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DAY CAMPS

calling all aspiring marine biologists, veterinarians, and inventors

DAY CAMPS

calling all aspiring marine biologists, veterinarians, and inventors

overview

Day camps at the Aquarium provide kids and teens with an inside look at some of the exciting career opportunities available for anyone interested in studying and protecting aquatic life.  

Aquarium camps feature opportunities to view behind-the-scenes areas, talk to zoological or veterinary staff, experience up-close animal interactions, and participate in hands-on activities. Members save 10% on all classes and camps.

VIEW UPCOMING CAMPS

questions? 

Contact our Education Department by email.

Jr. Vet Day Camps

Just like your pets at home, the animals at the Aquarium regularly see a veterinarian for checkups. In these day camps, participants will take a deep dive into the facts about their favorite animals and get a hands-on look at what it takes to care for some of our most popular species.

Ages: 8-12 

Cost: $40
Aquarium members save 10% on camps and classes.

There are five different Jr. Vet camps, and each one is focused on a different animal.

Learn what happens when a penguin has a health problem. Diagnose real penguin ailments and design appropriate treatment plans. Dive into the facts about these favorite feathered friends—their biology, where they live, what they eat, the threats they face in the wild, and more. See first-hand how human impact can be harmful to seabirds through a science experiment that demonstrates the effect of an oil spill on feathers.

Did you know the Aquarium is home to three different species of pinnipeds, the group of marine mammals that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses?

All our pinnipeds are rescued/non-releasable, and many of them have unique health concerns that require special care from our veterinary and training staff. During this camp, you will see how we distribute medications, learn how seals stay warm in the winter, meet with one of our trainers, experience what it’s like to see with cataracts, and so much more.

Shark veterinarians have the daunting task of caring for an animal known for its predatory bite. However, in this camp, you’ll learn that these animals are more fascinating than frightening!

See how a shark can have a skeleton but no bones by performing a dissection. Experience having a sixth, seventh, or even eighth sense. Learn how you can take action to protect these important animals, then create a “Shark-Tank” style pitch to show how you plan to make a difference.

From the tiny cardinal tetra to the grandiose Asian arowana, our veterinarians oversee medical care for hundreds of different species of fish at the aquarium! Explore how fish can be found in all kinds of environments and learn about the adaptations that help them thrive. Meet an aquarist and chat one-on-one about the elaborate care that goes into keeping fish healthy. Take a visit to the veterinary office before taking a trial run as a fish vet yourself!

Can you tell the difference between a turtle and a tortoise? Vets can, and they use that knowledge to consider differences in their shells, diets, and habitats to provide the best care for our resident reptiles.

Explore the needs, adaptations, and special conditions of different turtles by interacting with bones, shells, and the aquarium’s live ambassador turtles. Watch a medical exam in real time and help our animal care staff identify and diagnose real health concerns that can be found in turtles.

marine biologist in action

Do you love the ocean? Would you like to spend much of your life focused on it? Then a career as a marine biologist may be for you! 

To get a better understanding of this field, come spend two days at the Aquarium learning about ocean ecosystems and the variety of life found among them.   

Gather and test water samples from both Aquarium exhibits and the ecosystems that surround the Aquarium. Hunt for animal life both inside the Aquarium and beyond. Explore the diversity of ocean life by interacting with preserved specimens and performing animal dissections. Just like trained marine biologists, we will strive to understand the habitat that covers most of our planet while also learning how to preserve it.

This program is one class that takes place over two days. Participants should plan to attend both sessions.  

Participants should bring:  

  • Clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet 
  • Boots suited to go into a bit of water 
  • Lunch and a reusable water bottle (snacks and water will be provided)

Ages: 12-16

Cost: $60
Aquarium members save 10% on camps and classes. 

wild innovators

Have you ever wondered how scientists and engineers come up with ideas and inventions that help make our lives easier? They look to the natural world, drawing inspiration from natures designs and adapting them to solve human problems. This is what’s known as biomimicry, and it’s the foundation of some of our greatest engineering marvels.  

Come investigate how animals have adapted to survive and how those adaptations have inspired many inventions that we use today. Learn about biomimicry and the engineering design process, then design your own inventions! 

Ages: 10-14

Cost: $40
Aquarium members save 10% on classes and camps.