The primary mission of NAC / We Are Ocean Cancer Program is to provide ocean-based, transformational adventures for teens and young adults (15-39) fighting and surviving cancer. NAC / We Are Ocean Cancer Program focuses on bringing intimate groups of cancer fighters and survivors together in coastal wilderness environments while providing opportunities for connection, self-discovery, empowerment, support, and adventure.
NAC / We Are Ocean Program
NAC / We Are Ocean Adventures
This year alone, some 87,500 teens and young adults will be diagnosed with cancer. Most will fight back through conventional means, but at NAC / We Are Ocean we take them out of the chemo wards and ferry them deep into ocean-based adventures.
Currently, we offer 4 tiers of ocean-based adventures, open to teens and young adult cancer fighters and survivors (between the ages 15-39).
Note: We also offer Adventures for cancer fighters and survivors over the age of 39. Please email us at admin@newportaquaticcenter.com for future adventure opportunities.
We consider the type of diagnosis, treatment type, remission history, age and other health factors while curating the most optimal group adventure experience for you. All participants must have our medical consent form signed by your Oncologist for ALL tiers of Adventures / Challenges. Please visit our FAQ’s
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For We Are Ocean Founder and Newport Beach native Jack Marshall Shimko, a deep and ongoing engagement with the natural oceanic environment has always been core to his being. Indeed, he credits that engagement with saving his life during his own bout with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during his late 20’s and has centered his post-treatment life around sharing the Ocean’s healing, enriching, and sustaining gifts with his fellow cancer survivors. Since 2012, We Are Ocean has provided carefully curated ocean and coastal wilderness experiences, camps, and programs for young adult survivors of cancer. For many participants, the sense of accomplishment and progress creates a lifelong habit of active engagement with the natural world, and a sense of peace and purpose that they carry forward on their post-treatment path. Importantly, We Are Ocean strives to make this vital healing modality available regardless of attendees’ ability to cover the significant financial costs associated. Since day one this work has only been possible with the generous support, partnership, and voluntarism of the Newport Beach and Orange County Community. We cannot express enough our gratitude for their continued generosity and support of the program.
Give the gift of connection, self-discovery & empowerment through NAC / We Are Ocean adventures.
We Are Ocean was started by Jack Marshall Shimko in 2012 as a non-profit corporation and became a part of the NAC in 2021 as an official program.