Seacamp San Diego

Accommodation

Campers in SEACAMP I stay in open-style dormitories that house all participants together (separated by gender). Dorms feature bunk beds, and students bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, and bottom sheets. Staff instructors stay overnight to supervise, ensuring a safe and supportive living environment. Between the dorm buildings, a courtyard provides space for socializing, games, or even lab work in the daylight. Restrooms are shared across the courtyard: showers are in individual, curtained stalls, and toilets are in communal restrooms. The layout balances community and structure, giving campers both independence and adult support.

Meals

Meals at SEACAMP I are included in the program and thoughtfully provided. Breakfast and dinner are cafeteria-style, served at the camp facility, giving campers a chance to refuel before their labs or fieldwork. Lunches are packed (“brown-bag”) so campers can take them into the field for snorkel trips, kayaking, or lab excursions. The menus strive for balance, offering fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of proteins to support active waterfront days. Snacks are not included, so campers are encouraged to bring individually wrapped snacks if they’ll need more between meals.

Safety

Safety is a cornerstone of SEACAMP’s operations. Instructors are highly qualified: each has at least a college degree and is certified as a Red Cross Lifeguard with professional first-aid training, oxygen administration, and CPR. All staff undergo thorough background checks. On water, all boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling are closely supervised by trained instructors. On land, labs and evening programs follow strict safety protocols. In the dorms, trained staff remain with students overnight, providing supervision 24 hours a day.

Health & Medicine

Before camp begins, families complete detailed health and medical forms to communicate allergies, prescriptions, and any special medical needs. During camp, trained staff administer first aid and manage daily health care. While SEACAMP does not have a nurse on-site, they maintain a paramedic consultant on call and have access to local medical facilities in case of emergencies. Staff also encourage regular hydration, sun protection, and rest to help campers stay healthy throughout their week.

Camp Traditions

SEACAMP I has a tradition of blending science, exploration, and shared discovery. Each day includes classroom and field labs, but the evenings are reserved for reflection, games, and community. Campers often gather for night activities, skits, or group discussions after long afternoons of fieldwork. The week builds to a big highlight: a full-day boat trip that becomes a shared rite of passage, where campers snorkel, observe marine life, and make meaningful memories. This mix of learning, sea adventure, and community bonding brings campers back year after year.

SEACAMP I’s program balances rigorous science with thrilling ocean adventure. Each day includes morning labs where students explore marine ecology, chemistry, and biology using real specimens and research tools. Afternoons bring in-field activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, boogie boarding, and paddleboarding to reinforce lessons from the lab. Instructors guide students through open-water exploration and teach them to observe marine life, currents, and ecosystems. The culminating event is a full-day boat trip where students snorkel over reefs, observe marine mammals, and practice hands-on conservation skills. In the evenings, campers reflect on their experiences, share stories, and connect as a community.