Ages: Camps are offered for children ages 5 to 15.
To participate, a child must meet the specified age requirement by the time a camp begins.Activities: Virginia Aquarium camps focus primarily on marine science, but also include other science and nature topics. Camp activities are developed and conducted by the Aquarium’s educators, who emphasize experiential learning through animal interactions, outdoor investigations, and hands-on activities.
Camp Details: Camp descriptions are listed below. After registration, you will receive more information on camp activities, check-in time and location. You will also receive camp forms that must be completed and returned to the Aquarium two weeks prior to camp.
For more information: Call our Children’s Programs Coordinator at 757-385-0278 to inquire about camp activities and registration procedures.
Registration will be accepted by mail, phone, or in person for members and non-members
beginning April 13, 2011 at 9 a.m. Payment must accompany registration.
Family Fun with Marine Science
August 25-26, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Don’t let the kids be the only ones having fun at camp - Share the experience with them! Collect fish and crabs in the Chesapeake Bay, explore the salt marsh, go on an Ocean Collection trip, and make craft projects to take home.
Fee: $100 members; $140 non-members for one child & one adult
(additional family members - $50 members; $70 non-members)
Family Fishing
August 1-2, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
You and your youngster will have a great time learning how to bait, cast, and catch your own fish. Bring your own fishing pole and we will provide the bait and tackle. This camp is only offered once but the memories and skills learned will last a lifetime! This camp will meet at a local fishing location. Children must be 7-12 years of age and accompanied by at least 1 adult.
Fee: $100 members; $140 non-members
For Ages 5-7 All camps are two days from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Young Explorers
July 28-29 ~ August 8-9 ~ August 22-23
Young Explorers discover the wonders of the Chesapeake Bay through hands-on and outdoor activities. Touch live animals, search for fish and crabs, take a boat cruise, and make crafts to take home. This camp meets at Virginia Aquarium on the first day and at First Landing State Park on the second day.
Fee: $60 members; $75 non-members
Young Scientist
August 11-12
Through experiments, hands-on learning, and live animal encounters, Young Scientist camp will show you just how fun science can really be.
Fee: $60 members; $75 non-members
Pitter Patter in the Pond
July 25-26
Meet fish, turtles, and tadpoles, make your own underwater viewer and create critter crafts to take home.
Fee: $60 members; $75 non-members
For Ages 7-9 All camps are two days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Water, Water Everywhere
August 15-16
Discover your watershed address as we explore local natural habitats. Take a hike through the forest, brave the mud of the marsh, and sift through the sands of the beach to learn why these habitats are important to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. This camp meets at Virginia Aquarium on the first day and at First Landing State Park on the second day.
Fee: $120 members; $150 non-members
Yuck That’s Gross
July 21-22 ~ August 18-19
Do you know why sea stars throw up their stomach or why snails produce slime? Find the answers to these questions and other gross facts through dissections, hands-on learning and live animal observations.
Fee: $120 members; $150 non-members
For Ages 9-12 Camp times vary. Please check individual descriptions
This Way to the Bay (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
August 1-5
Search for life in the Chesapeake Bay during excursions to the Eastern Shore and First Landing State Park. Go kayaking, take a Dolphin Watch cruise, learn to snorkel, and trawl the ocean floor on an Ocean Collections trip.
Fee: $250 members; $300 non-members
W.A.V.E. I (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
August 15-19
This summer, do the WAVE- Wander across Virginia’s Environment to discover some of Virginia’s unique wild places. Search for turtles and frogs in a cypress swamp, seine for fish and invertebrates in a variety of habitats, and look for snakes in Back Bay.
Fee: $250 members; $300 non-members
For Ages 12-15 Camp times vary. Please check individual descriptions.
Extreme Marine Adventures (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
July 27-29
Meet Aquarium staff who study bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles, train the seals and otters, and care for the fish and invertebrate collections. Learn SCUBA skills and go kayaking in search of dolphins. Discover how scientists observe the marine environment. This in-depth experience is limited to 10 campers.
Fee: $150 members; $180 non-members
S.W.A.T. – Seals, Whales, and Turtles (8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
July 25-26 ~ August 11-12
Get in the water with the seals during a training session, go dolphin watching with Aquarium dolphin experts, and attend a sea turtle feeding and training session. This in-depth experience is limited to 8 campers.
Fee: $200 members; $250 non-members
Cool Catches (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
August 8-10
Get wet and get going on your way to becoming an expert on local fish and invertebrates. Fine-tune your marine science knowledge during daily collection trips, aquarium maintenance sessions and hands-on explorations of marine habitats. This advanced collection camp will be limited to 10 campers.
Fee: $150 members; $180.00 non-members
Registration
To participate, a child must meet the age requirement by the time camp begins. Registration for camps begins with in-person member registration in the Aquarium’s Marsh Pavilion Lobby on the date below. Registration will not be accepted by mail or by phone until April 13.
After registration, you will receive more information on camp activities, check-in time and location. You will also receive camp forms that must be completed and returned to the Aquarium two weeks prior to camp. Forms can be mailed, faxed to (757) 437 – 4976 Attn: Jenny Hill, or dropped off in Guest Services at the Bay and Ocean Pavilion.
Registration will be accepted by mail, phone, or in person for members and non-members
beginning April 13, 2011 at 9 a.m. Payment must accompany registration.
Click here for registration forms
Call our Children’s Program Coordinator at (757) 385-0278 for more information about camp activities and registration procedures.