Discovery Adventure Connection

Girl rock climbing smiling.

Education Through Exploration

As experts in outdoor education and adventure summer camps, GDI makes a positive difference in the lives of children through unique opportunities for discovery. Our beautiful outdoor locations, combined with hands-on labs, activities, adventure, and traditional summer camp fun, enrich and inspire the lives of young people, building character, increasing knowledge, inspiring environmental stewardship, and developing 21st Century life skills.

Discover Our Mission & Values

Passion

We are dedicated to the emotional, behavioral, and intellectual development of children.

Innovation

We encourage our students and campers to think critically and to ask questions. We pique their curiosity through experiential learning.

Leadership

Students and campers develop an understanding of self, develop a positive relationship with others and the natural environment, and learn effective leadership techniques.

Customer Satisfaction

Every Guided Discoveries Program offers a truly unique learning experience. We take pride in the quality of service we provide to every child, parent, teacher, and school administrator.

Our Summer Programs

Our fun-filled one-week, two-week, and three-week sessions offer one-of-a-kind adventures! Campers enjoy the experience of a lifetime of trying new activities, developing skills, and having fun with newfound friends.

Explore All Summer Programs
Girl ziplining.

AstroCamp

Idyllwild, California

Celebrating 30 years of Excellence in Science and Adventure! Launch your own custom-made rocket at AstroCamp! Campers come each summer to make memories, have fun, and get hands-on science and astronomy training while participating in a variety of 60+ summer activities! Whether it's building and launching rockets or crashing a cosmic lander, campers are surrounded with experiential mountain adventure. Offering 1-week and 2-week sessions!
Kids on sailboat waving.

Catalina Sea Camp

Catalina Island, California

Celebrating over 40 years of Excellence in Ocean Adventure! Summer camp on Catalina Island is a great way to spend your summer! Catalina Sea Camp offers 60+ ocean adventure and traditional summer camp activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and sailing, to name a few. Catalina Sea Camp is an ideal combination of land and sea for a fantastic summer camp experience. Our fun-filled one-week and three-week sessions are a one-of-a-kind ocean adventure!
Programs.

Our School Programs

We believe our unique, hands-on, experiential suite of science-based programs promotes enthusiasm and appreciation for the natural, physical, and environmental sciences. Our programs strive to provide a fun, immersive experience for students that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

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AstroCamp California

Idyllwild, California

AstroCamp is a unique outdoor science school providing 3-day and 5-day exciting lab and outdoor science experiences for 4th through 12th-grade school groups from public and private schools. Our focus on hands-on, experiential science, utilizing state-of-the-art labs and equipment, increases science literacy and stimulates interest in the sciences.

Kids staring at beaker.

Catalina Island Marine Institute

Catalina Island, CA

Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) is an outdoor science school, providing an exciting outdoor education experience for 4th through 12th-grade students from public and private schools. Our CIMI program is offered at two different locations on Catalina Island. During our three- and five-day field trips, students and teachers enjoy a variety of experiential marine science labs and island adventure activities.

Boys putting hands in water inside.

AstroCamp California

Idyllwild, California

AstroCamp is a unique outdoor science school providing 3-day and 5-day exciting lab and outdoor science experiences for 4th through 12th-grade school groups from public and private schools. Our focus on hands-on, experiential science, utilizing state-of-the-art labs and equipment, increases science literacy and stimulates interest in the sciences.

Kids staring at beaker.

Catalina Island Marine Institute

Catalina Island, CA

Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) is an outdoor science school, providing an exciting outdoor education experience for 4th through 12th-grade students from public and private schools. Our CIMI program is offered at two different locations on Catalina Island. During our three- and five-day field trips, students and teachers enjoy a variety of experiential marine science labs and island adventure activities.

Boys putting hands in water inside.

Guided Discoveries Impact

Over the past 43 years, Guided Discoveries has provided STEM-based, outdoor education experiences to over 1.38 million children. Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1979, GDI has developed a variety of outdoor education programs, continuously working to make a positive difference in the lives of children through unique opportunities for discovery.

55,000

Children served annually

1.38 million

Served since 1979

90%

Return rate

Donate View Annual Report
Snorkel instructor and young girl.
AstroCamp staff picture.

Join Our Team

Would you like to become part of the Guided Discoveries team? Imagine living and working in an adventurous environment, surrounded by like-minded individuals, where your time off can be as fulfilling as your job.

View Available Positions

My son independently had a great time and brought back terrific memories. The process to enroll, drop off and pick up was smooth. I especially liked the communications by phone, email, and photos online.

Kyle's Mom (11 year old)

The majority of the activities done here, cannot be replicated at our school site. Instead of watching a video about these experiments (in our school) the students get to experience them.

Calie Traweek Middle School

We always want to give our students the best educational experiences possible. AstroCamp allows students to bond and participate in science activities that we could not provide at school.

Robin Dodson Middle School
Girls jumping into water.

Support Our Mission

Join us in making a difference. Your donation will help a child to succeed in science, gain self confidence, and foster their sense of wonder.

Donate