Marine Summer Camp 2022

You’re welcome to register campers for all the weeks you wish! Please note the camp themes don’t change, so experiences for your camper from week to week may be structured very similarly. However, the Seattle Aquarium is a living facility and no two days are ever quite the same!

This summer, Seattle Aquarium is taking steps to ensure that camp is as safe as possible, while also offering a memorable experience for our campers as they explore the marine environment.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all campers. This decision was made for the safety of campers and staff. All Aquarium staff are required to be fully vaccinated.

Masks that cover the nose and mouth will be required for all ages at all times during camp, except while eating or drinking. Marine Summer Camp has both indoor and outdoor components. Campers will eat outdoors, weather permitting. The number of campers in each group has been adjusted to align with current COVID-19 guidelines and to encourage physical distancing.

At our check-in for camp each day, we’ll confirm that campers haven’t exhibited any common COVID-19 symptoms for the previous three days. The adult dropping off the camper will be required to provide confirmation through a brief questionnaire.

The Seattle Aquarium will also be increasing sanitation protocols in all spaces campers will be using, including classrooms and restrooms. Additionally, efforts have been made to improve air quality in indoor spaces.

The Seattle Aquarium will adjust safety policies as needed based on King County infection numbers and local/state restrictions. Please contact registration@seattleaquarium.org if you have questions or concerns about our policies. 

Each camp group will have two to three counselors and additional support staff and volunteers at any time. Seattle Aquarium camp counselors come from diverse backgrounds and all have a passion for marine life and sharing it with others. Counselors will be trained in CPR and first aid. All camp staff are required to pass background checks.

Campers should expect at least one of their assigned counselors to remain unchanged throughout the week. However, other staff may change depending on the activities the campers will be participating in.

Campers will be able to see areas of the Aquarium that are usually off limits to the general public, including areas with animals. We incorporate touchable intertidal animals into all the age groups, so campers will have opportunities to get to know a variety of different amazing animals! Behind-the-scenes experiences will vary depending on age group and current COVID19- safety guidelines. 

Yes. Before care and after care are available for an additional cost, which varies depending on whether you need one, two or only certain days of the week. Before care starts at 8am and campers can be dropped off any time after that time. After care lasts until 5pm and campers must be picked up by that time. Campers will choose between crafts, free play and more individual activities during before and after care.

In past camps, older campers travelled from the Seattle Aquarium to local beaches and excursions on the water at the end of their camp week. Such field trips won’t be taking place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, we do have many more hands-on activities planned that will take place in and around the Seattle Aquarium. 

Marine summer camp is happy to offer a limited number of needs-based scholarships that can help cover the cost of camp. Scholarships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re interested in a scholarship, you must apply using the form below. Scholarship applications will be reviewed starting in April.

The scholarship application form can be found on the camp registration page of the Seattle Aquarium website. Please email us at registration@seattleaquarium.org if you have any questions about this process.

We do have a waitlist for camp! If the dates you want for camp are not available, please email us at registration@seattleaquarium.org to be added to the waitlist. Please keep in mind that the waitlist is first-come, first-served. 

There are several convenient paid parking garages near the Aquarium, including the Pike Place Market Garage with entry on Western Avenue, and paid street parking on Western Avenue. Please be aware that the City of Seattle is currently conducting major road construction between Alaskan Way and Western Avenue which may directly impact parking and camper drop-off and pickup. Please email us at registration@seattleaquarium.org for the latest updates on construction. 

An adult must accompany your camper to the Seattle Aquarium to sign them in and out each day. For sign out, the accompanying adult must show photo ID to verify they’re on the approved pickup list established during registration. There is no curbside drop-off or pickup.

Any adult on the approved pickup list you provided during registration. At pickup, the adult must show a valid photo ID that matches a name on your approved list. If you need to modify or clarify any of the names on your list, please reach out to our staff.

Campers are expected to be present for the beginning of the day so that everyone can have a great experience without interruptions, but we understand that unforeseen issues may arise. If you anticipate not being able to arrive on time, please reach out to our staff as soon as possible so they can make sure to meet you and your camper when you arrive and get your camper to their group.

Campers will need to bring their own lunch, two snacks (for morning and afternoon) and a reusable water bottle each day. Campers will eat outdoors (weather permitting) and physically distanced with their masks off. Food must not require any additional cooking or refrigeration. Marine Summer Camp has a “no sharing” policy when it comes to food. Make sure to indicate any allergies during registration so any necessary accommodations can be made.

Your camper will need to bring a lunch, two snacks, sunscreen, a face mask that covers their nose and mouth, and a reusable water bottle. A Marine Summer Camp T-shirt will be provided on the first day of camp. Campers are expected to wear their camp T-shirt every day of the week. Additional shirts may be available for purchase, although stock is limited. 

If your camper’s friend or family member is in the same age group and registering for the same week, they’ll be in the same group. When registering, you can make a note that you’d like them to be together. 

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, an 90 percent refund will be given to reflect administration costs.

There is no charge for moving a camper to another camp session, although camps fill up and the waitlist is not a guarantee of entry. In the event of a child’s illness or family emergency, please coordinate with camp staff via registration@seattleaquarium.org to see if another date is available.

The Seattle Aquarium reserves the right to cancel any program. In the event that the Seattle Aquarium cancels a program, all program fees will be refunded.