Camper Life

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls all about?
A: This camp is a local program for three weeks in June. It is available to girls who have completed the eighth grade and who live in Pinellas County, Florida. This program is a day camp and operates from 8am to 4pm daily. It’s all about learning science while having fun experiencing and exploring the Ocean World!

Q: How will I learn about Oceanography at the Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls?
A: Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science that combines biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and math to study all aspects of the world’s oceans. During the Oceanography Camp for Girls, you will learn about the oceans through hands-on, experiential activities that include fieldtrips, laboratory experiments, interviews with scientists, and informal discussions. In other words, you will learn by doing! For more information about the camp’s academic philosophy, click here.

Q: What are the OOceanography Camp Especially for Girls activities?
A: Camp activities include a “day at sea” aboard a research ship, coastal marine field trips, “real-world” research projects, career interviews, and visits to aquariums and Sea World.

Q: Will there be any additional costs for excursions? How much spending money will we need?
A: There are no additional costs. Only a small amount of money is needed for souvenirs, extra snacks, etc. Campers and their families are responsible for the cost of transportation from their homes to camp.

Q: How can I get an application for the Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls?
A: Applications are distributed via email to Pinellas County science teachers each Spring. Qualifying campers can fill out our online application. Applications are available online early January each spring until the deadline.

Q: When are the camp sessions each year?
A: The Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls sessions vary each summer but are typically for 3 weeks in June or July. Exact dates are announced each spring.

Q: Where is the camp?
A: The Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls is located at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus, which is close to downtown St. Petersburg. It is hosted by the College of Marine Science.

Q: Who are the camp staff?
A: The camp director (Teresa Greely, Biological Oceanographer) and mentors oversee the program. Program mentors include graduate students in Marine Science, research scientists, undergraduate students in marine sciences, and educators. Counselors are camp alumni who return as volunteer peer counselors each summer.
Click here to learn more about the camp staff.

Q: Will the campers be fully supervised?
A: Yes, program mentors will supervise the campers during all activities.

Q: How much free time will campers have?
A: This is a busy camp! But that doesn’t mean campers don’t have some time to themselves. Campers will have free time during meal breaks.

Q: What emergency medical facilities are available?
A: Many Camp staff are certified in First Aid and CPR. Emergency medical care is available at Bayfront Medical Center. Bayfront Medical Center is less than five minutes away from the University of South Florida’s Bayboro Campus. In addition, there are over ten hospitals located in Pinellas County.

Q: How can campers be contacted in case of an emergency?
A: Parents and guardians are supplied with the Oceanography Camp’s office phone number with a 24-hour voice message system. In addition, a 24-hour paging system is available in the event of an emergency.

Q: What are the camp’s Dos and Don’ts?
A: In addition to learning a lot about Oceanography, campers are expected to fully participate in all activities, to have fun, to learn and explore, to make new friends, and to laugh a lot. Each camper signs a Do’s and Don’ts contract with the camp staff agreeing to follow the camp rules.