SEACAMP I - Marine Biology Residential Camp

SEACAMP San Diego Location
Camp location is on Mission Bay just north of downtown San Diego and approximately 7 miles from the San Diego International Airport. This location has our dorms, restrooms, showers, classrooms, aquariums and access to a private beach.

Housing
Students will be housed in a traditional open style dorm equipped with bunk beds. We have two large dorm rooms, one for female identifying students and one for male identifying students. Students are assured 24-hour supervision by our SEACAMP Marine Science Instructors that spend the night in the dorms with the students. Students bring their own bottom sheets, sleeping bags and pillows. Dorms are separated by a courtyard area, which encloses a safe space to play games and hang out, and provides a sunlit outdoor area for the tables for meals or alternate lab space. Bathrooms are across the courtyard with separate facilities for males and females. Each bathroom is equipped with toilet facilities and separate, individually curtained showers. To conserve water, showers are push button showers. SEACAMP San Diego currently only has binary dorm and bathroom options; either male or female.

Meals
SEACAMP San Diego provides all meals that are included on your schedule. Meals are supplied by our caterer and are prepared in their kitchen. Breakfasts and dinners are usually cafeteria-style and served at our camp facility. Lunches are “brown-bag” style and usually eaten in the field. Meals are delicious and varied, well-balanced and include fresh fruits and vegetables. However, snacks are not included. If your student will need more than the meals provided, please have them bring individually wrapped snacks in a bag labeled with their name. Snacks will be stored and available daily to students.

Classroom Facilities
All of our lab & workshop facilities are tailored for the specific needs of our program and include a classroom with a running seawater system, a full aquarium room with touch tanks, a shark tank with live specimens, microscopes, and the added security of private beaches.

Students Traveling by Car
Arrival: Student check-in on the first day of camp is between 10:00am and 12:00pm

Students arriving by car must be checked-in by adult. Families should use provided map to navigate to the SEACAMP San Diego facility, as GPS is often incorrect. The map will be sent with the Student Information Packet emailed after enrollment. Please do not use our mailing address – it will not get you to our facility. SEACAMP provides a generous 2-hour check-in window, please ensure check-in is between 10:00am and 12:00pm. Late arriving students may not be able to join the group until dinner time.

Departure: Student check-out on the last day of camp is between 1:00pm and 3:00pm

All students will need to be checked-out and signed out with SEACAMP staff by an adult with a government issued photo ID. Only authorized adults provided on the Travel Information Form as able to check-out students with a government issued photo ID. Please use provided map to navigate to the SEACAMP San Diego facility, as GPS can often be incorrect. The map will be sent with the Student Information Packet emailed after enrollment. Please do not use our mailing address – it will not get you to our facility. SEACAMP provides a generous 2-hour check-out window, please ensure check-out is between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Early check-out is not possible. If you happen to arrive early, please wait until we are ready for you at 1:00pm. Late Fee: Check-out after 3:00pm will result in late fee penalties. Late fees start accruing at 3:01pm with $1.00 charged for every late minute.

Students Traveling by Air
Arrival: Flights must arrive on the first day of camp into San Diego International Airport (SAN) between 9:00am and 12:00pm

SEACAMP staff members will meet students at the baggage claim carousal for their flight. Staff members will be wearing a SEACAMP San Diego t-shirt and holding a yellow “camper pick-up” sign. Please note, all students must be traveling as ticketed passengers – we cannot have students flying as “standby” passengers. We suggest students pack essential items (medications, swim suit, etc.) in a carry-on bag.

• Travel Fee: Arriving Early – For flights that arrive prior to 9:00am, there will be no additional charge. Students will wait at baggage claim for SEACAMP Staff to pick up at 9:00am. Arriving Late – Flights arriving between 12:01pm and 1:00pm are subject to $50.00 fee. Student may need to go directly to beach to meet up with the group and may miss some of the scheduled activities. Flights must arrive by 1:00pm.
• Unaccompanied Minor Fee: Students arriving as unaccompanied minors designated by the airline either due to age or due to preference are subject to a $75.00 fee. This service is only provided for students that are arriving inside provided window (9am -12pm). We are not able to accommodate students arriving early or late. SEACAMP must be notified of Unaccompanied Minor status on Travel Form. Upon arrival, SEACAMP staff member will acquire pass from airline to obtain entry into secured area of airport and will meet your student at the gate for his/her flight. If your airline of choice requires information regarding pick-up person, give the SEACAMP office a call/email and we will provide that for you (e.g. name, phone number, etc.).

Departure: Flights must depart San Diego International Airport (SAN) on the last day of camp between 2:00pm and 5:00pm.

Students will arrive at the airport 120 – 150 minutes before scheduled flights. SEACAMP staff members will assist students with the check-in process and see them to security checkpoints. Please note, all students must be traveling as ticketed passengers – we cannot have students flying as “standby” passengers.

• Travel Fee: Departing Early – Flights departing between 10:00am and 1:59pm are subject to $50.00 fee. Student may miss some or all of the day’s scheduled activities. Departing Late – For flights departing between 5:01pm – 7:00pm, there will be no additional charge. Students will go to the airport with the last group of students. Students must not depart any earlier than 10:00am or any later than 7:00pm.
• Unaccompanied Minor Fee: Students departing as unaccompanied minors designated by the airline either due to age or due to preference are subject to a $75.00 fee. This service is only provided for students that are departing inside provided window (2pm -5pm). We are not able to accommodate students departing early or late. SEACAMP must be notified of Unaccompanied Minor status on Travel Form. Upon departure, SEACAMP staff will acquire pass from airline to obtain entry in to secured area and wait with student at his/her departure gate until plane departs.

Students Traveling by Train
Service is NOT included in SEACAMP tuition, but provided for an additional $75.00 fee each way. Please check Amtrak Unaccompanied Minor Policy.

Arrival: Trains must arrive on the first day of camp between 9:00am and 12:00pm into Old Town Transit Center (OLT). SEACAMP staff members will meet students on the train platform. Staff members will be wearing a SEACAMP San Diego t-shirt and holding a yellow “camper pick-up” sign. Students are required to wear high quality face coverings in the train station and on trains to San Diego.

Departure: Service not provided for students 15 years old or younger. Only provided for students 16 years or older. Trains must depart on the last day of camp between 2:00pm and 5:00pm from the Old Town Transit Center (OLT). Students will arrive at the train station 30 – 60 minutes before scheduled departure. SEACAMP staff members will assist students with the check-in process and wait with them until train departs.

Travel Fees:
Required Travel Fees are due by May 15th with Travel Information Form. Fees are refundable up to 30 days prior to session date. Any changes to travel after May 15th must be approved by SEACAMP San Diego but may not be possible.

What to Bring
All items should be clearly labeled with student’s name. Bring enough clothing for the duration of your camp session.  Laundry services are not available except on intersession day for students attending consecutive sessions. Students must be able to carry their own luggage, and bags must be able to be stowed neatly underneath bunks while at camp. Luggage should be no bigger than 10 inches tall, 30 inches deep, and 35 inches wide. Student should also have a small day bag (backpack, etc.) for field activities. Click here for full, printable packing list.

Bedding: Sleeping Bag; Fitted Bottom Sheet (twin size); Pillow
Clothing: Enough for Camp Session; Swim Suit x2; Jacket/Windbreaker; Sweatshirt; Sweatpants; Pajamas; Underwear; Socks; Shoes x2 (one must be closed toed)
Toilet Articles:Toothbrush; Toothpaste; Beach Towel; Shower Towel; Shampoo/Conditioner; Sunscreen; Soap; Bug Spray; Comb/brush; Prescription Medicine; Non-prescription Medication
Miscellaneous: Day Bag (backpack) for Field Activities; Notebook & Pens/Pencils; Reusable Water Bottle; Sunglasses w/ Lanyard; 2 Plastic Bags for Dirty/Wet Clothes
Optional Items: Camera with strap/camera accessories – digital camera and GoPro OK, no cell phone cameras; Books; Playing Cards; Games; Stationery and Stamps; Personal snorkel gear clearly marked with student’s name (full-faced snorkels are NOT permitted). Snorkel gear is included in tuition and students are not required to bring.
Money: We recommend student bring no more than $100 cash with them to camp. All meals, housing, entrance to attractions are covered in tuition. The only money students would need is for the purchase of souvenirs, etc.

What NOT to bring
Cell Phones: Student cell phones will be turned off and collected upon arrival then returned upon departure from camp. Please see Communication section for more information.
Other Electronics: All electronics are prohibited; including but not limited to cell phones, smart watches, tablets, e-readers, game consoles, computers, MP3 players. Any electronic items found at camp may be returned for a flat $50.00 shipping fee. The only exception is a digital camera.
Wetsuit: Personal wetsuit unless it is a 7mm, full-length suit. Full-faced snorkels are also not permitted.
Other Items: No roller blades, skates, skateboards, surfboards or skim boards, hair dryers, nail polish, chewing gum, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or weapons of any kind.

Cancellation Policy
Deposit and tuition may be partially refundable. Cancellations prior to March 1 are subject to a $200.00 cancellation fee. Cancellations between March 1 and May 15 are subject to a $400 cancellation fee. All tuition is non-refundable after May 15. Travel fees, unaccompanied minor fees and SCUBA fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to session date. Cancellations must be submitted via email to seacamp@seacamp.com and received by the dates stated above. Cancellation email must include student’s name, date of birth, and session date. Cancellation Policy applies to each session.

Cancellation Policy due to Medical Withdrawal
Cancellations made due to medical withdrawal after May 15 require a physician note. Notification of medical withdrawal must include a note from participant’s primary care physician or physician providing care stating why participant is unable to attend SEACAMP San Diego. Cancellation must be submitted via email to seacamp@seacamp.com and must also include student’s name, date of birth, and session date. Cancellations between May 16 and 30 days prior to session start date are subject to a $400.00 cancellation fee. Cancellations between 30 days and 72 hours of session start date are subject to a $500.00 cancellation fee. Cancellations within 72 hours of the session start date are subject to a $600.00 cancellation fee. All tuition amounts are non-refundable if notice of cancellation does not include physician note. Cancellations/withdrawals received by May 15 are subject to the normal Cancellation Policy. Cancellation Policy applies to each session.

If program is cancelled by SEACAMP due health and safety concerns, deposit/tuition is refundable minus a $150 processing fee.

Transfer Policy
Transfer Policy applies per student, per session. Students may request to transfer or switch session dates without penalty prior to May 15. Requests will be granted providing space is available. Requests after May 15 may be subject to a transfer fee. Request a transfer by emailing seacamp@seacamp.com. The email must include student’s name, date of birth, session date student is enrolled in and which session date student would like to be transferred to.