BEACH AWARENESS PROGRAM

July 9th - August 1st, 2024

If your child would enjoy the day at the beach they are more than welcome to attend. Below are some details about this program:

Great Opportunities will meet on the corner of Calle San Diego and Avenida de la Vista at 10:30am and walk to the bus stop where will meet the OCTA bus that will take us to the beach we will then return at 5pm.

During the program, there will talk given by the Orange County District Attorney, deep-sea fishing out of Dana Point Harbor, a trip to Crystal Cove State Beach (no bus fare will be required), a talk by California Coast Keepers, and a day on SUPs and Kayaks.

About The Program

Aquatic Safety, Environmental Education and Recreation are core components in Great Opportunities’ (GO) 4-week long summer program.

Approximately 60 participants explore recreational opportunities at local beaches in Orange County, accessible by public transportation or bicycle, with Doheny State Beach being GO’s predominately visited beach. As most do not have access to a personal vehicle, or a ride from their parents, participants are exposed to and taught how to access the area’s public transportation system (OCTA) safely and with supervision of GO Volunteers, GO LMTs and GO Lifeguards. Great Opportunities encourages participants to travel via bicycle, also under the supervision of GO Volunteers, GO LMTs and GO Lifeguards. Those who do not have bicycles are often provided (through GO’s #GO2 Bike Program) a bicycle of their own. At GO, we do our best to remove all the obstacles to participation in the GO Beach Awareness Program, so that these children have opportunities to:

Participate in aquatic activities like - Surfing, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddling, Boogie Boarding
Deep Sea fish out of Dana Warf
Learn About: Waves, Rip Currents, Sand, Inshore Holes, Estuaries, Lagoons, Ocean Health
Visit:
- Doheny State Beach Interpretive Center and Aquarium
- South Orange County Wastewater Authority – Plant (San Juan Capistrano)
- Research Vessel “Sea Explorer” – Ocean Institute (Dana Point)
- Aquarium of the Pacific (dependent on available funding)
Learn environmentally responsible habits

The challenges to the GO Beach Awareness Program include the acquisition, transportation and storage of beach activity equipment, and transportation of said equipment and participants. If you’d like to help GO Beach Awareness Program continue to open the “doors of opportunities”, as a volunteer, or through donation, please contact Great Opportunities.