Summer Camps
Looking for kid-friendly, hands-on, feet-in marine science? You’ve found it!
Registration Information
You will be able to register for 2022 Summer Marine Science Camps at noon on April 11, 2022, via the link below.
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. Each SMSC session is tailored to meet the learning stages and styles of kids ages 6-14.
Camp sessions include explorations of the salt marsh, live animal lessons, maritime forest hikes, crabbing from the dock and more. Information about weekly sessions available for different age groups will be available soon.
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
What is a Sea Squirt? Find out in this camp designed to introduce very young scientists to the animals and habitats of Georgia’s coast. Sea Squirts will discover the wonders of salt marshes, estuaries and the maritime forest. They’ll spend time visiting with resident animals in the Center’s touch tanks and aquarium. Indoor nature craft activities balance outdoor games and exploration.
Session runs Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. T-shirt and arts and crafts materials included.
5:1 instructional ratio
Limited to 30 participants
Session 1: June 13 – 17, 2022
$225 per camper
Sea Camp – Ages 7-8 – FULL
This session offers just the right mix of hands-on field experiences, outdoor games and introductory labs for this active age. Campers will explore salt marsh, maritime forest and sandy beaches on Skidaway and Tybee Islands, and fish with a cane pole at the DNR Fish Hatchery freshwater ponds.
Sea Camp sessions run Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. T-shirt, arts and crafts materials and field trip transportation included.
5:1 instructional ratio
Limited to 30 participants per session
Session 1: June 6-10, 2022 (FULL)
Session 2: July 18 – 22, 2022 (FULL)
$275 per camper
Salty Dawgs – Ages 9-10
Salty Dawgs offers in depth study of coastal waters and includes field, lab and boat experiences. We’ll 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 trip to Tybee Island and a trawling trip aboard the R/V Sea Dawg.
Salty Dawgs sessions run Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. T-shirt, lab supplies and field trip transportation included.
5:1 instructional ratio. Limit 30 participants per session.
Session 1: June 27 – July 1, 2022 (FULL)
Session 2: July 25 – 29, 2022
$345 per camper
Fishing for Fun – Ages 11-12
In this session, campers will learn the importance of restoring, protecting and preserving habitats of coastal Georgia and the important role that these areas play with regard to local fisheries. Lab and field work investigating both conservation and research efforts related to coastal Georgia’s commercial and recreational fisheries will allow the students to learn about shrimp, blue crab and oysters. Students will study nearby rivers aboard the R/V Sea Dawg, explore the beaches of Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge, and fish and crab in tidal rivers.
Fishing for Fun runs Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. T-shirt, lab supplies and field transportation included.
5:1 instructional ratio
Limited to 30 participants
Session 1: June 21 – 24, 2022 *Please note that this is a four day camp. June 20 is a UGA Holiday.*
$295 per camper
Coastal Guardians – Age 12-14 – FULL
During this exploratory week, participants will learn from professional scientists the ways in which we investigate our coastal environment. Students will gain in-depth understandings of coastal habitats and waters through data collection 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. T-shirt, lab supplies and field transportation included.
5:1 instructional ratio
Limited to 30 participants
Session 1: July 11-15, 2022 (FULL)
$345 per camper