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-3rd ( fall 2026)
Maximum class size: 10 students
Enrollment Fee: $475.00
Students will:
Observe plant and animal adaptations for survival on beaches, in tidepools, and in the rocky intertidal.
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.
Discuss relationships between various species in marine food pyramids.
Cruise Morro Bay Estuary onboard the Subsea Tours boat for viewing marine life underwater and marine mammals living around the Bay.
Explore the Natural History Museum to examine wildlife artifacts, learn about weather patterns, and learn how freshwater, saltwater, and the sandspit dunes play a role in shaping 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
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 pm
3rd grade and above:
Maximum class size: 10 students
Enrollment fee: 600.00
Students will:
Spend 3 days kayaking to explore the estuary’s sandspit dunes and beaches
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 2 days 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 journal that will be turned in daily.
Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities
advanced kayaking, whale watching, and marine life studies JUNE 29-july 3, 2026
mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Age range: 3rd grade and above
Maximum class size 10 students
Enrollment Fee: 550.00
The students will observe marine life during a two 3-hour whale watching cruise 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: Exploring and Investigating Freshwater and Saltwater. July 6 -10,2026
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Age range: 3rd 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 word form, sketches, or numbers.
Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities
Where the Shoreline meets the Bay July 13-17, 2026
Mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm
K-6, and adventurous parents
Maximum class size: 10 students
Enrollment fee: $475.00
Students and interested Parents will:
Spend 5 days exploring 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 nudibranchs and other invertebrates.
Use field microscopes to examine floating microscopic life.
Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities
Examining Marine Plants and Animals. July 20-24, 2026
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Grades K-3rd ( fall 2026)
Maximum class size: 10 students
Enrollment Fee: $475.00
Students will:
Observe and plant and animal adaptations for survival on beaches, in tidepools, and in the rocky intertidal.
Examine marine invertebrates and plants living under the estuary’s docks (Belly biology).
Use special nets to capture microscopic organisms, examine them using field microscopes, and discuss their role in marine food webs.
Cruise the estuary with Subsea Tours to observe marine life underwater and view sea lions and sea otters living around the estuary.
Explore the Natural History Museum to understand the role of fresh and saltwater in creating Morro Bay National Estuary.
Use 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
advanced kayaking, whale watching, and marine life studies July 27-july 31, 2026
mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Age range: 3rd grade and above
Maximum class size: 10 students
Enrollment Fee: 550.00
The students will observe marine life during a two 3-hour whale watching cruise 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