For thirty years, O’Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) has served as a bridge between the shore and the sea. Since our founding, we have transformed the lives of nearly 135,000 students through hands-on ocean education. Over the past few years, we have reassessed our organizational mission, Theory of Change, and dedication to increasing access and agency for traditionally underserved youth to engage with our coasts and watersheds.
Today, we are thrilled to announce the next major milestone in our history: the finalization of our 2026-2030 Strategic Framework. This isn’t just a document; it is our roadmap to resilience. This plan ensures that our mission—to provide free, transformative ocean-going experiences—remains a cornerstone for the next generation of ocean stewards.
A Collaborative Journey
The creation of this framework was a rigorous and inclusive process that began in early 2025. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Stanford Alumni Consulting Team (ACT), who provided support to help us assess our operating environment and reimagine our future. Building a plan that engaged organizational stakeholders and the larger community.
As we look to the future, we are shifting our focus from breadth to depth. Our new goals are centered on three core pillars:
- Strengthening Internal Systems: We are modernizing our brand to reflect the diverse faces of today’s youth and broadening our donor base to ensure long-term financial sustainability across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties.
- Program Sustainability & Impact: We are moving beyond just providing a free program; we are working to eliminate logistical hurdles like transportation. Our goal is to ensure 100% of socioeconomically disadvantaged schools have access to transportation scholarships.
- Equitable Ocean Literacy: We are deepening our commitment to supporting classroom educators and ensuring 100% of our new curriculum is available in Spanish. We are building an education team that reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
Jack O’Neill famously said, “The Ocean is Alive… and we’ve got to take care of it”. This strategic plan is our promise to honor that legacy. By evolving our curriculum to meet the challenges of climate change and ensuring every student—regardless of background—finds a place on the water, we are securing the future of our living ocean. We want to thank our staff, Board of Directors, and partners who contributed their vision to this process.
The ocean is YOUR classroom—and class is officially in session.