Field Studies of California - Catalina Island

Catalina Island - Spring, 2026

Catalina Island Spring Break Field Class Flyer

Join Drs. Lisa Collins and Joy Fritschle to spend spring break exploring Catalina Island, April 13-17, 2026. Immerse yourself in our Geography field course studying marine ecosystems and island biogeography, learning about the unique natural history of California. Students will have the opportunity to take a guided kayak tour of the Blue Cavern State Marine Conservation Area and then submerge themselves into the kelp forest with a guided snorkel. See the famous bright orange Garibaldi - the official California State marine fish! We will explore the coastal geography of Catalina island, observing and learning about island dwarfism from the island fox and island gigantism from the endemic plants. Our course will take place at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center allowing students to live on the island for the duration of the class. Course fee includes transportation between San Pedro and Catalina, all activities on the island, and room/ board for the week. 

*Cost: Estimated $650 per person with a double occupancy room, transportation between San Pedro and Catalina, room and board on the island from April 13-17, 2026, does not include ground transportation to San Pedro and class fees for Geography 35F. 

Course Description

Geography 35F- Field Study of California- 1 unit

On this field study, students will explore Catalina Island, immersing themselves in the geography, geology, and natural history of the island. Students will spend spring break 2026 on Catalina Island at the Wrigley Marine Science Center.

Faculty Biographies

Lisa Collins

Dr. Lisa Collins is a tenured professor of geology and oceanography in the Earth Sciences department at SMC. Originally from New England, she attended the University of Maryland, College Park where a required general education course in geology and climate change lead her to declare geological sciences as her major. She earned her PhD from USC in 2009, studying the biogeochemical cycling of silica and carbon in the San Pedro Basin. She taught full time in the USC Environmental Studies Program until 2016 when she joined the Earth Sciences department at SMC. She has traveled extensively with students to the local Channel Islands and to Belize, leading hikes, kayaking, and snorkeling trips. During her undergraduate studies she participated in a study abroad short course on a research vessel that traversed from Woods Hole, MA to Fortaleza, Brazil. This experience changed the entire trajectory of her life, bringing her to Los Angeles for graduate school and into her career today as a professor. She is thrilled to be bringing the next generation of students to Catalina Island to live and learn and fall in love with the Channel Islands.

Joy Fritschle

Dr. Joy Fritschle grew up with the cacti in the deserts of Arizona and Southern California but spent her undergraduate and graduate years studying the tallest trees in the world, the coast redwoods of northwestern California. She completed all three of her degrees in Geography, with her Bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt), her Master’s degree from The University of Memphis, and Ph.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her specialties within geography are biogeography, environmental conservation, and sustainable development, with special interests in urban forestry, coast redwood forests, and national parks. She loves teaching and travelling (as a geographer, her goal is to travel everywhere!) and has been fortunate to travel with students to Kyrgyzstan and Puerto Rico. 

Program Details

Itinerary coming soon.

Program Cost

Expense type	cost	deadline
Program Fee Accommodations shared double room, all course excursions, transportation between San Pedro and Catalina Island, meals from lunch on 4/13 through lunch on 4/17.	$650	$250 due by 2/23/26 (payment #1) $250 due by 3/16/26 (payment #2) $100-150 TBD by room assignment due by 3/30/26 payments are nonrefundable Bring check or money order to the Auxiliary Services Office on Pearl St.  Reference program number 889 Make checks payable to: Santa Monica College
Ground transportation between the boat dock in San Pedro and students' homes is not covered. Parking is free in San Pedro if students wish to drive themselves to the dock.
Tuition for 1-unit Course	$46 Resident Tuition $398 Non-Resident Tuition	Add codes will be sent by instructors after application is completed & first payment made. Add codes will be generated at the start of spring 2026 semester.

Additional Costs

Expense Type	Cost	more information
Personal Spending Money		Money for buying souvenirs, doing activities not featured in the program itinerary, etc.
Ground Transportation between Santa Monica and San Pedro		Rideshare, taxi, etc.

This program is on a first come, first served basis. There are 20 spots available. Once you complete your application, you secure your spot by submitting your non-refundable deposit. Your final acceptance into the program will be based on your ability to submit the full program fees by the deadline.

Payment Options for the Catalina Island Program

Personal checks, Cashiers checks, Money Order- payments made at the Auxiliary Office on Pearl St- reference program number 889.

Dates to Remember

Title	dates	more information
Informational Sessions	Thursday, December 4 at 11:15 a.m. in-person, MSB 202 Wednesday, December 10 at 11 a.m. zoom	Click here to start ZOOM Meeting ID: 826 9880 9928 Passcode: Rock$
Application Deadlines and Payment	First payment: $250 due by Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 Second payment: $250 due by Monday, March 16, 2026 Third payment: $100-$150 (exact amount TBD based on room assignment) due by Monday, March 30, 2026	Complete your application and pay deposit to reserve your place. Bring (check or money order), to Auxiliary Services (1738 Pearl St.) M-Th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., F 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; reference program number 889. Email health forms to Drs Collins & Fritschle.
Mandatory Forms	Medical Release Form and Release Form due at time of first deposit.	Catalina Island Field Study Application Medical Release Form

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a current SMC student and take the offered courses. If you are not currently an SMC student, you may apply online,
• All participants must be 18 years old by April 12, 2026.
• Student must not have any disciplinary infractions.
• If the College is required to evacuate a participant because of injury, illness, or other inability to conclude the trip, the participant shall be responsible for the costs of doing so.
• Pay all program fees and tuition by the deadline. If you are a financial aid recipient, check with the Financial Aid office about using financial aid to pay your tuition and fees.

For additional questions, please email: collins_lisa@smc.edu or fritschle_joy@smc.edu