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Nov 9 - Dec 31, 2023

O'Neill Sea Odyssey

Mission

The O'Neill Sea Odyssey Founder Jack O’Neill said: “The ocean is alive, and we have got to take care of it!”. O'Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) provides a hands-on educational experience to encourage the protection and preservation of our living seas and communities. By promoting awareness of the Monterey Bay ecosystem, we instill in youth and their adults a desire to perform community service and improve and preserve the ecology of the ocean ecosystem.

The Big Idea

The O’Neill Sea Odyssey provides youth with marine education at a critical point in their educational and personal development. Time outdoors and in the field improves a student’s mental and physical health, academic performance and strengthens relationships among peers and the environment. Our ocean plays a fundamental role in mitigating climate change by serving as major source of carbon, and helping to regulate weather patterns. The O’Neill Sea Odyssey provides students with a multi-sensory opportunity to connect with our ocean ecosystem. Our McGives campaign will raise funds to support three Southern Monterey County classes. We believe the ocean should be free and accessible to all. Funds raised will eliminate financial barriers including transportation and training. Students earn this free field experience by implementing a Community Service project; thus integrating the learning that occurred throughout the experience and creating the next generation of environmental and climate stewards.

Santa Lucia Elementary Teacher shared the following statement during a King City Union School District School Board Meeting: "To say that this field trip is a wonderful opportunity for our kids would be a huge understatement. Some of the students had never seen the ocean, and only two had been on a boat before. The O’Neill Sea Odyssey docents, just like every year we have gone, were extremely complimentary of the Santa Lucia Elementary students and praised their enthusiasm and politeness repeatedly. It was overall an incredible day for the kids, parents, and, of course, myself."

- Juan Menendez