We are delighted to share a new short film about our Critter Scholars Program that includes highlights from our 2022 season, during which we led 8 trips for 285 kids and 46 teachers. Through the Critter Scholars Program, we are working to improve access to ocean experiences in the San Francisco Bay Area by providing free educational boat trips for student groups from under-resourced Bay Area communities.
Watch the Film
About the Critter Scholars Program
Oceanic Society’s Critters Scholars Program aims to give life-changing ocean experiences to underserved students and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program was established in honor of the late Captain Roger Thomas, and borrows one of his famous catch phrases, ‘critters’, which he used to describe all the fantastic ocean wildlife we see on our trips.
Through this program, we are providing free-of-charge boat trips to student groups who otherwise would not have the means to participate in such an activity, as well as educational programming that seamlessly integrates those experiences into educators’ curricula in new and engaging ways.
In 2022, we led 8 trips for 285 kids and 46 teachers. For 89% of students, this was their first time experiencing the ocean on a boat. 84% said they wanted to learn more about marine science. 93% said they learned something new about the ocean. And 95% want to do another trip again. You can read a complete overview of our 2022 Critter Scholars Program results here.
