Program · Youth Ocean Experience
A Day onthe Water
You cannot ask a young person to protect an ocean they have never touched. So we take them there.
Why It Matters
The Ocean Is Closer Than They Think
Thousands of young people grow up within a few miles of the Pacific and never make it past the surf line.
The Youth Ocean Experience is our most direct program: a full day aboard a working vessel, at sea, at zero cost to participating youth and their families. No classroom, no simulation — real swells, real wildlife, real responsibility on deck.
Every outing is run with a licensed captain and professional crew, supervised by My Clean Ocean chaperones, and documented by our Blue Lens cinematography team — so the day a young person falls in love with the ocean becomes the story that inspires the next one.
On the Water
What a Day Looks Like
Beat 01
The Dock
Participants arrive, meet the crew, and gear up. Life vests on, safety briefing from the captain, and a walk-through of the vessel before a single line is cast off.
Beat 02
Leaving the Harbor
The moment it becomes real — the harbor opens into the Pacific. For many of our participants, this is the first time they have ever seen their coastline from the water.
Beat 03
Open Water
Swells, spray, horizon in every direction. Students learn how a vessel moves through the ocean and how a crew works together to keep everyone safe.
Beat 04
Hands On Deck
This is not a ride-along. Under crew supervision, participants take the helm, handle lines, read the water, and learn the fundamentals of seamanship.
Beat 05
Wild Encounters
Dolphins riding the bow, sea lions, seabirds working a bait ball, and — on the best days — whales. No aquarium glass. The real thing.
Beat 06
The Story
Our Blue Lens team documents the day, and participants reflect on camera about what they saw and felt. Their words become the voice of our conservation storytelling.
A young person who has stood on a deck in open water will fight for that water for the rest of their life.
Safety First
Built Around the Kids
Every detail of the day is designed so parents can say yes with confidence.
Outings run on professionally operated vessels with a licensed captain and crew. Life vests are worn at all times, every activity is supervised, and group sizes stay small so no one is ever out of an adult's sight. Weather is assessed before every departure — if the ocean says no, we reschedule.
For Parents & Guardians
Before Your Child Boards
Every participant needs a signed Participation Waiver & Media Release from a parent or legal guardian before boarding — it covers the day's activities, emergency medical authorization, and whether we may include your child in the photos and films that fund this work. You can decline the media portion and your child can still participate.
Print it, sign it, and bring it to the dock — or sign one at check-in. Trip-specific details (departure point, what to bring, and any travel-document requirements) are sent to registered families before each outing.
Put a kid on the water
Fund the NextFirst Day at Sea
Every donation covers vessel time, safety gear, and mentorship for a young person's first real day on the ocean.