Registration opens March 17 at 10 AM Pacific time.

Summer 2025 dates and details

Ocean Explorers marine science summer program at Seymour Center is a week your budding scientist will never forget! Just ask the professional marine scientists who attended Ocean Explorers when they were kids.

Our ocean science summer programs give youth ages 7 to 14 opportunities to actively explore the coast, investigate the fascinating animals of Monterey Bay, and experience the thrill of scientific discovery at a world-class marine lab.

Coastal Ecosystem Explorers (ages 7-9)

Explore an awesome array of life thriving in our coastal ecosystems. From glorious giant kelp forests and sandy shorelines, to open ocean and deep sea canyons, discoveries await. Investigate kelp forest fishes, invertebrates, and algae with the Seymour Center’s expert aquarium and education teams and learn about the giants that live in our local waters. Natural Bridges State Beach provides the perfect place for sandy shore investigations, a beach clean-up, and plenty of fun and games. Throughout the week, we combine our scientific and artistic skills to create a magical mural of Monterey Bay inhabitants.

Marine Science for Girls (ages 9-11)

An amazing program designed to inspire girls with a deep love of ocean science. Girls go behind the scenes with Long Marine Lab’s expert seal and sea lion scientists and trainers. Learn from special pinnipeds participating in cutting-edge conservation research. For an end-of-summer hurrah, we’ll camp overnight Thursday into Friday. Our week wraps up with a fun kayak adventure in search of sea otters and more!

Please note: Participants supply their own sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Restroom facilities are available at the overnight site.

Marine Science Connections (ages 9-11 and 12-14)

Discover how our ocean’s food webs connect different specialties of marine science. Work alongside Long Marine Lab’s expert researchers and trainers as they learn from extraordinary seals and sea lions to understand the impacts of climate change and noise pollution. Explore first-hand how UCSC scientists monitor ecosystems by investigating changes in microscopic algae and other species that can affect the health of local animals and fisheries.
We wrap up the week with adventures on the water* to experience the amazing ecosystems of Monterey Bay.

*ages 9-11 go kayaking
*ages 12-14 go whale watching

Important marine mammal note: This year, the Marine Mammal Physiology Project’s schedule does not allow them to participate in Ocean Explorers. This means we will not be working with dolphins, but we wish their team success in their summer projects! We will be working with the seals and sea lions involved with the Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Lab.

Schedule

Coastal Ecosystem Explorers (ages 7-9)

Age Week Time
7-9 yrs June 30- July 3*

July 7-11

 9 AM-3 PM

*This is a short week due to the 4th of July holiday.

Marine Science for Girls (ages 9-11)

Age Week Time
9-11 yrs July 28- Aug 1 9 AM-4 PM

There will be an overnight on Thursday, July 31

Marine Science Connections (ages 9-11)

Age Week Time
9-11 yrs June 2-6

June 16-20

July 21-25

 9 AM-4 PM

Marine Science Connections (ages 12-14)

Age Week Time
12-14 yrs June 9-13

June 23-27

July 14-18

 9 AM-4 PM
Cost
  • Coastal Ecosystem Explorers: $400 (June 30- July 3) / $500 (July 7-11)
  • Marine Science for Girls: $750
  • Marine Science Connections: $700

Fees include all transportation and field excursion costs. Participants bring their own lunches and snacks.

We heard your feedback! This year we will be offering payment plan options upon check out.

  • Option 1: $100 deposit + pay in full
  • Option 2: $100 deposit + two payment installments (April, May)
  • Option 3: $100 deposit + three payment installments (April, May, June)

If you chose to utilize the payment plans, you must agree to be auto-billed by active.com on the specified payment dates.

The Seymour Center strives to provide equitable access to our programs. Need-based scholarships for Ocean Explorers are currently available thanks to generous donors to our scholarship fund. The 2025 scholarship application is now closed.  Summer 2026 application will open in early 2026.  

Scholarships

The Seymour Center strives to provide equitable access to our programs. Need-based scholarships for Ocean Explorers are currently available thanks to generous donors to our scholarship fund. The 2025 scholarship application is now closed.  Summer 2026 application will open in early 2026.

How to Register

Registration will be live at 10 AM Pacific Time on Monday, March 17

We use ActiveNetwork online registration. Some of you may be familiar with ActiveNetwork as many camp and recreational programs use it. If you have used ActiveNetwork in the past, please double-check your login credentials well before registration day by going to active.com so your registration process goes as smoothly as possible. If you are new to ActiveNetwork, your profile/account will be created as you register; no need for further steps.

You do not need to be logged into active.com to register, but you will need to know your login info when checking out.


Please be sure to have the following information available to register:

Participant information:
Name
Gender identity
Date of birth
Email address (of parent/guardian)
Address
T-shirt size

Parent/guardian information:
Name
Date of birth
Email address (yes, again)
Home phone number
Cell phone number
Address
Credit card information

If you have any questions, please contact us at discover@ucsc.edu

Registration fills up quickly. There is a waitlist option once full. We do not open up additional spaces, however if there is a cancellation, the waitlist will be notified in order.

Please only register your child for one week per summer. Thank you!

Special Precautions

The health and safety of our Ocean Explorers and staff are of the utmost importance. Our safety precautions follow protocols and guidelines for youth day camps by the CDC, CDPH, and Santa Cruz County, along with additional UC Santa Cruz requirements. Safety measures may be adjusted at any time to meet changing conditions and health guidelines.

  • Vaccination is highly recommended for all Ocean Explorers participants.

Additional safety measures may be required or adjusted at any time to meet changing conditions and health guidelines.

For additional questions, please contact Youth Programs at discover@ucsc.edu

Cancellation Policy

If your child is registered and unable to participate in Ocean Explorers, Seymour Center Youth Programs staff must be notified in writing as soon as possible at discover@ucsc.edu.

If a replacement is found from our waitlist:

We can refund the total amount paid minus a non-refundable deposit of $100.

If a replacement is not found:

We are unable to refund any portion of the amount paid.

For a cancellation due to a medical issue with a physician’s letter, at our discretion, we may refund the amount paid minus a non-refundable deposit of $100.

It is our policy that no refunds will be granted in connection with late arrivals, early departures, camper dismissals due to misconduct or illness, or canceled activities due to weather or other unforeseen conditions. Registration is non-transferable.

Questions?

Contact Youth Programs at discover@ucsc.edu