Marine Science Camps

Questions & Answers

What activities will my child participate in during this camp?

Marine Science Camp activities include hands-on field work, tours at and visits from local marine laboratories and researchers, engaging experiments led by scientists and educators, and service opportunities like beach litter sweeps! Other special activities include visiting local state and federal parks and more. All activities relate to a core Marine Science learning objective that is age appropriate, educational, and FUN!

An itinerary with specific activity details will be shared prior to each camp week.

We schedule many different field trips, lab visits, and guest scientists from week to week. Therefore, your child can attend one or both weeks offered for their grade level! Instructor-led activities and experiments also vary. Rarely, we will repeat an activity, but the instructor can always find ways to spice up each week!

When and where do I drop off/pick up my child?

Drop off and pick up procedures are carefully managed. Please lookout for specific instructions given by your camper's team leader. Please note the following to avoid confusion and miscommunication:

1. Please accompany your camper(s) to their camp room/space each day. Do not allow them to enter a building on our campus unaccompanied. Carteret Community College is a public campus; therefore, it is of utmost important to accompany your minor(s) to and from their camp room.
2. At times, the camp group may be waiting outside of the building/camp room before and after daily activities. Do not block traffic with your vehicle during drop off/pick up; do not have your child walk across the road while there are other vehicles in motion.
3. Generally, there is about a 15-minute drop off and pick up period before and after each camp. Please respect this time and notify us before dropping off or picking up outside of the drop off/pick up period. 
4. On some days, there may be activities or trips that require the group to depart the camp room promptly at start time. All planned travel (on or off campus) will be communicated in advance of each trip. Please notify us if your camper(s) will be late so we can coordinate their arrival at a secondary location. If you do not see the camp, please do not leave children in an empty room or with non-camp personnel.
5. Your camper's instructor will communicate specific information regarding drop off and pick up locations/preferences. Please note these communications can be expressed verbally or by email/text. If you receive notice of drop off/pick up instructions from a person that is not your child's instructor OR the Youth Camps Coordinator (Jared Jones), please contact us to confirm that information.
6. When registering for camps, please authorize all persons who may pick up your child from camp (e.g., other parent, sibling, babysitter, family friend). If you are not sure, please provide an Authorized Pick Up Persons list (including all relevant info) to your camper's instructor.
7. We reserve the right to request identification of all persons picking up your camper(s). This is for the safety of ALL campers on our campus. 

What should my camper bring to camp?

Please ensure your camper arrives with all items necessary for their participation each day. A few items are required for their safety/convenience:

• Closed-toe shoes (not Crocs)*
• Sunscreen* (we will have extra, but do not supply specialty brands or preferred SPF specifications)
• Lunch* 
• Water shoes (not Crocs) are encouraged in addition to closed-toe shoes.
  • All water-based activities require closed toe shoes; if you would like your child to participate in such activities without water shoes they must wear their closed-toe shoes for safety. We are not responsible for lost or damaged shoes.
• A towel*
• Bathing suits/fast-dry clothes are encouraged in addition to their daily wear/plain clothes.
• Change of clothes (encouraged, especially for campers who enter the water in their plain clothes)
• Refillable water bottle
• Bag for towel/clothes and extra shoes

*Required

Mobile Phone Policy

While mobile phones are allowed for necessary camper-parent communication, we request non-emergent communications matters be handled before and after camp. If you need to communicate with your child during the camp day, please call the Youth Camps Coordinator (Jared Jones) or instructor to share information. 

Your camper should not use their phone during camp for non-emergent purposes. We encourage your camper to unplug from mobile devices to ensure they spend their time efficiently and constructively at camp. We limit "down time" during camp to avoid mobile phone use. They are allowed to take pictures of exciting findings and activities. We do not request/share your camper's mobile phone numbers, nor should they request/share mobile phone numbers, texts, or images with other campers or camp personnel. Please monitor your camper's phone usage during and after camp. 

Violations of the Mobile Phone Policy are treated as Behavior/Code of Conduct violations. Disciplinary actions will be taken for repeat or severe violations at the discretion of camp personnel.