Orca Homeschool Pod
Ocean Explorers Camp Orca Pod — Homeschool Day, grades K-3. Thursdays 10:00 AM-3:00 PM at Paddle Sports Center, Santa Barbara Harbor (117 B Harbor Way). Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, boogie boarding and beach play paired with marine science lessons, nature journaling, storytelling, sea shanties and visits to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and our harbor marine science classroom. 5:1 student-to-educator ratio. Wetsuits, life jackets and all water-sports and safety equipment provided. Fall 2026: 14 program days (Sept 10 – Dec 17; no program Thursday, Nov 26). $75 per program day or $1,050 for the full fall session. Play to Protect.
Orca Homeschool Pod
Select a session below to register for your adventure.
Age Range 5-8
Space is limited
Reserve your Orca Homeschool Pod space today!
Program are $1,050 for the full fall session.
(or $65/per program day)
Also Accepts Charter Monthly Payments
Learning Objectives
More than a traditional class, this is a close-knit community where children build water confidence, practice teamwork, develop new skills, and deepen their relationship with the natural world. Guided by our motto, “Play to Protect,” we believe children care for the ocean when they are given the opportunity to truly experience it.
What Children May Study
- Kelp forests and tide-pool animals
- Seals, sea lions, whales, and dolphins
- Coastal birds and marine food webs
- Waves, currents, tides, and weather
- Channel Islands and maritime history
What Each Day May Include
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing
- Marine science and nature journaling
- Reading, storytelling, art, and songs
- Museum and marine classroom visits
- Teamwork, beach play, and conservation
Activities
Kayaking
Surfing
Snorkeling
Beach Play
SUP
And More!
Camp Safety
Our Water Safety Policy – Humpback Age Group
We don’t expect kids to come to camp as excellent swimmers, this camp was designed to help kids improve on already existing swimming skills and help them build confidence in the water.
- Campers will all be asked to do a swim test on day 1 so we can get an idea of where each kids is at with their swimming ability. They can do this with our without a PFD on.
- We ask that campers have had previous swimming lessons and are at least comfortable floating in their life jacket.
- Campers are only required to wear PFDs when on kayaks and paddle boards. Campers that struggle during the swim test will be asked to wear a PFD at all times.
Campers will learn skills on kayaks, paddle boards, and in the surf zone. While PFDs are required to be worn by paddlers under 16 by USCG when on personal watercraft it is also good practice for young paddlers to become comfortable paddling with a PFD for future ocean paddling experiences when they are older.
We provide wetsuits and lifejackets.
Counselor Training
- Our Ocean Explorer Orca Pod ratio is 5:1 (campers: counselors)
- All counselors are CPR for the Professional Rescuer and have gone through our internal 2-day “Ocean Water Safety Leadership Training” course.
Pricing
All Fall Season Sessions
- Non Member$1,050
- PSC Lifetime Member$1,000Membership required
- Heartland Charter$1,050Billed later — Heartland
Location
Paddle Sports Center
117 B Harbor Way,
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Pod drop off and pick-up is in the alley behind the Fish Market and Paddle Sports Center.
