Locals' Dolphin DayCamp

Course Information:

Locals' Dolphin DayCamp is a fun-filled, active five-day program that introduces children ages 8-10, who are full-time year round Florida Keys residents, to the amazing world of dolphins. 

• Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• Drop off is at 8:30 a.m, pick up is at 4:00 p.m. daily

• Late fee of $25.00 if you are late picking up your camper (per occasion, per camper)

• Get to know and respect each DRC dolphin as a unique individual 

• Get up close to observe the dolphins in action 

• Learn more about each dolphin's unique behaviors and physical characteristics

• Hands-on activities, group discussions, games, crafts, and more

• Additional information and required waivers and forms are provided in the Welcome Packet emailed to each parent.

We will hold a brief orientation meeting Monday morning for all parents at 8:30 a.m. Meet the staff that will be with your camper throughout the week, and receive important information on what to expect.

If you would like to come to Dolphin Research Center while your child is attending camp: 

• You must pay daily general admission or purchase a DRC membership 

• We respectfully request that you do not interfere with the programs in which the campers participate. Sometimes just seeing a parent can disrupt the momentum of an activity.

Discussion Topics and Activities Might Include:

• Dolphin Bodies

• How are dolphins smart? 

• Protecting Dolphins

• How do we take care of the dolphins?

• Sea Lions

• And more!

Interactive Programs with the Dolphins Include:

• One Meet a Dolphin session, for a personal introduction to a dolphin with a "flippershake" and backrubs from a floating dock

• Try being a trainer, learning to "talk" to the dolphins using hand signals to ask for behaviors in a signal session from a floating dock

• One Dolphin Splash session, going into waist deep water to play with the dolphins

Tuition:

Locals' Dolphin DayCamp tuition is $200.00 for the week. 

Tuition includes: 

• Classroom discussions and activities 

• Live demonstrations and interactive programs with our animal family 

• Digital photographs taken of the camper’s dolphin interactions throughout the week 

Tuition does not include: 

• Meals or snacks

• Transportation to and from Dolphin Research Center each day 

We recommend each camper brings a minimumof two snacks per day, in addition to their packed lunch.

Schedule:

June 10 - 14, 2024

June 17 - 21, 2024

July 1 - 5, 2024

Enrollment:

Enrollment for the 2024 Locals' Dolphin DayCamp summer season is OPEN! Please follow the instructions below to receive the application link and begin the enrollment process:

• Email education@dolphins.org with the camper's full name, birthdate, and home location (example: Marathon, Key Largo, etc)
• Please allow 3-5 business days for the Education department to process your request and email you the online application link.
• Please do not share the application link with others.
• If you do not email the Education department to request the link and submit an application, your camper will not be enrolled and their application will be discarded.
• Please note: Campers who have attended Locals’ Dolphin DayCamp twice will be placed on the standby list to allow new campers to participate. We appreciate your understanding in advance.
• Locals' Dolphin DayCamp is for children who live full-time and year round in the Florida Keys, and are between the ages of 8-10. No exceptions.

After submitting the online application, you will receive an email from the Education department via education@dolphins.org within 3-5 business days.

• This email will contain the link to pay the tuition balance of $200.00.
• Payment must be completed within three (3) days of receiving the link in order to reserve your camper's space in the program.
• Your camper's application will be removed if payment is not completed within three (3) days of receiving the link. Please check your spam/junk boxes in the event the email is rerouted. 
• We require a minimum of ten (10) campers to enroll before we confirm each week of Locals' Dolphin DayCamp to run. You will receive an email confirming the camp once we reach minimum enrollment.

Cancellation Policy: 

Cancellations must be made in writing. Participant substitutions are welcomed. The following refund terms shall apply:

• Cancellation more than 14 days from the start of the program- Refund of program cost minus $35 processing fee

• Cancellation less than 14 days from program start date - No refund

Questions? Please email education@dolphins.org so the Education team can help!