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Marine Science Kayaking Camp

Designed for youth ages 8-11
August 1st-5th, 2011

DAY ONE: GATEWAY SCHOOL (1:00 - 5:00)
Our week begins with a look at the incredible marine resources available to you in your own back yard. We'll take a look at the animals that inhabit our coastal tide pools and discuss their amazing adaptations. Through games and activities, we'll learn about larger members of the marine ecosystem such as blue whales, elephant seals and brown pelicans. Everyone can bring a snack we can enjoy at a nearby beach where we'll continue learning about our extraordinary coast.
Begin and end at Gateway.

DAY TWO: NATURAL BRIDGES SEYMOUR CENTER (8:30-1:00)

We'll get an early start today as we explore the inter tidal life that flourishes along the rocky shores of Natural Bridges State Park. Colorful sea stars, giant green anemones, hermit crabs and nudibranchs are among the animals we are likely to see. Students will examine the tide pool community using several educational tools. After lunch, we'll learn how beaches and sand dunes are formed as we continue our study of the coastal environment. Our field trip will end at the Seymour Center where students will participate in a special scavenger hunt.
Begin at Natural Bridges/ end at the Seymour Center (Long Marine Lab)

DAY THREE: ANO NUEVO STATE RESERVE (9:00 - 4:00)
We'll travel north today to Ano Nuevo State Reserve, site of the largest haul out of elephant seals in northern California. In August, we can expect to see 100's of seals that have returned to the beaches of Ano Nuevo to molt their fur. This area was once a large settlement site of the Ohlone Indians. Evidence of their existence here over 1000 years ago is still apparent today. After exploring the marine life and past human settlement sites of Ano Nuevo, we'll head home.
Begin/end at Gateway * drivers needed --join us hiking at Ano!

DAY FOUR: KAYAK SKILLS/SAFETY SANTA CRUZ HARBOR (10:00-2:30)
We'll spend an exciting day learning how to safely explore the coastal marine world using kayaks. Renting equipment from Kayak Connection, we'll begin by learning paddling skills and safety parameters before launching into the protected harbor. On the water we'll practice our skills using fun-filled, energetic games and group challenges. We'll kayak across the harbor and have lunch on the shore. In the afternoon, everyone who wants to will get wet as we learn rescue techniques.
This often proves to be the highlight of the day!
Begin and end at Santa Cruz Harbor

DAY FIVE: KAYAK EXPEDITION TO ELKHORN SLOUGH (9:00-4:00)
Today will be spent exploring the biologically rich and protected waters of Elkhorn Slough. We'll observe the behavior of sea otters and harbor seals at a close range and paddle up tidal creeks. After lunch, we'll pull a large seine net and look at species such as halibut, sculpins, and kelp crabs that are caught unharmed in the net. Animals will be carefully released before paddling back to the harbor. Once back on land, we'll say our final farewells and head home.
Begin and end at Gateway * drivers needed--join us in the slough!