites – they are not able to stay at camp. Even though adults will be accompanying the group, they are not required to participate in all activities (i.e. boogie boarding, etc).

For adults staying offsite, transportation will occur twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening – either before dinner or after the evening activity. Exact times will be determined by the day’s activities and will be announced by SEACAMP instructors. If you are not in the designated pick-up point at the appointed time, the van driver will be instructed to leave without you so that the students are not delayed. Please make all chaperones aware that once a chaperone has left the group for the afternoon or evening, he or she will not be allowed to rejoin the group until the next morning.

Chaperones that have their own transportation are responsible for getting on-site on time to depart with the group for the day, or be on-time and at the correct locations to participate in activities. We will not hold up program for chaperones that are late.

Chaperones must be adults at least 18 years or older. At least one chaperone is required to accompany the group to SEACAMP San Diego.

Chaperone Policies
We require at least one adult be available at all times. This adult must be alcohol-free and available to travel to camp within fifteen minutes to assist/deal with student issues. We reserve the right to require chaperone participation should it be necessary. Chaperones are not permitted to bring additional persons with them to program. All attendees must be registered participants with the group. All chaperones are required to complete adult registration forms and follow the policies included in included in the Information Forms. Chaperones may not consume any alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, marijuana or illegal drugs while in program with students.

While your group is at SEACAMP San Diego we assume all liability for all of the students. Because of this, it is crucial that the students and adults abide closely to the policies set forth by the SEACAMP San Diego staff during program. If any adults allow students to act outside of SEACAMP supervision or directions, that adult takes on all liability for that situation. Additionally, students must remain with the group at all times unless SEACAMP San Diego staff has verified that other arrangements are necessary.

Complimentary Numbers
Your group receives one complimentary tuition spot at SEACAMP for a teacher/chaperone for every approximately every 10 paid spots after reaching the minimum of 20

• 20-29 paying participants – one complimentary spot
• 30-39 paying participants – two complimentary spots
• 40-49 paying participants – three complimentary spots
• 50 – 56 paying participants – four complimentary spots

Complimentary tuition spots only apply to SEACAMP tuition and does not include any other expenses, including travel. Any additional adults planning to attend beyond the provided complimentary spots will pay full tuition price.

Chaperone Housing
Chaperones attending camp with the students will have room, board, transportation, all gear and in-water supervision provided for the length of their stay. All adults are welcome to stay on-site in the dorms with the students; however, they are not required to. Please remember maximums in the dorms – dorm space is limited to no more than 31 participants of one gender identity and 25 participants of the other gender identity, this includes any adults planning to stay at camp. Should all chaperones choose to stay off-site, SEACAMP San Diego requires one chaperone to be “on call” – alcohol-free and available to travel to camp within fifteen minutes at all times for any reason. We will request a phone number and name for the on-call adult for any time there is not a chaperone present with the students.

SEACAMP San Diego will offer the choice of staying at camp with the students or off-site at our hotel partner, The Old Town Inn. Group will receive one complimentary hotel room at the Old Town Inn that is reserved and paid for by SEACAMP San Diego with 20 paying participants. The room will be double occupancy with one king bed. Complimentary room reservations are made when deposit payment is received and confirmed when the Final Confirmation Form is received. SEACAMP assumes no responsibility for reservations, if we do not receive your information in time to reserve the room. Complimentary hotel room is provided as a convenience. Unused room will not credited or reimbursed.

Complimentary room ratios:

• Groups of 20 or more paying participants receive one double occupancy room, with one king bed, dependent on availability. Based on group size, we will provide a complimentary hotel room(s)

Rooms will be double occupancy, non-smoking, economy rooms. Reservations will made and paid for by SEACAMP San Diego. Be advised some school districts require that school teachers/chaperones be with the group at all times.

Reservations are made based on Deposit Payment and confirmed when we receive the Final Confirmation Form, due with your final payment. SEACAMP assumes no responsibility for reservations if we do not receive your information in time to reserve the room.

Chaperone Transportation
Transportation will be provided everywhere we go in San Diego. Participating adults are expected to accompany the group to the day’s sites – they are not able to stay at camp. Even though adults will be accompanying the group, they are not required to participate in all activities (i.e. boogie boarding, etc).

For adults staying offsite, transportation will occur twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening – either before dinner or after the evening activity. Exact times will be determined by the day’s activities and will be announced by SEACAMP instructors.  If you are not in the designated pick-up point at the appointed time, the van driver will be instructed to leave without you so that the students are not delayed. Please make all chaperones aware that once a chaperone has left the group for the afternoon or evening, he or she will not be allowed to rejoin the group until the next morning.

Chaperones that have their own transportation are responsible for getting on-site on time to depart with the group for the day, or be on-time and at the correct locations to participate in activities. We will not hold up program for chaperones that are late.

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.

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.

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.

SEACAMP San Diego Marine Science Instructors possess at least a college degree and are certified Red Cross Lifeguards with First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer – including training and first aid for marine hazards. Additionally, all staff have been finger printed with the state Department of Justice & FBI and all have Class-C commercial driver’s licenses. SEACAMP San Diego does not retain a nurse on staff, although we do have a paramedic consultant on call. We are within close proximity of emergency care and are in a 9-1-1 service area.

SEACAMP San Diego tuition includes 24-hour supervision of students. The amount of supervisory staff varies depending on the schedule. During snorkeling, there is one lifeguarded staff member with every seven students and staff will have a rescue tube with them. All water activities require students to wear full-length, 7mm wet suits (which makes them buoyant). The only exception is during kayaking and stand up paddle boarding when students will be wearing Coast Guard-approved PFDs (Personal Flotation Device – a ‘life jacket’). In the controlled environment of camp, evening activities will have 3 to 5 staff depending on the activity.

During overnight, residential programs the students are housed in traditional open style dorms with bunk beds. All students identifying as male will be housed in one dorm all students identifying as female will be housed in another dorm. The male dorm will be include a male Instructor overnight and the female dorm will include a female Instructor overnight.

All SEACAMP San Diego’s programs are centrally located in the community within easy reach of full medical facilities, including emergency care. All facilities are easily accessible by car and ambulance in case of emergency and professional medical care is on call 24 hours a day. Additionally, SEACAMP San Diego Instructors possess at least a college degree and are certified Red Cross Lifeguards with First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Oxygen Administration training. SEACAMP San Diego does not retain a nurse on staff, although we do have a paramedic consultant on call.

Instructors with the group have access to a cell phone at all times. SEACAMP San Diego instructors are mandated reporters.

Immunizations
As an Organized Camp in California, the California Department of Public Health requires we have certain medical information on file for each participant including immunization records. California Code of Regulations § 30750 “…A record of immunizations including date of the last tetanus shot…”. No specific immunization is required to attend including the tetanus shot. Only the date of the last tetanus shot is required, if this immunization has been received.

Additionally, per the California Department of Health all participants are required to provide a copy of their immunization records that include the date of their received last tetanus shot. No specific vaccinations are required including the tetanus shot

COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccinations for COVID-19 are not required but are strongly encouraged due to the close proximity and communal dorms.

Precautions
All participants must be in good health at the time of the group start date. Any participants that have been in close contact with someone that tests positive for COVID‐19 will be required to follow current CDC and CDPH guidelines. Participants should be given a health screening prior to departing for the trip. If a participant becomes sick at camp, that participant may need to isolated away from the group and supervision by the group chaperone may be required. Please do not bring sick participants with you to camp.

Face coverings during program and testing prior to attendance are not currently required.

Policies are subject to change. Written notification will be provided.

Enrollment Consideration
Participants should evaluate whether attendance at SEACAMP San Diego is right for them and their families. Each family should carefully consider, if participation is appropriate due to the additional risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who are immunocompromised, or live with individuals at risk of serious illness due to COVID-19 should not attend programs, or they should consult with their doctor to determine if participation would be safe and appropriate.