Join us for a summer of fun at Marine Summer Camp
Calling all campers! Welcome to another summer of fun and aquatic exploration. During each five-day week, campers will learn all about some of the marvelous marine life here at the Aquarium through games, crafts, activities and more. We’ll come together to find ways to help support and protect our one world ocean. During each camp, these young ocean enthusiasts will have opportunities to get close to marine creatures and experience parts of the Aquarium that guests rarely have the chance to see.
Page navigation
Registration
2024 camp registration opens March 27
Camp registration will open on March 27 at noon and 5pm. Registration will be online through CampDoc. You will need to create a CampDoc account in order to register and manage your camper’s health information.
Please note: Our summer camp sessions fill up quickly. If a camp you are interested in is already sold out, please add yourself to the waitlist. A sold-out session does not affect scholarship applications.
Seattle Aquarium members receive a special discount on marine summer camps! Log on to the member portal for the code to use during checkout when registering.
Questions? Send us an email at registration@seattleaquarium.org.
Camp ages & themes
Ages 4–5: Micro-biologists
Get ready to have a “plank-ton” of fun learning all about plankton! Many sea animals start life as these teeny-tiny critters, including fish, crabs, squid, clams, sea stars and more. Each day, we’ll explore plankton’s possibilities, including their growth, habitat and family structure. Through crafts, activities and exploring the Aquarium, we’ll come to appreciate that sometimes the best things come in small packages.
Please note: This session will run for three days, 9am–noon.
Ages 6–7: All about orcas
Get to know the facts behind this “fintastic” local icon! Orcas are not only stunning but also pillars of the marine ecosystem. Campers will join our pod to explore orca behavior, family dynamics and hunting strategies. Of course, no orca expert would be worth their weight in blubber without researching their habitat and the salmon that they feast on. Take a deep dive into the important role orcas play in shaping a healthy planet.
Ages 6–7: Octopus odyssey
Join us to explore the world of cephalopods, some of the most intelligent creatures on the planet. We’ll go over the habitats, behaviors, needs and life cycles of these fascinating sea animals. Get to know the Aquarium’s resident giant Pacific octopus and cuttlefish and what makes animals like them so amazing. With activities, games and crafts galore, we feel confident all campers will be “ink-spired” to learn.
Ages 8–9: You otter know
Who says learning can’t be educational and adorable? Get to know more about sea and river otters, including those who live at the Aquarium. There’s more to these charming animals than just good looks. Otters are highly intelligent and clever hunters with voracious appetites. Campers will slide into the world of otter skills and adaptations and explore the rich abundance of life in the kelp forests that otters call home.
Ages 8–9: Fintastic sharks
Think there are no sharks in Washington waters? Think again! Through a week of games and other fintastic shark activities, we’ll learn about these often misunderstood apex predators that play critically important roles in the marine ecosystem—and are also important indicators of ocean health. We’ll also consider real-world issues impacting shark populations and look for solutions.
Ages 10–12: Evolution in action
Design your own creative sea creature and put it to the test! Drawing from the abundance of adaptations found in Puget Sound, campers will create their own one-of-a-kind creature. From teeth for shredding to spines for protection to fins for speed, the possibilities are endless! Create a behemoth that lurks in the depths or a sparkly, speedy seaweed-eater. Compete with your friends to see how well your creation does in a battle or against an extinction event.
Ages 13–14: Innovate, create and celebrate
Calling all teens with a love for the ocean! The Seattle Aquarium has the perfect camp to help you discover the many ways to get involved with protecting the sea, from animal care and rehabilitation to engineering and research to advocacy and education. It takes an aquatic village to care for the ocean. By being inclusive, intentional and intersectional with our work, we recognize that we all have a part to play in protecting marine environments. Join us to learn about the many exciting career options available to advocates for the ocean!
Camp schedule
Please note: Due to the construction of our new Ocean Pavilion, our camp offerings have changed as of March 14, 2024. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Camp times
Marine summer camps are from 9am to 4pm. Morning drop off starts at 8:45am. Pick up is until 4:15pm.
Micro-biologist camps are from 9am to 12pm. Morning drop off starts at 8:45am. Pick up is at 12:15.
Before and after care are available, for an additional fee, for an hour before and after camps. Before and after care is not included in Micro-biologist camp.
| Dates | Camp | Age range (years) |
|---|---|---|
|
June 24 – 28 |
Octopus odyssey |
6 – 7 |
|
|
You otter know |
8 – 9 |
|
July 1 – 3 (no camps July 4 – 5) |
Micro-biologists |
4 – 5 |
|
July 8 – 12 |
Octopus odyssey |
6 – 7 |
|
|
You otter know |
8 – 9 |
|
July 15 – 19 |
Octopus odyssey |
6 – 7 |
|
|
You otter know |
8 – 9 |
|
July 22 – 26 |
Evolution in action |
10 – 12 |
|
|
Innovate, create and celebrate |
13 – 14 |
|
July 29 – August 2 |
Evolution in action |
10 – 12 |
|
|
Innovate, create and celebrate |
13 – 14 |
|
August 14 – 16 (no camps August 12/13) |
Micro-biologists |
4 – 5 |
|
August 19 – 23 |
All about orcas |
6 – 7 |
|
|
Fintastic sharks |
8 – 9 |
|
August 26 – 30 |
All about orcas |
6 – 7 |
|
|
Fintastic sharks |
8 – 9 |
Pricing and scholarships
Pricing
Full week for Micro-biologists: $165
Full week for all other camps: $430
Seattle Aquarium members receive a 10% discount on camp tuition. Check your member dashboard for more information.
Scholarships
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, please apply using the form below. Scholarship applications will be reviewed starting in April.
Please email registration@seattleaquarium.org or give us a call at (206) 693-6196 if you have any questions about the application process.
WAITLIST
If your chosen camp session is full, your camper can be added to our waitlist. Please contact registration@seattleaquarium.org for more information or to be added to a waitlist.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register my child for multiple weeks of marine summer camp?
You’re welcome to register campers for all the weeks you wish! Please note that for themes within the same age group, 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!
Who will be in charge of my camper’s group?
Each camp group will have two to three camp counselors and additional support staff and volunteers at any given 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.
Will my camper always have the same instructor/counselor?
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.
Do campers get to go behind the scenes or touch the animals?
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.
Are before/after care available?
Before and after care is available for all campers except those enrolled in our Micro-biologists camp. Before/after care incurs an additional cost, which varies depending on how many days you register for it. Before care begins at 8am; campers may be dropped off at that time or any time before the camp day begins. After care lasts until 5pm; campers must be picked up by that time. Campers choose from crafts, free play and more individual activities during before and after care.
Will field trips be part of the camp experience this year?
We offer a field trip experience for the Evolution in action camp (for ages 10–12) and the Innovate, create and celebrate camp (for ages 13–14).
Are scholarships available?
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 above. Scholarship applications will be reviewed starting in April.
The scholarship application form can be found above in the “Pricing and Scholarships” section of the camp registration page. Please email us at registration@seattleaquarium.org if you have any questions about this process.
The camp dates I want are full. Do you have a waitlist?
We do have a waitlist for camp! Waitlists open after general registration on March 27. If the dates you want for camp are not available, you will be able to add yourself to the waitlist for your preferred week(s) of camp. Please keep in mind that the waitlist is first-come, first-served. If you have questions or are having trouble adding yourself to the waitlist, you can contact registration at registration@seattleaquarium.org or (206) 693-6196.
What options are available for parking near the Aquarium?
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. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Directions & Parking page. More information will be available as construction on the waterfront evolves.
Can campers sign themselves in?
An adult must accompany their 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.
Who can pick up my child from camp?
Any adult on the approved pickup list you provided during registration can pick up your child. 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 registration at registration@seattleaquarium.org or (206) 693-6196.
Can I drop off my child late to camp?
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 being late, please contact registration as soon as possible so they can meet you and your camper when you arrive and get them to their group.
What is lunch like? What kind of food can my camper bring?
Those enrolled in our Micro-biologist camp will not eat lunch but will have time for a snack, which they will need to bring each day, along with a reusable water bottle.
All other campers will need to bring their own lunch, two snacks (one each for morning and afternoon), and a reusable water bottle each day. Campers will eat lunch outdoors (weather permitting) at Waterfront Park on Pier 62, the next pier north of the Aquarium.
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.
What should my camper bring with them each day?
Campers will need to bring lunch, two snacks, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle each day. 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.
*Those enrolled in our Micro-biologists camp will need to bring a snack and a reusable water bottle each day. Because they will stay inside the Aquarium during camp, they will not be required to wear a camp T-shirt every day and can wear the comfortable clothes of their choice.
Can my camper be grouped with a friend or family member?
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.
What is your cancellation policy?
A full refund will be given for cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the first day of camp. For cancellations made less than 14 days prior to first day of a program, a 90% 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.
