Aquarium Encounters Summer Camps!

Join us for a truly interactive Florida Keys Summer Camp Experience.We are proud to announce that Aquarium Encounters will be offering totally interactive Florida Keys Summer Camps at our location in Marathon.

Camp Aquarium Encounters is a totally interactive half-day camp, perfect for the aspiring Marine Biologist in your life (or just the awesome kid you know who thinks the ocean is pretty neat). Campers will get to learn about not only the local species that we have here in our Aquarium, but also what goes on behind-the-scenes to keep Aquarium Encounters running. From water quality monitoring to fish identification, campers get to learn it all!

Each camper will also get to assist in the daily feeding of our Tortoises, freshwater Turtles, and Stingrays. Camp ends with lunch at our Eagle Ray Café, and families are welcome to join their campers for lunch. Families who choose to purchase admission (at a discount!) can join their campers, who will be experts in the field of Aquarium Encounters, for an afternoon of exploration!

We will be offering two Florida Keys Summer Camp experiences for our passionate ocean explorers!

Barracuda Camp – Must be a rising 3rd – 7th grader to register

Campers will get to kick the morning off with all of the Marine Science Activities mentioned above, have a quick snack, and spend an hour and a half in our Lagoon Snorkel Encounter with a Fish Identification Program. After a brief snorkel tutorial and fish ID lesson, campers will suit up and test their identification skills in the water! From tarpon and permit to parrotfish and angelfish, your camper will get to swim with over 35 different species of fish…even the tiny cousin of the Hammerhead, the Bonnethead Shark! No snorkeling experience needed, your camper should be comfortable floating/swimming before signing up for this camp.

Eagle Ray Camp – Must be a rising 4th – 8th grader to register

Campers will start their day with a brief snorkel lesson and fish identification program, and then jump in to a Coral Reef Encounter! Approximately an hour long experience, campers will get to swim with and feed nearly 50 different species of local reef fish, from lookdowns to the elusive flying gurnard, and meet Spotty the Spotted Eagle Ray. After making friends will our Coral Reef Tank residents, snorkelers get to feed the inhabitants of our Predator Reef Tank; 6 species of Sharks, Green Moray Eels, and a Goliath Grouper! After drying off and a quick snack, they will dive into learning what it’s like to be a Marine Biologist at an Aquarium by doing all of the activities mentioned above. No snorkeling experience needed, your camper should be comfortable floating/swimming and being in close proximity to friendly fish before signing up for this camp.

When is Summer Camp?

  • Barracuda Camp: Offered every Tuesday from June 9th until August 18th from 8am-12:30pm, contingent on 4 registered campers.
  • Eagle Ray Camp: Offered every Thursday from June 11th to August 20th from 8am-12:30pm, contingent on 4 registered campers.

How much does Cap cost?

Barracuda Camp – $75 per camper

Includes…

  • All programming, staffing, and materials for Marine Science Activities
  • Camp T-Shirt
  • Snack and Lunch
    • Your lunch choice of hot dog, chicken tenders, or grilled cheese
    • Comes with chips and fruit
    • Unlimited PowerAde/Water provided throughout camp!
  • Use of Snorkeling Equipment (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, etc. all they need is a bathing suit!)
  •  Aquarium Member Discounts for the whole family for the day of camp
    • 10% discount on Admission, Gift Shop Merchandise, and at the Eagle Ray Café
    • 25% discounts on Encounters when booked within one week of Camp
  • Campers will be sent home with a Mystery Goody Bag of Aquarium Encounters Merchandise

Eagle Ray Camp – $150 per camper

Includes…

  • All programming, staffing, and materials for Marine Science Activities
  • Free Photo from Coral Reef Snorkel Encounter
  • Camp T-Shirt
  • Snack and Lunch
    • Your lunch choice of hot dog, chicken tenders, or grilled cheese
    • Comes with chips and fruit
    • Unlimited PowerAde/Water provided throughout camp!
  • Use of Snorkeling Equipment (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, etc. all they need is a bathing suit!)
  • Aquarium Member Discounts for the whole family for the day of camp
    • 10% discount on Admission, Gift Shop Merchandise, and at the Eagle Ray Café
    • 25% discounts on Encounters when booked within one week of Camp
  • Campers will be sent home with a Mystery Goody Bag of Aquarium Encounters Merchandise

 

Payment Plan

  • 50% non-refundable deposit due at time of registration
    • Must be registered at least 48 hours in advance.
    • Deposit will be refunded only if camp does not meet minimum registration requirements (4 campers). Camp will still happen even if it’s raining!
    • If minimum registration requirements aren’t met, families have the option of fulfilling the base cost requirement ($300 for Barracuda Camp, $600 for Eagle Ray Camp) to run camp.
  • Full Payment due no later than 7:59am on morning of camp.

 

What to Pack for Camp

Please pack all items in ONE bag/backpack

 

  • Swimsuit (towels provided by Aquarium Encounters)
    • Plastic bag for wet swimsuit after your Encounter
  • One change of clothes
  • Refillable Waterbottle
  • CLOSED-TOE SHOES. Campers will not be able to participate in all activities if they are not wearing closed-toe shoes. Tennis shoes, crocs, etc. are acceptable footwear!
  • Sunscreen/Hat and Sunglasses
    • Eagle Ray Campers: Please do not wear sunscreen to camp. You will need to shower it off before getting into the tank.
  • Bug Spray (optional, Deet-free preferred, no aerosol sprays please)
  • Any needed medications
    • Ex. Epi pens, inhalers, etc.
    • These should be listed on your camper’s registration form
  • Cameras, cell phones, other equipment are optional
    • Cell phones are not to be used during camp activities for any reason. If you feel your child’s cell phone will be a distraction, please keep it at home!
    • If a cell phone becomes disruptive to camp activities, Aquarium Encounters Staff will hold on to it until the end of camp.

All items should be labeled with the camper’s name and are the responsibility of the camper. Aquarium Encounters cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged items.

Interested in our Aquarium Encounters Summer Camps?