Field Studies of California - Catalina Island

Catalina Island - Spring, 2027

Catalina Island Spring Break Field Class Flyer

Catalina Island Spring Break Application

Join Drs. Lisa Collins and Joy Fritschle to spend spring break exploring Catalina Island, April 12-16, 2027. 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 $675 per person with a double occupancy room, transportation between San Pedro and Catalina, room and board on the island from April 12-16, 2027, 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 2027 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 subject to change

MONDAY APRIL 13
7:15AM arrive San Pedro, 8AM boat leaves 

9:30AM arrival Wrigley Marine Science Center, waterfront orientation

10:15AM walking tour of the campus & campus orientation

12-12:30PM lunch (dining hall)

1PM check into rooms

1:15PM- 3:45PM meet in front of dorms and walk to tidepools

6-6:30PM dinner (dining hall)

7-8PM Island history lecture w Dr. Collins (dining hall)

TUESDAY APRIL 14
7:30-8AM breakfast, dining hall

8:30AM meet at the dining hall, hike Deer Valley trail & up to “Mt. Wrigley”

12-12:30-PM lunch, dining hall

1:30PM meet at the waterfront, guided snorkel 

4PM sun prints & wildflower seed paper making, dining hall patio

6-630PM dinner

7-8PM More island stories w Dr. Collins (dining hall)

WEDNESDAY APRIL 15
7:30-8AM breakfast, dining hall

8:30AM, meet at the waterfront for kayaking 

12-12:30PM Lunch, dining hall

1-2PM, meet at the LAB, split into 2 groups to tour the lab & experience the touch tank 

3:30PM mapping invasive plants, meet on the dining hall patio

6-6:30PM-dinner

7-8PM Island biogeography and the big picture for Catalina w Dr. Fritschle, dining hall

THURSDAY APRIL 16
7:30-8AM breakfast

9:15AM meet at the lab, Visit from Catalina Island Conservancy Sr. Naturalist 

12-12:30PM lunch, dining hall

1:30PM meet at the waterfront, shore boats to Two Harbors

2-4:30PM- walk to Cat Harbor, see Two Harbors, students have option to shore boat back to WMSC or walk back 

6-6:30PM- dinner, dining hall

7PM- s’mores and stars

FRIDAY APRIL 17
7:30-8AM- breakfast dining hall

8:30AM- Check out of dorms, luggage to the dining hall

9:15AM- dining hall patio- student share out

11:45AM-12:15PM – lunch

12:15PM- be actively walking down or already at the waterfront

12:30PM Miss Christi departs

2PM- Arrive SCMI, say our goodbyes & head back home

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 4/12 through lunch on 4/16.   Once a payment is made to Auxiliary Services, take a photo of the receipt and send it to Dr. Fritschle (fritschle_joy@smc.edu). Please send a receipt for each payment!	$675	$250 due by 2/16/27 (payment #1) $250 due by 3/8/27 (payment #2) $175 due by 3/22/26 (payment #3) payments are refundable as long as your spot can be filled by another student 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 $416 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 2027 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 approximately 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, credit cards, 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	TBA	Click here to start ZOOM Meeting ID: 826 9880 9928 Passcode: Rock$
Application Deadlines and Payment	First payment: $250 due by Monday, Feb. 16, 2027 Second payment: $250 due by Monday, March 8, 2027 Third payment: $175 due by Monday, March 22, 2027	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 11, 2027.
• 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