Camp Letter & Packing List

Dear Marine Extrene Campers and Parent:

I would like to welcome you to our Marine Extreme  Exploration Camp. The following letter will help you plan for 5 great days exploring our incredible coast. We are always eager to get our local youth outdoors by providing our adventurous and educational summer camp.

Our camp will not exceed 10 campers plus our Blue Water Ventures Guides and interns. 

Scroll down for packing list and other trip details, Each day plan to dress as you would for a day at the beach. Dress in layers and be prepared for hot sunny days or cool fog laden ones. Bring a lunch and water bottle. Be sure to have sunscreen on or with you every day of camp. Each day start with your bathing suit on and wear shoes that can get wet either when kayaking or exploring our coastal beaches. Please refer to our itinerary below for details on our daily activities.

Trip Dates: June 15th-19th, 2026

Trip Costs  4-6 Campers: $575      7-10 Campers: $525

Registration: To register for this program please email Kim Powell at  bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com to confirm if there is  space on our roster. Once confirmed,  send a deposit of $200 to: 220 Kenneth St,  Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Space is limited and only guaranteed with a deposit. The balance of $325  0r $375  is due by May 5th.  As an alternative, you can  make a Zelle Transfer for $200  or final payment of  $325  or $375.    Zelle is registered under Kimberlee Powell and mobile of 831 345 2417.

Cancellation Policy and Travel Insurance:  A full refund of your deposit is given if cancellations are made before April 20th.  After April 21st,  no refunds are given unless we can fill your space on the roster. Please scroll down for more information  on travel insurance. We highly recommend  Travel Insurance, that will  protect your investment. 

Here is run down of timing and activities for each day of camp:

Day One, campers will be taught kayaking skills and safety in Moss Landing Harbor. We will be using a combination of closed deck and sit on top style kayaks. The day will include a combination of paddling skills, rescue methods, fun games and activities. Wetsuits will be provided since students will be getting out of their boats during games and rescues. If you want to use your own wetsuit that’s fine. Please bring it on Day One. Most kids really love learning rescues.  For campers who joined us last summer,  you will be learning new kayak rescue techniques and developing  your skills as a leader.

Campers will meet at North Moss Landing Harbor that accesses Elkhorn Slough and finish up there at 2:30pm. We will meet you at the public boat launch ramp at 9:30am in North Moss Landing Harbor just behind Monterey Bay Kayaks, 2360 Hwy One (before the bridge, on the right; if you go over the bridge and past the stalks on the left you have missed the turn into North Moss Landing Harbor).

Day Two we will meet Blue Water Ventures at 8:30am, 220 Kenneth St. and caravan to a location along Highway 9 to access the San Lorenzo River. Your child needs to be picked up at the same location on Highway 9 at 2:30pm. River shoes should be worn today (no flip flops or crocs) as we hike through the forest and to the river. Bring your goggles or mask/snorkel. You may also wear hiking or tennis shoes and bring your river shoes with you. Wetsuits and PFDS are required while exploring the shallow river pools. Leaders will be establish for each segment of the hike today. When you get on Highway 9/River Street the first traffic light is on the  corner of Encinal and River St which is across from the Tannery Art Center.

The Ox Parking lot is 4.3 miles from this traffic light, on the right side of the road.

Day Three, we’ll meet at the Santa Cruz Wharf at 9:30am and end there at 1:30pm. Campers will be kayaking and exploring the kelp beds using goggles or mask/snorkel. We will continue our theme of kayak skills development and leadership.

Day Four, we will meet at Blue Water Ventures at 7:30am,  220 Kenneth St. and  caravan/carpool  to Greyhound Rock  for a day of tidepooling and beach exploration.

Parents will  car pool and caravan together to Greyhound Rock.  We will finish tidepooling by noon and campers will return home,  then meet us at Henry Cowells Redwoods State Park Campgrounds  off of Graham Hill Road at 4:30pm. We will set up camp, assign cooking crews as well as leadership roles around our campsite while we enjoy  a night together on the edge of the redwood forest. We will provide  food, tents and camping gear. Campers  will provide  warm clothes, sleeping bags and sleeping pads.  The address to Henry Cowells Campground is: 2591 Graham Hill Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95060 and  phone contact: 831 438 2396

Day Five: Morning in The Redwoods

Campers will complete their leadership skills  by establishing leaders, breaking camp and leaving no trace at our campsite. Our morning will include a time for reflection as we review the life skills we developed  over the week and the natural and cultural wonders  we shared.  Parents will pick up campers by 11:30am.

Here’s a List of How to Dress During Camp

Dress in layers — Fleece, capilene, silk or wool are good insulators; bring a warm top that can be put on if cool weather (fog) approaches.  Fleece, capilene, silk or wool are good insulators and are required each day, no cotton as it does not keep you warm when wet.

Wetsuit or we will provide one for you,  Optional Rash Guard can be worn under wetsuit  Bathing Suit—arrive with it on each day of camp

 Wind breaker or paddling jacket
 Footgear – Tennis shoes, Teva type sandals or wet suit booties — any style is fine; they will get wet as you wade in to launch your boat or explore coastal areas.  On our river day, please wear a sturdy tennis shoe for hiking  and  bring  wet shoes for the river, no crocs permitted as they don’t offer enough support.
 Hat with visor for sun protection
 Water bottle non disposable
 Lunch in a compact lunch bag –take in boat or day pack with you
 Sunscreen and lip balm
 Sun glasses (or prescription glasses) attached with a leash
 Binoculars and camera in waterproof bag ( use at your own risk)
 Small, compact daypack 
Change of clothes and towel for ride home to be left in car

* more details will be sent regarding what will be needed for our one overnight camping experience. Plan on providing warm clothes, a sleeping bag and sleeping pad

HEALTH UPDATE: MARCH 17TH, 2026

 We continue to exercise caution regarding Covid and/or other respiratory or flu illnesses.  If a child becomes ill  prior to camp and can not attend,  no refunds will be given. However, we highly recommend  Travel Insurance, that will  protect your investment, especially in the  COVID-19 era.  For a 10 year old, The World Wide Protector Plan which has the “cancel for any reason” add on feature is only $75. Please  Follow the link above or consider  other travel insurance companies. We realize  insurance is an added costs. However,  if you search around  for other marine education camps  in Santa Cruz, our program costs are very reasonable and travel insurance is an affordable tool to protect your investment.

The health and well being of your child and our guides remain  our upmost priority.

I look forward to our extreme adventure exploring  our great coastal areas!

Very Sincerely,

Kim Powell, MRPA
Owner, Operator & Naturalist
Blue Water Ventures
phone & fax: 831-459-8548
www.bluewaterventures.org
email: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com
220 Kenneth St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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