Compton To Catalina Program - All Trips To Date

Background

The Center for Environment, Commerce and Energy (Center) established a partnership with the Greater Union Baptist Church (GUBC) and the California Centere for Economic Initiatives (CCEI) to operate an environmental tour called the “Compton To Catalina Program,” which takes students and other young people from Compton, California to Catalina Island.  The Center also recruited Compton High School and Compton Community College (El Camino) as partners in the program.

The Center initiated its Compton-To-Catalina Program on Saturday, April 21, 2012, which is the day before Earth Day.  The program began with a press conference at the Greater Union Baptist Church in Compton, California.  Participants then travelled to Long Beach, California to board the Catalina Express to make the one hour trip to the island. Once on Santa Catalina Island, the participants boarded the Nautilus to observe underwater life around the island.  Finally, participants toured Southern California Edison’s Pebbly Beach Generating Station, the island’s primary electricity generation source.

The Compton To Catalina Program is being operated thanks to a grant from Southern California Edison.

The purpose of the program is to expose young people from Compton to the Pacific Ocean and an incredibly beautiful island. People take it for granted that the vast majority of these kids never get on the water and many people live their entire lives without directly experiencing the Pacific Ocean even though they live within five or ten miles of it. We believe that such early exposure to this environment could lead to a lifelong environmental stewardship ethic.

GUBC and CCEI recruited people to participate in the Compton To Catalina (CTC) Program.  The Center made arrangements for the tours and facilitate educational experiences for the students.  Each tour is be a daylong affair that includes transportation to Long Beach, where the tours originate.  Participants have escorts at all times and activities on the island are arranged to maximize the environmental experience.

We utilize the services of Catalina Express.  Passengers on board Catalina Express can expect to arrive in Catalina in about an hour from Long Beach.  There are numerous activities available on Catalina Island, including: hiking, biking, camping, swimming, snorkeling, diving, sightseeing, dining, shopping or relaxing, to name a few.  Our main activities are a Nautilus submarine ride to view submerged vegetation and fish species and a tour of the Southern California Edison Pebbly Generating Station.

The Center, GUBC and CCFEI are providing important environmental and technical services to the youth of Compton, California.  This partnership provides a rich environmental experience for participants.  We are engaging as many churches, schools and other institutions as possible and we are also appealing to the greater Los Angeles community to support the program.  

Call us today if you are interested in supporting this program: 443-569-5102  or email us at [email protected]

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Trip 5 October 18 2013

The Center conducted its 5th Compton To Catalina Program trip on Friday, October 18, 2013. The trip was completely successful and the students thoroughly enjoyed their experiences. The California Center for Economic Initiatives recruited the students and John Long conducted the tour of the Southern California Edison Pebbly Beach electricity generating plant.

The tour group left the Catalina Express Long Beach downtown landing at 10 a.m. ABC-7 TV covered the launch and it was broadcast on the evening news in Los Angeles. The tour group had a great burger/fry lunch at Eric’s on the green pier and proceeded to the to the semi-submersible boat to view fish species and unique kelp. After the 45-minute submersible trip, we proceeded to the Pebbly Beach power plant for a tour. The group left the island on the 4 pm Catalina Express back to Long Beach.

Participants included:

1) Eduardo Torres, Firebaugh High School, 14,

2) Yamilex Martinez, Aloha Health Medical Academy, 12,

3) Carlos Martinez, Artesia High School, 14,

4) Akeem Arana, Stephens Middle School, 13,

5) Afeni Arana, Stephens Middle School, 13,

6) Melissa Tucker, Torrance High School, 16.

Ramon Martinez, the father of Yamilex and Carlos, accompanied us on the trip.

Norris McDonald and Bernard Peyton were also chaperones on the trip.

The Compton To Catalina Program is sponsored by Southern California Edison.

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Trip 4

The Center conducted its 4th Compton To Catalina Program trip.  The trip was completely successful and the students thoroughly enjoyed their experiences.  The California Center for Economic Initiatives recruited the students and John Long conducted the tour of the Southern California Edison Pebbly Beach electricity generating plant. 

The tour group left the Catalina Express Long Beach downtown landing at 10 a.m.  ABC-7 TV covered the launch (but Oklahoma tornado coverage bumped us).  The tour group had a great burger/fry lunch on the green pier and proceed to the power plant tour.  We proceeded to the semi-submersible boat to view fish species and unique kelp.  After the tour, we boarded a golf cart to tour the mountains around the City of Avalon.  Two separate groups were taken up along winding roads to experience incredible views of the island.

Participants included:

1) Rebekah Ramirez, Torrance Elementary School, 11,

2) Mireya Palencia, California State Dominguez Hlls, 21,

3) Daniel Zepeda, El Camino Community College, 22,

4) Samantha Ramirez, J.H. Hull Middle School, 12,

5) Anthony Ramirez, Torrance High School, 15.

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Trip 3 October 13, 2012

Third trip participants included:

1) Tia Bondley, 15, Centennial High School,

2) Kelsee Williams, 14, Bellflower High School,

3) Raejonette Morgan, 12, LaTiera,

4) Khalilah Muhammad, 13, New Designs Charter School-Watts,

5) Nekko Williams, 17, Home Schooled K-12.

Chaperones included Bernard Peyton and Norris McDonald.

The Compton To Catalina Program is being operated thanks to a grant from Southern California Edison.

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Trip 2: October 6, 2012

Second trip participants included:

1) Carlee Shepherd, Bancroft Middle School,

2) Keiarah Mitchell, Gardena Valley Christian School,

3) Candyce Clifton, Gardena Valley Christian School,

4) Benjamin White, Mira Costa High School,

5) Darren Daniels-Stokes, King/Drew Magnet High School.

Chaperones included: Richard Hastings, Christ Center Church & Debra Hastings, Christ Center Church and Norris McDonald.

Participants board the Catalina Express in Long Beach, California to make the one hour trip to the island. Once on Santa Catalina Island, the participants toured Southern California Edison’s electricity generating station at Pebbly Beach, the island’s primary electricity generation source. Later they boarded a semi-submersible to observe underwater life around the island.

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Trip 1: April 21, 2012

First trip participants included:

1) Sam Darling, Glendale College,

2) Moriah Earley, LaSerna High School, 11th Grade,

3) Lori Wright, King-Drew High School, 11th Grade,

4) Alexandra Kidd, La Serna High School, 11th Grade,

5) Spencer Potter, Lakewood High School.

Chaperones included Sammy Darling and Norris McDonald.

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

By Norris McDonald

Recently, I had the pleasure of exploring Santa Catalina Island, which is 22 miles off the coast of California (from Long Beach).  As a follow-up to our Compton To Catalina Program (CTC Program), I decided to really get to know the island.  I took a few days to walk most of Avalon, the only incorporated city on the island. I previously visited the island two times, once with my son and once with an investor to scope the island for a wood chip to electricity power plant we are promoting.  My intent on this extended stay was to not only learn about the many activities that are available on the island, but to gain enough details to significantly enhance our Compton To Catalina Program.  I would say goal was completely fulfilled.

I took the tour bus up to the Airport In The Sky.  That was one scary ride.  It twisted and turned around the mountain road.  There were incredible views. 

I played the 9-hole golf course.  I played 18 holes by playing from the white tees first and the blue tees second.  I like the course.

Other activities available on the island include para-sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boat rental, golf cart rental, bike rental (including battery assist), submersible tour, glass bottom boat tour, stand up surf boat rental, Jeep Eco tours, hiking, camping, Segway rental, miniature golf, mini-bowling and arcade, swimming, pedal boats, and a climbing wall, among other activities.  I think it was important for me to personally see all of these activities so that I can make appropriate arrangements for CTC Program participants to experience them.

The inner harbor area also has numerous retail shops, restaurants, eateries, hotels, a grocery store, drug store, post office and other facilities.

I stayed at the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel.  I highly recommend it because it has the best view of any reasonably-priced hotel in Avalon.