Thank you for your interest in our Floating Sea camp! MSA proudly offers your class a one-of-a-kind educational adventure on board our 112 floating lab! We support STEM programs in a hands-on manner to get students excited about marine science and deckmanship. Our programs reinforce the scientific method while imparting a personal appreciation and love for the ocean. Visit multiple coves while snorkeling, kayaking and hiking throughout Catalina Island. Comfy accommodations. Sleeps 40 passengers in 2 person bunk rooms. Each room has a bathroom with toilet, shower and sink. Great home cooked meals served from our commercial galley.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Fish Lab + Snorkel Activity (2 hours 15 minutes)
Objective: To learn about, be able to identify, and observe several common coastal fish and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Activity: Snorkeling :)
Vertebrate/Invertebrate Lab + Touch Tanks and Aquarium (2 hours 15 minutes)
Vertebrate Lab Objective: To learn about, identify, and encounter different Classes of Ocean Fish.
Activity: Aquarium and Touch Tanks (our Cartilaginous touch tank usually has Leopard Sharks, Horn Sharks, various ray with stingers clipped, and Shovel Nose Guitar Fish)
Invertebrate Lab Objective: To learn about, identify, and encounter different Phyla of Invertebrate Ocean Animals.
Activity: Aquarium and Touch Tanks (our invertebrate touch tank usually has sea urchins, sea anemones, keyhole limpets, sea stars
Bird Lab + Kayak Activity (2 hours 15 minutes)
Objective: To learn about, identify, and observe various common coastal birds and their behaviors.
Activity: Kayaking
Natural History Hike (1 hour 30 minutes)
Objective: To learn about the History, Flora, and Fauna of Santa Catalina Island (Endemic, Native, Introduced)
Activity: Hike
Squid Dissection (45 minutes)
Objective: To learn about and examine the anatomy of a squid
Activity: Squid Dissection
Turtle Hurdles Game (45 minutes)
Objective: To learn about the limiting factors in a sea turtle’s life and the impact of pollutants in the ocean.
Activity: Game
Open Water Front: (45 Minutes of life guarded fun beach time)
Plastics and Pollution - night class (50 minutes)
Objective: To learn about the pervasive problem of plastics and pollutants in the oceans and to discuss solutions to the problems
Activity: Video + team solutions
Trust Walk - night class (50 minutes)
Objective: To learn the importance of those who are influencing us and those we influence, leading, following, and the importance of Trust!
Environmental Stewardship (20 Minutes)
Objective: Discuss the importance of stewarding God's Creation.
Activity: Visit the Eco Lodge, the organic garden, and the hydroponics station.
Skits - night activity
Objective: Prepare entertaining skits including what the students learned, experienced, and researched while at camp.
Plankton Lab (2 hours 15 minutes)
Objective: To Learn about the different types of plankton in the ocean and the water conditions that affect it.
Activity: Salinity, Temperature, and Visibility Testing. Victory jump - off boat. Plankton viewing in microscopes at the lab.