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Extreme Tidepooling, Kayaking & Kelp Bed Exploration Camp

July 30th-August 2nd, 2012

Designed for youth ages 10-13

Contact Gateway School for details at:
(831) 423-0341

Day One: Sit On Top Kayaking: Games and Rescues

Camp will begin with an introduction to the use of sit on top style of kayaks. For graduates of Gateway’s Marine Science and Kayaking Camp,

you will be able to fine tune your kayaking skills using a new style of boat. For those new to kayaking you will learn paddling skills, kayak games and water safety.

Our day will include new games and group challenges such as how may kids can pile onto a double sit on top kayak?

Campers will learn how to self rescue when kayaking a

sit on top kayak in preparation for tomorrow’s extreme adventure!

Begins and ends at Gateway; drivers needed--join us kayaking in Moss Landing  9:30am-3:30pm

Day Two: From River to Sea: The San Lorenzo River Hike.

Riparian corridors  are an intricate component to all marine ecosystems. On this adventurous day, campers will hike up stream

exploring the shallow clear pools of the San Lorenzo River. As we hike though the redwood forest that surrounds the river,

we will discuss the natural and cultural history of these majestic trees.

Using a mask and snorkel, we can float down river and see what lives clinging to the submerged rocks. 

Our day will even include an opportunity to "shoot a rapid" using a boogie board!

Begins and ends at Gateway School 9:30am-2:00pm

Day Three: Adventure Paddle/Exploration of the Kelp Forest

Today campers will slide off of their sit on top kayaks to have an eye level experience with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary! Using goggles or a mask/snorkel, we’ll take a look at the kelp forest or choose to remain dry and simply glide over the forest canopy searching for sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions and sea birds. Encompassing 5,322 square miles of ocean, our remarkable sanctuary supports one of the planet's most biologically diverse marine ecosystems.

The use of sit on top kayaks with the option to submerge into the water gives us an entirely different perspective on our ocean world.

Begins and ends at Cowell's Beach   9:30am-2:00pm

Day Four: Extreme Tidepooling at Davenport Landing

Today we’ll explore the dynamic rocky shore habitat at Davenport Landing with your camp naturalist. The Central California Coast contains some of the most diverse intertidal areas in the world! We will help campers understand the intricate adaptations of tidepool inhabitants such as sea anemones, sea stars, kelp crabs and cling fish. A near minus tide allows us to explore some areas that are only accessible during low tides.

We refer to this experience as Extreme Tidepooling as we offer opportunities to explore nooks and crannies that require getting wet.

Wearing a wetsuit is required and facilitates an entirely new way to experience the intertidal world

Begins and ends at Gateway; drivers needed--join us extreme tidepooling 7:00am-12:00pm