Mystic Aquarium

Ever wonder what it takes to train marine animals? Now you can find out! You’re going to love being a Trainer for a Day at Mystic Aquarium. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. you will enjoy the company of our animal care team as you explore behind the scenes and learn what it takes to be a marine animal trainer. You will interact with African penguins, beluga whales and California sea lions through hands-on, side-by-side training sessions. Click here to make a reservation.

This program is limited to two participants. During your special day you:

• Absorb a lively, interactive presentation featuring facts about our resident African penguins, beluga whales, California sea lions and their counterparts found worldwide; critical reasons we train, research and provide enrichment for these animals; and ways you can help protect our ocean planet.
• Tour the Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Pavilion and sit among the penguin colony as you participate in a feeding and training session.
• Sit side-by-side with a trainer and participate in an interactive training session with a beluga whale in our Arctic Coast habitat.  Feel the beluga, deliver a hand signal and then serve up one-on-one beluga enrichment.
• Participate in a feeding and training session with our Foxwoods Marine Theater California sea lion trainers and attend our Foxwoods Marine Theater show where you can watch trainers and animals deliver their amazing performance.
• Savor a catered, white tablecloth luncheon (al fresco in fair weather) along with a “special guest” or two.
• Top off your exclusive day with a Q&A recap.

If you love hands-on learning, wonderful surprises and meeting fascinating people—and yearn for the company of our charismatic marine animals—Trainer for a Day is for you.

This program is limited to two participants. Participants must be 13 years old and children ages 13-15 years must be accompanied by an adult who has paid to participate in the program.

Schedule: Available May-October, 8:00am – 3:15pm, subject to availability

Cost: $350 Members; $375 Non-members. Includes admission and one 8x10 matted photo. DVD of slideshow ($80) may be purchased separately.

Click here to make a reservation. For more information, call 860.572.5955 ext. 520.

Mystic Aquarium and its parent organization, Sea Research Foundation, are global leaders in African penguin, beluga whale and California sea lion research, care and training. Your participation in Trainer for a Day supports these efforts and ultimately contributes to the long-term survival of each species.