Marine Science Kayak Camp
August 1st-5th, 2011 $290
Designed for youth ages 8-11.
Swim Home Itinerary Swim Back to Camps
Dear Marine Science Kayak Camper and Parent:
I would like to welcome you to Gateway's Marine Science and Kayaking program. The following letter will help you plan for a great week exploring our incredible coast.
Each day plan to dress as you would for a day at the beach. Dress in layers and be prepared for hot sunny days or cool fog laden ones. Bring a lunch and water bottle each day. Be sure to have sunscreen on or with you every day this week. Each day wear shoes that can get wet either when kayaking or exploring our coastal inter tidal life. Please refer to the itinerary for details on each day's activities.
Parents, we need drivers for field trips on Wednesday (Ano Nuevo) and Friday (Elkhorn
Slough). If interested in helping, please call Kim Powell at 831- 459-8548.
Monday, we'll meet at Gateway School at 1:00pm and end at Gateway at: 5:00pm
Tuesday, camp begins at Natural Bridges: beach overlook parking area; west end of Swanton St off of West Cliff Drive at 8:30am. Camp ends at 1:00pm at the Seymour Center (Long Marine Lab); the entrance to this facility is at the end of Delaware St. If you can not drop your child off or pick them up at designated areas, Gateway staff can provide transportation from the school.
Wednesday, we meet at Gateway at 9:00am and end the day at Gateway at 4:00pm.
Thursday we'll meet at the small boat launch in the Santa Cruz harbor (see directions at the end of this letter) at 10:00am and end there at 2:30pm. If you can not drop your child off or pick them up at designated areas, Gateway staff can provide transportation from the school.
Friday, we'll meet at Gateway School at 9:00 am and end at Gateway at 4:00pm.
On Thursday, students will be taught kayaking skills and safety in Santa Cruz Harbor. We will be using kayaks specifically designed for kids. The day will include a combination of paddling skills, rescue methods, fun games and activities. Wet suits will be provided since students will be getting out of their boats during rescues. If you want to use your own wet suit that's fine. Please bring it the first day of class so that we can check it out. Most kids really love learning rescues!
Our week will culminate with a kayaking adventure in Elkhorn Slough Reserve. The protected water of the slough is an ideal place to observe some of Central California's finest coastal resources. Sea otters, harbor seals and an array of birds can be seen at close range.
If you are driving campers to the slough, we will meet you at the public boat launch ramp in North Moss Landing Harbor just behind Monterey Bay Kayaks (2390 Hwy One) (before the bridge, on the right; there is a $5 parking fee to be paid at the Harbor).
Practicing a kayaking self rescue technique
Here's a list of what to bring kayaking on Thursday and Friday:
* Dress in layers -- Fleece, capilene, silk or wool are good insulators and are required on Thursday and Friday. Bring a warm top that can be put on if cool weather fog) approaches; a sweatshirt is adequate for the Elkhorn Slough day.
* Rash Guard—(optional) to be worn under wetsuit
* Bathing Suit—arrive with it on for Thursday
* Long pants or shorts- sweat pants that can be rolled up work well; nylon material dries quickly, but jeans get soggy and are not recommended.
* Wind breaker or paddling jacket
* Footgear - tennis shoes, Teva and Water bottle
* Lunch in a compact lunch bag or ziploc--take in boat with you
* Sunscreen and lip balm
* Sun glasses (or prescription glasses) attached with a leash
* Binoculars and camera in waterproof bag ( use at your own risk); disposable cameras-great.
* Small, compact day pack (optional)
* Change of clothes for ride home to be left in car
That covers our the logistics for our Marine Science Kayaking Adventure. Parents, please read and complete the Waiver
and have your child bring to school by Monday. I look forward to our adventure!
Very Sincerely,
Kim Powell, MRPA
Owner, Blue Water Ventures
Pulling a seine net, Elkhorn Slough
DIRECTIONS TO THE SMALL BOAT RAMP
(West Side of Santa Cruz Harbor-Aldos )
* Follow East Cliff Dr. towards Santa Cruz Harbor (Ocean Street will dead end at East Cliff Drive which becomes Murray)
* Right on Seabright Ave (Costa Brava Resturant and Seabright Brewery are located here)
* Left on Atlantic Ave (sign says: West Harbor)--just a few blocks down on Seabright
* Left on Mariner Parkway/Santa Cruz Harbor(if you kept going you would run into Aldos )
Follow the road down along the harbor; we will meet at the Small Boat Ramp, just past the F Dock;
You will see kayaks stored near this boat ramp and the US Coast Guard Station Sign behind the boat ramp. For Mapquest, Aldos Restaurant address is: 818 Atlantic Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. We meet on the opposite side of the Harbor from the Crow’s Nest and Kayak Connection
Kim’s cell phone is: 831-345-2417