Seacamp - Florida
Marine science/scuba summer camp for teenagers in the Florida Keys. Marine science instructors lead explorations, provide help in identification, explain relationships, and teach scientific techniques in marine environments including the living coral reef. Courses especially designed to teach teens to SCUBA dive can lead to NAUI Basic or Advanced certification.
LOCATION
Seacamp’s tropical location on Newfound Harbor in the beautiful lower Florida Keys, just minutes from the only living coral reef in the United States, enables campers to participate in a truly one-of-a-kind marine studies program. Campers investigate the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, moving among clear blue waters, coral canyons, sandy and grassy areas, mud flats, and natural tide pools—all abundant with a variety of invertebrates, fish, and mammals. All of this is offered just 120 miles south of Miami and 30 miles east of Key West.
BACKGROUND AND PHILOSOPHY
Founded in 1966, Seacamp, the first program dedicated to the education of youth in marine sciences, is the result of a cooperative effort of parents, scientists, businessmen, and camp leaders. Conservation practices and a respect for the marine environment are at the core of the Seacamp philosophy: “For all the sea has to teach us and all the fun of learning it.”
Seacamp is accredited by the American Camping Association.
PROGRAM OFFERINGS
Marine Science The Marine Science Program is the heart of Seacamp. Young scientists participate in a variety of courses under the guidance of academically trained marine science instructors, biologists, geologists, and oceanographers. Campers work at their own level of interest while learning basic ecological principles that are pertinent both to the study of marine science and to the future of our natural resources. Designed to appeal to all campers, this comprehensive program is coordinated in a number of 21-hour course offerings that are selected each summer based on responses elicited from the current year’s participants. Courses may include general marine sciences, marine communities, animal behavior, marine invertebrates, marine botany, marine vertebrates, marine geology, and marine aquaria. Advanced studies are offered in reef fish ecology, coral reef ecology, independent studies, and underwater field research using scuba. All science activities include studies in both the field and the laboratory. Boat trips take place on 10-foot by 25-foot trimaran-type hulls that accommodate 12–15 participants; all boats carry Coast Guard-approved safety equipment. On-board radios are constantly monitored by Seacamp’s base station. During boat trips, campers investigate various marine environments and species, including 400 varieties of algae, coral, and fishes. Upon completion, campers receive a Seacamp Certification describing courses taken.
Independent Research Projects Campers may pursue an independent research project of their choice through arrangements with the science staff, the culmination of which may be published in The Seacamp Journal of Research.
SCUBA at Seacamp offers several courses in SCUBA diving to qualified participants. SCUBA courses are designed to give the camper the appropriate skills for safely using scuba as an underwater research tool. In order to participate in SCUBA, campers should have no history of heart, lung (including asthma), sinus, or ear troubles. Seacamp’s SCUBA I course is a basic certification class that is offered to campers 13 and older. Satisfactory course completion earns the camper a nationally recognized certificate. Marine investigation courses (SCUBA II) using SCUBA techniques for certified divers are offered at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. SCUBA III is offered to campers 15 and older. Successful completion of SCUBA III earns the camper a Master Diver Certification. SCUBA IV is an ongoing research class that publishes a paper in The Seacamp Journal of Research.
Aquatic Programs Exploration of the ocean’s surface is guided by winds, tides, and currents. Campers taking sailing and windsurfing receive instructions on how to operate their vessels based on these factors. While here, campers seeking to further their knowledge about sailing may choose to enroll in Seacamp’s more in-depth sailing class and obtain their certification in light air sailing from the U.S. Sailing Association. Windsurfing courses start campers on a dry-land simulator; they learn the basic aspects of rigging, tacking, jibing, rules of the road, board control, and more and progress to racing and freestyle techniques. Canoeing and kayaking classes explore the natural resources of the Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve. Certification in American Red Cross lifeguarding is also offered to campers meeting age requirements.
ENROLLMENT
Each session, 140 to 160 campers come to Seacamp, mostly from the U.S., but also from across the world. There are about 30 international campers each summer from an average of twelve countries. Many Seacamp program graduates have gone on to prominent careers as environmental educators and marine scientists.
DAILY SCHEDULE
One of Seacamp’s unique aspects is that campers create their schedules. In addition to science and scuba classes, campers choose from a variety of programs to ensure that there is something interesting and exciting for everyone. Typically, the day starts at 7 a.m., with breakfast at 7:30. Campers enjoy free time before the morning program, which runs from 9 until noon. Lunch is at 12:30, after which campers rest or explore the area. The afternoon program runs from 2:15 until 5:20, after which there is just enough time to dry off and get ready for dinner at 6. After dinner there is free time until 8:30, during which campers enjoy a swim, volleyball, or basketball and talk about the day’s excitement. The evening program begins at 8:30 and comprises anything from dancing with friends to hearing a visiting scientist talk about current international scientific issues to playing blackjack at Seacamp’s version of a Caribbean casino to sitting by the campfire next to the open ocean, singing and laughing. Lights-out is at 10:30, by which time campers can hardly wait for the next exciting day.
EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Campers interested in journalism may work on the camp newspaper, SEASCOPE, which is published periodically during camp sessions. Arts and crafts activities include ceramics, copper enameling, stone carving, tie-dyeing, driftwood art, macramé, and painting. Photography allows campers to take home memories of friends, wildlife, and underwater experiences.
Activities are planned to incorporate the needs of all of the campers, so no one is ever left out. Seacamp’s enthusiastic and gregarious staff members go out of their way to include everyone in the fun.
FACILITIES
Campers and staff members are housed by age in dormitories. Seacamp honors cabinmate requests, if possible, when both families are in agreement.
Seacamp’s lab facilities include a running seawater circulation system that serves two 250-gallon display tanks, two 50-gallon aquaria, twenty 20-gallon aquaria, and two 600-gallon tanks, which campers and science staff members use for research and observation. A preparation room is stocked with charts, illustrations, stereo and compound microscopes, preserving jars and solutions, water analysis kits, seines, and oceanographic equipment. A man-made lagoon serves as a temporary habitat for larger live specimens.
Other camp facilities include a dining hall, a kitchen, an arts and crafts building, a health center, a sailing shelter, several teaching shelters, and administration offices.
STAFF
Seacamp receives more than 1,000 requests for application from all over the world for 55 program staff positions. Staff members are chosen for their expertise as program directors, marine science instructors, nationally certified SCUBA instructors, and American Red Cross–certified water safety instructors and their overall ability. Before campers arrive, program staff members go through an intensive three-week training session in which they are certified in American Red Cross lifeguarding, first aid, CPR, and National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) skin diving instruction. If arriving staff members are SCUBA certified, Seacamp also certifies them as NAUI rescue divers. In addition to all of these certifications, staff members are also trained extensively in boat-handling skills through Seacamp’s Captain’s Workshop and in consistent leadership skills. Most staff members come from across the U.S.; however, there have been staff members from places as far away as New Zealand, England, South Africa, Scotland, and Russia. The overall resident camper–staff member ratio is 3:1. The close relationships developed between staff members and campers because of this small ratio encourage individuality and provide for small-group instruction.
MEDICAL CARE
An in-residence registered nurse manages the health center. A camp physician from Big Pine Key is on call, and ambulance service is available around the clock. Complete hospital facilities are in nearby Marathon and Key West. First aid equipment and supplies are kept on all motor boats.
A general health certificate form and a scuba health certificate must be submitted at least three weeks prior to each camper’s arrival. All campers are covered by Seacamp’s health insurance while at camp; this policy is limited, however, and parents are encouraged to carry their own insurance for their children.
COSTS
Costs for the 2007 program were $3150. Extra fees for scuba were $375 per course. Costs are subject to change. All campers must have masks, fins, and snorkels to participate in Seacamp’s programs; these can be bought in the camp’s Ship’s Store. Other optional equipment, T-shirts, treats, and toiletries are also available at the Ship’s Store.
Campers who are enrolled for more than one session stay at camp between sessions at no extra charge. During this time, they participate in a variety of supervised programs, get a chance to do their laundry, and take advantage of opportunities to visit historic Key West. About $75 spending money is suggested for this time.
TRANSPORTATION
Parents may bring campers by car to Big Pine Key. Counselors also meet participants at the Miami International Airport on the opening day of camp and escort them to Big Pine Key on a chartered bus (about 120 miles). The fee for round-trip service is $90 (subject to change).
APPLICATION TIMETABLE
To join the Seacamp adventure, interested campers should contact Seacamp for an application. Off-season tours of the facilities are available, and all are welcome to visit. Completed applications must include a $350 deposit (refundable until May 1) and a letter of recommendation from the camper’s science teacher or principal. Parents and campers receive a Seacamp information packet, with articles on transportation, what to bring, camp store credit, permission forms, and health forms.
We love to talk about camp! For more information or to answer any questions you might have, please give our friendly staff a call at 1.877.SEACAMP and we'll be glad to help!
_____________________________________________________________________________
