Oregon Sea Grant hosts a number of summer programs, including summer day camps for for youth 8 to 18 years old and family programs for all ages. Day camps have themes that range from marine technology to marine mammals. Students interact with researchers and learn about the marine environment through hands-on programs and field trips. Our Family Fun Fridays are new and involve engaging activities to add to your summer of fun!
Spring Break STEAM Camp (Grades 3-5)
March 23 - 27, 9 am to 4 pm
Looking for a fun, educational, and engaging way for your child to spend spring break? Join us at Hatfield Marine Science Center for our Spring Break STEAM camp for students in grades 3rd through 5th. Participants will explore the process of science through estuary investigations, reveal the wonders of watersheds and weather, dive into the deep-sea, celebrate cephalopods, and experience marine magic through artistic fun. Registration costs $200 and includes all supplies needed for hands-on activities. There are limited partial scholarships are available, please contact [email protected] for more information. Register Here (opens January 7th @ NOON!)
Summer Family Fun Fridays
Are you headed to the Oregon Coast next summer? Looking for a fun, hands-on and educational experience fitting for the whole family? Join us for Family Fun Friday programming on select Fridays during summer 2026! Programming will be 2 hours and include a combination of lab and field experiences, both on-site at Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) and off-site at Seal Rock State Recreation Site. Cost is $15 per participant (ages 4 and above) per 2-hour program and pre-registration is encouraged. We are also happy to accommodate day-of registrations as long as space allows. Dates and program themes are below - registration opens January 7th @ NOON. Please note that our programs are fit for all ages and younger children may need extra assistance during certain tasks.
- Family Programming @ HMSC from 1 to 3 pm:
- June 26 - Squid Dissection and Printing
- July 10 - Coastal Explorations
- July 31 - Underwater Robot Design Challenge
- August 14 - Speedy Science
- Family Programming @ Seal Rock Tidepools from 9 to 11 am:
- June 18 (Thurs) - Tidepool Exploration
- July 17 - Tidepool Exploration
Important Note: Visitor center exploration is not included in the program fees. If you and your family would like to explore the center before or after the program, tickets are available to purchase at the door for $5 per person (ages 5 and above).
Registration Tips: During registration, please register an adult guardian first who will serve as the primary adult (select "this registration is for me"). You will have the opportunity to register additional adults and children individual as you progress through the registration process. Register Here (opens January 7th @ NOON!)
Summer Day Camps at HMSC
Each summer, we provide students (ages 8-18) with fun, interactive, field-based learning activities. Summer camps will be held July through mid-August on Monday through Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm. The cost is $200 per student. Registration includes all instructional materials and a T-shirt; however, lunches are not included. Dates and themes are listed below and registration will open at NOON on January 7, 2026. Due to popular demand, we offer two options for our 11-12 and 8-10 year old camps. The content is the same and parents should prioritize the week that works best for their schedule. Want to be the first to know our plans? Sign up for our email list!
2026 Day Camp Dates and Themes
Register Here! (opens January 7th @ NOON)
Dive deep into the world of whales, seals, and sea otters in this immersive marine mammal adventure! Throughout the week, campers will visit the Whale Watching Center, observe local pinnipeds in action, and explore the incredible migration journey of humpback whales. We’ll examine a real whale skeleton, investigate the efforts behind sea otter reintroduction, and meet researchers at Hatfield who study these remarkable animals. Through hands-on activities and guided investigations, campers will explore the unique adaptations that help marine mammals thrive in their ocean habitats.
Register Here! (opens January 7th @ NOON)
From tidepools to estuaries to freshwater streams, this camp follows crustaceans across the entire coastal ecosystem. Campers will explore tidepools at Seal Rock, investigate the crabs and other hardy species that live between the tides, and practice field techniques like quadrat surveys and biodiversity studies. We’ll dig into estuary habitats through hands-on investigations, search for mole crabs along South Beach, and head inland for an afternoon trip to look for freshwater crayfish. Campers will also get opportunities to learn from Hatfield researchers and take a closer look at the diverse crustaceans that shape our coastal environments. It’s a full-on crustacean quest!
Register Here! (opens January 7th @ NOON)
‘Swim’ through the world of fish and learn about unique fishy adaptations and the critical role fish play in the marine food web. Campers will use dissections, experiments, simulation games and tours of research labs and local fish docks to learn more about salmon, halibut, sharks, lampreys and more. We will also hear how scientists design and conduct fish experiments in an effort to inform fisheries management. To capture fishy lessons learned, campers will engage in a variety of crafts and creative hands-on activities - it will be a FINtastic, fishy experience!
Register Here! (opens January 7th @ NOON)
Embrace the ‘A’ in STEAM and join us for an interactive, scientific, and artistic adventure. Campers will explore local coastal habitats, including tidepools, estuaries, coastal forests, and beaches through a creative lens. We will learn about patterns in nature like camouflage, the Fibonacci sequence, and the stripes and spots of many coastal species. We’ll press plants, use natural items to make sun-prints, and capture the marine world through clay sculptures and 3D scenes. Campers will also help clean up a local beach and turn the plastic trash into something beautiful. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about our coastal ecosystems through creativity - it’ll be sure to bring out the artist in everyone!
Register Here! (opens January 7th @ NOON)
‘Swim’ through the world of fish and learn about unique fishy adaptations and the critical role fish play in the marine food web. Campers will use dissections, experiments, simulation games and tours of research labs and local fish docks to learn more about salmon, halibut, sharks, lampreys and more. We will also hear how scientists design and conduct fish experiments in an effort to inform fisheries management. To capture fishy lessons learned, campers will engage in a variety of crafts and creative hands-on activities - it will be a FINtastic, fishy experience!
Register Here! (opens January 7th @ NOON)
Embrace the ‘A’ in STEAM and join us for an interactive, scientific, and artistic adventure. Campers will explore local coastal habitats, including tidepools, estuaries, coastal forests, and beaches through a creative lens. We will learn about patterns in nature like camouflage, the Fibonacci sequence, and the stripes and spots of many coastal species. We’ll press plants, use natural items to make sun-prints, and capture the marine world through clay sculptures and 3D scenes. Campers will also help clean up a local beach and turn the plastic trash into something beautiful. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about our coastal ecosystems through creativity - it’ll be sure to bring out the artist in everyone!
Summer Program Highlights
Explore coastal and marine habitats through field trips
Learn firsthand about the marine environment and the amazing diversity of life found there
Conduct experiments in the field and in wet labs
Learn about scientific techniques and current research
Interact with researchers and other experts