Summer Adventure Camp FAQs

Upon arrival on the first day of camp, your child will be directed to the classroom or the learning lab at MDC. Younger camps usually meet in the classroom and older camps in the learning lab.

2023 Summer Camp registration dates are January 30 for MDC Members and February 6 for the general public. Registration will be online here on our website.

Your reservation is confirmed when full payment and registration information is received and processed. Reservations are made on a first come, first serve basis.

Due to the popularity of our camps we do implement a cancellation policy of $25 per camper. If the reservation is cancelled within 2 weeks of the camp date, however, MDC will be unable to issue a refund.

Select MDC Memberships receive discounted pricing.

Yes, financial assistance is available! Please request an application for scholarship by emailing carley@marinediscoverycenter.org. In addition, educators at Volusia County Title I Elementary & Middle Schools may nominate a student to receive a scholarship for one week at our 2023 summer camps. Nomination letter due by March 1, 2023. Learn more…

All of our volunteers and staff are required to undergo a Level 2 Background Screening through the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)’s Clearinghouse.

Our camp staff is CPR/First Aid certified and has received training on how to properly care for campers with allergies, asthma, and other health concerns. Please discuss any health concerns with your child’s camp instructor.

All camps will have at least one staff member as well as several volunteer camp counselors. The maximum number of campers varies from 16-20 depending on the camp.

Campers should wear comfortable clothing, closed toe shoes, and sunscreen. Campers should bring closed toe water shoes, a bathing suit, a sun shirt or rash guard, a towel, a change of clothes, a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Campers should also bring a reusable water bottle, healthy snack, and waste-free lunch every day.

All camps will include island exploration, science activities, marine-related arts and crafts, and shoreline studies in our salt marsh. Other activities vary depending on the camp but may include fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, surfing, and paddle boarding.

Schedules will vary depending on the camp your child is attending. Below is a sample schedule for our Loggerheads Summer Adventure Camps:
8:30 – 8:35 Campers Arrive – Doors open at 8:15 a.m.
8:35 – 9:00 Icebreaker Activity
9:00 – 10:30 Outside Activity – This may include fishing, island exploration, shoreline exploration or nature walks.
10:30 – 10:45 Morning Snack
10:45 – 12:00 Outside Activity – This may include fishing, island exploration, shoreline exploration or nature walks.
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and Outside Free Play
1:00 – 1:30 Storytime and Craft
1:30 – 2:00 Educational Activity
2:00 – 2:30 Educational Game
2:30 – 3:00 Free Play/Camper pick-up

The camp photo shows are always on Friday afternoons. Times for your child’s photo show will be provided at the beginning of the week of your scheduled camp. All of the photo shows will be emailed to the address you provided for us on your registration forms. Please notify your camp instructor if you would like the photo show emailed to a different address.

Please call the Welcome Center 386.428.4828 or Education Office 386.428.3310 for more information about our summer camps. You can also email the Education Coordinator, Carley Metcalf, at carley@marinediscoverycenter.org

MDC will monitor CDC guidelines as we plan for our 2023 camp season and will update parents with the most current policies as we get closer to summer. Regardless of COVID-specific policies, in an effort to minimize illness during your child’s education program, we ask that you check on the health of your child daily prior to their scheduled program and notify us if they will not be able to attend. Please discuss proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette with your child.