Please join the Seattle Aquarium for a unique summer camp experience! We offer marine-science-related camps for youth ages 4–14.
Registration for members opens February 18, registration for the public opens February 21.
Scholarships are available for all marine summer camps. Click here for details. Find out about extended care, registration and more in our policies and procedures and FAQs below. Questions? Call (206) 693-6196 or email registration@seattleaquarium.org.
- Pickup and drop-off occurs inside the Seattle Aquarium. An adult must accompany the camper inside and sign in/out with camp staff.
Drop-off: 8:45–9am
Pickup: 4–4:15pm
- Only adults listed as authorized pickups, with their photo ID, may sign out a camper. You will indicate the authorized adults during the registration process.
- Campers 16 years or older may sign themselves in/out.
- If you drive to the Aquarium, please allow yourself time to locate parking. There are some metered spots and garages across from the Aquarium on Alaskan Way. Please note there will be increased construction downtown during summer 2019 with the demolition of the Highway 99 viaduct.
- For more information on walking and public transportation, click here.
- Extended care is offered in the mornings from 8–8:45am, and in the afternoons from 4:15–5:30pm.
- You can register for extended care in the online portal while registering for camp, or you may add it during the actual week of camp.
- There is a flat fee charged for extended care and it cannot be pro-rated.
8–8:45am: $70/week or $14/day
4:15–5:30pm: $70/week or $14/day
- If you arrive later that 5:30pm to pick up a camper, a $10 fee will be added to every 10-minute increment thereafter.
- Bring: Two snacks, one lunch, reusable water bottle and sunscreen
- Wear: Play clothes that are appropriate for the weather, messy activities and movement games; jacket; and closed-toe shoes. Camp T-shirts will be given out the first day of camp. Campers must wear their camp T-shirts each day.
- Do NOT bring: Toys from home or money for use in the café/gift shop.
- Parents/guardians of campers needing to take prescription or over-the-counter medications during camp hours must fill out the appropriate forms before the start of camp. This will provide the necessary information and authorization for designated camp staff to dispense medications at specified dosages and times.
- Medications will be collected the first morning of camp and secured in a safe place. Children needing to self-administer medications for life-threatening conditions may hold onto their medications at the discretion of the parent/guardian.
- All prescriptions must be current and medication must be in original containers with the child’s name, prescribing physician, dosage and instructions for administering. If the dosage is different than indicated on the package, a doctor’s note and signature are required. Non-prescription medications will be dispensed only under specific instruction from parent/guardian or physician.
- Children not well enough to follow the day’s activities will not be allowed to attend camp. This includes campers with the following symptoms: vomiting, fever, early cold, discharging eyes, stomach pain, active rash, diarrhea, sore throat and/or nausea.
- While attending camp, if a child exhibits signs of illness they will be isolated from other campers and kept comfortable while the parent/guardian/emergency contact is notified. If no party can be reached and symptoms persist, the child’s physician will be notified and their directions followed.
- To help ensure camper safety, all camp staff are certified for adult and child first aid/CPR. Please note that all medical treatment is at the discretion and judgment of camp personnel.
- In case of a minor injury (skinned knee, for example), the camper will be treated according to the discretion of camp staff and the incident recorded. You will be notified of the injury during sign-out at the end of the day.
- In the case of a non-life-threatening injury (broken arm, for example), camp staff will notify the parent/guardian/emergency contacts and transport the child to a nearby medical facility.
- In the case of a potentially life-threatening injury or illness, camp staff will immediately contact emergency services, after which the parent/guardian/emergency contacts will be notified.
- Medical expenses incurred while participating in Seattle Aquarium’s marine summer camp are the sole responsibility of the camper’s parent/guardian.
- Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying marine summer camp staff when a child will not be in attendance for the day or any part of the day. You can call and leave a message for registration at (206) 693-6196.
- Children not well enough to follow the day’s activities will not be allowed to attend camp. This includes campers with the following symptoms: vomiting, fever, early cold, discharging eyes, stomach pain, active rash, diarrhea, sore throat and/or nausea.
- The Seattle Aquarium will not pro-rate the cost of camp or extended care if a camper is absent one or more days.
To maintain a safe and cooperative setting, Seattle Aquarium marine summer camp has specific policies and limitations that govern our facilities, program staff and the behavior of each child. Compliance with imposed limits and policies of the facility and programs is expected. Should it become necessary to correct or resolve any dangerous or disruptive behavior, camp staff will follow these steps:
1. Reasoning: Verbal communication between the child and staff where problems and solutions are identified.
2. Time away: Removal from specific activity for a short period of time followed by child/staff conference.
3. Parent/guardian, child and staff conference: Discuss the situation, group concerns and solutions.
4. Dismissal from program: If the first three steps have been taken and the issue is unresolved.
The Seattle Aquarium is committed to providing programs and services accessible to individuals with needs for accommodations. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact registration at (206) 693-6196 or registration@seattleaquarium.org at least three weeks before your camp start date to discuss how we may best accommodate your camper’s needs.
- No refunds are given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the first day of camp. For cancellations made more than 14 days prior to first day of a program, a 90 percent refund will be given to reflect administration costs. The Seattle Aquarium reserves the right to cancel any program. If the Seattle Aquarium cancels a program, all program fees will be refunded.
- The Seattle Aquarium will not pro-rate the cost of camp or extended care if a camper is absent one or more days.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Seattle Aquarium registration team at (206) 693-6196 or registration@seattleaquarium.org.
- Registration for members opens February 18, registration for the public opens February 21.
- Click here to view our camp themes and dates, then click on the “register” button and follow the prompts.
- Extended care is offered in the mornings from 8–8:45am, and in the afternoons from 4:15–5:30pm.
- You can register for extended care in the online portal while registering for camp, or you may add it during the actual week of camp.
- There is a flat fee charged for extended care and it cannot be pro-rated.
8–8:45am: $70/week or $14/day
4:15–5:30pm: $70/week or $14/day
Campers 16 years and older may sign themselves in/out. All other ages must be accompanied and signed in/out by an authorized adult over 18 years of age.
The Seattle Aquarium does not have designated parking. Please allow yourself ample time to locate a metered spot or parking garage/lot. Please note there will be increased construction downtown during summer 2019 with the demolition of the Highway 99 viaduct.
Each camp theme has fun and unique experiences, activities, games and learning opportunities mixed in with visits to our exhibits. You will receive a more detailed schedule of activities about a week before camp.
The marine summer camp team is composed of passionate, dedicated and responsible staff and volunteers who are held to the high standards of Seattle Aquarium. All staff have undergone a background check and are first aid/CPR certified.
Please refer to our absences or illnesses policy above.
If your camper’s birthday falls during the camp session and they would like to celebrate it at camp, please follow these steps:
1. Notify camp staff of your camper’s birthday.
2. We will celebrate birthdays at the end of the day.
3. Families may bring in treats of their choice to share (around 30 servings).
4. Camp staff will ask authorized adults if they would like to pick out a treat for their camper at sign-out.
The Seattle Aquarium will not pro-rate the cost of camp or extended care if a camper is absent one or more days.
