Summer 2022 Camp Registration & FAQs

"The boys talked about last year's camp until the day they returned this year.

​They absolutely love it."
Fred S.

Camp at The Whaling Museum

Ocean Adventures Camp | Aug 15-19, 9-1pm: Roll up your sleeves and discover how scientists study the world of marine biology and oceanography. We will explore the amazing seas through science, art, history, and culture. Have fun with science experiments, craft projects, and games every day as we explore amazing creatures and their habitats. Touch items from the museum's collection each day. Entering grades 1-5. 

Ocean Science Camp | Aug 22-26, 9-1pm: From coral reefs to the midnight zone in the deep sea, we invite curious explorers to discover remarkable marine life both in the Long Island Sound and far away! We use hands-on activities and experiments to investigate habitats and adaptations, with accompanying craft creations to take home. Touch items from the museum's collection each day. Entering grades 3-7. 

For both summer experiences:​

• ​We will reserve a field trip day for a pleasant walk from the museum down to the beautiful harbor to collect and study water samples. 
• Campers, please bring lunch and a water bottle with you, and come with sunscreen every day. You may wish to wear bug repellant as we eat lunch in the beautiful outdoors in good weather. 

Camp Pricing: 

• $375/week
• Members - $340/week, $320 sibling rate/week

Member pricing is available to family memberships and up. Sibling discount is for members only

Current members, you must be logged in to receive member pricing. If you need help registering for camp, please reach out to us or call us on weekdays at x10.
​
Early bird pricing ended May 13th​

Become a Member Today!

CAMP REGISTRATION:

Ocean Adventure Camp Aug 15-19

Ocean Science Camp ​Aug 22-26

Need-Based Camp Scholarships

If attending The Whaling Museum's camp experiences pose a financial hardship, the Museum offers partial or full scholarships ​for those in a position of financial need.

Scholarships are accepted on a rolling basis, and there are no deadlines. All applications are reviewed in a confidential manner. 

Application

Huntington Adventure Camp

Photos

This camp took place on June 27th through July 1st and is now closed.

Huntington Adventure Camp was a collaboration with Huntington Historical Society, Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium, and Heckscher Museum of Art. Each institution hosted one half day for campers over a week's time with a joint camp day at the end of the week where the week's projects were displayed and everyone celebrated.

The below photos are from the camp day at The Whaling Museum. 

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Camp FAQs

What's a typical day of camp like?

Unless otherwise posted, camp runs 9:00-1:00 pm. Every day of camp is full of both indoor and outdoor activities as we focus on diverse themes which explore the ocean in fun ways. Camp starts off with open free-time in our workshop room, followed by the day's set activities, which usually include touching objects and artifacts from the collection, playing active tag games, creative art-making, and highly hands-on exploration stations. We typically break into small groups for set station activities that children rotate through. We have a lunch break outside, weather permitting (bring lunch and a water bottle with you). Camp ends as kids complete an art activity to take home.

Who are the camp instructors?

Camp is lead by our Education Department's seasoned educators. They come from a wide array of backgrounds from history to science to education and more (read about us on the About Us page). We normally have an adult-child ratio of 1:7 or better; young camp assistants, who are volunteers, are often present, especially when we have a large group signed up.

We're thinking of signing up for a membership - can we do that at the same time we sign up for camp?

Welcome! First, please separately purchase a Family Level (or above!) membership online. Then, load up your camp cart to get Members-Only pricing. 

More information about membership levels and benefits can be found on our Membership page.

How does the sibling discount work?

We currently offer a sibling discount as a thank you to our wonderful Family Level museum members! We happily discount 10% off for the second (and third!) sibling for members. The first child attends at regular price; the second child, attending for an equal number of days,  may attend for 10% off.  We're so happy if you visit with a cousin or friend, but sibling discounts can only be used for siblings. Thanks for understanding! There is no sibling discount off the Crew Leader price (don't worry, you're getting a good deal!)  ​

What is a Crew Leader? 

We welcome older participants who still want to be part of the fun, but can be trusted with taking on a leadership role in camps for younger students: 

• Crew Leaders are normally entering 4-5th grades who come to camp to both have fun and assist our instructors in camp sessions aimed for younger children. Leaders take a leadership role during the learning games we play, help us pass out supplies during activities, and help keep camp moving smoothly. They partake in all the activities and crafts. The cost for a Crew Leader to attend camp is discounted for members and non-members.
• CITs are entering grades 9+. They gain valuable experience and volunteer hours. Like their names imply, they are Counselors in Training! They assist our instructors with keeping activities running smoothly. While we encourage CITs to of course have fun, we expect them to behave professionally, responsibly, and courteously at all times. There is no cost for a CIT to attend camp. At least 5 days of service (1 week) are required for the summer season. Advance registration is required for CITS and must be approved by the museum in advance.
• See a Job Description for CITS.

What is your CANCELLATION policy?

Camp Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations

• There are no refunds for camp cancellations.
• There are no refunds or makeups for illnesses or absences.
• There are no refunds given for participants dismissed for improper behavior which includes, but is not limited to, persistent rudeness to or bullying of others, repeated failure to obey requests made by staff, and the deliberate misuse or destruction of supplies/materials used in activities.

Transfers

• Transfer requests (including gifted transfers to another child's name) are accepted up until 30 days from the start of the camp week you wish to transfer out of, and is subject to availability. There is a $25 charge per camper, per weekly session.

If the museum cancels camp activities:

• Refunds will not be issued for activities cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control (i.e. weather, power outages). 
• If the museum cancels a program for any other reason, including low enrollment, registrants may transfer to another program of equal or lesser value, subject to availability, or receive a full refund of the program registration fee. Please allow a minimum of three weeks for refund processing. 

Membership fees

• Membership fees are not refundable.  If you are unhappy with your membership, please contact our Director here. 

Is camp ever cancelled?

If the museum cancels camp activities:

• Refunds will not be issued for activities cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control (i.e. weather, power outages). 
• If the museum cancels a program for any other reason, including low enrollment, registrants may transfer to another program of equal or lesser value, subject to availability, or receive a full refund of the program registration fee. Please allow a minimum of three weeks for refund processing. 

​WHAT IS PRE-CAMP PLAY?

• NOTE: Pre-camp play will not be offered during the 2021 camp season.

How Much is Camp?

We offer special Early-Bird discounts for all camps if you register before April 15.

Early-Bird Pricing:
Member campers:  $200/week
Member 2nd sibling: $180/week (this option is only for members!)
Non-Member campers: $250/week
Crew Leaders (gr. 4-5): $180/week

Regular Pricing:
Member campers: $250
​Member 2nd sibling: $230
Non-Member campers: $300
​Crew Leaders (gr. 4-5): $230/week
​

​Do you offer financial assistance?

Thanks to support generous private donations to our Camp Scholarship Fund, we do! Applications are based on financial need and are accepted year-round here. ​

What if I still have questions?

• ​​If you have questions about what camp is like, give our educators a call at 631-367-3418 ext. 16 or 11 from 10am-5pm (though please note that all signups are online).​
  
• If you have questions about your registration or payment, please contact our Business Manager, Katie Kelly at 631-367-3418 x10 from 10-5 pm. ​
  

What Age range is your camp for?

Most camps consist of open-ended activities for children entering grades K-3, with students entering grades 4-5 as Crew Leaders (see above). Occasionally we have more science-based camps that are geared toward those entering grades 2-5, which would be indicated on the registration page.