Summer Camps
Looking for kid-friendly, hands-on, feet-in marine science? You’ve found it!
Registration Information
Camp registration is full but waitlists may be available.
REGISTER HERE
If you have any questions, contact Anne Lindsay at lindsaya@uga.edu.
The UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium has been providing science day camps every summer since 1993. Our camps allow kids to grow up learning about the Georgia Coast. Our Summer Marine Science Camp (SMSC) sessions emphasize marine science and coastal ecology while nurturing the curiosity and stewardship potential in each child.
We offer informal, team oriented, memorable camp experiences that balance detailed study with exploration and the opportunity to make new friends. Each SMSC session is designed to meet the learning stages and styles of kids ages 6-13.
Camp sessions include explorations of the salt marsh, live animal lessons (marine invertebrates, fish and coastal reptiles), maritime forest hikes, crabbing from the dock and more. Information about each session is provided below.
Low student to staff ratios ensure personal attention and mentoring for your camper. Summer camp staff includes UGA marine education faculty, marine education fellows and summer interns. Camp sessions are high energy, chock full and lots of fun!
Sea Squirts – Age 6
This session introduces very young scientists to the plants, animals and habitats of Georgia’s coast. Sea Squirts will discover the wonders of salt marshes, estuaries and the maritime forest. They will visit resident animals in the Center’s touch tanks and aquarium. Indoor nature craft activities balance outdoor games and exploration.
Sea Squirts runs Monday – Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please note this is a 3 day camp.
Lunch, t-shirt and camp materials included.
5:1 instructional ratio. Limit 30 participants per session.
Session 1: June 16-18, 2025 – FULL
$210 per camper
Sea Camp – Ages 7-8
This session offers just the right mix of hands-on field experiences, outdoor games and introductory labs. Sea Campers will explore salt marsh and maritime forest habitats, study the organisms that make the Skidaway River home, dissect a squid and use microscopes to observe plankton. Multiple opportunities to interpret nature through art included.
Sea Camp runs Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lunch, t-shirt and camp materials included.
5:1 instructional ratio. Limit 30 participants per session
Session 1: June 2-6, 2025 – FULL
Session 2: July 14-18, 2025 – FULL
$380 per camper
Salty Dawgs – Ages 9-10
Salty Dawgs offers in depth study of coastal waters and includes field, lab and boat experiences. Campers will study fresh, brackish and marine water communities in the field using water quality testing and standard sampling equipment and meet the animals that live there. Highlights of the week will include a trawling trip aboard the R/V Sea Dawg and a fish dissection.
Salty Dawgs runs Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lunch, t-shirt and camp supplies included.
5:1 instructional ratio. Limit 30 participants per session.
Session 1: June 9-13, 2025 – FULL
Session 2: July 21-25, 2025 – FULL
$440 per camper
Marine Science Mariners – Ages 11-12
This camp will combine field work and lab study experiences for students to learn physical oceanography, navigation, chart plotting, seamanship, maritime history and more. This camp includes a trip to Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge, a trawl aboard the R/V Sea Dawg, and the opportunities to learn from captains and scientists about the coast from a mariner’s perspective.
Marine Science Mariners runs Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lunch, t-shirt and camp supplies included.
5:1 instructional ratio. Limit 30 participants per session.
Session 1: July 7-11, 2025 – FULL
$440 per camper
Coastal Guardians – Age 11-13
Participants will study coastal habitats and water through data collection using standard scientific instruments aboard the R/V Sea Dawg and a trip to Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. With awareness and field experience, Guardians will gain appreciation for the complexity of coastal ecology and begin their work as stewards of Georgia’s coast.
Coastal Guardians runs Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lunch, t-shirt and camp supplies included.
5:1 instructional ratio. Limit 30 participants per session.
Session 1: June 23-27, 2025 – FULL
$440 per camper