A group of Rosemary Clarke Middle School students traded the desert landscape for ocean horizons last week, taking part in the school’s annual educational trip to the Catalina Island Marine Institute at Fox Landing.
The five-day experience, open to seventh and eighth graders, brought 41 students to Catalina Island, accompanied by six chaperones. Organized by Mr. Ben Veloz with support from fellow teachers Armando Veloz and Dan Nagle, the trip blended hands-on science with unforgettable first-time experiences for many of the students.
After arriving and settling into camp, students wasted no time diving into their first activity—ocean kayaking. Paddling out of the cove, they explored the rugged coastline while learning about the nitrogen cycle and how seabirds and marine life are interconnected. Along the way, they encountered sea lions and caught glimpses of the vibrant orange garibaldi fish swimming beneath the crystal-clear water.
The following day introduced students to snorkeling, beginning with an orientation session focused on marine life identification and proper use of wetsuits. For many, it was their first time entering the Pacific Ocean—an experience that pushed them outside their comfort zones and into a new world of discovery.
That evening brought one of the most memorable moments of the trip: a night snorkel. Under the cover of darkness, students returned to the water to witness a completely different side of marine life. Sting rays, octopus, sheephead crabs and California spiny lobsters emerged, offering a rare and fascinating look at nocturnal ocean ecosystems.
“I was proud of everyone taking on the snorkel,” said Mr. Veloz. “It’s a new feeling for most, and the Pacific Ocean can be cold. It’s great for our students to realize how much life exists in the ocean and how important it is to protect places like this. We also had five attendees who had never been to the ocean in their life. For this to be their first experience is very unique.”
Throughout the remainder of the week, students continued their immersive learning through a variety of labs and activities. They studied plankton under microscopes, learned about fish and marine mammals, and explored touch tanks featuring sharks and invertebrates. A coastal hike provided additional opportunities to observe the island’s natural environment up close.
Evenings were filled with a mix of science and fun, including an astronomy campfire, time on the rock climbing wall, and the always memorable squid dissection—an activity that brought both curiosity and excitement.
“We were blessed with incredible weather, calm oceans, clear water, and amazing instructors,” Veloz added. “Every year is a little different and our trip can have its own set of challenges. This group was very lucky. I hope they remember it for a long time and take a lot of lessons home with them.”
For many students, the trip offered more than just academic enrichment—it created lifelong memories and opened the door to new perspectives about the natural world.
Incoming seventh and eighth grade students at Rosemary Clarke Middle School who are interested in attending next year’s trip can attend the parent meeting on April 20th at 5:30 p.m. at RCMS. Click this flyer for more infomation about the next trip. Contact Mr. Veloz at bveloz@nyeschools.org for any other questions.
