Camp registration opens on January 20, 2025, for members and January 27, 2025, for non-members. CMA members must log in with their membership-linked account to register during the exclusive member registration week. Please note that reservations cannot be made via email or phone. We recommend signing up early, as spots fill up quickly.

CMA’s Marine Science Camp and Marine Academy Camp are designed for participants aged 5 to 18. To join, campers must be a minimum of 5 years old, have completed Kindergarten, and be no older than 18, currently in high school or having graduated within the most recent semester when their camp begins. For Advanced Marine Biology, campers must be 15 by the day their camp begins. Age verification may be requested prior to the first day of camp. Campers should be registered for a grade-level specific camp based on the grade level completed during the 2024-2025 school year. Clearwater Marine Aquarium reserves the right to cancel or alter reservations for campers registered inaccurately into a grade-level specific camp.

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 during your selected week. Morning sessions are from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, and afternoon sessions run from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You can combine a morning and afternoon camp in the same week for a full-day camp experience from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Advanced Marine Biology, Animal Care 101, Ecosystem Advocates, and Field Investigation are full-day camps that run from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

We offer a variety of camps for different grade levels. Please refer to our camp brochure to see when specific camps are available. For camps offered during multiple weeks, the activities remain the same each week. For example, if Mini Marine Biologist is available the weeks of June 2, June 23, July 14, and August 4, the same schedule and activities will be conducted during each of 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.

Join us for one of our Guardian Gathering Nights designed just for you — our valued camp guardians! Whether you’re a seasoned CMA camp family or gearing up for your first summer camp adventure with us, our virtual sessions are designed to provide invaluable insights into our most frequently asked questions. This is also an opportunity for guardians to connect with our dedicated camp staff, allowing you to gain a comprehensive understanding of what to expect and ensuring a seamless experience for both new and returning families. Join us for a virtual session on one of the dates below!

• May 6th at 5:00 PM
• May 28th at 6:00 PM
• June 25th at 5:30 PM

Virtual meeting information will be sent out via email after registration.

While all of our camps offer opportunities to see our dolphins during aquarium tours, we do not include hands-on dolphin interactions in any of our camps, except for the Meet & Greet and Animal Encounter camps. These programs include the opportunity to go poolside with an Animal Care Specialist during a session with one of our resident dolphins.

Since Clearwater Marine Aquarium operates as a working marine hospital, the health conditions of our resident animals may affect scheduled encounters. While we cannot guarantee encounters on specific days, every effort will be made to reschedule any missed interactions due to animal unavailability or weather conditions. Please note that if your camper is late or absent and misses an interaction, no make-up sessions will be allowed. Additionally, some interactions may require the group to be split in half, with the interactions occurring on different days with different animals.

The Meet & Greet and Animal Encounter camps include a poolside session with a resident dolphin. Opportunities to touch, get wet, or feed the dolphins are not guaranteed during this session. Parents and guardians will not be permitted to watch their camper’s interaction session as it will take place before the aquarium opens. A Fintastic Photo photographer will be present to capture these moments. Photos can be purchased through the pre-purchased Adventure Photo Package or individually via a link sent by the Fintastic Photo Team after the camp.

For the safety of the animals, campers must not wear any jewelry (including earrings) during any interaction where they enter an animal’s habitat (e.g., the Dolphin Complex area). We recommend refraining from wearing jewelry throughout the week, just in case the schedule changes. Campers will be required to leave all personal belongings at a designated location and remove any foreign objects such as jewelry, hair clips, and bags. Campers will not be permitted to bring cameras or phones poolside.

If your child is unable or unwilling to remove their jewelry or other loose articles, they will not be allowed to participate in the interaction and no make-ups will be permitted. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Campers should wear comfortable clothing and shoes during their camp sessions. At the beginning of each summer camp, all participants will be provided with a complimentary t-shirt on the first day. For the safety and supervision of campers, it is highly recommended that campers wear the Camp T-Shirt daily, as it aids our camp staff in easily identifying their campers both inside the aquarium and during field trips. If your camper is in a camp that is scheduled to go snorkeling or kayaking, we recommend that they arrive at camp wearing their bathing suit and closed-toe water shoes. For snorkeling and/or kayaking camps, closed-toe water shoes are mandatory at all times when in the water, and campers will not be allowed to participate in snorkeling or kayaking without them. Fins, open-toed sandals, socks, or flip-flops cannot be substituted for closed-toe water shoes.

For a comfortable and enjoyable camp experience, we recommend all camper bring a snack and a refillable water bottle. For camps with snorkeling or kayaking activities, summer campers should arrive dressed in a bathing suit underneath their camp t-shirt and bottoms each day. In the camper’s backpack, include closed-toe water shoes, mask and snorkel, towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, hat, and insect repellent. Apply sunscreen before arriving, as our staff can only assist with spray-style sunscreens. Water shoes are crucial, given the potential hazards on the bottom of Clearwater Bay, including sharp shells. PLEASE NOTE: Campers will not be allowed to enter the water without closed-toe water shoes. CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM DOES NOT SELL WATER SHOES. Please ensure your camper has closed-toe water shoes before attending camp each day.

Found items will be securely kept in the camp program’s room for the week’s camp session. Campers and camp parents can ask the camp staff to check for lost items in their room or at the Marine Academy’s front desk. Once the weeklong camp session concludes, any unclaimed items will be held at the Marine Academy’s front desk until the end of the summer camp season. If you suspect your child has left an item at camp, please contact us at 727-441-1790 x 2270 or email camps@cmaquarium.org, providing a detailed description of the item. We understand the importance of your belongings and will promptly reach out if we locate them or need additional information. In the event your item is found, the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs will coordinate with you to schedule a pickup time at the Marine Academy entrance. For items lost within the Aquarium and not reported to camp teachers, Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s dedicated lost and found service is available at the Guest Experience desk inside the Aquarium. Your cooperation is appreciated as we strive to reunite you with your belongings

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! Clearwater Marine Aquarium is proud to provide two exciting scholarship opportunities for camp families:

1. The David Kinne Scholarship: This scholarship honors the legacy of David Kinne, a beloved and dedicated colleague at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It is open to students who have completed kindergarten through 12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year. This scholarship covers one full week of camp, including tuition, a gear pack to kickstart your adventure, and daily lunches to fuel your exciting days of exploration. To apply, applicants must complete the application and submit a short essay written by the student. Apply HERE by March 2, 2025!

1. Ron Jon Surf Shop Scholarship: In partnership with Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, this need-based scholarship is available for students who have completed 4th-8th grade during the 2024-2025 school year. This scholarship covers one full week of camp, including tuition, a gear pack to kickstart your adventure, and daily lunches to fuel your exciting days of exploration. Apply HERE by April 30, 2025!

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

On Mondays, it is mandatory for each camper to be escorted into and out of the second-floor RO Jacobson Education Center by an adult during pick-up and drop-off. Parents and guardians are welcome to temporarily park on the second floor of the parking garage for a maximum of 25 minutes. Reserved parking spaces on the second floor are allocated for camp families on Mondays only. On Tuesdays through Fridays, the designated car line area for camper arrival and dismissal is located on the first floor within the parking garage. Upon entering the parking facility, kindly adhere to the guidance provided by the parking attendant, who will direct you to the designated camp car line. You will also receive an email with detailed information on the drop-off and pick-up procedures the week before your camp session begins. We recommend reviewing this information in detail to ensure a smooth check-in and check-out for your camper each day. PLEASE NOTE: Cars exiting the garage 25 minutes or more after entering the garage will be subject to the standard parking fee per our third-party vendor’s policies.

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.

Date changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis once a written request has been submitted by emailing the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs at camps@cmaquarium.org. Date changes are subject to availability and may require Clearwater Marine Aquarium Education managerial approval.

Florida is prone to thunderstorms, tropical storms, red tide, and even hurricanes. There may be times when normal camp schedules need to be altered due to inclement weather or unsafe water conditions, such as extremely high tides rendering the water unsuitable for snorkeling. 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.

Drop-off windows close promptly at the times listed in the 2025 Camp Family Information Handbook. If your camper will be late, please call the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs at 727-441-1790 x2270 and leave a voicemail with your camper’s name, camp, and estimated time of arrival. We will do our best to get them into their camp group upon arrival.

If your camper is scheduled for a snorkeling trip, kayaking trip, or field trip, they must arrive on time, as these excursions cannot be delayed. If late, your camper may need to join a different group, which may not align with their age, until the excursion returns.

For absences, please notify us by emailing camps@cmaquarium.org or calling 727-441-1790 x2270 with your camper’s name and camp. Make-up days are not offered for missed camp days.

If you need to pick up your camper early, before 11:15 am or 3:45 pm, please inform the Camp Supervisor in advance by emailing camps@cmaquarium.org or calling 727-441-1790 x2270 with your camper’s name and camp. Early pick-ups are not permitted between 11:15 am and 11:30 am or between 3:45 pm and 4:00 pm. Failure to notify staff ahead of time may result in delays of up to 30 minutes. If your camper is scheduled for an offsite activity, early pick-ups may require your camper to join a different camp group, which may not align with their age, until you arrive to pick them up.

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.

We do not offer before or after-care services. Campers must be dropped off for morning sessions or full-day camps between 8:15 am and 8:30 am. Afternoon campers and full-day campers must be picked up between 4:00 pm and 4:15 pm. Early arrivals and late pick-ups are not permitted.

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.

Date changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis upon receiving a written request via email to the Supervisor of Conservation Education Programs at camps@cmaquarium.org. Date changes are subject to availability and may require approval from Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Education management.

The new camp date must have open spots. The easiest way to secure your date change is to book the new camp date on our website, then email the confirmation (including the transaction numbers) for both the camp you’re canceling and the one you’re switching to, to camps@cmaquarium.org. We will fully refund the camp you cannot attend.

If you’d prefer to transfer your registration without waiting for a refund, email us the transaction number for the camp you’re canceling and the details of the camp you wish to move to (which must have available spots). We will process the switch and send you a modified confirmation.

For all other cancellations, please refer to our camp cancellation refund policy.

For tax purposes, our EIN is 59-2086737. If you require the following information for external reimbursement, please contact us at camps@cmaquarium.org:

• Proof of employment for camp staff
• Degree verification from a post secondary educational institution for our camp staff
• Proof of your child’s attendance at camp each day (available only until August 8th, 2025)

Please note that these requests will be passed through our HR team, so it may take an extended period of time to process your request.