Registration Opens for Maritime Aquarium summer camp, sessions filling quickly

Kids ages 6 to 15 can do a hands-on deep dive into the world of sharks, seals and other marine animals during the 2021 Summer Camp programs of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The Maritime Aquarium will show campers the fun side of science inquiry, with special activities, experiments and discoveries with animals and the marine environment. Depending on the age group and the week’s topic, activities may include a movie in the new 4D Theater, a coastal exploration at a local beach or an outing onto Long Island Sound aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel.

One- and two-week sessions for ages 6-8 and 9-12 are offered beginning June 21-25 with such themed sessions as “Shark Safari,” “Habitat Explorers” and “Ocean Discovery Team.” Times for most sessions are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

And the three-week “Teen Apprentice” sessions – offered July 2-23 and Aug. 2-20 – are great opportunities for ages 13-15 to work side-by-side with members of the Aquarium’s Animal Husbandry and Education staffs. “Teen Apprentice” meets from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ann Marie Lisi, the Aquarium’s associate director of Education, urged parents to act quickly because several sessions are sold-out or nearly full.

COVID-19 protocols for 2021 camp sessions include:

• Campers and staff are required to wear cloth facemasks, except when eating and during certain outdoor activities.

• All campers and staff will be required to have their temperature checked and recorded each morning. Any campers or staff with a temperature of 100º F or higher are not permitted into the program for that day and cannot return until they are fever-free for 24 hours and have a doctor's note.

• Each camp session will have its own classroom space. Lunches will be eaten with groups socially distanced.

• Within sessions, each camper will have an assigned seat and cubby to store personal belongings. Communal bins or switching of seats will not be permitted.

• Cleaning of classrooms and restrooms used by the campers and camp staff will be increased.

Prices vary depending on the content and length of the session. Aquarium members receive discounts. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Advance registration of at least 10 days before a program’s first day is required.

Pre- and post-care is not available this year.

Get all the details, including registration information, at www.maritimeaquarium.org/camps or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2211.