Dolphin Marine Biology Camp 3 Days
Date – Time
Marine Biology Dolphin Camp 3 Days
– 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Additional Information
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Dolphin Camp
$255.00 Per Student
Add On
Shallow Water Encounter $185.00 or Signature Dolphin Swim $260.00
Location: Key Largo, Florida
Participants will have the unique opportunity to work closely with marine biologists during the dolphins' daily husbandry sessions. The program includes a facility tour and various roles and STEM activities, such as studying dolphin anatomy, exploring other marine mammals, and even painting with a dolphin. Furthermore, shallow water and dolphin swims may also be added to the camp experience.
Minimum of ten campers required for Dolphins Pluss to host this camp.
Proposed Schedule
Day 1
9:30 AM
- Arrival and Check-in
- Introduction to Marine Mammals and Adaptive Anatomy
10:00 AM
- Advanced Blubber Experiment: Exploring blubber vs. buoyancy, mammalian dive response, pressure, and echolocation
11:00 AM
- Baleen vs. Toothed Whales: Includes a science experiment on feeding strategies
11:45 AM
- Lunch: Options to eat inside the classroom or in the picnic area
12:30 PM
- Seals vs. Sea Lions: Compare and contrast their similarities and differences; learn about sea lion rookeries and play the Ark, Bark, Snark game
1:30 PM
- Paint with a Dolphin! (may be divided into two sessions based on participation)
1:45 PM
- Marine Mammal Strandings: Mock Stranding activity
3:00 PM - End of Day
Day 2
9:30 am
- Marine Mammal Care Lab
10:30 am
- Observe husbandry session- tooth brushing, weights, hydration, ultrasound, blood approx.?
10:45 am
- Vet lab rotations- visit our vet lab, look at cells in the microscope, ultrasound challenge! (Depending on group size, we may divide the group in half and rotate between the ultrasound challenge and vet lab, or keep as one group)
11:45 am
- Lunch- inside classroom or picnic area
12:30 pm
- Animal Training and the Training Game
1:45 pm
- Dockside Training Session- Meet and Greets and training signals
2:15 pm
- Dolphin Body Language
2:45 pm
- Extension on body language- how do divers communicate underwater?
3:00 pm - End of Day
Day 3
9:30 am
- Dolphin Identification Activity
10:30 am
- Become a Scientific Researcher! Capture photos of dolphins and then utilize the photo ID catalog to identify them!
10:45 am
- Coral Reefs: Explore Anatomy/Feeding Activity, learn about Coral Bleaching, and take on the role of a Coral Restoration Specialist!
11:45 am
- Lunch: Relax in the classroom for some air-conditioned comfort or Picnic Lunch
12:30 pm
- Animal Cognition Activity
1:45 pm
- Environmental Enrichment: Lesson and DIY Enrichment Toy
2:15 pm
- Dolphin Enrichment Session
2:45 pm
- Touch Tank (this activity may vary depending on the number of kids not participating in the dolphin interaction)
Rules for Dolphin Interaction
3:00 pm
- End of Day
Optional Add On Dolphin Interaction
Option 1
Shallow Water Dolphin Interaction
$185 Per Person
The Shallow Water Dolphin Encounter here at Dolphins Plus is a waist deep dolphin interaction program. The program allows you to meet our dolphins up close and personal, while standing comfortably in shallow water. This program is fun and easy! Our dolphins will come to you for interactive behaviors like body rubs, handshakes or hand kisses. Hands down, one of the Florida Keys favorites.
We let the dolphins guide the programs, therefore behaviors with them will vary. Everything we do is based on the dolphins overall welfare and success, giving our guests a unique and fun experience.
- Participants must understand English or be accompanied by a paid spectating translator.
- Minimum age for this program is 3 years.
- Participants between the ages of 3-5 must be accompanied by a paid participating adult capable of holding them in the water.
- Pregnant women are not permitted to participate in our in-water encounters. They are welcome to participate in our dockside and paint programs.
Option 2
Signature Dolphin Swim
$260.00 Per Person
In our Signature Swim program following an educational briefing, you will start off by getting to know your doplphin while standing comfortably in one of our shallow water areas.
We will then have you swim off into the deeper water to do two of the deep water behaviors, one high energy such as a foot push or dorsal tow and one pose such as a kiss, cradle or pole jump. Your program will then conclude back in that shallow area for some up-close intimate behaviors with your dolphins such as body rubs and belly rubs.
We let the dolphins guide the programs, therefore behaviors with them will vary. Everything we do is based on the dolphins overall welfare and success, giving our guests a unique and fun experience.
- Participants must understand English or be accompanied by a paid participating translator.
- Minimum age for this program is 7 years.
- Participants ages 7-9 must be accompanied by a paid participating adult
- Pregnant women are not permitted to participate in our in-water encounters. They are welcome to participate in our dockside and paint programs.
- Participants must be good swimmers.
We are in the process of finalizing a group room block for the upcoming week of camp. Members will be notified via email as soon as it becomes available. Additional details and links will be posted here.
As a nonprofit organization, Florida Explorers Association allocates all collected funds toward its events. Refunds will only be issued if a complete cancellation is necessary.
Thank you for choosing and supporting Florida Explorers Association, where students' ideas transform into immersive, hands-on learning opportunities.
Please Note: The Florida Explorers Association does not process refunds. In the event that cancellation becomes necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, you may submit a request for consideration. While we try our best to accommodate such requests and may offer partial refunds, this is not guaranteed. Cancellations requested prior to the registration deadline may be considered, excluding processing fees, in approved circumstances. Florida Explorers Association is a non-profit organization; all funds and fees collected go directly to supporting our education programs and students. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support and active participation.
Attention FTC scholarship families: Please be advised that the Florida Explorers Association cannot guarantee that all offerings and learning experiences will be approved for reimbursement by your scholarship provider. While we strive to meet all necessary qualifications and the majority of families have received approvals, we still cannot offer an absolute guarantee.
When submitting for reimbursement, we recommend categorizing our offerings under "Homeschool Curriculum," as you will be purchasing a curriculum kit, books, or supplies that you are responsible for teaching and utilizing at home or in a homeschool group setting. Please note that we do not provide structured classroom lessons and do not fall under the “class” category as we are not a brick and mortar school. In some cases we are able to provide creditials for hired field experience instructors upon request.
Signups
Deadline for Signup: 4/18/2025 at 12:00 PM EST