Environmental Charities and Events at the Ocean Institute The Ocean Institute hosts unique fundraising events throughout the year to help support our educational programs, facility maintenance, save the ocean drives, and student aid funds. These exciting events are open to the community and help play a pivotal role in promoting our mission of ocean education. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are available for our fundraising events.
January Kids' Watershed Conf.	February Jazz 2012 Girls in Ocean Science	March Festival of Whales	May Boat Show
August California Cruising	September Tall Ships Festival RHD Charity Regatta	October Build A Boat	On-Going Weekend Exhibits

Annual Events

Jazz 2012
Join us as we Celebrate 10 Years of Jazz at the Ocean Institute.

February 3 – 4, 2012.
This promises to be our best year yet. This unique event will include fabulous cuisine and wine donated by Pear Valley Vineyards. Our artists this year will be: pianist David Benoit, winner of the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award at The American Smooth Jazz Awards; Rick Braun, acclaimed trumpeter, producer and jazz vocalist on his latest album Rick Braun Sings With Strings (2011); and Mindi Abair, smooth jazz saxophonist, winner of Best International Instrumentalist at the 2011 Wave Awards in Toronto, and Best Female Artist of the Year at the 2011 Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards.

Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks. Additional musical friends
from past years may come on board to help celebrate the 10th anniversary in style.

To learn more about Celebrating 10 Years of Jazz at the Ocean Institute event, please visit www.ocjazzfestival.com To buy tickets now click here or contact Eileen Hayden at ehayden@ocean-institute.org or (949) 496-2274 ext. 413.

Kids' Conference on Watersheds
January
The Ocean Institute launched its annual watershed program to teach 5th grade students from southern California about the science of the watersheds, an area of land which runs into a body of water such as a river, lake or the ocean. Over 2,500 students per year participate in the program which provides them with the opportunity to present the findings of their studies among their peers, local elected officials, and professionals in the field.

The Watershed program is made possible through the generous support of Miocean, the Toyota USA Foundation, SIMA, Orange County Community Foundation, and the Kenneth and Eileen Norris Foundation.

Girls in Ocean Science Teen Conference
February
This exciting conference is dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue degrees and careers in the sciences. Eight prominent female scientists from around the country will interact with the girls in a series of interactive workshops aboard our research vessel, R/V Sea Explorer, and in the Ocean Institute's teaching labs. The day-long conference is designed for enthusiastic 6th to 12th grade girls who have an interest in science. Girls will explore careers in areas such as ocean conservation, marine biology and ecology, marine paleontology, oceanography, and environmental law. Click here for more information about the Girls in Ocean Science Teen Conference.

Festival of Whales
March 3rd & 4th and 10th & 11th, 2012
Join the community in celebrating the annual migration of the California Gray Whale. Dana Point offers a variety of festivities including a parade, street faires, art exhibits, concerts, environmental activities, educational opportunities, crafts, and marine mammal cruises.

Throughout the festival the Ocean Institute's learning labs focus on new discoveries in marine mammal research and allows visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to the magnificent whale. Families have the opportunity to listen to underwater whale sounds to discover how whales communicate, enjoy hands-on activities, listen to guest speakers, and create fun children's crafts. For additional information about the Festival of Whales, please visit www.festivalofwhales.org.

Dana Point Harbor Boat Show
End of May - Early June
Dana Point Harbor is one of the most spectacular marinas along the California coast, from San Francisco to the Mexican border. Always full with the highest-quality of boats, Dana Point Harbor is home to thousands of watercraft and enthusiasts who enjoy all types of water sports activities throughout the year.

New and Used Boats and Products will be on display both in and out of the water at the boat show. A great selection of power and sail vessels will be on display, including Albemarle, Baja, Cenczi, East Bay, Egg Harbor, Formula, Grand Banks, Island Packet, Mediterranean, Mikelson, Mustang, Nordhavn, Ocean,Pacific Sea Craft, Pursuit, Riviera, Tiara, Viking, with more being added each week. For more imformation visit www.dphboatshow.com.

California Cruising
August 28th, 2011
The Sand Dollar Guild invites you to join us for an evening filled with lively surf music, a sampling of delicious food from local restaurants, a classic Woodie Car display, and casino-themed fun! Try your luck at our casino games, enter raffles for great prizes, plus many more exciting surprises. Enjoy the beautiful ambiance at the Ocean Institute and support this incredible organization.

Toshiba Tall Ships Festival
September
For over 20 years the Ocean Institute has hosted the annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, the largest annual gathering of tall ships on the West Coast. The festival features a spectacular array of family-fun activities including live sea-faring music, art shows, interactive living-history encampments, and a variety of tasty food.

The festival begins on Friday evening as the tall ships parade into Dana Point Harbor. On the weekend, visitors can enjoy maritime displays and demonstrations, music concerts, Polynesian dancing, pirates, and dramatic sunset cannon battles. Visitors can also explore the historic tall ships and listen to the crew share tales of adventure and life at sea. Inside the Ocean Institute guests can experience live parrot shows, pirate games, music, wood carving, ship models and special presentations. Join us for a weekend of fun and adventure as we celebrate the area's rich maritime history.

Participating tall ships typically include the brig Pilgrim, Spirit of Dana Point, Californian, Curlew, Exy Johnson, Irving Johnson, and the American Pride. Visiting ships are subject to change. For complete information about the festival visit www.tallshipsfestival.com.

September September 6-9, 2012

This premier event, sponsored by the Dana Point Yacht Club, will benefit the Ocean Institute.

The Regatta Includes

• Marine Corps Twilight Fishing Tournament
  
• Sponsor's and VIP reception/ dinner held at the Ocean Institute
• Fishing Tournament
• PHRF and Non-Spinnaker Racing  
• Junior Racing Event
• 2012 Audi Cup One Design Racing
• Party, auction and live music at the Dana Point Yacht Club
  

7th Annual Build-A-Boat Challenge
Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2011

The Ocean Institute will present its seventh annual Build-A-Boat Challenge, a one-day contest in which participants design, build and race their own boats. This exciting event raises funds for the preservation of the Institute's two tall ships, Pilgrim and Spirit of Dana Point. The two ships host thousands of school children in award-winning, living history programs. More Info>

Rotating Exhibits

On weekends, we open our doors to the public for a sneak peek into how ocean science, history, and literature are used to inspire life-long learners!

Monday through Friday we are closed to the public for school programs.

Public Hours:
Saturday & Sunday - 10:00am to 3:00pm

Admission Fee*:
Adult - $6.50
Child (age 3-12) - $4.50
Members - FREE
Teacher Club Members - FREE
*Admission fee includes Pilgrim Tour when applicable.