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Teen Intermediate DolphinLab

Course Information

Teen Intermediate DolphinLab builds on the knowledge and experience gained in Teen Basic DolphinLab, while still incorporating plenty of fun along with quality educational information. This program not only features the advanced study of dolphins, but also explores other marine mammals, including sea lions, manatees, river dolphins, and more. 

• For teens ages 15-17, must complete Teen Basic DolphinLab first

• 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

• Students work together on a group project, which includes acquiring and/or improving public speaking skills

• Opportunities to pursue personal interests 

• Opportunities to explore careers in the marine mammal field through interaction with Dolphin Research Center staff

• Blend of hour-long informative, discussion-based seminars, different from the Teen Basic course 

• Observation time of DRC's dolphins and sea lions 

• Hands-on activities

• Additional information and required waivers and forms are provided in the Welcome Packet emailed to each teen and parent  

• Teen must complete Teen Basic DolphinLab prior to participating

Seminars May Include:

• Public Speaking and Animal Interpretation

• Baleen Whales & Whaling

• Manatees

• Marine Mammals in the Military

• Marine Mammals in the Media

• Pinnipeds

• River Dolphins

Interactive Programs May Include:

• One trainer-guided Play with the Dolphin session, from the floating dock

• Two trainer-guided Dolphin Encounter in-water sessions 

• One trainer-guided signal session from the floating dock

Additional Hands-On Activities May Include:

• Observation time

• Career shadowing

• Informal interviews with training staff

• A group project to gain and/or improve public speaking skills

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 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 Intermediate 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, activities, and 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 transportation.

Students must successfully complete Teen Basic DolphinLab before participating in Teen Intermediate. 

• These labs are offered consecutively 
• The teen may enroll in both Labs within the same summer; however, Dolphin Research Center reserves the right to determine whether the student continues on to Teen Intermediate DolphinLab based on his/her performance in Teen Basic DolphinLab.