Academic Adventures is an inquiry focused Coastal Ecology and Marine Biology Field School based in Anacortes, Washington, gateway to the San Juan Islands. We provide an environment and location that makes learning fun and easy. Students participate in the scientific process, and are surrounded by the specific habitats, organisms and ecosystems they are studying. By experiencing real science through group collaborationadventure activities, and service participants concept retention is enhanced. Our curriculum options support this philosophy and can be expanded to meet your specific needs.

Academic Adventures is a Community Based Instructor (CBI) for Columbia Virtual Academy.  CVA supports “Family Choice Education” and provides discretionary funding for students to particpate  in a wide variety of programs taught by community based instructors. We look forward to serving you!

Contact us for participation!

  • High School Students (9-12)
  • Middle School Students (5-8)
  • Elementary Students (K-4)
  • Home School Students
  • Families and Adult Groups

School Program Fees

Day Field Trips

$30.00/ Student*

Multi-Day Program

$30.00/Student/Day*

Naturalist Programs

$3.00/student/ 1 hr $60.00 Minimum/hr

  • *15 students recommended group size.
  • Call us if your group is smaller, we would love to work with you!
  • Group combining is possible.

 

Example Program Fee Estimates* Per Student Rate

Program Alone

$165.00

 

+Kayak

$200.00

 

  • *Based on 30 students for 3 days and 2 nights. Estimates may vary slightly from actual cost based on specific needs. Accommodations estimate included in example. (Paid separately to facility) Provide own food.

Scholarships are Available!

For every 15 students 1 educational scholarship is available.

Program Add on Options

Use our program options to enhance your groups experience. By Adding an adventure component, service, or an island excursion to your Academic Adventure program the experience will take on additional meaning by taking the concepts we learn in the lab and local marine/terrestrial ecosystem into a wider context. Additionally our Adventure Options make great additions to class trips or other group excurisions and can be used independently as well as included with our science curriculum. Just let us know!


Expand the horizon with a day trip to the San Juan Islands. The trip through this island archipelego will give students a greater sense of place. Special stops can be arranged for our Mt. Constitution hike, sea kayaking on San Juan Island, and visits to the Whale Museum at Friday Harbor.

Student Rates Available

Sea Kayaking brings the student quietly and gently into a habitat and ecosystem experience in a way nothing else can. Gliding into the shallows as herons feed, watching mink hunt, or a purple sea star slide beneath your boat all add to the experience. With luck Orca may even be seen! As will the ever present seals, eagles, and other wildlife dependent on the ocean for life. Kayaking is integrated as a way to access research sites or can be incorporated in a multi-day San Juan Island kayak trip with scientific inquiry tailored to our specific locations each day.

Locations:

San Juan Island
Burrows Island
Bowman Bay
Cypress Island
Sucia Island

When you add sea kayaking to your program with Academic Adventures you will enjoy educational rates.

Feel the thrill of sailing an old time schooner! Students sail a classic wooden ketch of 65’! We can use the sailing as a transport mode and learning platform for single or multi-day adventures. Multi-day programs use unique island sites as areas of study. Ideal for smaller groups, in tandem with a kayak experience, or as a learning module for a large group. Makes a great class trip too! Book early to ensure availabilty. Not Available in 2015 – Captain is tracing Captain Vancouver’s Voyage in the PNW

Academic Group Rates Available

Our local experts can take your group to the Orca. The San Juan Islands are the home of 3 resident pods J,K, and L. They can be viewed during most months of the year. Depatures from Anacortes or San Juan Island can be arranged.

Group Rates Available

Team up with Deception Pass State Park and teach stewardship. Taking care of our natural resources is a critical component to being a good citizen. Whether it be removing non-native and invasive plant species or picking up beach litter, what we do makes a difference.

Join us on a Science Cruise. The Vessel can be utilized as a mobile classroom to explore the San Juan Islands in more depth and detail. Can be easily combined with other options including sailing and kayaking.

Inquire Early, Availability Limited

Join us on a Science Cruise. The Vessel can be utilized as a mobile classroom to explore the San Juan Islands in more depth and detail. Can be easily combined with other options including sailing and kayaking.

Inquire Early, Availability Limited