We are looking forward to another exciting season of Marine Summer Camp at the Seattle Aquarium! Here you will find detailed information, policies, and procedures regarding your upcoming camp session.
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Contacts and forms
Contact info
Registration and form questions:
Phone: (206) 693-6196
Email: registration@seattleaquarium.org
Public Programs Coordinator:
Phone: (206) 693-6241
Email: w.miller@seattleaquarium.org
CampDoc Forms
Every camper must have the following information completed by a parent/legal guardian in order to attend Marine Summer Camp. This information is filled out through our CampDoc system, which handles all camper registrations and payment.
Please return the forms no later than two weeks prior to your camp session:
- Emergency authorization, liability, and media release forms
- Medical health history and authorization form
Other forms
You may also be asked to complete other forms based on your camper’s session. The most common is the field trip approval form (only required for the Evolution in Action, and Innovate, Create and Celebrate camps). These will be sent to you via DocuSign up to two weeks before the start of your camp.
Before and after care
Contact information for before and after care registration questions:
Phone: (206) 693-6196
Email: registration@seattleaquarium.org
How do I pre-register for before and after care?
When you enroll in summer camp, you will be given the option to add before and/or after care to your registration through our CampDoc registration system. Payment for add-ons is handled in CampDoc by adding those charges to your tuition owed. If you decide to sign up for before and/or after care after camp has begun or within a week prior to your first day of camp, please contact Registration and we can add you to your desired days.
Please note that before and after care is not offered for the Micro-biologists camp (July 1 – 3rd) and (Aug 14-16th).
What is the cost for before and after care?
Rates for AM and PM care:
- Before care: $70/week
- After care: $70/week
Before and after care can be purchased by day (at $14 per day) if you will only need it on certain days of the week.
At what times are before and after care available?
Both are available daily: before care is 8–8:45am; after care is 4:15–5pm.
Is the cost of before and after care pro-rated if I do not use the full time?
We charge a flat fee for our before and after care options, no matter how much of the time you use (8–8:45am and/or 4:15–5pm).
Is there a grace period of time for signing my child in/out during drop-off/pickup times?
Drop-off and pickup times can be busy, with multiple families coming and going, and every camper may not be signed in and out at the exact times camp begins and ends. Campers signed in between 8:45 and 9am and signed out between 4 and 4:15pm will not be placed in or charged for before or after care.
What if I arrive later than 5pm to pick up my child?
Camp after care ends at 5pm sharp. If a camper is picked up later than 5pm, a $10 fee will be added for every 15-minute increment thereafter.
Sign-in/-out procedures
Who oversees sign-in/-out?
Marine Summer Camp staff oversee the mandatory, daily signing in/out of all campers. Staff will not sign in campers before 8am. Campers must be signed out by 5pm.
Do I need to bring legal proof of identity?
Yes. You must be age 18 or older to drop off or pick up a camper and must be listed on the emergency authorization, liability, and media release form in CampDoc, including the parent/caregiver. The names listed in CampDoc need to match the government I.D. card presented at sign-out or we cannot release the camper. Camp staff will ask for proof of identification upon sign-out and match it to each camper’s form.
What if I need to arrange for someone to sign out my child who is not on the emergency authorization, liability, and media release form as an authorized adult to pick up?
If your camper is going to be picked up by someone other than those listed on your emergency authorization, liability, and media release form, please ask in person to add a new name to the form when you drop your child off in the morning. Please work with a member of the Camp Admin team to do this. For the safety of the child, we cannot accept this permission by phone, note, email, or request from anyone other than the parent(s)/caregiver(s).
As a parent/caregiver, do I need to accompany my camper to sign-in at the Seattle Aquarium each day?
Yes, a parent/caregiver aged 18 or older must accompany your camper to sign-in by 9am each day. This guarantees that on the first day of camp both the parent/caregiver and camper know our sign-in/-out procedures for the entirety of the week; all necessary forms are completed and turned into camp staff; necessary medication is obtained; and any questions you may have can be answered in person by camp staff. On all other days this ensures the camper’s parent/caregiver knows the camper is met by a camp staff member, and an adult has signed them into the program.
Where is camp sign-in/-out located?
Sign-in/-out is located in the Seattle Aquarium office, upstairs in Pier 59, outside of the camp classrooms. Signs directing you to the “Marine Summer Camp” will be posted outside the Aquarium and throughout the entry up to the office and camp admin staff will help with wayfinding.
Office entry door operating times:
8–9am: Accompany your camper daily for sign-in.
4–5pm: Pick up your camper daily from sign-out.
When arriving to drop off or pick up your child, signage will direct you to the South Entrance of the Aquarium (facing the Great Wheel) instead of the front door. Please ring the bell and wait for Reception to respond at the intercom. Ringing the bell does not automatically open the door, so stay in front of the bell/intercom until the door is opened for you either by a staff member or Reception buzzing you into the building.
Parking and getting here
Where can I park?
There are several convenient paid parking garages near the Aquarium, including the Pike Place Market Garage (with entry on Western Avenue), and paid street parking on Western Avenue and along Alaskan Way to the north of the Aquarium. Because your camper must be signed in and out of camp by an adult every day, and there is no safe or legal place in front of the Aquarium to idle a car, curbside pickup is not permitted.
Please be aware that the City of Seattle is currently conducting major road construction between Alaskan Way and Western Avenue. This may impact parking and camper drop-off and pickup. For more information on driving and parking, please visit our directions and parking page.
What if I don’t drive?
If you bicycle down to the Aquarium, please feel free to walk your bike into the entry space as you drop off or pick up a camper. There are also many mass transit options that require a walk of 15 minutes or less to get to the Aquarium.
Visit our directions and parking page for more information on walking and public transportation.
What to bring to camp sessions
Each camper is provided with a personal cubby in our classroom to stow their belongings. The following items are highly recommended. Make sure to label your belongings.
Required food
- Lunch (campers will not have access to a refrigerator or microwave, so please pack shelf-stable foods for the day).
- At least two snacks. We set aside two 15-minute breaks during which campers can rest and eat their snacks brought from home.
- Please be mindful of airborne allergens when choosing your campers’ snacks; there may be other campers with nut sensitivities and other food-related concerns.
Water
Please bring a water bottle. We have fountains, sinks, and coolers to refill. We also provide cups each day in the event you do not have a water bottle.
Clothing
- Play clothes that are weather appropriate. Shorts and pants are recommended. Skirts and dresses are not recommended. Campers may get dirty!
- Warm layers/jacket if the weather is anticipated to be cool.
- Rain jacket if desired. Some of our habitats are outside with limited shelter.
- Hat to keep any rain or sunshine out of eyes.
- Change of clothes if desired (highly recommended for children aged five and under and/or enrolled in the Microbiologist camp.)
- Closed-toe, comfortable, walking shoes. Please, no sandals. Campers wearing sandals might not be able to participate in “Behind the Scenes” activities.
- Camp t-shirts will be provided on the first day of camp for all age groups except for the Micro-biologist camp (they will receive a hat instead) . Each camper will receive two shirts in their requested size. Campers may arrive in their own shirts and change after settling in, however, campers must wear their camp t-shirt/hat daily for easy identification when in public. Due to health guidelines, we cannot loan t-shirts/hats. If a camper does not come to camp with their t-shirt/hat any day during camp, you will need to purchase one. Additional t-shirts/hats can be purchased at the same rate ($11/t-shirt or hat), subject to availability.
Sunscreen
Please pack enough sunscreen to last your child the entire week. The Seattle-King County Health Department recommends purchasing a level-45 sunscreen and applying it to your child every morning before coming to camp. Camp staff will encourage campers to reapply before outdoor activities.
Other recommended items
Please bring a backpack to carry all camper belongings.
We ask that campers do not bring money to purchase food in our café or items in our gift shop. Campers and parents are welcome to make purchases at the café and gift shop after camp (based on operating hours).
Camp information
Camp code
- Respect the surrounding environment.
- Respect counselors and all other participants with us.
- Respect yourself.
- Have fun!
Marine summer camp staff
- Camp staff and volunteers are present all week; involved in all lessons, games, projects, and activities; and lead all field trips. All paid camp staff are first aid/CPR certified.
- The registration office organizes your online registration, payment, scholarship applications, session attendance and necessary forms to participate. Please contact registration with your registration-related questions: (206) 693-6196 or registration@seattleaquarium.org.
- Camp staff is comprised of the following in each camp session: the Public Programs Coordinator; a Senior Marine Science Educator; a Camp Operations Lead; a Lead Camp Instructor for each class; two Camp Counselors for each class; and Volunteer Counselors who participate in the Seattle Aquarium high school volunteer program and have applied for this position.
Camp ratios
The Seattle Aquarium strives to maintain a better than 1 to 10 staff-to-camper ratio. Our current camp ratio is 3 counselors per 22 campers, except the Microbiologist camp, which has a 1 to 4 staff-to-camper ratio.
Camp teams
Each camp session can accommodate up to 22 youth, who are divided into groups of a maximum of 11 campers each. One counselor is assigned to each group and stays with that group for the entire week. Additionally, administration staff and high school-aged Volunteer Counselors provide support in the classroom throughout the day and during camp lunch.
Camp schedule of events
You and your camper will receive the final schedule of activities on the first day of camp via email. To focus the camper’s experience, each day’s activities are organized around a major aquatic theme.
Please note that the first day of camp involves setting expectations and establishing behavioral norms. We do our best to ensure every day of Marine Summer Camp is fun and educational. However, if your camper doesn’t find Monday exciting, please know we dive right into the week’s activities once the first day’s formalities are covered.
Friday: Campers are welcome to take their families to explore the habitats after camp sign-out to share what they have learned about the animals they spent the week with!
Lunchtime: Weather permitting, campers will primarily have lunch offsite on Pier 62, immediately north of the Aquarium. If Pier 62 is unavailable, lunch will be held on the back deck of the Aquarium (Pier 59). If necessary, camp rooms will be used as an alternative. Per camp policy, we kindly ask that parent(s)/caregiver(s) do not join their campers for lunch on Pier 62. This can disrupt the flow of the camper’s day and may become a safety concern for camp staff who are not acquainted with you.
Celebrating campers’ birthdays
If your child’s birthday falls during the camp session and they would like to celebrate it at camp, please follow these steps:
- Notify camp staff of your child’s birthday.
- We will celebrate all birthdays on the last day of the session.
- Families may bring in treats of their choice to share. Up to 30 servings total.
- Camp staff will ask authorized adults if they would like to pick out a treat for their camper at sign-out.
Camp medical and emergency policies
Caregivers/parents of campers needing to take prescription or over-the-counter medications during camp hours must complete the medication authorization and administration form on CampDoc. This form provides authorization for designated camp personnel to dispense medications at specified dosages and times. Medications will be collected the first morning of camp and secured in a safe place, with the exception of children with life-threatening conditions needing to self-administer medications, such as inhalers or epi-pens. These can always remain with the child at the parent/caregiver’s discretion.
All prescriptions must be current and medications in their original containers, with the child’s name, prescribing physician, dosage, and instructions for administering clearly printed on the container. If the dosage is different than indicated on the package, a physician’s signature is required. Non-prescription medications will be dispensed only under specific written instruction from the parent/caregiver or a physician.
In order to help ensure camper safety, all camp staff have undergone a background check and are trained and certified in first aid/CPR. If a minor injury (i.e., skinned knee) occurs during camp, your child will be treated according to the discretion of camp staff and an incident report will be filed. You will be notified of the injury during sign-out at the end of the day. If a camper suffers a non-life-threatening injury (i.e., broken arm) we will notify the parent/caregiver immediately and transport the child to a nearby medical facility. In the unlikely event of a serious injury or illness, emergency personnel will be notified immediately, after which the parent/caregiver will be notified. Please note that all medical treatment is at the discretion and judgment of camp personnel. Medical expenses incurred while participating in Seattle Aquarium’s Marine Summer Camps are the sole responsibility of the camper’s parent/caregiver.
Emergency procedures
In the rare event of a serious illness/injury the following procedures will be followed:
- Contact 911.
- Administer immediate first aid/CPR.
- Report incident to the Public Programs Coordinator, who will call parent/caregiver or emergency contact.
- Transport to the nearest hospital (if necessary).
- File accident/medical report with Seattle Aquarium.
If an emergency arises and you need to contact a child during camp, please call:
- Registration at (206) 693-6196.
- Aquarium front desk at (206) 386-4300. Note: this number is for emergencies only. An Aquarium staff member will locate camp staff and the child for you.
Reporting absences or illnesses
Call camp (we are not always available to pick up the phone but will return your call). You can leave a message for camp staff at the Registration number: (206) 693-6196.
The parent /caregiver is responsible for notifying Marine Summer Camp staff if their child will be absent for any part of the day. If we have not heard from you 30 minutes after the start of camp, Registration will call you to check on your attendance status.
Illness
Children not well enough to follow the day’s activities will not be allowed to attend camp. This includes children with the following symptoms: vomiting, fever, early cold, discharged eyes, stomach pain, active rash, diarrhea, sore throat, and/or nausea.
While attending camp, if a child exhibits signs of illness they will be isolated from other campers and kept comfortable while the parent/caregiver is notified. If they cannot be reached, emergency contacts on their form will be called.
COVID-19 policies
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for campers.
Children with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis will not be permitted to attend camp. Children with a COVID-19 diagnosis within their household must show proof of a negative test each day before attending camp for the remainder of the session. Adults should inform Registration at (206) 693-6196 immediately upon receiving a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Refunds for full or partial weeks are available only to those who inform the Seattle Aquarium immediately after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. For more information, see “rescheduling due to illness or emergency” section.
Masks are optional for children in camp. Please inform camp admin staff if you would like your camper to wear a mask during camp and we will do our best to encourage the camper to keep their mask on.
Marine Summer Camp has both indoor and outdoor components (except for the Micro-biologist camp). Campers will eat outdoors for lunch, weather permitting.
The Seattle Aquarium has increased sanitation protocols in all spaces campers will be using, including classrooms and restrooms. Additionally, efforts have been made to improve air quality in indoor spaces.
The Seattle Aquarium will adjust safety policies based on the King County infection numbers and local/state restrictions. Contagious disease incidents are reported to the King County Health Department at (206) 587-2774. Please contact registration@seattleaquarium.org if you have questions or concerns about our policies.
Other contagious diseases
Adults should inform the camp coordinator immediately if a child contracts a contagious disease or is exposed to one. This includes, but is not limited to: chicken pox, conjunctivitis, mumps, measles and viral infections. Marine Summer Camp will post a notice to alert others. Children being treated with antibiotics for a contagious disease may not return to our facility until they have been using the medication for 24–48 hours and/or they aren’t contagious. Incidents of contagious disease are reported to the King County Health Department at (206) 587-2774.
Rescheduling due to illness or emergency
In the event of a child’s illness or family emergency, please coordinate with camp staff via registration@seattleaquarium.org to try to move your camper to another session. There is no charge for moving a camper to another camp session, although camps fill up and the waitlist is not a guarantee of entry. Refunds will be determined at the discretion of the Public Programs Coordinator and are not guaranteed.
Pro-rating camp fees
We do not pro-rate tuition fees for illness, absence, behavioral suspensions, or unannounced vacations the week of your camp session. Whether they attend, children enrolled in Marine Summer Camp are reserving time, space, supplies, and staff.
*Refunds for absences related to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or other sudden, unexpected illness for campers or members of their immediate households will be determined at the discretion of the Public Programs Coordinator and aren’t guaranteed.
Cancellation policy
No refunds are given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the first day of camp. For cancellations made more than 14 days prior to first day of a program, a 90% refund will be given to reflect administration costs.
There is no charge for moving a camper to another camp session, although camps fill up and the waitlist is not a guarantee of entry. In the event of a child’s illness or family emergency, please coordinate with camp staff via registration@seattleaquarium.org to see if another date is available.
The Seattle Aquarium reserves the right to cancel any program. In the event that the Seattle Aquarium cancels a program, all program fees will be refunded.
Behavioral guidelines
To maintain a safe and cooperative setting, Seattle Aquarium Marine Summer Camp has specific policies and limitations that govern our facilities, program staff, and the behavior of each child. Compliance with imposed limits and policies of the facility and program is expected. Should it become necessary to correct or resolve any dangerous or disruptive behavior, Marine Summer Camp staff will follow these steps:
- Reasoning: Verbal communication between the child and staff where problems and solutions are identified.
- Time away: Removal from specific activity for a short period of time followed by child/staff conference.
- Parent or caregiver/child/staff conference to discuss the situation and concerns.
- Dismissal from program if the issue is unresolved after the first three steps.
Marine Summer Camp staff use a positive behavior reinforcement system to encourage appropriate behavior. No form of physical discipline or spanking is allowed. Our aim is to minimize the need for disciplinary methods. Your registration and attendance at Marine Summer Camp demonstrates your agreement to these discipline guidelines.
Participants with accommodations: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to providing programs and services accessible to individuals with needs for accommodations. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Registration at (206) 693-6196 or registration@seattleaquarium.org with at least 14 working days’ notice prior to your program date to discuss how we may accommodate your needs.
Statement of inclusion: The Seattle Aquarium does not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include employment decisions or policies, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, visitors, and program participants.
Service animals and pets: Service animals are the only outside animals permitted inside the Seattle Aquarium. Please do not walk or bring in your pets at camp pickup/drop off. This is for the health and safety of our campers (who may not be able to come in close contact with pets), the marine animals in our care, and Aquarium guests.
Toys and valuables: Please do not allow your child to bring any valuables to camp. Our facility and staff will not be held responsible for items that become lost or broken. If your child has a cell phone, we ask it only be used to call parents/caregivers. If you require your child to have their cell phone “on” we ask that it remains on a vibrate/silent setting. Camp staff reserves the right to confiscate disruptive items, which will be returned at the end of the day. Toy weapons, weapons, and fireworks are not permitted.
Exceptions can be made for a necessary sensory toy or object. Please let camp staff know that your child needs this item at the initial camp check-in and also note it in CampDoc under the medical section.
Lost and found items: Found items are kept in the Marine Summer Camp program’s room until the end of that week’s camp session. Camp staff can check to see if lost items have been found. After the camp session has ended, any unclaimed items will be held at the Seattle Aquarium Guest Services desk at the main entrance for 30 days. Hours: 9:30am–5pm daily. Phone: (206) 386-4300.
Questions?
Phone: (206) 693-6196
Email: registration@seattleaquarium.org
Thank you and see you this summer!
