Explore the Wonder of Long Island Sound this Summer!

Attention all young scientists and conservationists! Dive in and explore the fantastic ocean of wonder at The Maritime Aquarium’s summer camp. Our summer program integrates science with art and literature to deepen children’s understanding of animals and the environment.  

Young campers will explore the wonders of the ocean world through fun stories and games. Older kids will learn how technology and engineering can solve complex environmental problems like water pollution, marine debris, and storm resiliency.


In-Person Programs

To participate, your child must be the listed age by the first day of the program. Pre-registration is required (no same-day registration allowed.) Enrollment closes 10 days prior to each session's start date. Registration and forms are all done through Camp Docs. Register early to take advantage of our payment plan options!

Member Discounts: Aquarium members receive discounts on camp! Upon registering and paying the deposit for camp, the Aquarium will verify your membership and place a member discount on the balance due in your CampDoc account. 

Age 6-8

Animal Investigators  
June 19-23 or july 31 - august 4 
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.   
$525/$475 members 

Travel around the world without leaving Norwalk! This session will feature exciting classroom visits with animals from the desert, ocean, temperate forest, and rainforest. Campers will talk to the experts that care for our animals, from tamarins to meerkats, and learn about the unique places they come from. They’ll continue exploring the natural world with a visit to Calf Pasture Beach and with a movie featuring far away locations in the Aquarium’s 4D theater. 

Click Here to Register

Shark Safari  
june 26-30 or july 24-28 (SOLD OUT)
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.   
$525/$475 members 

It’s our very own version of Shark Week! Campers will join our Aquarists behind-the-scenes for a private feeding of our large sand tiger sharks. Other exciting activities include a private visit to the Shark and Ray Touch Pool where they’ll help hand-feed our friendly stingrays, a classroom visit by a live shark, and a trip to the Aquarium’s 4D theater. Campers will take home a one-of-a-kind necklace featuring teeth shed by the Aquarium’s very own sharks. 

Click Here to Register for June 26 - 30 Session

Click Here to Join Waitlist for July 24 - 28 Session

Jr. Aquarist  
July 10-14 or August 7-11 (SOLD OUT)
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  
$525/$475 members 

Aquarists provide best-in-class care to our animals. In this session, campers will act as young Aquarists and will get the chance to attend private training demonstrations with seals, meet a mammal trainer, and make enrichment items for some of our most popular animals. Campers will also have a chance to get their hands dirty as they search for crabs and explore tide pools on a trip to Calf Pasture Beach. Additionally, they’ll play a variety of Aquarium-themed games, and watch a movie in the Aquarium’s 4D theater. 

Click Here to Register for July 10-14 Session

Click Here to Join Waitlist for August 7 - 11 Session

NEW! Amazing Animal Architects 
july 17-21 or august 14-18
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  
$525/$475 members 

Ever wonder how a beaver builds its dam, or how a robin makes a nest? In our newest offering, campers will put on their engineering hats and explore the amazing ways animals can change the habitat around them. From burrowing owls to meerkats, they’ll learn how our animals at the Aquarium and their counterparts in the wild dig, build, use tools, and more. Campers will also have the opportunity to engage in daily hands-on engineering challenges, and watch animals in action in the Aquarium’s 4D theater. 

Click Here to Register

Age 9-12

Jr. Field Scientist 
June 19-23  
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  
$525/$475 members 

No lab? No problem! Campers will learn about how anyone can contribute to our understanding of animals and their habitats by engaging in community science projects. They will use technology to collect biodiversity data along the Norwalk River and at Calf Pasture Beach, learn to identify frogs and birds by their calls, design and build their own birdfeeder, and more! Additionally, campers will consider the role of biodiversity in habitats around the world by visiting the Aquarium’s exhibits, including favorites like the coral reef, sea turtles, and sharks. Campers are encouraged to bring a cell phone or tablet to use as part of the community scientist project. Campers will also get an opportunity to watch a movie in the Aquarium’s 4D theater. 

Click Here to Register

Aquarium Stars 
June 26-30
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  
$525/$475 members 

The animals are the stars of this session. Each day will focus on our most popular animals – including seals, sharks, jellies, turtle and more! Campers will explore the exhibits dedicated to these species and have opportunities for private demonstrations and hands-on experiences helping to feed or create enrichment for some animals. Campers will learn more about our star animals by watching a movie in the Aquarium’s 4D theater and taking a cruise aboard our research vessel! 

Click Here to Register

Jr. Marine Biologist  
July 10-21 or august 7-18 
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  
$1050/$1000 members 

Through this in-depth program, campers will get the chance to work in both the field and in the lab.  In the lab, they’ll set-up, stock, and maintain an aquarium with animals like shrimp, crabs, and snails. They’ll learn about and conduct daily care for their animals and learn to use probes to monitor water quality just like the Aquarium’s biologists do. In the field, they will record biodiversity data aboard our research vessel from several sites in Norwalk Harbor. Finally, they’ll use their new biological knowledge to design and carry out research on the behavior or physiology of animals in their tanks. Campers will also get an opportunity to watch a movie in the Aquarium’s 4D theater. 

Click Here to Register

Fin-fluencers 
July 24 - August 4 
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
$1050/$1000 Members

Calling all aspiring social media influencers! Animals like seals, sea turtles, and sharks need our help. In this camp, “fin-fluencers” will gain a deeper understanding about conservation through hands-on activities and will use their voice to communicate what they’ve learned by writing, filming, and editing their own videos that may be posted on the Aquarium’s social media accounts. Hands-on STEM activities include designing solutions to coastal erosion and building filters to clean up water pollution and marine debris. Campers will also get an opportunity to watch a movie in the Aquarium’s 4D theater. 

Click Here to Register

Age 13-15

Teen Apprentice
July 3-21 (SOLD OUT) or july 31 - august 18 
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
$1650/$1550 members

This extremely popular behind-the-scenes experience provides a small group of teens with the opportunity to learn about how different departments at the Aquarium work together to support the conservation of both marine and terrestrial species. Apprentices will work side-by-side with aquarists to feed animals, monitor their behavior, clean select exhibits, and design enrichment activities. They’ll also work with our exhibits team to research and design a model enclosure for one of our animals. Alongside the Aquarium’s scientists, campers will conduct research work in coastal habitats and aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel. Finally, they’ll work closely with our education department to design an informative table to educate visitors about an animal species, which they will share with the public on the last day of camp. This program will include field trips to visit other institutions, field research sites, and service learning opportunities.  

Click Here to Register for July 31 - August 18 Session

Click Here to Join Waitlist for July 3 - 21 Session


Policies

2023 Guidelines
  • Group sizes will follow the Office of Early Childhood guidelines. 
  • Each camp session will have its own classroom space, meaning age groups will always eat and participate in activities separately from each other.  
    • Each camper will be assigned a classroom cubby to store personal belongings.
  • Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer pre or extended care options for this summer.
  • The Aquarium will increase its daily sanitation of classrooms and restrooms used by the campers and camp staff. 
Covid-19 Travel Advisory Policy
  • Connecticut residents and travelers to Connecticut should follow travel-related guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH).  
Financial Assistance
  • Click here to download our Scholarship Application in English.
  • Haga clic aquí para descargar nuestra solicitud de beca en Español.
  • Click here to download the Office of Early Childhood's Sliding Scale Calculator.
  • For information about scholarships, please reach out to campdirector@maritimeaquarium.org.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
  • Refunds will be issued (minus a $50 processing fee) if notice of cancellation is received more than 4 weeks in advance of the session start date.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received within 4 weeks of the start date.
  • Full refunds will be issued if The Maritime Aquarium cancels a camp session.


Parent Resources

 

Click Here for Our Parent Information Pack

Click Here for Our Behavior Policy

Click Here for Our Health Exam Form

Click Here for our Admin of Meds Form

As a Connecticut State-certified camp, we require health exam forms for every camper. Campers bringing medications (inhalers, epi-pens, etc) require an authorization of medication form for each medication. All forms must be submitted through Camp Docs.


Questions?

Please email us at campdirector@maritimeaquarium.org

Our Mission

Mission: The Maritime Aquarium inspires people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental education.


Contact Us

Open Daily 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Phone: (203) 852-0700

10 North Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854

Directions Contact Us