DolphinCamp

Course Information

DolphinCamp (10-12) and (13-14) is a five-day program for older children and younger teens that introduces campers to the amazing world of dolphins! Campers meet DRC's resident dolphin and sea lion family, learning to respect each as an individual through observation of their unique behavioral and physical characteristics. 

Camp includes a unique blend of interactive programs with the dolphins, live demonstrations with DRC’s animal family, hands-on classroom activities and discussions, and observation time. Class sizes average ten to twelve campers to ensure individualized instruction.

DolphinCamp learning activities differ each year to ensure a new experience for returning campers, and are tailored to be age appropriate.

DolphinCamp runs from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily Monday - Friday. Camper drop off is at 9:00 a.m. each morning, and pick up is at 4:00 p.m. each afternoon. Please note that we will not have staff available for drop off prior to 9:00 a.m., and a photo ID is required at pick up in order for us to sign out your camper. Additionally, campers picked up 30 minutes or later than the designated time will be charged an additional $25 (per occasion). The camper should be dropped off at Dolphin Research Center, and the parent is required to remain with their camper until a member of the Education team signs in the camper each morning. Additional information and required waivers and forms are provided in the Welcome Packet emailed to each parent once the camper is enrolled in DolphinCamp.

We will hold a brief orientation meeting Monday morning for all parents at 9:00 a.m. This will allow you to meet the staff that will be with your camper throughout the week, and for our staff to share important information with you, including where sign-out will take place each afternoon.

If you would like to come to Dolphin Research Center while your child is attending the camp, you must pay daily general admission or purchase a DRC membership. We respectfully request that you do not interfere with the programs in which the campers participate. Sometimes just seeing a parent can disrupt the momentum of an activity.

DolphinCamp (ages 10-12)

Discussions and Hands-on Activities Include:

• Dolphin Biology

• Research

• Conservation

• Husbandry

• Coral Reefs

• Sea Lions

• Baleen Whales

• Manatees, and more!

Interactive Programs Include:

• One Dolphin Splash session

• Two Dolphin Encounter sessions

• A signal session from the dock

Absolutely no exceptions will be made regarding the age of the child. Your child must be within the age range stated for the camp at the time the program occurs.

DolphinCamp (ages 13-14)

Discussions and Hands-on Activities Include:

• Dolphin Biology

• Training

• Conservation

• Husbandry

• Coral Reefs

• Strandings

• Sea Lions

• Sea Turtles, and more!

Interactive Programs Include:

• One Dolphin Splash session

• Two Dolphin Encounter sessions

• A signal session from the dock

Absolutely no exceptions will be made regarding the age of the child. Your child must be within the age range stated for the camp at the time the program occurs.

Tuition:

Tuition for DolphinCamp is $1,100.00 (US). Tuition includes all classroom discussions, activities, lunch, and snacks each day of the program, a field trip, and digital photographs taken of the camper’s dolphin interactions throughout the week. 

Tuition does not include:

• Breakfast and dinner each day
• Accommodations
• Transportation to and from any airport, or to and from Dolphin Research Center each day.

Dolphin Research Center partners with local hotels in an effort to offer participants discounted rates on accommodations. Partner hotels are not available in advance as the hotels that choose to participate vary from year to year. A list of participating hotels, details, rates, and booking instructions are provided in the Welcome Packet emailed to each camper once a Camp is confirmed to run. Dolphin Research Center does not handle bookings or payments for any of the participating establishments. 

Prerequisites

Although there are no prerequisites for attending DolphinCamp, campers should have a strong desire to experience and learn about dolphins and the marine world.

Schedule

View Course Dates for DolphinCamp. 

Enrollment

Enrollment for the 2023 DolphinCamp (10-12) and (13-14) is CLOSED. Due to the extensive list of names for both camps, we are no longer accepting campers for the waitlists for either of these programs. Please check the Course Dates page between November and December 2023 for the 2024 dates, and we hope to see you next year! If your camper is already on the waitlist, you will be contacted only if a cancellation occurs and your camper is next in line. 

Questions? Please email education@dolphins.org so the Education team can help!