TEEN DolphinLab PROGRAMS (AGES 15-17) :
	TEEN BASIC DolphinLab (DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE)
	TEEN INTERMEDIATE DolphinLab
	TEEN MARINE MAMMAL CARE AND BASIC TRAINING
	APPLICATIONS
	COURSE DATES
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Course Information Teen Basic DolphinLab is a seven-day program that surveys a wide range of knowledge, theories and ongoing research concerning dolphins, the marine environment and related issues. Students meet DRC's resident dolphin population, learning to respect each dolphin as an individual through observation of their unique behavioral and physical characteristics. The course includes a unique blend of seminars, observation time, and hands-on activities and proves that learning can be fun! Class sizes average twelve to fourteen students to ensure individualized instruction.

Seminars Include: Acoustics, Conservation, Coral Reef Ecology, Dolphin Intelligence, Dolphin Physiology, Husbandry, Marine Mammal Law, Marine Mammal Strandings, Maternity, Research at DRC, and Training. Hands-On Activities Include: One Dolphin Dip session, two Deep Water Dolphin Encounter sessions, and a signal session from the dock. Additional Activities Include: Field trip, Medical Demonstration, Observation Time, Research Workshop, Signal Workshop, Training Demonstration, and Training Workshop.

College Credit
Students may elect to receive college credit for attending Teen Basic and Teen Marine Mammal Care and Basic Training DolphinLab. It is not available for the Teen Intermediate DolphinLab. Credit is available through the Florida Keys Community College for an additional fee. In order to receive credit, students must be at least 16 years old, receive written permission from their school principal, and successfully complete all course activities and pass an end of course exam. Interested students must register and pay all fees to the Florida Keys Community College before the course starts. For further information please contact the Education Department at (305) 289-1121 ext. 225.

Cost
The cost of Teen Basic DolphinLab is $1500.00 (US). Tuition includes all seminars, activities, meals, lodging, a field trip and a CD of photographs of your dolphin interactions throughout the week. The cost of Teen Basic DolphinLab also includes transportation to and from the Key West Airport at pre-established times that you will be provided after you are a confirmed student.  Teen Basic DolphinLab tuition also includes the cost of our chaperone, a DRC staff member who resides at the dorm and supervises evening activities.

Prerequisites
Although there are no prerequisites for attending Basic DolphinLab, applicants should have a strong desire to experience and learn about dolphins and the marine world. Teen Basic DolphinLab is available to individuals aged 15-17.

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Course Information Teen Intermediate DolphinLab is a seven-day program that includes advanced study of dolphins, and explores other marine mammals including sea lions, manatees, river dolphins and more. The format is similar to Basic DolphinLab, but this course offers more time for students to work together on a group project and pursue their personal interests. Intermediate DolphinLab also allows students opportunities to explore careers in the marine mammal field. The course includes a unique blend of seminars, observation time, and hands-on activities and proves that learning can be fun! Class sizes average twelve to fourteen students to ensure individualized instruction. Seminars Include: Baleen Whales, Manatees, Navy Dolphins, Marine Mammals in the Media, Pinnipeds, River Dolphins, and Whaling. Hands-On Activities Include: One Play with the Dolphins session, two Deep Water Dolphin Encounter sessions, and a signal session. Additional Activities Include: Field trip, observation time, career shadowing, informal interviews with training staff, public surveys, and a group project.

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Course Information Working closely with our Education and Animal Care and Training staff, students take a hands-on approach to learning about basic training methods and husbandry care practices with DRC’s dolphin family.

Students participate in a number of interactive activities, including a meet and greet wade-in session, a swim session as well as multiple sessions down on the docks gaining training experience with the dolphins throughout the week. As a part of their introduction into marine mammal care and behavior, students will experience hands on learning opportunities in dolphin husbandry and training, including diet preparation; and how to feed, reinforce, and maintain established behaviors.

Students will also observe and assist in a number of medical demonstrations with the animals. At the conclusion of the course, students will show off their animal handling skills by conducting a public dolphin session narrated by DRC’s animal care and training staff for the center’s visitors.

Students learn to respect each dolphin as an individual with his or her own “dolphinality” through observation of their unique behavioral and physical characteristics. The course includes a unique blend of seminars, observation time, and hands-on activities aimed at giving students an in depth understanding of careers in marine mammal care and training.

Teen Marine Mammal Care and Basic Training is an academically intensive, physically rigorous, seven-day program specifically designed for students seriously interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal care and training. This course offers students a unique opportunity to gain career oriented hands-on experience under the guidance of our accomplished trainers.

Primarily focused on the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, the course also delves lightly into the care of sea lions and DRC’s rescue efforts with the Florida manatee.

Seminars include: Bottlenose Dolphin Life History/Physiology Marine Mammal Husbandry Introduction to Marine Mammal Training Techniques Principles of Dolphin Handling Medical Care and Pathology of Marine Mammals Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Habitat Design & Maintenance Pinniped Life History/Physiology Manatee Life History/Physiology

Other Activities Include: Training Demonstration, Training Workshop, Husbandry tour, Reinforcement Techniques Workshop, Pinniped demonstration, Medical behavior demonstrations, Observation Time. Q&A panel discussion with senior trainers on the differences in caring for various marine mammals.

Hands-On Activities Include: One Dolphin Dip, one Deep Water Dolphin Encounter session, daily dolphin handling dock sessions beginning mid-week, record keeping, diet preparation & assisting in husbandry care.

Cost
The cost of Teen Marine Mammal Care and Basic Training is $1700.00 (US). Tuition includes all seminars, activities, meals, and lodging. Also included in the tuition is a CD of photographs of your swim session and video montage documenting dock sessions from throughout the week. The cost of the course also includes transportation to and from the Key West Airport at pre-established times that will be provided to you after you are a confirmed student.

Prerequisites
Students must successfully complete Teen Basic and Intermediate DolphinLab before participating in Teen Marine Mammal Care and Basic Training (During the summer, these labs are offered consecutively. You may enroll to take Basic, Intermediate and Marine Mammal Care and Basic Training during the same summer.)

Additionally students, who successfully complete the Teen Marine Mammal Care and Basic Training DolphinLab, upon turning 18 years of age are eligible to continue on to the adult Advanced Marine Mammal Training and Enrichment DolphinLab

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