In 2007, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration was involved in the rescue of a Humpback whale, which was tangled up in a net off the coast of Rhode Island.

Spring & Summer Programs for Families

Advance registration is required for all programs. To inquire about one of our programs, please complete our online Program Registration Form. After you complete the form, a staff member will contact you to obtain payment and finalize your reservation.

If you have additional questions please contact 860.572.5955 ext. 520 or email reservations@mysticaquarium.org .

Spring Programs

Family Overnights

Ever wonder what the Aquarium’s animals do at night? Bring your sleeping bag, pillow, and a flashlight for an overnight adventure in an underwater world to find out. We’ll play games, tour the exhibits, enjoy snacks, and have a great view of the beluga whales. Then pick a place to sleep next to the circling sharks, beautiful clownfish, or even the elusive octopus. Continental breakfast is provided. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult. Craft and activities are geared towards children ages 5-12. (Children must be at least 5 years old to participate.)

Schedule:

Friday, March 20, 7:00pm – Saturday, March 21, 9:00am

Saturday, April 4, 7:00pm – Sunday, April 5, 9:00am

Friday, October 2, 7:00pm – Saturday, October 3, 9:00am

Cost:  Members: $45 adult, $35 child (ages 5-12); Non-members: $55 adult, $45 child (ages 5-12)

Family Horseshoe Crab Watch

At this time each year hundreds of horseshoe crabs crawl on to the beaches of New
England. Join Mystic Aquarium and Denison Pequotsepos educators on a full moon walk at Napatree Point, Watch Hill, Rhode Island to see this natural wonder and to discover why this phenomenon occurs. Be prepared to get wet feet and hike a distance!

Schedule: June 7, 7:00pm-10:00pm

Cost: $10 per family

Conservation Programs for Families

2009 Earth Day Celebration and Spring Coastal Clean up

Join us as we celebrate the 39th anniversary of Earth Day! On Saturday, April 18 visit the aquarium to discover how to reduce your personal imprint on the world as you explore the exhibits. Visitors can take part in crafts, games, and other hands-on conservation based activities. You can even participate in a training course to become a member of our Amphibian Monitoring Project! Interested in getting more involved in local conservation efforts? Join us on Sunday, April 19 from 10:00am-2:00pm for the annual Earth Day Coastal Clean-up at Bluff Point State Park.

Saturday, April 18 Earth Day activities are included with Aquarium admission. Registration is requested for the April 19 clean up event.

Information on 2008 International Coastal Clean-up event

The 2007 celebration of International Coastal Clean-up Day in association with National Estuary Day was a great success with over 160 volunteers joining Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration to clean our local Long Island Sound estuary at Bluff Point State Park.
Internationally more than 33,000 miles of shoreline that was cleaned with 7,238,201 pieces of debris collected. To see the breakdown of debris items collected, as published by the Ocean Conservancy, click here Ocean_Conservancy_Report 9.pdf

Scrap Art Sculpture Contest

This April, the Aquarium is holding its first-ever scrap art sculpture contest, featuring marine-themed art created from recycled materials by community members.  Aquarium guests will select the winner throughout the Earth Day Celebrations on April 18 and 19, with the announcement of the winning sculpture on April 19 at 5 p.m.  The winner will receive a trophy and behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium. 

* The contest is open to individuals and groups (up to 15 individuals) of all ages
* All scrap art sculptures must be marine themed
* The sculpture must consist of at least 75% reusable goods
* All reusable goods used in the sculpture must be cleaned prior to use
* Sculptures must not have any sharp edges
* Sculpture should be no larger that 30 inches long by 30 inches wide by 60 inches tall
* Sculpture should be no heavier than 25 pounds and must stand on its own
* All art submissions must be dropped off at the Aquarium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on April 17
* Contact educationinfo@mysticaquarium.org for more information on the contest or to register your scrap art sculpture

Click here to view this year's Scrap Art Contest entries

2009 Amphibian Monitoring Project Trainings

Just as the temperature begins to slowly rise; it is once again time to prepare for the amphibian monitoring season. Using both amphibian vocalizations as well as visual sightings from trips into the field, members of Amphibian Monitoring Project (AMP) are collecting valuable data about the population size of amphibians in local areas. Leap into action and plan on attending one of the family friendly AMP trainings to become a member during the second year of this exciting project.

Click here to view the 2009 AMP monitoring site locations, dates and times.

Information on 2008 Amphibian Monitoring Project

Due to overwhelming interest, double the number of originally scheduled training sessions was held this past spring, and a total of 120 volunteers were trained. Now the Amphibian Monitoring Project (AMP) has started its first year of field research. Over the next few months (field work runs from May until October) the group is visiting Bluff Point State Park, Pequot Woods, and a third site here at the Aquarium to collect data on local frog, toad, and salamander population sizes. This group of dedicated citizen scientists are not only listening for the trilling of toads and the chirping of wood frogs but also rolling up their sleeves (and pant legs) to get in the mud and muck to see what amphibians are living in their own backyards. The goal of AMP is to collect enough data over the next few years to establish an accurate count of the number of amphibian species found in southeastern Connecticut as well as an estimate of these animals’ population sizes. With the recent decline in amphibian species around the world, AMP wants to be proactive and gather as much information as possible about these delicate species. Interested in the amphibian cause? 

 To find out more about what species have been spotted by this seasons Amphibian Monitoring Project Volunteers click here AMP data.pdf