Oregon Sea Grant hosts a number of summer day camps for youth 8 to 18 years old with themes that range from marine technology to marine mammals. Campers interact with researchers and learn about the marine environment through hands-on programs and field trips.

Day Camps at HMSC

Camps are currently full - please add your child to the camp's waitlist below

Oregon Sea Grant Marine Education annually offers summer day camps at Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) located in Newport, Oregon. Each summer, we provide students (ages 8-18) with fun, interactive, field-based learning activities. Day camps will be held July through early August on Monday through Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm. The cost is $195 per camper. Registration includes all instructional materials and a camp T-shirt; however, lunches are not included. 

All payments for summer day camps are due by Friday, June 15th. If you need to cancel your registration, please notify the Marine Education Coordinator ([email protected]). You may cancel by June 15th for a full refund. Registrations are not refundable after June 15th. Limited exceptions will be granted on a case by case basis.

2024 Camp Themes and Dates

Registration opens January 10, 2024 - FULL- add to waitlist

Discover what happens behind the scenes of the science center and aquarium exhibits and explore the field of Aquarium Science! Guided by Hatfield Marine Science Center animal husbandry staff, we'll collect organisms from a variety of coastal habitats and learn what is involved in aquarium maintenance and animal care. Campers will use lessons  learned to set up their own tanks and practice designing their own exhibits! This camp was offered during summer 2022 and due to popular demand, we are bringing it back for Summer 2024.

 

Registration opens January 10, 2024 - FULL- add to waitlist

Explore the deep sea by creating topographic seafloor maps, investigating life that call hydrothermal vents home, appreciating the wonders of bioluminescence, and more. With hands-on activities like sculpting your own clay sea floors to connecting LIVE with scientists aboard E/V Nautilus, campers will gain a better understanding of why it's so important to reach deep into our ocean worlds and discover what lies beneath.

 

Registration opens January 10, 2024 - FULL - Add to waitlist

Dive deep and investigate how we use, explore, and are working to conserve our dynamic ocean environments. Campers will learn critical issues facing ocean habitats and wildlife, and be challenged to design creative solutions. From collecting marine debris and turning it into beautiful art pieces, to creating a deeper understanding of our watersheds and cycles, to understanding the ways our use of materials may be harming marine life, campers will come away with a strong drive to make a difference in their communities and hopefully on a larger scale as well.

Registration opens January 10, 2024 - FULL - add to waitlist

Discover the wonders of the water cycle, the importance of a healthy estuary, and the magic of water and its amazing properties. Campers will conduct condensation, precipitation, density, pressure, and salinity experiments as well as get creative with watercolor paints! Campers will even get a taste of a day in the life of a scientist by going out into the woods to do some water quality testing and discover the importance of a healthy ecosystem.

 

General Health and Safety Policies and Expectations:

We are looking forward to providing an exciting and safe learning experience for all participants. Please review our safety policies and expectations outlined below.

  • Face coverings and masks are welcome, but not required. We fully support participants and staff may choose to wear a face covering as a personal preference. 
  • Educators and participants will be encouraged to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60-95%) often and will be required to wash their hands prior to eating lunch. 
  • Prior to leaving your home location:
    • We ask that you conduct a health check of all program participants for symptoms indicative of any illness prior to joining us for your programming. 
    • If any participants are experiencing any of the following symptoms, we kindly ask that your child does not participate in the day camp:
      • Cough
      • Fever (over 100.4°F)
      • Chills
      • Muscle pain
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Sore throat
      • Nausea
  • If you or anyone in your household has tested positive or been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days of the camp start date, we kindly ask your registered participant/family not attend. Participants with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home for at least 5 days after illness starts and until 24 hours after fever is gone, without use of fever-reducing medicine, and COVID-19 symptoms have resolved.
  • If a participant or staff member exhibits or develops a new cough (e.g., unrelated to pre-existing conditions such as asthma), fever, shortness of breath or other primary symptoms of COVID-19 during the day/class session, they will be separated from others and sent home as soon as possible.
  • If you need to cancel, please contact the Marine Education Coordinator ([email protected]; 541-867-0233) as soon as possible and we would be happy to refund your fees. Credits will not be administered for no-show participants. 

We are committed to providing fun in-person programming that maximizes safety for staff and participants. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Day Camp Highlights

  • Explore coastal and marine habitats through field trips
  • Learn firsthand about the marine environment and the amazing diversity of life found there
  • Conduct experiments in the field and in wet labs
  • Learn about scientific techniques and current research
  • Interact with researchers and other experts