Frequently Asked Questions - Marine Biology Camp
Do I get to see real live sea turtles?
YES!!! We work very closely with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital who always have an average occupancy of about 20 sea turtles with varying degrees of injury or illness. Some are even permanent residents due to the severity of their injury. The NC Aquarium usually houses a few behind the scenes and from time to time we even see them out in the ocean.
What kind of Community Service will I be doing?
Community Service has somewhat of a negative connotation, but here at Sea Turtle Camp it is the most rewarding of camp, and we like to think of it as Service Learning. Everything we do at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital, working directly with live sea turtles, will serve as the majority of our Service Learning credits. We round that off with daily beach clean ups after lunch to keep our sands sparkling and top it off with some local sea oat/sand dune/oyster bed renourishment.
What are the ages of your overnight campers? Am I too young/old to attend one of your programs?
This program is age specific. Because of our dynamic curriculum we group similar ages together. Tthis camp is designed for teenagers 13-17 years old.
Where do we stay during camp?
During your time at Sea Turtle Camp you will stay on the beautiful campus of the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. Our campers and instructors stay in the air conditioned, gender specific on-campus suites. This Marine Biology program is not affiliated or associated with the University of North Carolina Wilmington or UNCW's MarineQuest Programs and is not a UNC-Wilmington summer camp
What kind of supervision is there?
We have 24 hours a day, same gender supervision. At night there are several overnight counselors who live on campus with our campers. All campers must sign, and follow our camp guidelines, which are explicitly gone over during orientation. If any rules are broken or any disruptive behavior takes place, the camper will be sent home at parental expense with no refund, no exceptions.
What airport is best to fly into for your program, and do you provide a shuttle service?
The best airport to fly into is the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), which is located about 10 minutes from the University. Our educators meet all participants at the baggage claim. The cost is included in program tuition.
Do you offer Scholarships and Financial Aid?
Yes, we offer scholarship to those in need. Please call our office for a financial aid application. An application can be downloaded by clicking here.
Should I bring a friend?
More than 95% of our participants come by themselves for their first year. Participants quickly form long lasting friendships during their stay and return home with many new friends. We do not allow more than 3 teens in any one group who already know each other from the same home town.
Where do participants come from?
We have campers that come from all over the US and the world including Canada, France, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Venezuela, Australia, England, China, Germany, and we even had a teenager fly in from India. We have also had campers represent almost every state in America.
I am a finicky eater; can you cater to special diets?
Yes we can. We know how important it is to eat healthy meals when you are outside and at the beach all day long. As a matter of fact some campers say we have the best “eating” out of any camp they have ever attended.
What do I need to bring?
A complete packing list will be included with your informational registration packet.
Can I call home during camp?
Campers are generally available to make phone calls before 8:00 am or after 8:30 pm. Though we have all campers check in with their parents upon arrival, we recommend limited parental contact for the duration of the camp. Sea Turtle Camp is a growing experience, and we find that young people do best and gain confidence through independence. Pay phones and a camp cell phone will be available for the campers to use if necessary. Campers are NOT allowed to carry cell phones at any time during their week of camp. Any cell phones brought to camp will be collected upon arrival and returned upon departure.
What sort of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, money orders, or VISA/MC credit cards. All credit card payments are processed online using a secure server. There is a $50 service charge for all returned checks.
Support Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation
Please help us continue to protect and conserve the remaining species of Sea Turtles. Through education and public awareness we can ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the natural wonder of these magnificent marine species.
Please consider giving a membership to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital Foundation for birthdays and other special occasions.
Thank you for your interest and support.
