Marine biology summer camps offer an exciting opportunity for youth to investigate the science of marine life while participating in a range of stimulating activities. Teenagers will find different experiences at each of the camps, from swimming with marine life to learning the techniques involved in ocean mapping.
SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, gives participants in its summer adventure career camps the opportunity to learn about the skills and techniques involved in caring for marine life. Youth between the ages of 14 and 16 may attend the Advanced Adventure Career Camp. Campers have the opportunity to swim with dolphins and stingrays, enjoy the rides and other attractions at SeaWorld, and interact with marine animals at SeaWorld's rescue and rehabilitation facilities. Participants are educated about the roles and responsibilities of individuals employed in the marine field. Campers are supervised at all times by staff who are skilled at working with young adults. The week-long Adventure Career Camp at SeaWorld cost $975 as of summer 2010.
SeaWorld
7007 SeaWorld Drive
Orlando, FL 32821
888-800-5447
swbg-adventurecamps.com
The Catalina Island Teen Camp educates participants about marine biology, all while offering plenty of fun activities to keep them engaged. Campers take part in lab activities as well as exploratory expeditions. The camp features a fish lab and an invertebrate lab. Campers also spend one day surfing, snorkeling and swimming. Another day is spent on a boat expedition to isolated areas to swim, snorkel and photograph garibaldis, sea lions and bat rays. The final full-day expedition is to the University of Southern California's Marine Lab, where there is a touch tank and snorkeling opportunities with leopard sharks. Campers stay in extra large tents with a supervisor in each cabin. A two-week stay at this summer camp cost $1,485 as of summer 2010.
Catalina Island Teen Camp
P.O. Box 950
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-510-9000
mountainandsea.org
MarineQuest with the University of North Carolina in Wilmington (UNCW) at Cape Fear on the Atlantic Coast has been offering summer learning experiences for more than 28 years to children of all ages. For teens, there is the Ocean Lab summer program that immerses them in the biology, chemistry, geology and physics of marine technology. Campers spend a day on a research cruise and visit the Center for Marine Science and the North Carolina Aquarium. Participants enjoy activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, operating model Remotely Operated Vehicles and learning ocean floor mapping. Campers stay two to a room in secure UNCW dormitories on the university's campus. A week-long summer experience in this program cost $750 as of summer 2010.
University of North Carolina
601 S. College Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28403-3297
910-962-2640
uncw.edu
