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This year’s focus is on the basics of scientific inquiry: Making observations, asking questions, making connections, and drawing conclusions. We will observe and discuss how different plants and animals become part of food webs.

Examining Marine Plants and Animals: June 8 -12, 2026

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

Grades K-6th (fall 2026)

Maximum class size: 10 students

Enrollment Fee: $475.00

Students will:

  • Observe plant and animal adaptations for survival on beaches, in tide pools, and in the rocky intertidal zone.

  • Examine marine invertebrates and plants living under the docks in Morro Bay *(Belly Biology).

    *Students lie down on the floating docks and examine marine life attached underneath

  • Use plankton nets to capture microscopic organisms, then examine them on slides using field microscopes.

  • Cruise Morro Bay Estuary with the Subsea Tours boat to view marine life underwater and marine mammals living around the Bay.

  • Explore the Natural History Museum to examine wildlife artifacts, learn about weather patterns, and discover how freshwater, saltwater, and the sandspit dunes shape our estuary.

  • Use their journals to record observations, ask questions, and sketch wildlife using basic field journaling techniques.

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Where the Shoreline Meets the Bay: June 15-19, 2026

    Mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    age range: K-6 grade, and adventurous parents

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment fee: $475.00

    Students and interested Parents will:

  • Explore rocky intertidal zones and tidepools between Cayucos and Avila Beach

  • Kayak across the estuary to explore the sandspit shoreline, searching for marine animals

  • Examine marine life under the docks in Morro Bay to search for anemones, nudibranchs, and other invertebrates

    Use plankton nets and field microscopes to capture and examine floating microscopic life

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Working and Playing like a Scientist: June 22-26, 2026

    Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 2:30 pmAge range: 3rd grade and above

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment fee: 450.00

    Students will:

  • Kayak to Morro Bay Sandspit to explore the dunes, discuss dune formation, and examine dune plants.

  • Learn to use field science research methods, scientific sketching, and journaling techniques

  • Capture and identify microscopic animals and plants (plankton) using plankton nets and field microscopes

  • Spend a day searching for humpback whales and other marine animals in Estero Bay.

    *Whale watching Trips are about 3 hours from 9 am - 12 pm

    Students will be responsible for keeping a daily journal to turn in.

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Kayaking, Whale Watching, and Marine Life studies: June 29 to July 3, 2026

    mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    Age range: 3rd grade and above

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: 475.00

  • The students will observe marine life during 2 whale watching cruises and 3 days of kayaking around the Estuary.

  • Students will increase their observation skills by viewing marine life from shore using binoculars and spotting scopes.

  • Students will keep journals to describe conclusions they’ve drawn from observing feeding, swimming, resting, and diving behavior.

  • On Friday, there will be a group discussion where students will share their observations and conclusions.

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Life in a Drop of Water: Studying Microscopic Plants and Animals: July 6 -10,2026

    Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    Age range: 2nd grade and above

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: 400.00

  • This week, we will make connections between different ecosystems within the Morro Bay and San Luis Watersheds

  • Students practice data collection skills by performing water quality tests.

  • Students will capture and examine creek invertebrates and discuss how water temperature and chemistry affect species distribution.

  • Students will explore creeks to become familiar with plants common to freshwater ecosystems.

    Students will also record observations in their journals in written form, as sketches, or as numbers.

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on daily activity locations.

    Where the Shoreline meets the Bay Learning to see Nudibranchs (sea slugs)

    July 13-17, 2026

    K-6, and adventurous parents

    (Students 7 years and under require a chaperone)

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment fee: $475.00

    Nudibranchs vary in size, are often vividly colored, and are accessible to beginning scientists. This week, students will learn how to experience nudibranchs through beginner-friendly encounters that encourage independent discovery. By breaking down where and how to look and how to document observations responsibly, students will learn how everyday encounters with sea slugs can contribute to our understanding of coastal ecosystems. No prior experience required, just curiosity and attention.

    Activities include five days of exploring rocky intertidal zones and tide pools between Cayucos and Avila Beach.

    Kayaking across the estuary to explore the sandspit shoreline, searching for marine invertebrates

    Examining marine life under the docks in Morro Bay, searching for nudibranchs and other invertebrates.

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    California’s Coastal Geology: July 20-24, 2026

    mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    Age range: 2nd grade and above

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: 350.00

    California has an extraordinary geological history. Constructed like a giant jigsaw puzzle, our coastline has been carved and shaped by powerful volcanic forces. We will spend this week exploring some of the landforms that have played a role in creating California’s coastline. We will explore pillow lava formations in Avila Bay, hike in Montana de Oro, including Valencia Peak and Quarry Cove to explore shale formations, and kayak to the Sandspit to explore dune formations in Monterey Bay. We will also hike Black Hill and Cero San Luis, two of the Nine “Sisters”, to learn about where and how these iconic volcanic formations were formed.

    What is the Morro Bay Watershed? July 27-31, 2026

    Mon-friMon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    3rd and above (fall 2026)

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: $350.00

    The San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay watersheds are two of the county's environmentally important drainage systems. San Luis Obispo Creek and tributaries feed into Avila Bay, while Chorro Creek and tributaries feed into Morro Bay Estuary. We will use interactive activities to examine the water’s journey through these environmentally sensitive ecosystems. Activities will include plankton capture and study with field microscopes, kayaking, and dune hiking in Morro Bay, hiking in Rancho El Chorro, and Montana de Oro. Students will also conduct water quality tests in various creek locations

    Examining Marine Plants and Animals: August 3-7, 2026

    Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    Grades 3rd and above ( fall 2026)

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: $350.00

    Students will:

    Observe plant and animal adaptations for survival on beaches, in tide pools, and in the rocky intertidal zone.

  • Examine marine invertebrates and plants living under the docks in Morro Bay *(Belly Biology).

    *Students lie down on the floating docks and examine marine life attached underneath

  • Learn to use plankton nets to capture microscopic organisms, then examine them using field microscopes.

  • Cruise Morro Bay Estuary with the Subsea Tours boat to view marine life underwater and marine mammals living around the Bay.

  • Explore the Natural History Museum to examine wildlife artifacts, learn about weather patterns, and discover how freshwater, saltwater, and the sandspit dunes shape our estuary.

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Cancellation and Refunds:

    We understand that family plans can change, and we strive to be as flexible and fair as possible while also honoring the time, planning, and resources required to prepare our summer camp programs.

    * Cancellations 30 days or more before the first day of your student’s camp session are fully refunded, minus a $25 administrative fee.

    Cancellations made less than 30 days before the session begins are non-refundable, except in cases of medical emergency.

    * No refunds are given for missed days, late arrivals, or early departures once the session begins.