Tide Pool Tots
1-week session: July 29 through August 2
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$350/$300 Aquarium Members
This is a drop-off program. Each day, we will read an entertaining story about a different ocean animal; create puppet, mask or headband crafts; play a game; and visit an Aquarium exhibit. Plus, appearances by special live animals on select days. 20 camper max. Child must be potty-trained to enroll. Extended care is not available.
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Ocean Mammals
1-week session: August 12 through 16
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$350/$300 Aquarium Members
This is a drop-off program. Seals, otters and whales are among the stars in this week of marine fun! Youngsters will gain a new appreciation for the Aquarium’s highest-profile residents through stories, a visit with a mammal trainer, watching a seal-training demonstration, and participating in hands-on activities, games, and crafts. 20 camper max. Child must be potty-trained to enroll. Extended care is not available.
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Secret Worlds
1-Week Session: August 5 through 9
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$500/$450 Aquarium Members
Campers will meet the macaws, tortoises, porcupine, monkeys and other fascinating animals in the Aquarium’s “Just Add Water” exhibit, as they also learn about the desert, grassland, temperate-forest and rain-forest habitats represented. Plus, campers will explore a local beach, and get a whole new perspective on local wildlife through the spectacular IMAX movie, “Backyard Wilderness.” 30 camper max.
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Jr. Aquarist
2-week session: August 12 through 23
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1,000/$950 Aquarium Members
This inspiring program lets campers participate in the care of animals such as sea stars, crabs and turtles to demonstrate how the Aquarium provides top-flight animal husbandry. Campers will meet a mammal trainer, attend a private seal-training demonstration, and make animal “enrichment” items. Other highlights examining animals at a local beach and visiting Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo for their perspective on animal care. 25 camper max. In the 2-week sessions, special 8 a.m. drop-off time on second Wednesday for zoo trip.
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Shark Safari
1-week session: July 29 through August 2
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$500/$450 Aquarium Members
It’s our very own version of Shark Week! Campers will go behind the scenes to attend a private feeding of our large sand tiger sharks, and also to meet a team of divers as they prepare to scuba dive among the sharks. Also planned: hand-feeding the stingrays in the Shark & Ray Touch Pool; a classroom visit by a live shark; and thrills watching the IMAX movie “Great White Shark” on our six-story screen. Take home a necklace featuring teeth of the Aquarium’s sharks! 30 camper max.
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Surf and Turf
1-week session: July 22 through 26
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$500/$450 Aquarium Members
This special program combines the resources of two Norwalk institutions into one week of fun. Programs (including pre- and extended care) will take place at The Maritime Aquarium (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) and Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Tuesday & Thursday). Activities include: interactive discoveries about water, energy and habitats; exploring exhibits; meeting live animals; building a take-home project; and attending an IMAX movie.
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Ocean Explorers
1-week session: July 22 through 26
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$500/$450 Aquarium Members
This memorable week is like a Maritime Aquarium “greatest hits” camp experience. Campers will examine Long Island Sound animals at a local beach and during a cruise aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel. They’ll take on a classroom “build” project; go behind the scenes to learn about our excellent marine-animal care; and find inspiration in becoming a citizen scientist. 30 camper max. Special 8:45 a.m. drop-off time on Thursday for cruise.
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Jr. Marine Biologist
2-week session: July 29 through Aug. 9
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$1,000/$950 Aquarium Members
Through this in-depth program, campers will get an understanding of how and why marine biologists work in the lab and in the field. In the lab, they’ll set up, stock and maintain an aquarium, providing daily care for their animals and using probes to monitor water quality. For field work, they’ll record biodiversity data at a local beach and also collect biological samples during an outing aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel. Then they’ll design and carry out a scientific investigation on the behavior or physiology of an Aquarium animal of their choice. Open house for parents on last Friday at 3:30 p.m. 25 camper max. In the 2-week session, special 8:45 a.m. drop-off time on Tuesday, August 6 for cruise.
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Ocean Discovery Team
2-week session: Aug. 12 through 23
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$1,100/$1,050 Aquarium Members
This unique session combines marine research and engineering to help campers understand how we study the oceans and confront its challenges. They’ll learn about the science projects the Aquarium is conducting, and go out on the Aquarium’s research vessel to help collect biological, chemical and environmental data of Long Island Sound. In the classroom, they’ll analyze their data to understand changes occurring in the Sound. On the engineering side, they will design and test plankton nets, and take turns operating the Aquarium’s underwater remotely operated vehicle (R.O.V.). 25 camper max. During each session, special 8:45 a.m. drop-off time on both Tuesdays and on first Thursday for cruises.
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Teen Apprentice
August 5 through 23
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$1,600/$1,500 for Aquarium Members
This extremely popular behind-the-scenes experience provides a small group of teens with hands-on opportunities to understand the operations that keep our animals thriving. Apprentices work side-by-side with aquarists and educators to: feed our large sharks, rays, fish, and turtles; monitor the behavior of key animals; create animal enrichments; and perform daily maintenance tasks for select exhibits. They will participate in research aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel and at a local beach. Limited to 14 participants. Parent open house on the last day at 2 p.m. Pre-care is not available.
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Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure
July 31 through August 8
Ages 13 to 17
Sea turtles, monkeys, toucans and sloths! After last summer’s teen expedition to Alaska, this year we’re heading south, to one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. We’ll start off at Tortuguero National Park, the most important nesting site in the western Caribbean for the endangered green sea turtle. By day we’ll travel in boats along winding canals to spot spider monkeys, crocodiles, and three-toed sloths. In the company of an expert local guide, we’ll also take nightly beach walks in search of nesting turtles, which lay their eggs from June through October. Next, we’ll head inland to the magnificent tropical rainforest of the Sarapiqui Valley. Highlights that follow will include zip-lining through the rainforest canopy, whitewater rafting and, finally, a visit to Toucan Rescue Ranch to learn about its work rescuing and rehabilitating injured animals such as macaws, kinkajous, owls and, of course, toucans!
For registration information, please call our Camp Director at [203] 852-0700, extension 1201, or e-mail: campdirector@maritimeaquarium.org