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Teen Basic DolphinLab

Course Information:

Teen Basic DolphinLab is an experiential learning program that surveys a wide range of knowledge, theories and ongoing research concerning dolphins, the marine environment, and related issues. In this terrific introductory course, students meet our resident dolphin, sea lion, and bird families, learning to identify and respect each as an individual. Through observation time, live demonstrations, and interactive programs, students will foster special connections with DRC’s animal family, and learn from the best teachers - the dolphins and sea lions!  

• For teens ages 15-17

• Program begins Sunday afternoon, and ends the following Friday afternoon

• Most days run 9:00-5:00, however, the plan for the week will be discussed during orientation on Sunday

• Experiential, hands-on program that encourages critical thinking and group discussions

• Designed to inspire students to pursue a career in the animal field

• Academically rigorous program, not designed for someone who simply desires a vacation with dolphins.

• The applicant should also have an interest in pursuing a career within the animal field, or environmental sciences field. 

• Blend of hour-long informative, discussion-based seminars on various topics

• Opportunity to speak with various professionals in the field to hear first-hand about both the rewards and challenges of a career in an animal field

• Class sizes average 8-10 students

• We require a minimum of eight (8) teens to enroll before we confirm Teen Basic DolphinLab to run. You will receive an email confirming the Lab once we complete student selections and reach minimum enrollment.

• Additional information and required waivers and forms are provided in the Welcome Packet emailed to each teen and parent if the applicant is selected as a program participant.

Discussion-Based Seminars May Include:

• Conservation

• Dolphin Physiology and Anatomy

• Marine Mammal Law & Strandings

• Maternity

• Research at DRC

• Training & Husbandry

• And more!

Hands-On Interactive Programs Include:

• One trainer-guided Dolphin Splash in-water session

• Two trainer-guided Dolphin Encounter in-water sessions

• One trainer-guided signal session from the floating dock

Additional Activities May Include:

• Training & Medical Care Demonstrations

• Training Workshop

• Observation Time

Accommodations During the Week of DolphinLab:

• Lodging is available onsite at the DRC Residence for up to five (5) teens 

• Teens are supervised by our DolphinLab Chaperone when at the Residence 

• All meals are provided each day of the program

• The DRC Residence is available on a first-come, first-served basis for the first five (5) teens who are selected for the program and indicate on their application that they want to stay at the Residence.

DolphinLab participants who do not stay in the residence and their parents must secure their own accommodations at one of the many local hotels or resorts in Marathon.

• Lunch and snacks are provided each day of the program, but all other meals are the responsibility of the teen and parent.

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 participant once a Lab is confirmed to run. Dolphin Research Center does not handle bookings or payments for any of the participating establishments. 

Tuition:

Tuition for Teen Basic DolphinLab is $1,600.00 (US) without lodging and meals, or $2,050.00 (US) including lodging and all meals during the program. 

Tuition also includes:

• All seminars and outdoor activities

• In-water and out-of-water interactive programs

• Digital photographs of the teen’s dolphin interactions throughout the week   

Tuition does not include:

• Transportation to and from any airport, or to and from DRC each day if the teen is not staying in the DRC Residence. 

• It is the parent and teen’s responsibility to secure or provide transportation.

Scholarship Opportunities:

We know there are many teens whose interest and passion to pursue a career with marine mammals exceeds their bank account. We are excited to announce that, through the generous donation of a DRC Member, the Ariel Aboody Guterman Memorial Teen Basic DolphinLab Scholarship was created. Please visit the Teen DolphinLab Scholarship Opportunities page to learn more and download the application, which is available when DolphinLab enrollment opens within the month of January each year.

Enrollment Requirements and Steps:

1. Both the teen applicant and the parent/legal guardian must complete the “Teen Basic DolphinLab: Parent and Teen Applicant Orientation and the Application Process” webinar. Watch the required webinar here while enrollment is open. The webinar is unavailable when the Lab is closed and filled, or prior to enrollment opening sometime within the month of January each year.

2. A transcript of this required webinar is available upon request for anyone who is hearing impaired. Please email education@dolphins.org to request the transcript if you require this assistance.

3. The teen applicant must complete the Teen Basic DolphinLab application available on DRC’s website. Correspondence in regards to this program is expected to take part between the applicant and supervisors. Parents are encouraged to mentor their teen during the application process. The completed application must be received by the date indicated on the application for the teen to be considered for the program. Applications received after this date will not be considered. 

4. The teen applicant is required to ask for two (2) letters of recommendation (from a non-family member) from past work/volunteer/camp experience and/or character reference. The recommendations should come from individuals the applicant has known for six months or longer. The first and last name, and an active professional email address for each person must be included on the teen’s application. It is the teen's responsibility to ensure the letter of recommendation email addresses are correct when provided on their application.

Once the application is received by the Education department, a member of the Education team will email a link to the people listed on the application. The email will come from education@dolphins.org. The link will allow the people writing the endorsements to complete their recommendation, and return it directly to the Education team for review.