Shorebird Park Nature Center - Marine biology and boating programs and Adventure Playground Summer Programs 

  June 18th - Aug 16th 2013    Directions   

Adventure Playground- summer programs

Marine Biology Classes for 5-16 years
Classes are held in the Nature Center and run by Naturalist staff. Indoor prep and outdoor hands-on exploration of the rocky shore, dock and pier habitats. Use of microscopes and marine sampling equipment will help us identify local  invertebrates as well as vertebrates. New microscopes and aquariums this year! Fantastic class for your explorers who want to learn more about the world around them.

On the Water Classes 
Children must be 9-16 years old, and have a current 2013 proof of swim ability of at least a  low level 4 from a certified Water Safety Instructor. All children will wear personal floatation devices  we provide and will be supervised by leaders with a Red Cross and C.P.R. certification. Here is the swim form for this program.

  Registration for summer Marine Biology and On the Water classes  began on March 16th, 2013  and will be open  untill all classes are full. Check below for available space .  Come with emergency  contact numbers and be prepared to sign the forms and waiver for your child. (You cannot sign up your friend's children.) Bring exact change or a check- We do not take credit cards, and we do not have change. 

After this date check this web site to see what's left and then please call the office (510) 981-6720 at the Shorebird Park Nature Center Office to make sure we are here before you come down to 160 University Ave. Berkeley Marina, 94710   ( see directions above) Updated website 5/22/13 

Nature Center Summer Marine biology and boating Classes for 2013        

Session	ages	dates	times	cost	Spaces left
1  Marine Biology	8-10yrs	June 25-28	9:30-12	$73	FULL
Canoeing	9-16yrs	July 31, August 1& 2	9:30-12:00	$52	3 SPACES LEFT
2 Marine Biology	10-16yrs	July 16-19 & 23-26 (8 days)	9:30-12:30	$145	FULL 5 SPACES LEFT on the waiting list
Boating	9-16yrs	July 9-12	9:30-12:30	$145	11 spaces left
3 Marine Biology	5-7yrs	Aug 6-9	9:30- 11:30	$73	FULL
Waterskiing  & wakeboarding	9-16yrs	Aug 14 & 15  Wed and Thurs.	10- 2	$52	10 spaces

 

 The Boating Program -9:30 a.m.-12p.m. 
We spend one day each learning to canoe, Dragon Boat, large sail boat and sail small boats.   Limit 14 .

Canoeing  -  9:30a.m.-12 p.m.  Learn basic canoeing skills, paddling strokes to canoe over canoe rescue. Limit 8. 

 Water skiing -10-2 p.m.  wakeboards  and Basic learn to ski in Aquatic Park.  Limit 15

Full day program options for marine bio and boating students  7 years or older. Enroll your child in Marine Biology or Boating for 1/2 day and Adventure Playground for the other half. Best for children who are self motivated. Children must be picked up by 4:30 p.m. Pick up times are early 3:30 only on staff meeting days on  6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6.

The fee for full day option children to stay in the playground without adult company is $10.00  per child each day payable at the Nature Center. Playment cards are available for purchase for 5 visits or less, Helpful  to use on Sundays when the office is closed.

Adventure Playground Summer HoursMonday-Friday                9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday   11 a.m.-5 p.m.

These Marina adventure programs here are not for groups of 5 or more children. They need prior reservations to visit the playground,  please call three weeks or more ahead, dates fill fast. See group information on the Adventure Playground page.

If you would like to leave your child (7 years or older child ) in the playground for up to 3 hours, you need to have a current registration form on file. The cost for dropins in $10. Payable in the Nature Center office next to the restrooms in Shorebird Park. Playment tickets are for sale there for $10 a visit up to 5 visits on each card.  Once the registration form is on file in the playground, sign your child in at the front desk  and show the staff your receipt number or playment ticket.  Your child is then available to be left to participate in  the Marina Adventures programs below. There is no charge for children whose parents are  participating.

Marina Adventures Summer Programs in Adventure Playground  Each of the programs listed below are offered on a drop-in basis, from 1-2 hours each day. Sign up in the Adventure Playground on the day of the program, 1/2 hour before it starts. ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE.  Children under seven years must be accompanied by an adult. NO GROUPS. Limited participants and age restrictions may apply to specific activities.  Great fun! Registered drop-ins have first preference. 

Pick up our calendar  when you come in. Check this link for pictures of a fort building activity. Our fun summer programs offered by Adventure Playground staff are: 

Fishing -Mondays 2-3:30 p.m. & Tuesdays 10:30-12. Limit 15 kids. We provide the drop lines and bait and we fish off the Berkeley Pier. All fish or crabs that are caught are released. This can be COLD please bring a jacket or windbreaker

To get back into the Marina Experience web pages click here      Subscribe to this website for  updates and reminders- it's free.  or Please call 510-981-6720 to be put on our mailing list for the summer brochure, or pick one up at the Nature Center or the playground.

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