Entering 10 – 12

Marine Biology

Are you curious about what it takes to be a Marine Biologist? Experience firsthand the investigative work, exciting discovery, and fun of ocean science at the Bodega Bay Marine Lab! Days are jam-packed with scientific observations of marine organisms, tidepooling, and your own lab-based research in biology. This program also includes beach time, hikes, and other social activities to make new friends. Join us to gain skills, knowledge, and insight into the marine biology field while adding valuable experience to your college and career pathways.

Three students making observations on the beach.

Camp Info

Dates: 10:00 a.m. Sunday – 4:00 p.m Friday, 06/11/2023 – 06/16/2023

Location: UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory

Housing: On-site housing is included in the cost of this program. Runs Sunday, June 11 through Friday, June 16.

Food: 2 cooked meals daily, plus supplies for a packed lunch each day.

Program Tuition: $2,250 or $1,995(reduced)

A Day in the Life

Our days begin early, since the tides dictate much of our fieldwork. The morning may find us out in the field, at the nearby rocky shore and tidepools, or exploring the local mudflats or sandy beaches. Over the course of 6 days we will come to understand these ecosystems better: by observing connections between organisms and their habitat; and by sampling organism populations, then comparing our data to those from long-term monitoring projects to tell us about change occurring over time. Weather permitting, we will take our lunch breaks outdoors at sites along the varied coastline around Bodega Bay. In the afternoons, we head to our own lab space at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratories to tour the research aquarium and facilities, or to take a closer look at the water samples we collected, or perhaps to begin our own investigations. During the program we will meet some of the graduate students to learn about their research and pathway into ocean sciences. During our time together, teams will design and carry out investigations that try to answer some of the questions that have come up in the field about how marine organisms interact with their environment. In the evenings, after dinner at the dorms, we may head to the beach for a volleyball game or a sunset stroll, or take a hike out to Bodega Head. And then it’s lights-out, to allow for a well-earned rest and prepare us for an early start the next day.

Staff Bio

Sarah Pedemonte
Ms. Pedemonte is a science-learning specialist at the Lawrence Hall of Science. She has been an educator for over 25 years, has experience teaching both high school as well as undergraduate science, and has led environmental research camps since 2010. She has developed curricula for grades K–12, undergraduate students, and also in-service teachers, with materials covering ocean sciences, climate studies, and climate data-related content. She currently directs a project seeking to broaden participation in the geosciences among communities that are underrepresented in the STEM fields.

Sarah Pedemonte has a degree in marine biology from the University College of North Wales and a degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Management from the University of Stirling, Scotland. She worked as a fish farmer for 10 years; as an aquaculture biologist in Australia, Thailand, and the Bahamas; and as a fisheries researcher in Israel and Belize. In her spare time, she is a scuba instructor and takes every chance she can get to be beside the ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I get to the residential site?

We provide transportation to and from the site. Parents or legal guardians can arrange to drop off or pick up their teens at Bodega Marine Laboratories if preferred. We will not be able to arrange special pickups or drop-offs midweek. A mode of transportation will stay with us for the entire length of the program for any travel or evacuation needs.

What is the flow of a day of programming?

Each day includes various activities and starts with morning opening, breakfast, and science activities and investigations, followed by lunch, downtime, social time, and special evening activities. See the section “A day in the life” for more info.

What are the physical requirements for participation?

Teens need to be able to walk to and from investigation sites, near the ocean and over sand and rocks. The weather can change from one day to the next, so be prepared for a range of clothing needs. It’s always a good idea to have clothing that can get dirty when we are outdoors.

What are the accommodations like? 

Accommodations at Bodega Bay are split between a large bunkroom with a shared restroom,  and student dorm-style rooms that are double-occupancy with private baths. Our program instructors are housed in the same buildings as the participants. Meals are served in the large dining room.

What are the meals like?

Bodega Marine Laboratories Housing kitchen staff provide 2 cooked meals daily, plus supplies for a packed lunch each day. With prior notice they can also accommodate most dietary requirements. Meals are served in the style of a student dining hall.

How many teens are in the group?

We plan for 20 teens in each program, just the right amount for great social dynamics and a meaningful science experience.

Will we have downtime to simply hang with other teens?

Yes, absolutely! We plan the week to allow for plenty of teen social time throughout the day and every evening.

Is there Wi-Fi or cell service?

Cell coverage is unpredictable at all the sites visited during this camp. That said, we will have Wi-Fi access at certain times, based on location and activities.

What do I need to bring?

You will receive a packing list once registered for the program, along with the name of a contact person to answer any questions you have.

My child is interested and would need to fly into the Bay Area to attend. Do you pick up/drop off at an airport?

We do not provide transportation to and from the airport. It would be best to make those arrangements with plenty of transition time. Partial participation is not allowed.