Camp registration will open on our website for current CMA Members on January 9, 2023, and to the public on January 16, 2023. CMA Members will need to log in with their account that is linked to their membership to register during the week of January 9, through January 15, 2023. No email or phone reservations will be accepted. We recommend signing up early as spots fill quickly.

You can either select another camp or join the waitlist. To join the waitlist, you will need to log in like you would to register for the camp. Afterward, you will select “Join Waitlist” for each camp you would like to be on the waitlist for. Select “REQUEST WAITLIST” to open a form requesting additional information. Joining the waitlist is free, but does not guarantee a spot in the camp. Ensure you provide an email that is frequently checked as that is the email that will be contacted if a spot opens up.

Each camp is a 5-day program running Monday through Friday of the week you select. Morning camp sessions run from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and afternoon camp sessions run from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You can purchase a morning and afternoon camp in the same week for a full-day camp experience (8:30 am to 4:00 pm). Advanced Marine Biology is a full-day camp that runs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

We offer multiple camps for each grade level. Please see our camp brochure to see when each camp is offered. For camps that are offered multiple weeks, the same activities will be conducted during those weeks.

Each camp has a different schedule that goes with the educational curriculum that corresponds with the camp. Please check the description in the camp brochure and/or the registration website to find out how many days your camper will be snorkeling, kayaking, and going on field trips.

While all of our camps will have opportunities to see our dolphins during aquarium tours, Sense-sational Sea Creatures, Meet & Greet, and Animal Encounter are the only camps that include a dolphin interaction. We recommend signing up for these camps early as space is extremely limited and spots fill up quickly.

Each camper will receive a camp shirt on the first day of camp and campers should wear this shirt each day. If your camper is in a snorkeling camp, they should come wearing a bathing suit and closed-toe water shoes. If your camper is not snorkeling, they should come in comfortable clothing and shoes.

We recommend packing a snack and bringing a refillable water bottle for all campers. For camps that include snorkeling, summer campers should come dressed in a bathing suit underneath their camp t-shirt and bottoms every day as the snorkeling schedule may change. In your camper’s backpack, please include closed-toe water shoes, mask and snorkel, towel, undergarments to change into, sunscreen, hat, and insect repellent. It is recommended that your camper applies sunscreen before arriving at camp as our staff can only assist with spray-style sunscreens. Please note: closed-toe water shoes are required and campers will not be able to participate in water activities without them as shells and other items located on the bottom of Clearwater Bay may be sharp and hazardous. CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM DOES NOT SELL WATER SHOES.

If something from a camper has been lost in the classroom, it will be reported to camp teachers to try and return the lost item that week. If an item is lost in the Aquarium and has not been found/reported to the camp teachers, Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s lost and found service is located at the Guest Experience desk inside the Aquarium.

We will have camp as scheduled on the 4^th of July.

No, for the safety of all campers and staff, parents or guardians are not allowed to follow, attend, or volunteer in our camp programs.

Yes! Our partner hotel Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club is offering special rates for campers this year!

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Yes! Clearwater Marine Aquarium is proud to offer the Ron Jon & Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation Foundation, Inc., Scholarship for our amazing summer camp programs for graduates of 4th to 8th grade. Each scholarship will cover the cost of 1 week of full-day camp tuition (two $240 camp sessions), a camp gear pack, and daily lunches, during selected weeks throughout the summer. All applications must be received by end of day on Friday, June 9th, 2023, but will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.

 Apply for the scholarship here.

You will receive an email with detailed information on the drop-off and pick-up procedures the week before your camp session begins. Please review this information to ensure a smooth check-in and check-out for your camper each day.

Refunds on camp payments will be processed once written notification has been submitted by emailing the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs at camps@cmaquarium.org. In the event of a cancellation, an 80% refund will be issued if the written cancellation request is received 15 days or more before the first day of camp. Cancellations within 14 to 5 days prior to the camp start will receive a partial refund of 50% of the total cost. Cancellations 4-0 days prior to the camp start will NOT receive a refund. Full or partial refunds will NOT be issued to summer campers who attend one or more days of camp. Make-up days will not be offered for absences from camp.

Florida is prone to thunderstorms, tropical storms, red tides, and even hurricanes. There may be times when normal camp schedules need to be altered due to inclement weather or unsafe water conditions. In these instances, Clearwater Marine Aquarium has indoor classroom activities planned for campers. For camps that include snorkeling, traveling, kayaking, or any other outdoor activities (including animal encounters), we will adjust our outdoor schedules in the event of inclement weather or water conditions, for the safety of our campers. We will make every effort to resume normal camp schedules on inclement weather days as soon as possible. Since Clearwater Marine Aquarium does not have control over inclement weather or water conditions, we cannot guarantee that campers scheduled in these camps will snorkel, travel, kayak, or participate in an outdoor activity every day. Therefore, we will not issue full or partial refunds due to inclement weather. In the event of a hurricane or other event in which the Aquarium may be subject to closure, please check cmaquarium.org for information on camp operation.

If you camper will be late, please call the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs at 727-441-1790 x 2270 and leave a voicemail with your camper’s name, camp, and your estimated time of arrival. We will make every effort possible to have them join their camp as soon as you arrive. If your camper will be absent, please contact the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs by emailing camps@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 2270 and leave a voicemail with your camper’s name and camp. Make-up days will not be offered for absences from camp.

Yes, campers are encouraged to bring snacks with them to camp. If your camper is in both morning and afternoon camp, you can either pack them lunch or pre-purchase a catered lunch. Please see the camp brochure for more information about our catered lunches. Due to a significant increase in severe nut allergies, CMA will no longer allow items containing peanuts or tree nuts in camp. Please pack your camper’s lunches and snacks accordingly. We appreciate your help in keeping our campers safe and healthy.

It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the Camp Supervisor verbally and in writing that his/her child has an allergy, is anaphylactic, or potentially anaphylactic. This must also be listed on the camp registration form. The Aquarium is not free of food items and non-food items that may lead to a severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction. Clearwater Marine Aquarium will make every reasonable effort to reduce the risk to children with severe allergies or anaphylaxis. Due to a significant increase in severe nut allergies, CMA will no longer allow items containing peanuts or tree nuts in camp. Please pack your camper’s lunches and snacks accordingly. We appreciate your help in keeping our campers safe and healthy.

Mid-day Extended Care is supervised time available to those parents who need a late pick-up after morning camp or an early drop-off for afternoon camp sessions. Mid-day Extended Care provides an opportunity for campers to rehydrate, fuel up, and eat lunch. Mid-day extended care is included for campers who are enrolled in a morning and afternoon session of camp. Mid-day Extended Care can be added on for $25 per camper during the registration process or by calling the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs at 727-441-1790 x 2270.

No, campers must be dropped off for morning sessions between 8:15 am and 8:30 am and picked up between 3:50 pm and 4:00 pm.

For your camper’s safety, camp staff will only release your child to an authorized pick-up person with a valid photo ID at sign-out.  Authorized pick-ups are provided during registration. If your child will be picked up by someone not provided during the initial registration, you will need to notify Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff in person during check-in or by emailing camps@cmaquarium.org. If you fail to notify staff prior to pick up, there may be a delay as Education staff will need to contact the authorized parents/guardians to confirm authorization.

In addition, all persons, bags, parcels, and other items may be subject to screening/security checks upon arrival at camp. No weapons of any kind, bicycles, skateboards, recreational scooters, skates, glass containers, or balloons are permitted at CMA for the safety of our guests, animals, and staff. For a full list of prohibited items and activities, please visit our Aquarium Rules page. Campers are encouraged to bring clear bags in order to reduce wait times during check-in.