Dolphin DayCamp

Course Information

Dolphin DayCamp is a fun-filled, active five-day program that introduces children ages 8-10, who are full-time year round Florida Keys residents, to the amazing world of dolphins. Campers meet DRC's resident dolphin family, getting to know and respect each dolphin as an individual. DRC puts them up close to observe the dolphins in action so they can learn more about each dolphin's unique behaviors and physical characteristics.

With hands-on activities, group discussions, games, crafts and more, their days will prove that learning is fun!

Dolphin DayCamp runs from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily Monday - Friday. Camper drop off is at 8:30 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 8:30 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 $25.00 late fee (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 Dolphin DayCamp.

We will hold a brief orientation meeting Monday morning for all parents at 8:30 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.

Dolphin DayCamp (ages 8-10)

Discussions and Activities Might Include:

• Dolphin Biology

• Research

• Conservation

• Husbandry

• Coral Reefs

• Sea Lions

• Baleen Whales

• Manatees, and more!

 Interactive Programs with the Dolphins Include:

• One Dolphin Splash session, going into waist deep water to play with the dolphins.

• One Meet a Dolphin session, for a personal introduction to a dolphin with a "flippershake" and backrubs.

• Try being a trainer, learning to "talk" to the dolphins using hand signals to ask for behaviors in signal session from the dock.

Tuition

Dolphin DayCamp is open to children who are full-time year round residents of the Florida Keys. Tuition is $200.00** for the week. Tuition includes all classroom discussions, activities, live demonstrations with the marine mammal family, interactive programs, and digital photographs taken of the camper’s dolphin interactions throughout the week. Tuition does not include meals or snacks, or transportation to and from Dolphin Research Center each day. We recommend that each camper brings at least two snacks per day, in addition to their packed lunch.

**Price subject to change.

Prerequisites

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

Schedule

June 12 - 16, 2023     **This week is filled to capacity. Camper names are being accepted for the standby list. Please follow the instructions under the Enrollment section to place your camper on standby.

July 3 - 7, 2023

July 10 - 14, 2023   **This week is filled to capacity. Camper names are being accepted for the standby list. Please follow the instructions under the Enrollment section to place your camper on standby.

Enrollment

Enrollment for the 2023 Dolphin DayCamp season is OPEN! Please email the following information to education@dolphins.org to begin the enrollment process:

1. First and Last name of parent/legal guardian, active and current email address

2. First and Last name of camper

3. Camper's Date of Birth

4. Week of interest from the Schedule of dates listed above

5. Has your camper attended Dolphin DayCamp twice? Yes or No, first time applying.

Please allow 3-5 days to receive the email with the link to complete the online application. The Education team tracks the order in which emails requesting the application link are received to ensure that we reply in the appropriate order. Thank you for your patience! 

We require a minimum of ten (10) campers enroll before we officially confirm a camp will run. 

Dolphin DayCamp is open to children who are full-time year round residents in Monroe County. Non-residents ages 10-12 and 13-14 are invited to enroll in DolphinCamp when enrollment is open.

PLEASE NOTE: If your child has already attended Dolphin DayCamp twice, (s)he will be placed on the standby list in order to give new campers the opportunity to participate. If spaces remain and your child is next in line, the Education department will contact you. We will refund any payments made should the week for which your child applied fill. Thank you for your understanding.   

*Cancellation Policy- Cancellations must be made in writing. Participant substitutions are welcomed. The following refund terms shall apply:

• Cancellation more than 14 days from the start of the program- Refund of program cost minus $35 processing fee.

• Cancellation less than 14 days from program start date - No refund