Marine Science Institute

We had my son’s 6th birthday party hosted here and had a wonderful experience! Teachers Juno and Emma did a such great job making it fun and interactive but also educational. All kids and parents enjoyed a lot

I greatly enjoyed my time working with Tiff and the MSI team as the Marketing Intern! In addition to design work, I had the opportunity to learn about marine science, nonprofit operations, and MSI’s educational programs. I’m especially grateful to Tiff and the entire team for making this such a valuable and enjoyable internship. The supportive and welcoming environment made the experience truly meaningful, and I would definitely recommend interning here!

What a cool place!! I had a birthday party here, the kids loved it! I was not the most organized person trying to plan this event and an absolute tremendous thanks to the educators and owner (?) to being flexible to shift to shark petting. I heard rave reviews from my daughter -“best birthday party ever!” To a parent considering this as a birthday party place, i would strongly encourage going there and seeing the place. It’s helpful to understand the layout and options as well as all the cute baby geese hanging out all over the place so guests are aware of them and take care.

We had the best time at the Under the Sea with ME: Surprising Sharks program on Saturday! My little one was absolutely in awe—getting to actually touch a real shark was beyond exciting for her! She’s been telling everyone about it, and we’ve had endless “shark facts” at home all weekend. The storytelling was awesome, and the shark craft was such a cute way to keep the fun going once we got home. The whole thing was so well done, and the staff made it easy for the kids to dive right in and really connect with the animals. Such a fun and memorable day!

Recently, I started volunteering at the MSI to assist their Afternoon Ecology program. I had lots of fun working alongside their staff, and I loved seeing how excited students would get! I especially enjoyed witnessing their amazement when they touched sharks and observed phytoplankton under microscopes. As a volunteer, I also recognized the enthusiasm and dedication that the staff brought to the MSI. It's been an amazing experience, and I'd highly recommend the MSI to anyone and everyone who loves our ocean! :)

Our family had an amazing time on the SF Bay exploration this past weekend! My 7-year-old was absolutely thrilled with all the hands-on activities. She couldn't stop talking about how exciting it was to help deploy the huge trawl net and see all the fish we brought on board! She was also fascinated by the live invertebrates we collected from the mud sample—it really brought science to life for her. The plankton observation with the video microscope blew her mind! The crew was so patient and knowledgeable, making everything fun and educational. It was the perfect adventure for curious little explorers, and we’ll definitely be back!

We had an absolutely fantastic day on the "Canoes in Sloughs" field trip with the Marine Science Institute! The weather was perfect, and the experience on the water was both educational and exciting. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and made the learning experience engaging for all the students. It was amazing to see the kids really take to the teamwork required for canoeing—they worked together beautifully and gained valuable skills in communication and cooperation. Exploring the wetland habitat from the unique vantage point of the canoe was a true highlight, and the hands-on activities were a great way to deepen their understanding of the local wildlife and environmental science. This is one field trip we'll remember for years to come!

My daughter had her 6 year old birthday here and MSI was amazing. The instructors were fun, organized, and handled 25 kindergarteners like pros. The kids were so engaged and excited for an entire 1.5 hours! They learned so much and got to pet fish and sharks, and cast a giant fishing net into the bay to catch specimens. The outdoor space was perfectly sized for our group to hang out afterwards for snack and cake. Couldn't have asked for a better birthday experience for my kiddo, she felt like a star and got to hang out with all her friends learning exciting new things!

We had our entire preschool class for my son's 5th birthday and the experience was phenomenal! The MSI educators were amazing with the kids and kept their attention for the entire time throughout each activity. The kids (and teachers) have been raving about the experience and they cannot wait to plan a school field trip. We can't wait to try out the summer camp next year!

The experience is one my son and I will never forget! The marine biologist was exciting to listen to. We ate pickleweed for the first time, learned about native plants and fish, and were followed by a seal in our canoe! A memorable morning.

We began our Family's journey with the Marine Science Institute when attending a story hour at our city Library. I brought my then ,young Grandson, to attend the presentation offered by the Marine Science Institute. My Grandson and I were completely drawn in by the information shared about our San Francisco Bay and the creatures that live below the surface of those waters. In the years that have followed this first introduction to the Institute , all 3 of my Grandsons have attended the summer camps as well as the many events that take place throughout the year. The Institute has played a key role in educating this future generation to be stewards of the treasured waters and marine life that we love so much.

My son has been a regular camper and a member of the Marine Science Institute since he was 4 years old (he’s 11 now). He calls it “My Happy Place!”, and I know that he means it. There has never been a time when he hasn’t come back from MSI happier and more content. The staff and instructors are super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He has learned about the Bay, marine life, and the wonders of nature, thanks to MSI. I would highly recommend MSI to anyone who wants their kids to develop a deep appreciation and bond with our wonderful Bay and nature at large. Thank you, MSI!

I’ve had wonderful experiences going out on the Bay with the Marine Science Institute, and going Tide pooling with their staff. I appreciate how educational their programs are, how knowledgeable the staff is, and how great they are with kids. I always learn something new. I’m very grateful that this organization exists.

I went on one of the boat trips and it was really fun! I got to touch a shark and learn about the bay. It was fun seeing what animals were in the mud. Everything seemed well organized.

Marine Science Institute provides great education to children pre-kindergarten through college.
The staff is well educated and courteous. They provide excellent education about San Francisco Bay through Robert G. Brownlee boat trips. I really liked the Elk Horn Slough tour and the otters are great fun to watch. My family, including cousins, did the boat trip and enjoyed themselves.

I've gone to see all of Marine Science Institute's programs and have had the pleasure of working with the organization pretty closely. They design their programs so thoughtfully and take care to think about equity and accessibility in deep ways to make sure all students and community members can engage meaningfully with their organization. They also are very mindful of how they develop their workforce and instructional programs to provide young professionals entering the field with the tools, skills and knowledge necessary to be strong, equity-minded environmental educators. I love Marine Science Institute and would highly recommend them as an Environmental Education partner for your program, school or district!

I run a community-based environmental education partner network in San Mateo County. Marine Science Institute is one of our most engaged and engaging partners. Jodi Stewart, the Land Program Manager, went above and beyond and has co-facilitated the network for over a year. MSI has been instrumental in moving environmental education forward in San Mateo County schools. Their programs are extremely popular with teachers and students alike, with everything from a leopard shark touch tank to an interactive experience on a boat out on the San Francisco Bay. I highly recommend this non-profit for all of the amazing benefits they are providing to students in San Mateo County and beyond.

Had a chance to go on one of the Discovery EcoVoyages and learn all sorts of fun things about the Bay as well as the animals that live there. The demonstrations were super informative, and the staff were very accommodating. They had a lot of hands-on activities for the kids which really engaged them. Great way of teaching kids about the Bay and promoting environmental conservation!

MSI is a wonderful and unique learning asset to children and families in the Bay Area.
Whether in classes on its campus, on field trips to the nearby ocean beaches, cruising SF bay in their own large research vessel the Brownlee, summer camp, or on the Monterey Bay with their partner ship the Sanctuary, MSI offers kids of all ages amazing programs on marine life, biology, conservation, the outdoors and more!

We have done almost every activity with our kids, who have been participating from toddler through teen ages.

Finally, the staff is outstanding, very enthusiastic, love what they do, and SO knowledgable.

Thank you to MSI for all they do for our community!

Our fifth grade class just returned from the Discovery Voyage after an incredible day out on the water. We have been working with this program for a number of years now, and will hope to do so for many years to come. Students were testing water samples, collecting plankton, collecting and exploring the invertebrates of the mud, catching and exploring fish and rays right from the bay- all within the framework of a really solid educational program. I could not say enough positive things about this program!

We hosted my daughter's 5th birthday party at MSI and I got rave reviews from all the parents and their kids that attended! I was amazed at all the activities the two awesome helpers did with the kids like helping pull in a 'claw' to dig through bay mud, getting to identify assorted bay creatures in buckets set up on the dock that they were able to hold, similarly checking out and identifying various fish in another classroom area, pulling in a large seine net to check out small fish that they gathered from the bay water (and then helping put everything back ;) and finally checking out other aquarium animals including lots of small leopard sharks! We recently did an aquarium party where kids could only see a small snake and turtle without touching them so to have so many hands-on activities for the kids was really exciting and had them engaged the entire 2 hours. The helpers were unbelievably patient and kind and knew exactly how to keep the kids involved! So many people hadn't known about MSI prior to our party but now many are excited to come back for camps and classes. It was honestly my favorite party ever because it was so much fun :) We've been to MSI for Earth Day events but I look forward to more events, classes and camps here in the future!

My 11 years old son, Anderson attended the one-week summer camp at MSI. Every day when we pick him up, he can't wait to tell us about his day at the camp and we can see that he is in his marine elements. He is just overflow with joys.

Anderson said this is the best camp ever! We believe him.

Anderson is aspired to become a marine biologist when he grows up so this is a wonderful hands-on opportunity for him.

Thank you MSI,
Viet

PS: Many thanks to Alex Lee @MSI for being able to accommodate my son this summer.

My son said this was the best camp ever! He did the 2 week camp & got to know the other kids, instructors & volunteers really well. He loved the boat rides in the bay & the field trips. Drop off & pick up can be a little long but the staff is very efficient once you get to the round-about. This is one of the best camps in the Bay Area!

We love their educational adventures. Highlight of our year

We have had a wonderful time at MSI for Summer camp the last 3 years. My daughter absolutely loves it and learns so much every Summer.

My daughter and her friends had a blast learning about MSI and all the creatures in the bay in an activity-filled birthday celebration! We were very appreciative of the well-organized activities for our large group and even the adults joined in. Thanks so much for giving us an unique experience through the mud grab, seine and tour of the animals and facilities! This was a great venue and perfect weather for the day.

After two years of no parties, we wanted to splash out for our son’s 7th birthday. MSI seemed like the perfect spot to celebrate our budding marine biologist in grand style, and the experience did not disappoint. The staff were organized and helpful during our set up, and our son and all his friends loved the program they put on. The staff are clearly knowledgeable and passionate students of marine sciences, and they all seemed to relate very well to the children. The package we chose, which included the must-do seine feature, was an excellent value for the cost. The price included more participants and a longer time than other venues I researched. Plus, it was great eating our lunch outside overlooking the bay, and the children had a blast splashing around in the water afterwards. Pro tip: water blasters from the dollar store make great party favors! All in all, we had a marvelous day and are grateful to everyone at MSI for helping us give our son an amazing memory to last a lifetime.

The City of Lodi has enjoyed Marine Science Institute Discovery Voyage trips since 2003, sending many groups of Lodi students each year as part of the City's Watershed Education Program.

This program is the best way to introduce students to watershed studies and marine science in just 4-hours. Hands-on science discovery, team building activities, and dynamite staff are the secret sauce to the program's success. The kids have fun, but work hard, and are led by a very professional, safety minded, team of MSI investigators.

Over the years, this program has impacted many Lodi students in life changing ways. Campus cleanup clubs have been formed, students have entered environmental science studies in college, and later careers, and otherwise fallen in love with the wonderful world below the Bay.

But, none will ever forget their MSI trip to the SF Bay! Some have even written about their trips and been published in Lodi's annual Mokelumne Current, student work watershed focused newspaper. How often do you get to touch a bat ray or discover what's in the mud at the bottom of the bay? Students' thoughts are precious. https://lodiwatershed.com/index.php/2022/05/26/mokelumne-current-another-year-of-watershed-moments/

We highly recommend this program for all students, teachers, and parents, as a way to better understand the San Francisco Bay Estuary, its critters, and challenges they face.
Developing a personal environmental stewardship is instilled through this program.

What a great program! Thank you, MSI directors, funders, and staff!

And thank you to all the private donations from Lodi's watershed education program funders, that makes those trips possible.

It takes a lot of team work to make these programs accessible to our very diverse California communities. I hope those who are able will continue to support the Marine Science Institute's programs for many years.

We had a bday party here and it was absolutely fantastic. All the kids and parents enjoyed it so much they didn't want to leave. We chose the 2 hour option and had a nice little snacks and cake at the end. The instructors were super engaging and lovely. Definitely would love to come back again!

My son loves the program and wants to get more involve with them. He always has stories to share and I can see how can perceive sealife in a different way now that is learning with projects and hands on education

We are so grateful to have such an accessible and fun research "lab" in our community! We were introduced to MSI by sending our daughter to the summer camp. This was during COVID and it was impressive how much thought and care was considered by the staff to not only keep the kids safe, but also continue to make a fun and engaging camp for the kids. This saved my daughter's summer after a year of zoom school. She absolutely loved the summer camp! Now our family has gone canoeing and other special events with MSI. The staff is amazing, they remembered my daughter and the instructor even engaged with her personally on other events - such a gem! My daughter couldn't believe how much "science" was all around us. The staff is amazing and how they teach the concepts of natural science and preserving habitats is wonderful. It has been great for my daughter to see role models who love what they do, thanks to the dedicated and engaging staff at MSI - thank you!

Marine Science Institute means so much to our family. My son first went to MSI on a school field trip in 3rd grade and he has taken many classes since. He can never get enough and doesn't even mind repeating the same classes. In the after school class, he's had the chance to take on a leadership role as one of the eldest in the group. It is such an amazing opportunity for him to learn about marine science, of course, but the life skills and self confidence coming from this experience are priceless. We are so grateful for the programming and the dedication of the amazing MSI instructors!

The Marine Science Institute is by far my son’s favorite summer camp yet. Having him come home on cloud nine warms my heart. Then he wants to call all of his grandparents and Cousins to tell them all about the sea life he saw while on the boat. Or how many tube worms he had in the mud today. It truly is a wonder and has the already ocean loving boy hooked. His mission to help the ocean and sharks and sea creatures have better futures is even greater now through MSI and their work.

Support MSI!! They provide hands on learning opportunities at an affordable cost for all families and learners. We love coming to their events and have learned so much together as a family over the years. MSI generously granted my daughter a scholarship to their Summer Camp this year which was a HUGE help to our family who’s been down an income during COVID. Also huge that MSI is helping to nurture my daughter’s love of and learning about natural sciences in a society in which women of color are still severely underrepresented in STEM fields. I will do what I can to ensure this amazing nonprofit is around for years to come and hope you will too!

MSI provides our family and the entire bay area community a unique and positive resource for kids to learn, stay active, appreciate the natural world around us, and care for the planet. We have done beach walks, tide tours, whale watching, canoeing, camps, shark days and many other activities with them, and our kids always beg to go back. The instructors are energetic, knowledgeable, caring and inclusive, and fun for the kids. A true amenity of living in the bay area. Please join their activities and donate if you can to ensure the health of this great institution.

We had a fantastic time at the tidepooling event last weekend with MSI’s expert instructors! Their knowledge, enthusiasm and patience with our endless questions made for a really memorable learning experience. Really impressed with the quality of this program. Can’t wait to sign up for more!

Marine Science Institute organized a virtual field trip for my students during distance learning. They offered a very informative presentation in small groups and they kept all my students engaged and interested in all the information they provided.
It was a very enriching experience for my students and a great way to promote caring for our planet.

Had great time at Shark Day program. The weather was amazing, learned a lot about sharks, were able to touch and feed them. The staff is amazing and friendly, great with kids. Felt really safe with new COVID-19 precautions. Had wonderful time outside.

Our learning pod had a great time on the Ecovoyage last weekend. Our group of two 7th graders, two 5th graders, and one 1st grader enjoyed the exploration of the bay and learning more about the local ecosystem. We got to "fish," do a "mud grab," and touch / observe several different fish species, invertebrates, and even a ray and a leopard shark. Highly recommend.

My kids and I went on the Ecovoyage last weekend and we all loved it. My daughter is a fifth grader and my son is in second grade. We learned so much about the bay and what lives in it. We even got to pet several animals including a leopard shark and a ray. It was a beautiful day on the bay and the staff was incredible. We learned a lot from the planned program but we also asked a lot of questions and got even more. Our leader (Stephanie, I think) was knowledgeable, interesting, patient, and thorough. All four members of the staff seemed to take pride in and enjoy what they were doing. I plan do do another MSI program in future. I think we all want to do the Tide Pooling next.

Our 2nd grader had a wonderful time at MSI summer camp during summer 2020. The health & safety procedures were stringent and the kids still had a wonderful time. He learned so much about the ecology of the Bay and all of the wonderful animals that inhabit it. He took me back to "camp" this weekend for a half-day canoe trip and we had a wonderful time! The expedition leaders were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and managed our group size with ease. Procedures remained very stringent and we felt safe the entire time. We had an absolutely lovely day paddling, learning about the plant life, cleaning up the marshlands, and observing the marine life in the aquarium. Great experience; thank you, MSI!

The crew at MSI is fantastic! They have helped to spark and nurture an interest for the life, love, and well-being of our Bay Area marine friends. MSI gives our son another adventure to be able to share with us. We enjoy learning about rays, flounders, and anemones as much as he does! Keep up the great work!

Marine Science Institute is celebrating 50 years of providing hands-on (and now safe distancing in smaller groups with regular disinfecting). Reviews and support from the community have been very encouraging in this difficult time.

The children and parents I have met on the Brownlee 90' research vessel have been enthusiastic and truly engaged in the scientifically based activities that are fun for all ages. This is one of the true gems of the Bay Area environmental organizations.

Although the focus is on teaching K-12 students about marine science, the underlying purpose of the Marine Science Institute is broader: promote science literacy, give young children an opportunity to meet and interact with real scientists, and provide adult role models, especially for girls. While COVID-19 has virtually eliminated MSI's program of classroom visits, it's still holding limited classes on its campus and taking children out on San Francisco Bay on its 90-foot research vessel R/V Robert G. Brownlee.

While its curricula are aligned with state standards, the best measure of its success isn't simply the knowledge gained by the students. It's the smiles on their faces as they recognize their own competence and envision another possible future for them.

MSI offers outstanding camps and classes. My son has learned so much through his experiences here and always wants to go back. As a parent I feel safe dropping off my son here since they are so organized with a mature staff. My son has a passion for marine biology and this is the only organization I found to meet his needs.

Marine Science Institute is a gem of the Bay Area. Their programs bring marine science to life and teach kids to be in touch with the wonders of their environment. Their staff are amazing - uplifting, excited, responsible, communicative, and smart. My second grade son absolutely loved his week long day camp this fall, a prior day camp in summer 2019, and my whole family has enjoyed visits to MSI on weekends in the past. Max endorsement!

We sent two kids to Marine Science Institute camp for Fall Break October 2020. We chose this camp due to it being outdoors in nature and the covid protocols they are following (our chosen criteria). The kids had a blast! Outdoors everyday exploring marine life, playing and catching fish. We heard many stories of the marine life, about different fish, rays and sharks. The staff were great and looked after the kids. One of my kids now wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up! We will certainly be back.

Kids had a great time at the one week camp at Marine Science institute. The couldn't stop talking about all the fish they saw and touched. Camp was also very well organized with masks, temperature checking outdoor setting and social distancing.

My two homeschooled kids had an awesome week at MSI. The staff was very professionally educated about Covid protocols and executed them on every detailed items. That really gives us parents a peace of mind knowing kids are safely having outdoor camps.

The curriculum was well designed with live sea animal captures and studies. My kids thoroughly enjoyed this camp.

Marine science has been my kids' favourite instittue for field trips in school. They were thrilled to go to MSI fall camp when they heard about it. MSI camp did a great job while keeping kids outdoor and super engaged . It also made them chance to touch marine animals with care. The staff was amazing , practiced covid safety protocol well. Staff also got kids super engaged in nature walk , outdoor games and fun activities thru out the day. My kids had 10k Steps goal met every day before lunch which was incredible. Thank you MSI staff .

I have been volunteering for the Marine Science Institute for around 4 years now. The atmosphere is great for new volunteers, as well as for the kids, who get to learn new thing about marine life every day. Each one of the counselors and instructors are very kind, and try their best to make everyone feel included. Overall, I could not imagine volunteering for any other organization other than MSI, due to the community being such a great and supportive one!

I've been a summer volunteer for 2 years, and plan to come back for another 2. I started volunteering here because I attended one of their camps when I was younger and fell in love with the camp. I absolutely love volunteering. They have a beautiful facility and are extraordinarily dedicated to their jobs. I have only met kindhearted staff members since I started volunteering and they helped me to become much better at working with young children. I'm very glad I decided to come back!

I've been a summer volunteer at MSI for 4 years now and it's just an amazing place over all. The counselors and staff are super friendly and easy to work with, everyone is passionate about about what they do, and the kids always seem to have so much fun. Would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in science and works well with kids.

My son Izaan has been a Junior Volunteer for 1 year and a summer camper for 5 years at MSI. It is hands down his most favorite thing to do in the summer. He thrives on the learning opportunities and loves the people who work there. I expect he will be volunteering there for years to come. Thank you MSI for further developing his passion and helping him develop so much over the years.

I had such an incredible volunteer experience here I decided to major in Environmental Management and Protection at Cal Poly! I love MSI and they taught me so much!

My 4th Graders had an fabulous time at the Marine Science Institute's summer camp this summer (2019). It was a wonderful learning experience combined by traditional camp fun.

As both a teacher and a parent, my experience with Marine Science Institute has been exceptional. I have found the staff very knowledgeable, incredibly professional, and extremely engaging. As a teacher, the depth of subject matter was impressive. The students were fully involved in the lessons thanks to the planning and energy of the staff. As a parent, my child has continually wanted to return to the summer camps each year. He comes home each day of camp with energy and so much to share!
I highly recommend Marine Science Institute and commend the staff for their hard work and dedication.

I have been going to MSI for about three years now and it has been an amazing experience. It will change your way of thinking about the ocean and you really learn how to respect it. And the most exciting -THE FIELD TRIPS! They take you on a lot of field trips. Last time I went to MSI for one week and three out of five days, we were on a field trip. I especially like their field trip that takes you on their research vessel, the Robert G. Brownlee. On the vessel, we do catch and release, a mud grave and we look at plankton under a microscope. It is really fun!

MSI is an amazing organization that provides incredible opportunities for kids and families. We have attended their beach days where incredible naturalists lead adventures educating kids on marine life. We went to ano nuevo to see the sea lions during their annual birthing season. Each summer, my daughter attends their camp, which is a highlight of the summer. The counselors are energetic, fun, educated, and inspiring. The camp is substantive and a truly unique opportunity for kids.

Can't say enough nice things about MSI and its staff. My daughter started out as a Camper there, and with that instilled a sense of respect for our environment.. She had gone there almost every summer while growing up. She has become a Steward of the Bay, she has taught other students a love of our Bay and how to protect it. An environmental warrior with the drive to teach others and have lots of fun along the way. Still today she is a staff member, along with so many other wonderful staff members.

Marine Science Institute - Kelp Forest Presentation -
Being a Special Ed Teacher, I usually attend assemblies with the assumption that I will take many (or all) of my students back to class before the end. I am surprised, impressed, and, proud to say that all of my students stayed until the end of the assembly, and they were engaged most of the time.

The staff was amazing with our students, and they were able to meet our students at their skill set. We are so thankful for this opportunity!

We have had many experiences with MSI through the years - summer camp, a school field trip, EcoVoyages and most recently a canoe trash cleanup. My daughter has loved summer camp - she can't wait until she is old enough to do a sleepover on the boat. Due to a mix-up by our school, our field trip 2 years ago could have been a disaster. However, MSI was very accomodating, and the field trip was a success. During our last EcoVoyage, our son was finally old enough to participate. The captain had heard of my son's current obsession with shipwrecks and navigated to one in the bay, so we could see it up close - my son was in alt. My children also really enjoyed a bay trash cleanup... in a canoe! They were so excited about the balloon, plastic bag, and other trash they found that they nearly toppled the boat. MSI has allowed each of my children to develop a personal relationship with the bay. Thank you!

We have worked with MSI for 17 years, the Discovery Voyage is the highlight of our school year! The students really enjoy the hands-on education and high level, local connections to the curriculum. I really appreciate how much the MSI curriculum has grow and adapted to my needs as an AP science teacher. I also appreciate that he students are able to see a broad range of science research pathways and opportunities.

Marine Science Institute is a fantastic organization. I've brought my nephew to their public events and he loved the interactive activities, especially pulling in the net with the other children onto the beach to see what bay critters they could catch. The instructors are wonderful with children (my nephew is 7) and can take complex ideas and simplify for their understanding. The aquarium was also a highlight. My nephew loved seeing the sharks, sea stars, and other fish. We can't wait for the next event!

MSI is such a great place or kids and adults to learn about the San Francisco Bay and all of its wildlife. The kids remember it for years and love to come back again and again.

I first visited MSI for a school trip in the third grade, and absolutely loved it. In fact, I loved it so much I begged my mom to sign me up for summer camp right away! I had always been interested in science, but MSI sparked a real love for marine biology and conservation that's still with me to this day. I went to MSI summer camp every year until I aged out of their camp programs, at which point I started volunteering.
The staff at MSI are great people who love their jobs and have a passion for education and conservation. The programs themselves are fun and hands-on, encouraging kids to put on their "scientist goggles" and learn by doing, not just listening. Personally, I cannot recommend it enough, especially for budding scientists who like the water and don't mind getting a little dirty.

My son and nieces and nephews have really benefited from and enjoyed MSI camps and the Earth Day celebration. They provide hands on access to the creatures in our Bay which is very engaging for the kids (and me!). I am also completely confident in the science-based management & professionalism of their programs. As a parent, there is no icky feeling that the animals here might be harmed at the expense of giving kids a learning experience. Yay!

The Marine Science Institute in Redwood City offers some incredibly unique and rare opportunities for kids in the bay area to experience local marine life and marine biology education first hand. Having participatied in several boat trips with school groups of all ages, I saw the wonder and excitement both kids and teachers experienced as they helped bring in fish like bat rays and halibut. The crew made every part of the experience educational and extremely safe. Highly recommend this to every school in the bay area and beyond.

The Marine Science Institute has been a huge part of my life for almost 20 years. I worked at MSI for 7 years and believe so much in the mission that I didn't stay away for long! For the last 10 years, I have been serving on the Board of Directors. MSI offers students the chance to have hands-on experiences with local marine life through their top-notch school programs and summer camp. There is a reason why MSI has such great reviews! The instructors are knowledgeable, experienced educators who provide students with opportunities to explore and make their own observations. I have friends who went on MSI's research vessel when they were in school and still rave about the trip. And there are teachers who participated in the program as students who now bring their classes every year. MSI is a well-loved organization and a huge value to the Bay Area!

My 3 children have had a fabulous time at MSI's Camps. The camp offers an unique experience - engaging, fun and experiential learning. I highly recommend. We are now excited to try some of the family experiences available during the school year.

Wonderful place for my teenager son to develop his love for the environment and the marine life. We treasure it very much!

We took our 5 yr old on an ecovoyage on the Robert G. Brownlee and loved the whole experience. The staff that welcomed us aboard were very friendly and accomodating. My son loved that he got to touch a bat ray which he helped catch straight from the bay! Lots of hands-on experiences suitable for his age. He learned a lot and still talks about it, two weeks later! Will definitely be back and recommending to friends and family :)

An absolutely Fantastic Day canoeing with the MSI staff; Kaitlyn and Ashley! Not only were they great instructors on safety and technique, their wonderful energy brought out perfect weather :). There were fun and educational activities for all ages as well. I highly recommend this guided event for anyone!

The Marine Science Institute is a very important community partner on the peninsula. Their field trips are designed for the Next Generation Science Standards and provide students with wonderful local phenomena and hands-on experiences that help them become better stewards of the environment. MSI is also helping teachers transition to the Next Generation Science Standards. I greatly appreciate all they do.

My daughter and I took a trip on the Robert G. Brownlee one Saturday. We learned so much about the Bay and our often-overlooked local marine environment. The best part were the MSI leaders, whose enthusiasm was contagious. More outings and volunteer work are planned.

We're so lucky to have the MSI.

The Marine science does in school fieldtrips at our school each year, TK -grade 6. All of our students love the experience and get so excited when they know they are coming.

We also take our6th graders out on the boat and the trip is one of the highlights of the year. Students get so excited to pait their faces with bay mud and collect fish specimens in the net.

We are a Title I school and without donations from companies and individuals we would not be able to afford these wonderful programs.

The Marine Science Institute was highly enjoyable and informational! I went here as part of the NGSS initiation program. I learned a lot about the creatures that lived in the San Francisco Bay and why they chose to live there.

We love having Marine Science come to our school. The cost of a school bus for field trips is around $700 for 3-4 hours. But when MSI visits are school with their marine life our students are so excited. They get to touch, observe, and learn interesting facts about the marine life they've been hearing about or reading about but most of them have never seen one. It's interesting to see the students interact with the sea creatures, some are very timid at first but then begin to get braver and encourage their classmates to touch a crab, or pet the shark. In addition to the hands-on experience the MSI staff also tell the children about how they can help keep the marine life safe. It's wonderful to see the students walk away with ideas of how they can help protect the marine life. They also hold a teacher event where we can register for them to come visit our school, explore the tanks of live marine life. I Love MSI, they are informing our next generation how they can help to make our world a better place for human and animal life to coexist.

One of our kids has attended MSI summer camp for 3 years , and the other kid attended once so far -- they love the MSI camp counselors and all the fun (educational) activities they do. The kids really enjoyed the camp field trips (beach, California Academy of Sciences, boat trip). As a family, we've gone to Earth Day at MSI, which was filled with different fun activities (including fishing with the big net). We also went on an elephant seal nature walk with MSI at Ano Nuevo beach - the staff are extremely friendly and knowledgable. All of our experiences have been positive with MSI -- they have inspired our older kid to aspire to be a marine scientist one day!

My daughter first discovered the Marine Science Institute on a school field trip and loved it. She since set her mind on being a Marine Biologist. We started attending outings as a family and have had great times observing and learning about a variety of marine life. As a middle schooler, she's now looking forward to volunteering next summer and learning more about the field. Thank you for giving our daughter and other kids so many opportunities to have hands-on experiences learning about science and the environment!

The staff are well informed and the activities that I have attended so far have been awesome! Fun and educational.

My son attended an excellent 1 week camp for middle school students. He thoroughly enjoyed every activity, and got to do experiments, take samples, and learn about the marine wildlife of our bay. The highlight of the camp was the Thursday-Friday overnight aboard the research vessel, where they visited Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and other sights on the SF Bay.

MSI's team of dedicated, intelligent, and kind people make this non-profit stand out. Through education and outreach, MSI engages kids and adults and educates the community through awesome programs, curriculum, special events and boat trips. These are the kind of programs that kids remember their whole life, what wonderful resource for teachers, students and the general community.
I work at a local brewery, and we often partner with MSI for special events and fundraisers. MSI is truly one of the coolest orgs in the Bay Area, showing that through engaging education, we learn about the interconnection of all things and our responsibility to conserve and care for our planet. Go get on the research vessel boat tour of the Bay! Do a mud trawl, donate and volunteer!

My high school classes have benefited tremendously from our partnerships with MSI over the years - be it as a part of a middle school mentorship program, or studying the marine life of the SF bay. Their staff is incredibly accommodating and helpful in tailoring programming to my specific group of students.

I volunteered to help beach cleanup at Ocean Beach and a few other smaller events. I think MSI does a great deal with what they have to further the mission of educating and inspiring young local minds about their impact to the world they live in. The best way to inspire global change is to make young people aware and responsible for their local environments.

The Marine Science Institute is one of the best nonprofits in the Bay Area. The programs are detailed to the students, the instructors are passionate about their craft, and the activities are interesting, engaging, and fun. My students (over 120) know more about their surroundings now than they ever will.

This is a wonderful place with an excellent learning program for children of all ages. Our son has been coming here fro camp every summer since he was 4 (he's 9 now) an he loves it! We will most certainly be attending next summer as well

Keep up the great work MSI crew!!

Best - Jim and Kainoa Fotheringham

MSI has been our field trip of choice for the last several years. They have adapted with us as the science standards have changed, more recently to those of Common Core. We attend yearly and use the field trip as a frontloading opportunity to our unit on animal traits and characteristics, how they have adapted to survive, etc. The lessons are understandable for English learners as well as English speakers. Academic language is used, with the docents explaining their word choices and showing how they apply to the specific area we are studying--the sharks, the mud, fish, etc. The teaching and learning is sufficiently arresting that we schedule a year in advance to make sure we get "our" time. In my 35 years of teaching, this is the only trip that we very consistently plan for each and every year, due to to its high quality, high interest, and accessibility to our children. We also use the scholarship each year, to be able to provide this enriching experience to all of our first grade children.

My daughter loved her years at camp. Now she wants to be a camp counselor there! That says something.

We've sent our kids to the MSI summer camp for 4 years, and it's a wonderful way to expose them to the local marine biology. The organization is very well run.

What a wonderful experience for kids, my daughter loved it and learned so much!

Provides great educational experiences to kids of all ages through school, camps, scouts, etc.

Great field trips, awesome camps! Such a unique place. My kids love how hands on it is. They have learned so much about fish and Bay conservation there. It is definitely a favorite and I feel lucky to have it close by!

Marine Science Institute is doing a fantastic job of getting young kids excited about science in general, and marine science in particular. I love it and my son loves it! We've gone to numerous events and camps they've put on and look forward to doing more.

Best engaging summer camps! And terrific birthday party educational program. LOVE THIS PLACE! We're annual members also.

This is an amazing teaching location. The staff is so knowledgable and the science camps are amazing.

LOVE MSI! My kids had the best time at summer camp & can't wait to go back! They come home and teach us so much about our local wetlands, have such a great excitement and love for our environment, and best of all, are happy & exhausted! It's their favorite camp!

My children have been to summer camp at MSI, and we also went to an Earth Day event there in 2016. They always walk away excited to learn more about marine science. Can't really ask for more than your children excited about learning and having a good time with the staff at MSI. Big thumbs up :-)

I worked at MSI for 9 years. It is an amazing organization. At my new job I am bringing my students here so they can learn and experience marine life. MSI gives so many schools, families, communities the opportunity to learn about the nature in their own backyard.

My daughter came here on a fieldtrip and had the best time! Everyone was very friendly, patient and engaging, and she came home excited for us to take our own field trip to Half Moon Bay. Definitely a worthwhile trip!

My children have attended summer camp at MSI for the last 3 years and loved it. They came home everyday full of stories about what they saw and learned, and they were able to apply the knowledge directly when we visited the nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium. Great job Felicia and team! We can't wait to come back next summer!

Marine Science Institute comes out to our school every year for their Inland Voyage program. My students always are engaged while they are here presenting their lessons. The reach students who would not normally be able to see live marine organisms. It is a wonderful program!

My fifth grade students took the voyage last year out on the Bay and it was extremely beneficial to their learning. My students ranged from never having been on the Bay to some that go out monthly, but very few actually knew about the life in the Bay. The students walked away with language they continued to use in the classroom and a deeper understanding of our ecosystem. This was absolutely a phenomenal trip and we will be doing it again this year.

MSI provides a much needed vehicle for connecting the community to our bay and ocean, whether its through coastal clean-ups, low tide walks, summer camps, school outreach programs, ship rides, etc....the list goes on and on!! The staff is excited about what they do and is eager to share their wealth of information. Thank you MSI!!!

Both of our children have participated in MSI summer programs multiple times, and every summer they learn new things and have a fantastic experience! I highly recommend it to anyone!

Our school LOVES Marine Science institute. One of the great things about them is that when we bring our groups, all special education students, they learn so much!! The hands on experiences really help our students absorb information.

I have been taking my 2nd/3rd grade students to MSI for almost 25 years, as part of our study of the Ecology of San Francisco Bay. It is one of the highlights of our year. It is an engaging, hands-on experience, with well-trained, enthusiastic, knowledgeable instructors who enjoy working with kids. The children often attend the summer camps and/or return for visits with their families.

MSI is my favorite bay area institution for taking my 6-year-old son, who loves marine animals and wants to be a scientist. They make science fun and local. What could be better?

I have been taking my fourth graders to the Marine Science Instutue's Discovery Voyage for the past 9 years. The experience for me and for my students has always been extraordinary! The instructors give the students the hands-on learning that allows them to retain most of what they see and do on the their 4 hour voyage. The students are fully engaged learning not only about habitat and adaptations, but also about the very unique estuary that is San Francisco Bay. I highly recommend a day with any of the Marine Science Institute programs.

I first met the Marine Science Institute team when I signed up for a mixed ages experience of San Francisco Bay on their boat. It was a terrific experience seeing the various ways they have of teaching about what lives in the waters and mud of the bay.

Delighted with my experience I sponsored a twelve-year old girl for a week of camp. She was thrilled and says it is the best thing she has ever done. The following fall she began to take her school work more seriously and made such good grades that she was added to the Honor Roll. The MRI experience wasn't the entire reason for her renewed interest in her school work, but I believe it opened her eyes to what doing science is like. She met the excellent staff including the scientists aboard and could imagine doing it herself after college.

I highly recommend MRI for their learning experiences and your donor dollars. This is an excellent group to support knowing you will be making a difference for the many children served.

Caroline Beverstock, Atherton, CA

My 33 5th graders had an extraordinary learning experience on their Discovery Voyage. They learned, and retained, so much from every station, and their conversations were in-depth. For both me and the children, this trip is our absolute favorite. Former students mention the amazing time they had and their specific memories when they come back and visit me.

Thank you for providing a high-quality learning opportunity for the children. You are unparalleled!

Best regards,
Pam Smith
5th Grade
Walnut Grove Elementary
Pleasanton USD

MSI is a great way for students to explore, basically, their back yard, the estuaries around SF Bay. What a fabulous way for teachers to tie in Common Core Standards with NGSS. Students whom I have taken on this experience have very fond and long-lasting memories of exploring the SF Bay. I have been taking students on this exploration for the last 15 years. I and my students parents always look forward to this extended experience.
Thanks for all you do!!!!!

My older son volunteered at MSI, my younger son went to summer camps at MSI. Both of them enjoyed their experiences. MSI staff are knowledgeable, creative, fun and supportive.

MSI is one of the best field trips you will ever to take your students on. They are so well organized, informative, and fun. I go within the first 3 weeks of school (I teach K). Parents are nervous about their child leaving the school campus so early in the year inspiring them to be chaperone drivers. The MSI instructors are very good and well prepared, so chaperones play a small role once we get to the bay. The parents actually have time to do some bonding and our class really comes together after our field trip. Thanks MSI for teaching us about the bay, about protecting our resources, and for starting our year off right. P.S We also had MSI come out once and do the tidepool program at school. That was excellent also. The kids loved touching all the animals.

I've worked with many nonprofits as a development professional. Marine Science Institute (MSI) has the utmost integrity in their financial practices. They are lean and efficient. They run a tight ship. (pun intended) And their mission, education and conservation messages are felt deeply by the thousands of students and teachers who come to learn about the incredible importance of the San Francisco Bay each year. MSI has earned the confidence of dozens of foundations and corporations who support their unique hands-on science education programs each year. Donors who give to MSI are people who hold the belief that the future of our planet rests on the shoulders of children and adults who understand their surroundings and who feel personal responsibility for stewarding all living creatures and ecosystems.

We have had some wonderful opportunities as a family, and for our children, to explore and learn about Marine life thru the Marine Science Institute. The events and camps are absolutely wonderful and reasonably priced and we and our daughter have great memories. She loved the overnight camp. The staff and volunteers are very caring and knowledgeable. We are looking forward to our son being old enough this year.

Love the Marine Science Institute. It is a unique place to learn about marine life in the bay area. My kids first discovered MSI on a field trip and then I have signed them up for summer camps there. Now one of my sons wants to be a marine biologist. What a great way to open up the world to marine science!

After many, many years of full time teaching, I now teach arts and sciences part time. Retirement is almost here! I was lucky enough to attend the Teacher Night at MSI for 2015, and see how they have revamped and updated their curriculum for the new STEM standards and practices. I am so glad to have been able to bring some of our teachers with me. We learned a LOT. Much of what we experienced is now in our classrooms.
We will have 6 classes participating in MSI programs this year. The MSI instructors are so well educated, work wonderfully with children of all ages (our participants will be ages 10-14yrs), and seem to run on endless energy! The program content is of interest to the students, and is made so understandable by the MSI instructors. Everything MSI does is hands-on; they create lifelong memories and lifelong learners.
We are most grateful for MSI's commitment to financial assistance for schools who want to participate in their programs. The sponsors make a big difference in the lives of our families and the education of our children.
Thank you, MSI, for all you do, for your continued growing, for keeping us aware of our environment and how to be responsible caregivers for our Bay and the creatures who call it home.

We have been contracting with MSI for many years to provide environmental education programs to our local students. They consistently exceed our expectations and we couldn't be happier with them! Lessons on the RV Brownlee are well-planned, age-appropriate and very engaging. The feedback we receive from students, teachers and parents is always very good. If I could give MSI more stars, I would!

I have been involved with Marine Science Institute for over 10 years, from educational programs to volunteerism they have constantly exceeded my expectations. Their teaching staff is by far the most knowledgeable within their fields and remarkably friendly and patient with all of their students. I cannot recommend Marine Science Institute enough. Thank you for all that you do.

I was lucky enough to have been invited as an adult volunteer to two of many field trips held through an MSI grant with a sixth grade class. One was a tide pool expedition and the other a search for the endangered snowy plover. Once beachside, the MSI volunteers launched right into hands-on activities which were both educational and fun. This experience was especially exciting for those children who had never seen the ocean, and introducing them all to science in a hands-on method made a positive impact on everyone.

I teach at a local middle school and MSI has provided many field hands-on science experiences for my students over the years. For the past several years they have also provided many in class hands-on educational experiences as well through our partnership. I have found all their staff not only to have excellent content knowledge but also great experience with working with students in keeping them engaged as they encourage their questions and answers. Last year one of my classes partnered with a high school class. With guidance and support from MSI my students visited the high school campus for a tour by their students and the high school students visited my class twice to advise my students as we completed environmental projects. How fortunate my students have been to have such a resource available to them and as a teacher of science I too have felt fortunate to have colleagues with whom to plan and work to provide rich science experiences for my students. I often felt isolated as an elementary school science teacher. However, working with MSI has kept me focused on teaching science, and I continue to learn along with my students on every field trip even after many trips.

I spent a few weeks volunteering for MSI over the past two summers and it is always a highlight of my summer. The field trips we go on with camp create a wonderful background for learning about our bay and oceans and adds to the invaluable hands on learning experience available to campers. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of learning the counselors and instructors are able to pack into one week while still making the camp exceedingly fun. Not only that, the camp is able to instill a lasting environmental awareness and morals that I have now had for more than half of my life.

I had the privilege of working with MSI on a grant they'd been awarded to support my high school students working with a nearby middle school. My students got to mentor & support the middle school students' development of environmental stewardship projects. I was thoroughly impressed with MSI's organization, their staff members professionalism, and their flexibility to make the program work for me, my students, and the middle schoolers as well. The even made their site available to us one afternoon when we were coming back from a different field trip, and their staff member was incredibley helpful and impressive with her management of our rowdy students.

Volunteering for the Marine Science Institute for summer of 2014 was nothing but fun! I really enjoyed seeing kids of all ages have a great time while learning all about our oceans, bay and environment. I learned a lot this summer and am very happy that I chose to volunteer. I went to MSI as a kid and loved it. Being around our younger generation and seeing them enjoy it as much as I did was heartwarming. We went out on the Robert G. Brownlee, Planted gumplants at the Lucy Evans Nature preserve, went tidepooling at the Bean Hollow State Beach, learned about native plants at Pescadero State Beach and visited the Gulf of the Farallons Marine Sanctuary. I couldn't picture myself enjoying anything as much as I enjoyed helping out with the Marine Science Camp. Volunteering for the Marine Science Institute was a wonderful experience. I would do it all over again but am hoping to become a conselor next summer.

I am so glad that i decided to volunteer at MSI this summer. It was such a great experience, and I loved working with the kids! Not to mention, I had a lot of fun participating in all their activities as well, and learned quite a lot from them. It amazed me how much these tiny kids knew! I also loved working with the counselors and instructors. They were all so friendly and nice to talk to. The program itself is also very enriching. It is filled with field trips, fun educational activities, games, hands on interactions with different marine animals, and lots and lots of FUN!

More than 20 years of Discovery Voyages, and every single one of them a total hit with students! Many were so fascinated that they went on in high school and college to study the sciences in more depth; a good number have been led to careers in the sciences!
In those 20 years, my fellow teachers and our students have also experienced land programs, tide pool programs, and in-house (at school) presentations. Each and every contact with MSI has brought our students motivation to be better caregivers of our Bay, experiential time in Life, Earth, and Physical sciences, and memories for a lifetime.
For all MSI field trips, parents can hardly wait to sign up to chaperone; often, we have had a drawing to see who gets to come with us!
The office staff and field trip instructors are so professional, so friendly, and unbelievably good at what they do. Their credentials and experience are awesome.
I will continue MSI participation with my students for as long as I am teaching.

I volunteered at MSI camp all summer and had so much fun! The people are amazing to be around not only because they are fun but because they are helpful and want to help everyone learn. I have learned a lot this summer and can not wait to go back as a counselor next year. I will hopefully also be sending my sister back to camp again next year. She had an amazing time as well. When I have kids, they will most definately be at this camp. Absolutely love MSI and can not reccomend it enough!

I have organized student trips with MSI for many years as a way for our city to educate its youth regarding stormwater pollution to our waterways. I am always impressed by MSI's professional and enthusiastic staff. Every Californian should be required to take a Discovery Voyage on the SF Bay...to help all citizens discover and appreciate this wonder-full world we live. Positive behavior changes always flow from this hands-on experience. No longer are students apathetic polluters or oblivious of the ecosystems in the heart of California. Instead, their environmental compasses are realigned towards becoming the good stewards of Planet Earth God requires of humanity.

For example, I had one 5th grade group, who while on board, thanks to staff inspiration, renamed their environmental club to "Earth Keepers". The MSI person had the kids at every station yell out, "Earth Keepers! Save the World!" To this day, the Earth keepers are meeting on Fridays at their school site in Lodi, doing street and campus cleanups. And yes, they still end each day with their rallying fell, "Earth Keepers! Save the World!" Keep up the good work, MSI!

The Marine Science Institute (MSI) provides a realistic hands-on science program for my students to connect with everyday, real-life experiences about the importance of the watershed, the San Francisco Bay, and the inhabitants that live therein. MSI helps to creates an awareness of the necessity of the Bay and links us to direct evidence of the health and condition of Bay that not only fosters an appreciation of SF Bay, but develops stewardship for protection of the Bay for future generations.

I am a former MSI employee who now teaches in a public school that uses MSI educational programs. I loved working at MSI and felt that the staff and facilities were top notch. All of the instructors were highly educated and compassionate about teaching students of all ages.

As a teacher, I work directly with the scheduling coordinator to plan field trips for my school. She is organized, flexible and extremely helpful especially when trying to plan around all of the special days and testing that my school has.

MSI is an outstanding organization and that I am proud to have been a part of. I am excited that my students are able to do programs with them.

The Marine Science Institute offers one of THE best, educational, yet fun-filled trips you could ever imagine! I took students on a Discovery Voyage a couple of years ago, and they had a blast (so did I)! MSI will do everything within their power to ensure that underprivileged students are not left out; that includes offering very generous grants towards your travel expenses - if yours is a Title1 school.

We did the 'Biomimicry' trip, which was fantastic!

My students and I felt so lucky to have Marine Science Inst. come to our school through the Inland Voyage program. The program was not aligned to what I was teaching but it was engaging and fun.

My fourth grade students and I were excited to visit tide pools, but I had no idea how thorough this academic experience would be. Before our trip, the children were introduced to the scientific method, practiced data collection, and handled live ocean specimens. After the tide pool exploration, the data collected at the pools was used to create bar graphs. This was one of the most complete science units I've seen.

As a teacher, I thought this program was excellent. My students and I learned so much from the pre-trip school visit. We learned even more on the actual visit, and the post-trip school visit solidified the learning experience. Like the Chinese proverb states, " I hear, I forget, I see, and I remember, I DO and I understand." That is what this program guarantees to provide.

As a parent who researches and schedules field trips for a K-8 school, I was thrilled to learn about all the programs offered by Marine Science Institute ("MSI"). Our community (teachers, parents and students) has had the opportunity to experience some of their field trips and Inland Voyage programs. We love everything about MSI! The knowledgeable and friendly staff always make their hands on science programs fun and educational for everyone involved. The excitement, before during and after a program with MSI make it a top pick for our school year after year.
Thank you MSI, for providing us the opportunity to be part of and experience science and not just read about it!
Dina Casanova
Parent Volunteer Field Trip Coordinator

As a teacher I took my class here for the first time many years ago. I am now at a new school who had never heard of it, so I organized a grade level wide field trip over four days so all 1st graders could experience the amazing field trip program they put on. The students love it and it ties in to our science standards. Plus, it is BEAUTIFUL!

Me and my family have gone on several of MSI bay cruises. They are the best, most organized trips and totally kid oriented handson. The first time we netted for fish, we had many, the second time we went we didn't catch many fish but it didn't matter because the staff had so many other activities to entertain the kids (and adults). It has been one of our favorite activities and have taken and referred many of our friends. The staff is very well prepared and knowledgable. It was very enjoyable,

We also have visited the center during shark day. Although the center isn't very big, they seem to be able to entertain the kids all day with hands on activities.

So many great things about MSI: (1) Real exposure to the real world. Mud face painting and petting sharks. (2) The level of engagement of the staff is exceptional. They're sensitive, considerate, professional and smart. (3) Non-commercial...no gift shop! (4) Yet you always leave with something cool (shark hats, for example). Our 5 y.o. has been out on the boat twice and loved it. Our 3 y.o. has only done shore programs, but likes those a lot too.

My son loves MSI...and his two younger sisters can't wait for the day when they are old enough to experience their fisrt voyage on the Robert G. Brownlee. We are so thankful for the opportunity for our children to cultivate a love and appreciation for the ocean through MSI's camps and family events.

I was a student for the Marine Science Institute in my 6th grade year. I had been a struggling reader and felt stupid most of my childhood. When we were on the boat, a world of science opened up to me. We collected a previously unidentified species and I really wanted to know what it was. The captain plunked down a huge book in front of me, showed me the basics of fish ID, and I set about figuring it out. It was hard, but not a struggle. When I figured out what it was (the black-finned sucker fish) I beamed with joy. I finally felt like I was good at something: Science.

In high school, I volunteered for the summer. One day, an instructor was suddenly sick and I had to teach a station on the ship. It was the first time I had ever had to teach somebody something, and it was the second big life lesson I learned from my time at MSI: I could share my knowledge with others.

I studied environmental science and geology in college, returned to MSI as a marine instructor. For two years I worked on board the ship and was transformed by the experience. I became a science teacher after I moved on from MSI, and always look back on how my time at MSI shaped me. I cannot think of a better organization to learn and grow from.

MSI nurtures the curiosity of young scientists, for creates a wealth of data free for scientists to analyze, and raises awareness of environmental issues. Their contribution to the lives of people who explore with them is priceless.

I was a volunteer for Marine Camp for 6 years and it was always the highlight of my summer. I was originally interested in volunteering because I had such a great experience when my 6th grade class took a trip out on the bay on the Robert G. Brownlee. MSI has a way of inspiring kids to love science and the bay as much as they do and I believe it is because of the passion that all of the people there have. I have watched hundreds of kids come into camp on a Monday morning not knowing anyone and looking rather scared and shy, and by the end of the week they have mud from the bottom of the bay on their face, are grinning from ear to ear, and are begging their parents to let them stay just a little bit longer. MSI is truly top-notch.

My daughter and son loved going to camp at MSI at ages. They had a great time and learned so much about our local waters. Great program.

My 7 year old has been doing MSI programs for 3 years now. He has done low tide walks, summer camps, and after school classes and loved all of them. The instructors have such deep knowledge of Marine Science, I feel lucky that they choose to teach and share that love of the water with our children. At the camps, he always comes home happy, dirty and tired - what more could a little boy want from summer!

MSI has terrific events as well as summer classes for kids to learn and explore our lovely bay.

I have a six year old daughter who absolutely loves going to the marine science expeditions that MSI organizes. They are absolutely invaluable in terms of the exposure my daughter gets by going to them.The staff is super dedicated and enthusiastic. Could not say enough good things about them!! they absolutely amazing

We go to MSI several times a year and love the educational value. Marine Science Institute does so much with a tiny budget and has a very dedicated group of youth and adult volunteers. They are super passionate about educating people about the Bay and Pacific. They have been very generous and accommodating with the underserved kids that I've been involved with.

I first discovered MSI when I went there for a teacher training during the summer. I was impressed by the facility, the level of care for the animals, and the knowledge of the staff. When I found they subsidize the cost of a bus to take my students, I arranged a field trip then and there. I took two classes of low income mostly second language learner third graders to the shoreside program. For many, it was the first time they went to a beach, the first time they held an animal, and the first time they were able to touch a shark. The children had a great time, learned a lot, and got really flithy... all signs of a great field trip. We had four docents assigned to our groups. All four had different styles and covered the information differently; but all four were very knowledgable and adapted the information to meet the differing needs of some challenging learners. I highly reccomnd The Marine Science Institute as a destination for school field trips as well as family excursions. I am taking my students again next year!

My six year old went to Marine Camp this year and had an absolute blast. He ended up sponsoring a little shark that we end up going to visit a couple times a year. I've been on the board for about two years now and really enjoy helping MSI.

The Marine Science Institute was founded to provide high quality, hands-on education for children and adults interested in San Francisco Bay. They have land programs, Bay-front programs, and a ship for on-the-Bay programs. MSI runs multiple programs a day throughout the school year, plus runs a top-notch summer camp series. Family memberships add opportunities for lectures, films, fun days, service days, and more. The ED and her staff see quality and safety as top priorities. MSI draws highly qualified scientists to work as instructors and staff because people want to see success in what they do - and MSI provides success not only for employees, but most certainly for child, adult, and family participants. I am proud to serve on the Board at MSI, and also to have participated for many years as a teacher in classes, and with my students on field trips. MSI is an outstanding educational non-profit.

My children adopted a starfish and tiger shark for Hanukkah. They enjoyed a day feeding and caring for their "pets" and the other sea life at MSI. They learned a terrific lesson about giving in the holiday season.

I have 2 children who attended and loved the week-long summer camps offered at MSI this year. My 6th grade son had a blast at his Underwater Investigators week - the balance of science with creative fun had him engaged and learning every day. My 4th grade daughter thoroughly enjoyed her Ocean Explorers camp - the mix of field trips, hands-on crafts and marine science education was perfect for her. Thanks MSI for the great job you do!!

My sixth-grade daughter had been looking forward to the underwater investigators camp for months. She loves science, fish in particular. She had been to the marine science institute on field trips with her school and very much enjoyed her time spent at the institute. We expected that camp would involve, as the website describes, "a challenging week of scientific investigation". Sadly, this was not the case. My daughter spent 3 days at camp during which she was taught very little. She was so disappointed she did not return for the last 2 days. There was very little instruction, very little content or substance. I don't know if that was a result of her instructor or the camp curriculum, but I think it may have been both. I think the camp does not know how to meet the needs of older children. My daughter was a great candidate for marine science camp - a really enthusiastic learner with a keen interest in the subject matter. Sadly I really think the marine science institute is missing a big opportunity with this camp - educating our youth and encouraging kids' interest in science. Huge disappointment.

My son attended one of their summer camps this year for the first time and the experience was so wonderful that he's decided to study marine biology. The staff was knowledgeable and fun - the kids learn so much but in a fun way. Both of my children have also been on field trips with their middle school science classes. They have been some of the best field trips we've attended (even the adults learned). Keep up the great work!

Some of my team members and I from the Tech Museum were invited by MSI for their 2 hour bay voyage on Saturday, August 21st. As we all work with children, it was fun to see how the kids were completely engaged in all the activities, from trolling the bay to examining mud samples, and even touching a shark (I didn't do that, but I did hold a shrimp). The team running the voyage was extremely knowledgeable and also extremely fun, and encouraged us to discover and explore as we wished. The only thing I would have done differently was to bring chapstick, but they warned me to beforehand, so that was my error. Didn't hinder the great time we all had, though! You can see pics of the voyage at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/medanie/sets/72157624777841200/show/

We have been attending MSI camps since our daughter was in kindergarten, 6 years later we attend as many camps as there are for her age group. She loves the hands on learning and has annouced she wants to work and save marine life for a career. The trips on the boat are cherished and talked about for weeks! She is happy to share with whomever will listen.

My daughter attended your camp for the first time this summer, and had a GREAT experience! She came home with cool creations, told us about the marine life she got to "pet" and other interesting facts about the bay. She was at first scared to board the boat, but your staff was reassuring, and professional. You were also very well organized in the details, re parking, snacks to pack, etc. etc. We joined as members since we were so impressed with your operation. We've lived in RWC for 5 years, and did not even know you existed. We will spread the word, for sure on all the great things you're doing. Thanks!!

My daughter has been attending your camp from age 5 until this summer when she was 11. She had looked forward to this camp every year and had an amazing time this last summer. Your staff and your program are wonderful!

My son had the greatest experience this summer at the Marine Science Institute summer camp. Signing him up for this camp was a very nice experience for me, too. We were late and camp was full, but the staff tried to find a space for us and they did. All my phone calls were returned in a very timely and respectful manner, and best of all my boy had a blast! Kids were doing science, and learning about the environment and on ways to protect it. They explored marches in the south bay on kayaks, taking samples for analysis and having a great time in between. The overnight trip to Angel island was something that kids will remember for a long-long time. I praise the MSI for all work they do.

I recently participated in MSI's "Ecotour" program, a two-hour, on-water experience to help the general public better understand the San Francisco Bay's functions and characteristics. The tour was informative, well-organized, and engaging. Adults and children seemed to have a good time. I will be taking a group of adults on the tour in a few weeks and am very excited about this program!

MSI's summer camps are fantastic. Full of fun and science, 3 field trips in 5 days were a huge hit with my 7 year old. We'll definitely send him back year after year, and his younger sister is begging for her own chance to attend Marine Science Camp (next year!)

My daughter loved spending time at MSI both as a student and as a camper. She especially liked touching the shark and being on the boat. She thought the only improvement would be fewer games and more Marine Science stuff.

My daughter attended Ocean Explorers Summer Camp. Last year she attended as well, but as a entering first grader. She thoroughly enjoys herself, comes home telling us interesting facts about ocean life, and loves the counselors and staff. I couldn't be happier with this camp. There are two field trips to the beach and tide pools and a trip aboard their boat. It's fantastic!

I recently participated in a Discovery Voyage aboard the Marine Science Institute's boat in San Francisco Bay. I was truly impressed by the quality of the program. The staff do an excellent job of keeping the kids engaged and getting them excited about science and the environment. The program gets the kids to actively participate in collecting the samples and analyzing them. They have four science stations aboard the boat -- one each for plankton, large fish, sediment, and water quality. The children end up learning a ton without even realizing it.

Camp is awesome. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I think I learned a lot about other types of animals and what lives in the ocean that I didn't know was there. I really like being on the boat. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I learned stuff about fish and megalodons and sharks and plankton. One more thing that's really cool about Marine Science Institute is the Free Willy whale. One thing that I think they could improve is letting us in the water. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

Camp is awesome and Josh [the counselor] is awesome. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I really liked it. I would do it again. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

It was definitely fun, and I learned a lot, and seeing all the things that we found, like catching fish. It was really interesting. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

It's definitely better than a lot of camps I've been to. You have more opportunity than other places or thing you could do for free at home. My camp counselors at another camp treated everybody like toddlers but there they are age appropriate. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

It was the best camp ever. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

We learned a lot but it was disguised as fun and games--inside that, there was a lot of learning. Not like being in class, really, really fun! Just fun learning. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

It was the best camp that I have ever been to--and the best one I will ever go to. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I had a lot of fun. Totally awesome. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I've been learning a lot about marine mammals. I liked going to the marine mammal center for a field trip. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I learned that mostly if you get a fish or a shark tail to head it may hurt it. And if a scale came off it would be hard for the fish to swim. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I think the Marine Science Institute was pretty interesting. There's a lot of things I've learned like that there's only one spotted seal on the coast of California and that a dolphin is a mammal. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

The activities are really fun and very creative and kids learn a lot from them. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

It has been lots of fun on the boat today. I got to teach the kids a lot which was really cool. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

The boat trip was was fun, but we should have done more fish things. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

I have been going to camp here every year since i was five, a total of 12 years now and I enjoyed myself every time. I worked my way up to volunteer and now counselor in training. I enjoy pretty much anything that keeps me involved, but mostly I enjoy working with the kids. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer

The voyage today has been great. The science the kids are learning is so sophisticated that I'm learning all sorts of things, like how the bay has changed over time. At the same time this is not a school; it's another fun day. *This review was collected during a boat trip and entered by GreatNonprofits staff on behalf of the reviewer