catalina Adventure!
Family drop-in Camp!
July 23-Aug 2 (pick your dates)
A family-friendly getaway in paradise!
WITH THE ONWARD CREW
Register Now
Thurs-Sat night: $145 per family* / night
Sun-Weds night: $105 per family* / night
* Up to 5 people, additional family members at $25/pp
ADVENTURE OVERVIEW
A flexible, family-friendly Catalina escape where kids roam, parents breathe, and each day brings a shared adventure—without a rigid schedule or drop-off times.
Onward’s Family Drop-In Camp is designed for families who want real time outdoors together, with just enough structure to spark connection.
During a 10-day window, families join for a two-night minimum and settle into the easy rhythm of island life. Each day includes one thoughtfully planned group activity—something creative, exploratory, or ocean-centered—balanced with long stretches of unstructured time to swim, paddle, read, wander, and rest.
Think summer camp energy, without the drop-off. parallel experiences, shared meals, salty hair, and the kinds of days that unfold at their own pace.
The program includes immersive opportunities like:
island ecology and endemic species
water games, paddling, sailing instruction
crafting & art
hiking & island exploration
community-building in a wilderness setting
Hey … you getting Onward’s Dispatch?
It’s free, it’s how you tune in to Onward, and it’s really really good.
Pricing & perks
You’ll be camping in tents at Onward Oceans (above), our off-grid retreat center and a comfortable basecamp for the whole family.
Trip Pricing
Thurs-Sat night: $145/per family* / night
Sun-Weds night: $105/per family* / night
* Up to 5 people, additional family members at $25/pp
This is an epic deal!
You get waterfront space at our off-grid property, Onward Oceans, as wells as organized activities, nourishing community dinners each night, water, fire pit, access to kayaks, SUPs & bikes, and new friends. We’ve kept prices low to ensure accessibility.
What you get:
Campsite at Onward Oceans
Scrumptious and hot camp dinners each night
An organized activity each day for the whole family
Sailing instruction, group hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, arts & crafts, fort building, games, and more!
Water, propane, fire pit
Kayaks, SUPs & Bikes
Provisioning & packing guidance and recommendations
What you provide:
Your own gear, tent, & clothing
Ferry tickets to/from the island ($94 per person round trip)
Please book these immediately upon reserving your spot! Ferry tickets sell out. You want round trip tickets from San Pedro > Two Harbors on the Catalina Express. There is long-term pay parking at the ferry terminal in San Pedro for ~$25/day.
Breakfasts, lunches, snacks & beverages (alcohol for adults okay in responsible quantities)
Supervision of your kiddos. We provide the container for an awesome community adventure, you provide the oversight that makes it all work safely.
An attitude of openness, humility, community, and a commitment to an awesome stay in a gorgeous place
Ready to do something story worthy?
Booking is temporarily unavailable. Please stay tuned!
Example Itinerary:
Day 1 (Thursday) — Arrive via Catalina Express afternoon boat
Family takes the ferry from Two Harbors to San Pedro (NOT included in camp cost)
Host welcome/briefing, set up family camp
Meet other families, enjoy a beverage before dinner
Group dinner
Campfire and hang!
Day 2 (Friday) — Sink in
Kiddos disappear into pack of new friends
Adults sleep in or go for a luxurious stroll, someone leads meditation or yoga on deck, you pick up that book you’ve been staring at for months
Families enjoy breakfast, followed by group activity
Long slow afternoon by the water, take out a kayak or read a book; families break for lunch at own pace
Group dinner and evening program
Day 3 (Saturday) — Get after it a little
Morning hike or paddle, get the blood moving in the cool hours
Family breakfast, arts & craft interlude
Group activity (e.g. native plant walk, group snorkel or paddle to explore coastal systems and island conservation)
Kiddos build forts, adults sink into the afternoon or walk to town to explore a little; lunch turns into an afternoon of comfortable grazing
Games and group problem-solving, dinner prep, pre-dinner convos with new besties
Celebratory meal + final evening circle
Day 4 (Sunday) — Morning Pack-Up & Departure from Two Harbors
Sneak in a last hike up to the bluff
Family breaks camp
Final debrief: lessons learned, leadership reflections, personal takeaway
Walk to Two Harbors
Ferry departure from Two Harbors, memories to fuel the next adventure
Itinerary
Onward Industries is a community-led, volunteer-run 501(c)3 dedicated to connecting people outdoors. We believe community and a connection to the planet are vitally important and often missing from modern life. Our mission is to provide containers for connection outdoors.
Onward Oceans is our rustic off-grid adventure center. It’s a transformative space to unplug, relax, get funky, and tune in to the gorgeous natural surroundings of one of the most pristine marine environments on the California Coast.
The Oceans Center provides a full kitchen, composting toilets, a freshwater rinse, and access to miles and miles of trails, abundant kayaking & paddleboarding + endless opportunities for quiet, meditation, and reflection by the lapping water.
Want to book Onward Oceans in Cat harbor for a private group stay or event? More info
Please read our comprehensive expectations & guidelines for more details and what to expect on a typical Onward Industries trip.
Questions?