From snorkeling with Leopard Sharks to touring the Scripps Pier and hands-on animal encounters, Birch Aquarium offers an abundance of camps to choose from this summer!

As the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the aquarium offers a unique opportunity for children ages 4-13 to learn about the ocean. Campers will explore underwater worlds, meet ocean creatures, create crafts, play games and more.

Birch Aquarium’s educators facilitate summer camps that range from immersive half-day experiences at the aquarium for younger campers to full-day adventures, including snorkeling and surfing at La Jolla Shores, for older campers.

“During our camps, our knowledgeable educators provide a fun experience that uses play and creativity to explore the diversity of ocean habitats and creatures while developing important social skills needed for a lifetime of successful learning,” said Emily Arnold, Manager of Youth and Community Programs. “Campers will embrace their inner scientist as they explore our outdoor tidepools and get a glimpse of Leopard Sharks, seadragons and Little Blue Penguins.”

Registration is now open for the weeklong camps, which run from June 26 to August 18 and range in price from $250 to $595.

Birch Aquarium Summer Camps this year include:

Half-Day Camps (ages 4-5)

• Sea Slugs
  During this half-day camp, campers explore the ocean and the magnificent wonders found beneath the waves without leaving the aquarium. Camp participants will learn about jiggling jellies, scuttling crabs, slip-sliding snails, toothy sharks, and massive mammals through hands-on activities, games, crafts and live animal touches. Meets at the aquarium every day.

• Sea Squirts
  During this half-day camp, campers learn about amazing underwater habitats and the interesting animals that live there. They will explore teeming tide pools, enchanted kelp forests, colorful coral reefs, soft sandy beaches and the blue open ocean through hands-on activities, games, crafts and live animal touches — all without leaving the aquarium. Meets at the aquarium every day.

Full-Day Camps (ages 6-7)

• Only One Ocean
  Young students will learn about unique ocean habitats as they embark on a global high-seas adventure, “travel” to a new location each day and discover the amazing animals that live there. From the Arctic to the deep sea, campers will bring home crafty mementos highlighting their unforgettable voyage to amazing marine environments. Meets at the aquarium every day.

• Underwater Playground
  What would it be like to grow up in the ocean? Campers will discover how sharks, otters, turtles, penguins, and sea stars grow and survive in their watery homes. They will make and take home fun projects highlighting these exciting discoveries. Each day features stories, games, aquarium visits and animal interactions. Meets at the aquarium every day.

Full-Day Camps (ages 8-10)

• Seaside Science
  Campers will embrace their inner scientist. They will learn about amazing discoveries in marine biology, chemistry, meteorology, geology and zoology. In addition, campers will discover the natural world and those we share it with through fun experiments, outdoor explorations, games and animal interactions. Meets at the aquarium three days and off-site at the beach in La Jolla two days.

• Coastal Inspirations
  Campers will get up close with animals that make the ocean their home, uncover the diversity of San Diego’s coastal habitats, and explore their creativity through various crafty projects. Their scientific discoveries will inspire their art through classroom activities, outdoor explorations, aquarium exhibits, games and live animal touches. Meets at the aquarium every day.

Full-Day Camps (ages 11-13, held off-site)

• Ocean Adventures
  During this full-day camp, campers will learn about the magnificent Pacific Ocean while enjoying its blue waters. Experienced instructors will teach basic surfing, boogie-boarding, and snorkeling skills, while introducing campers to related marine science topics such as waves, water temperature, beach landscape and near-shore marine life. Intermediate swimming ability and comfort in beach and ocean settings required. Meets off-site every day at Mission Bay or the beach in La Jolla.

• Surfing Into Science
  Surf’s up! Campers will dive into the perfect blend of ocean sports, beach exploration and marine science discoveries. They will hone their surfing, snorkeling and oceanographic skills as they learn how beach features play important roles in the waves we ride and observe animals that share the water with us. Intermediate swimming ability and comfort in beach and ocean settings required. Meets off-site every day at the beach in La Jolla.

Discounts are available for Birch Aquarium members and scholarships are also available. For more information, visit here, or call 858-534-7336.

See you there, San Diego!