The staff to camper ratio is as follows: PreK-K camp 1:6, Grades 1-10 1:9; if additional staff are needed for any reason, they are scheduled as appropriate. Most camps will have at least one additional volunteer or intern. If needed, additional staff will be added to the camp for a field trip.

Mystic Aquarium summer camp staff have experience working with children at informal learning centers, schools or children’s group sites.

To ensure the highest standards are being met, Mystic Aquarium summer camps are accredited through the American Camp Association (www.acacamps.org) as well as licensed by the State of Connecticut (https://www.ct.gov/oec). To obtain certification as a state licensed youth camp, we undergo an extensive review and inspection process to affirm that we exceed all the state requirements for health, cleanliness, and food service as well as emergency management plans, health care, management, staff training and performance review. Accreditation through the American Camp Association is a voluntary process that goes above and beyond the state licensing requirements and demonstrates Mystic Aquarium’s commitment to ensuring your child is in a safe, nurturing environment.

Each camp is tailored to the specific grade ranges; please register your camper for the grade range that they are entering during the next school year. Campers who are registered for a different grade range than identified on their paperwork will be placed in the appropriate camp if space is available, or their fee refunded

Please refer to the Summer Camp Caregiver Handbook for information on obtaining the tax ID or notify the Camp Director on the first day of camp.

Campers in all camps must be toilet trained and can use the bathroom independently to attend camp at Mystic Aquarium.
As a requirement for enrollment, all children must be fully toilet trained. The camp is not licensed for an under-three endorsement (sections 19a-79-10) from the Office of Early Childhood which means that staff are not permitted to change diapers/pullups or wipe a child, however they may assist them verbally as to how to clean themselves and change their clothes. The requirement for children to enter the program is that they need to be able to use the bathroom independently. Due to the uniqueness of this environment, the amount of time that is spent visiting exhibits and partaking in special events, being able to use the bathroom independently is imperative and essential to being able to take full advantage of everything the Aquarium has to offer.

This means that a child:

1. Knows when they need to use the bathroom.

2. Can unfasten, pull down bottoms and underwear.

3. Can get on the toilet and wipe themselves.

4. Pull underwear up and pull up and fasten bottoms.

5. Can flush the toilet and wash their hands on their own.

6. In the event of an accident, the camper must be able to change clothes and clean themselves up.

7. Diapers or pullups are not permitted.

We do suggest that you consider the practicality of the clothing a camper wears to camp. The clothes should be easy to take off and put back on while in the restroom. One-piece outfits are not recommended for camp.

Staff are always monitoring campers via sound while campers are using the restrooms. All staff are aware that campers of any age may have an accident and will assist by providing clean clothes for the camper, assisting with buttons or zippers as needed and providing items the camper may use to clean themselves up. This is done with respect and discreetly so as not to embarrass the camper.

In the event a camper has a bathroom accident and the camper is not able to fully clean themselves up and change clothes, the Camp Director will call the guardian to come in to assist the camper according to regulations. Should a health emergency occur, the staff will step in at that point.
Special needs campers will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

A complete list of paperwork needs is listed in the Summer Camp Caregiver Handbook, but we require camper information, a health form completed within the last 3 years with immunization dates, Administration of Medication form if needed and an Individual Plan of Care to let us get to know your camper a little better and provide any support they may require.

Full day camps require guardians to pack a lunch as well as a morning and afternoon snack each day for your camper. Campers do not have the ability to purchase lunch at the café. Please have an ice pack in the lunch bag to keep perishables chilled. There are local establishments where you can purchase lunch items, if necessary, prior to checking in your camper.
 

Half-day camps require guardians to pack a snack for the camper each morning. Please have an ice pack in the lunch bag to keep perishables chilled. There are local establishments where you can purchase snack items, if necessary, before dropping off your camper.

Your camper must be up to date on all childhood/adolescent immunizations according to the CDC and CT Office of Early Childhood’s schedule, to be able to attend camp with Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport Museum and Project Oceanology. While they are not required, it is recommend that your camper be immunized for the Flu and Covid 19.

Camps begin at 9:00am. Plan to have your camper at the check-in area between 8:45 - 8:55am.

Camp paperwork is due no later than two weeks prior to the start of your camp week session. Late paperwork will result in your camper missing camp time.

We offer an Extended day program for select camps/sessions. It will be indicated at registration if it is available.

Yes, if the physical has been completed within the past 3 years and includes the record of vaccinations.

Every day is different but will include many adventures throughout the Aquarium! Each camp will have at least five transitions in and out of the classroom area each day. An example of a day of programming from a Grade 1-6 2024 camp is:

• 9:00 Check in
• 9:30AM Watch a penguin session and speak with a penguin trainer at the Penguin Exhibit
• 10:00AM Penguin class in the classroom
• 10:45AM California Sea Lion show in Marine Theater
• 12:00PM Lunch in Classroom
• 12:30PM Green Exploration
• 1:15PM Activity on adaptations of dinosaurs in the classroom
• 2:00PM Craft in classroom
• 2:45PM Visit Dino Seas exhibit
• 3:30PM Journal/Dinner Talk
• 4:00PM Leave for the day

CampDoc.com is a secure, electronic system that organizes and protects all required camp paperwork for Mystic Aquarium camps. The Camp Director will send you a welcome email when your CampDoc login credentials are available; you will not be able to log into CampDoc until you receive this email. All registered campers will then receive a follow-up email from CampDoc.com with detailed instructions on how to submit required health forms and paperwork. The website is secure, encrypted, and password-protected. If you have used CampDoc.com for Mystic Aquarium in the past, the previous year’s information will be visible, and you will be able to update it as needed. You cannot transfer information between organizations on CampDoc.

Please contact our Camp Director at bhirsh@mysticaquarium.org or 860-572-5955 ext. 158. Camp Offices are staffed during regular business hours (8:00am-5:00pm), Monday through Friday. During the off-season, business hours are 8:00am-4:00pm, Monday through Friday. All calls and messages will be returned within 24 hours and messages left on weekends, after hours and on holidays will be returned within the next business day.

Camp registration is completed online. If assistance needed, please contact our Education department at 860-572-5955 ext. 431

The itinerary is specific to each camp and will provide information on daily themes, as well as a reminder for packing lists, and more. The itinerary will be given to the guardian on Monday of your camp week. You will be emailed in advance, a list of what your camper will need for the week.

Yes, payment in full is required at the time of registration.

Yes, camp session dates can be changed as space allows. Please contact our Education department at 860-572- 5955 ext. 431

We expect every camper to be healthy upon arrival at camp. If your camper is exhibiting any symptoms of sickness, they cannot attend.

Contact the Education department directly at educationinfo@mysticaquarium.org regarding cancellations and refunds. All refund requests must be made in writing and as soon as you know you need to cancel.
The Mystic Aquarium will provide a full refund for any camp that we cancel for any reason.
No refunds will be issued for non-attendance once a camp session starts.
No refund will be issued for a camper who is asked to leave camp for behavioral reasons. 
Refunds will be considered at the discretion of the Camp Director, in the event of illness.

Our standard refund/cancellation policy is as follows, once we receive your request: 31 days or more from the start of the camp week - 80% of the camp fee will be refunded. A 20% admin fee is not refunded.

30 days or less from the start of the camp week – There is no refund offered for requests made during this time. Please contact the Camp Director directly to discuss your options.

Camp staff are required to be at least 21 years of age and camp volunteers are at least 16 years of age.

Camp staff are trained in First Aid, CPR, AED and medication administration of rescue inhalers, EpiPen use and oral medication administration.