Kid's Camps   

Pacific Whale Foundation invites kids entering grades K through 5 to join us for a fun-filled discovery day camp, based at Pacific Whale Foundation's air-conditioned Discovery Center in Ma'alaea (next to Maui Ocean Center). Ocean Discovery Camp combines hands-on learning opportunities like science experiments, games and sports and arts and crafts with outdoor adventures and field trips, including visits to Maui Ocean Center, surfing and wind surfing, tidepool explorations, snorkel cruises, beach fun and much more. The emphasis is on having fun while learning about the marine environment.

The camp program is desgined and led by professional educators and marine naturalists with many years of experience working with children. Pacific Whale Foundation guarantees a one to ten counslor to camper ratio to ensure that each camper benefits from our staff's friendly and enthusiastic attention.

Daily field trips and beach excursions are made using our 15-passenger van, equipped with seatbelts and air-conditioning (parents must provide booster seats for children who require them).

Each weekly session has a different theme:

June 1-4: Magnificent Marine Mammals
June 7-11: Incredible Invertebrates
June 14-18: Terrific Sea Turtles
June 21-25: Fantastic Fish Stories
June 28-July 2: Crazy Gnarly Cnidarians
July 5-9: Magnificent Marine Mammals             
July 12-16: Sensational Sharks
July 19-23: Incredible Invertebrates
July 26-30: Hawai’i: The Place We Call Home

Camp takes place Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Early drop-off and late pick-up are available with advance registration for a small additional fee. Camp fees include all field trip expenses, classroom supplies and snacks. Children must bring their own sack lunch and drinks along with bathing suit and towel.

For more specific program information, visit our camp web page by going to www.mauioceancamp.org.

Questions about Grade K-5 Program to Erica at 808-856-8317, or email erica
For a detailed schedule for each week click here.

You have the option to become a member during checkout.  The discount will be applied before checkout is complete.
No camp on December 25 and January 1.
Please call our reservations specialists between 6 am and 9 pm with any further questions on our Maui Ocean Camp for Kids.  Toll free at 1(800)942-5311 or dial locally (808)249-8811.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional info or call.

Jr. Naturalist Outdoor Adventure Camp offers middle school students opportunities to combine outdoor recreation with environmental service projects. Each day’s activities will take participants to a different location, where they will work with local environmental service partners and then explore fun, outdoor activities on that part of the island. Students will learn about environmental and cultural challenges facing our island home and contribute a few hours to make a difference.

Outdoor activities will include  surfing, snorkel cruises, beach fun, sports, games, and crafts. Service Learning  projects will include beach cleanups, invasive plant species removal, protecting some of Maui’s last remaining sand dunes, organic gardening and more.

Jr. Naturalist Outdoor Adventure Camp hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 14 through June 25, 2010. The regular daily rate is $57 per day. Pacific Whale Foundation members pay a reduced daily rate of just $46 per day.
 
Camp fees include all field trips and field trip transportation and supplies. Transportation to field trips will be provided in air-conditioned vans.  Early drop-off at 8:00 am is available with advance notice for a small added fee. Advance registration is required.

What do the campers need?

The following should be packed each day in a (name labeled) tote bag or backpack that the camper can carry:
Sunscreen
Change of clothes, sweatshirt, or light jacket
Swimsuit
Plastic bag for wet items
Digital camera (optional)
Re-useable water bottle (available at camp store)

Lunch should be packed separately in a cooler with ice packs.

In addition, please note the following activity-specific gear:
Tuesday - Rash guard, water booties
Wednesday - Rain poncho or jacket, sneakers
Thursday - Snorkel gearl (optional, can be provided)
Friday - Sneakers for golfing, ice cream topping for our "social" (optional)

Please Note: Campers may not bring iPods or video games to camp. Cell phones may be packed at parents' discretion but will not be used during camp hours unless it is to return a parent's phone call.

Furlough Fridays Ocean Discovery Camp for children ages 5 - 12

The Furlough Fridays Ocean Discovery Camp program features hands-on learning about the ocean, with programs that include science experiments and projects, arts and crafts, vocabulary development and language arts, field trips and fun.  The camp program was created by Merrill Kaufman, Education Director at Pacific Whale Foundation, a Hawaii DOE-certified teacher.  The camp will take place at Pacific Whale Foundation’s air-conditioned Ocean Discovery Center, conveniently located next to the Maui Ocean Center in Ma’alaea off Route 35 (Hanoapiilani Highway).
The camp hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Early drop-off and late pick-ups are available for an added fee, and must be prearranged.
“We think it’s important that kids have the opportunity to learn, even while they’re not in school,” says Kaufman. “Our program incorporates Hawaii Content Performance Standards, and we’ve set it up to have a low student to teacher ratio, so everyone gets lots of quality attention.”
The program will be staffed by Pacific Whale Foundation's marine education team, who each hold college degrees, naturalist certification, and CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard training.
Each furlough day features a different theme. Parents and children can pick as many days as they wish. (Each day stands independently; children will be able to fully engage in the day’s activities even if they did not participate in prior days’ programs.)

The themes are:
October 23 - Incredible Invertebrates: Meeting the Spineless Wonders of the Ocean
October 30 - Incredible Invertebrates: All about Plankton
November 6 - Incredible Invertebrates: Squid Rules (including squid dissection and squid ink tattoos)
November 20 - Incredible Invertebrates: Crab Discovery Day
December 4 - Magnificent Marine Mammals: Hawaii’s Humpback Whales
December 11 - Magnificent Marine Mammals: Super Spinner Dolphins
December 18 - Magnificent Marine Mammals: Hawaii’s Monk Seals
January 15 - Totally Turtles! (Includes field trip to Maui Ocean Center)
January 29 - Totally Turtles: Turtle Morphometrics (How turtles differ in size and form)
February 5 - Totally Turtles: Turtle Diets
February 12 - Gnarly Cnidarians: A Cool Look at Jellyfish, Corals and Hydroids
March 5 - Gnarly Cnidarians: Aurelia (Moon Jelly) Lab
March 12 - Gnarly Cnidarians: Crazy Coral Reefs
April 23 - Fantastic Fish: Visit to Maui Ocean Center
April 30 - Fantastic Fish: Dissection and Discovery Lab
May 7 - Fantastic Fish: Sharks (includes field trip to Maui Ocean Center)
May 14 - Fantastic Fish: Prey and Predators

“This is our 12th year of offering our summer and School Break Ocean Discovery Camps,” says Merrill Kaufman. “We knew we had to offer our successful program as a furlough day option for parents who want kids learning in a really fun and engaging environment.”

The camp’s price includes all field trip fees and morning and afternoon snacks. Campers must bring their own lunches. Pre-registration is required.

Pacific Whale Foundation will also be offering a Winter Break Ocean Discovery Camp on December 21 to December 31, Monday to Thursday. Pre-registration is required.