When is this Year's Trip?
September 21-23, 2026
What does that look like for transportation?
Campers will check in at the CAMS campus at 5 am Monday, September 21, and load the buses shortly after. We will leave the campus at about 5:45 am and be on our way to Long Beach to board the Catalina Express! Certain chaperones may be asked to drive a large personal vehicle to help bring excess luggage to the boat.
Cost
The cost for the 2026 trip is $500.
Payment links will be emailed to parents directly; however, we prefer cash or check payments to be made in the CAMS front office: 144 Woodward Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Please email Rachel at rdove@classicalacademy.com with questions about payment options
This includes transportation to and from the Catalina Express docks, a trip t-shirt, and the cost of the camp, including meals and activities.
This Sounds Great! When can I sign my student up?
Students: This trip is for 7th-grade Classical Academy Middle School M-Track students and The Classical Academies Bear Valley C Track and SORA students.
Adults: Chaperones are needed and will be determined by the needs of the whole student group. Chaperones will be chosen and notified after registration is over and they've completed an emailed survey.
Requirements to Attend:
Registration Form Completed
Payment in Full by August 5
Waivers signed and turned in by August 5
Signed Medical & Medication Forms filled out by a Doctor by August 5
Waivers and Medication forms can be found HERE.
**Chaperones are required to have a LiveScan, Criminal History Declaration, and complete a TB assessment with our District Nurse. Information and forms will be provided once chaperones have been chosen. Not completing these requirements in a timely manner may affect your ability to attend this and future trips.
A chaperone on this trip is a paid adult participant. You are a participant, just like our students; however, you will be put in charge of a group of students during activity rotations or when students want to hang out around the camp during free time. Adult chaperones pay the "chaperone rate" and are expected to enjoy the trip as participants while always looking out for the whole group's general welfare!
Not all Chaperone requests will be granted due to space availability and contract limits.
What activities happen on Catalina?
These activities may be included in our trip!
SNORKLING: Refuge Lagoon - One of the best snorkeling areas in Catalina
KAYAKING: Coastal Bird - Kayak to a bird nesting spot - Bird Rock
HIKING: Natural History Hike - Learn about island history and ecosystems on several different trails, Astronomy Hike, OR Island Ecology Hike
TIDE POOL: Intertidal Ecology - Explore the animals of the tide pools
EDUCATIONAL ROTATION: Marine Mammals, Plankton, Algae (Seaweed), and Invertebrates
FUN: Rock Climbing or Free Time to play volleyball or soccer
**Students must participate in all activities, including snorkeling and squid dissection.**
Food
Students will dine family-style for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If your student has any specific dietary needs, please be sure to contact the organizer immediately and be sure to make a note on the waiver.
Students are NOT to bring food with them except for a hearty lunch on the way to Catalina.
Cabins
Your child will sleep in a cabin with up to 10-11 other children of the same sex and at least one parent or teacher chaperone.
Bunk beds are provided by the camp. Campers must bring their sleeping bag and pillow.
Refillable Water Bottle -required- (NOT GLASS!)
Warm beanie for evenings
Old T-Shirts
Shorts that dry quickly
Long sleeve shirt
Underwear
Old shoes
Flip flops/water shoes
Swimsuit (Girls-one piece, Boys-rash guards+shorts)
Sweatshirt
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Hat (sun is bright, especially kayaking)
Lightweight bath towel
Lightweight beach towel (2)
Warm sleeping bag
Flashlight
Sunscreen
Raincoat or poncho (check weather)
Socks
Sleepwear
Pants
NO electronics (this includes cell phones)
Curling irons or hair dryers
ANY Valuables
Favorite clothes
Gum, candy
Knives
Spear guns
Firecrackers
Alcohol or drugs
Video games
Toys
Fishing gear
Extra snacks in bags
Packing
Students are allowed 1 overnight bag and 1 sleeping bag. These items are to be clearly labeled with the student’s name and school.
Sleeping bags and pillows should be in a marked bag (a large trash bag works wonderfully). Please send an extra trash bag for the trip home.
Each student will receive 2 colored ribbons on the morning of departure (one for the overnight bag and one for their sleeping bag/pillow). Please be sure to attach these immediately so that we can easily locate which campsite the luggage belongs to.
Medications
Waivers and Medication forms can be found HERE.
Medications must be clearly labeled with the name and dosage and placed in a zip-lock baggie with the doctor-signed forms.
Medication will be managed and distributed by a teacher or parent chaperone.
Please bring any needed medications to CAMS on the Friday before departure (September 18, 2026)to allow us to prepare the chaperone bags.
Any student with an Epi-Pen or Inhaler must bring it marked in a baggie. Epi-Pen and/or Inhaler must be worn at all times while at camp. No exceptions.
Seasickness:
If you know for a fact that your student has trouble with motion sickness, we suggest your student take some type of medicine for seasickness. If you are not sure, please give your child medication just in case. Crackers and ginger ale will be provided by the teacher chaperone for those who need some extra help to alleviate any motion sickness.
Need Additional Help?
Please contact
Julie Entzminger - Teacher Chaperone: jentzminger@classicalacademy.com
Rachel Dove CAMS/TCA Trip Organizer: rdove@classicalacademy.com