SUMMER CAMP 2022 FAQ

Project Oceanology is working hard to plan a fun and healthy summer! Our mission for summer 2022 is to get kids outside and away from their devices for a week of fun on the water. We know that children who spend time outdoors are healthier and stronger, with stronger immune systems, lower stress, and longer attention spans. We work closely with our camp physician, the camp community, and the state of CT to ensure a safe and healthy environment at our summer camp. Many aspects of our camp allowed for safe practices even before the pandemic. Our 15.000 sq. ft. facility allows for camps to have their own labs, classrooms and open space for activities. Our shoreline studies take us to mile-long beaches and marshes, with plenty of room to explore. Aboard our vessels, we make full use of deck space… and gulps of fresh sea air!

How do I register my camper?

Please visit oceanology.org/summer-camps.

What if my child has a special need?

Project Oceanology staff has extensive experience working with students of all abilities. Reasonable accommodations will be made as necessary; however each camper is unique in their needs. You may contact Project Oceanology to arrange a meeting prior to the start of camp to discuss your child's individual needs and/or accommodations.

What occurs during inclement weather?

Project Oceanology prides itself on getting campers outside to study their natural environment and we don’t let a little rain stop us! Please plan accordingly based on the weather forecast. During times of heavy rain, lightning, or thunder, alternative programming will be conducted inside the labs and/or classrooms. Our facility is large which allows ample space for each camp to have its own lab, classroom and open space for activities during severe weather days.

I understand that you take pictures during the camp. Where do I find them and does Project Oceanology use them?

Project Oceanology staff take pictures throughout your camper's session and will share a photo album of their week at camp via an online link after their camp week has ended. Some of these pictures are also posted on the Project Oceanology Facebook page, where you can download any pictures you wish.

Does my child need vaccinations to attend camp?

The following vaccinations are required to attend summer camp at Project O:

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), Varicella (Chickenpox), Hepatitis A & B, Meningococcal (grades 7+) Polio, and COVID (for those eligible). We do not make exceptions for this requirement.

Our vaccination policy is a result of continual education and guidelines from:

The Center for Disease Control
State of CT Department of Public Health (Vaccination in the Camp Setting)
State of CT Office of Early Childhood (Vaccination Schedule )
Recommendations from our camp physician

It is our responsibility as a licensed youth camp to make the safest and best decisions not only for our campers and their families but also for Project O staff and their families. These vaccination requirements also pertain to our camp staff and other Project Oceanology employees.

Taking these factors and more into consideration, requiring vaccinations is a necessary component to a healthy camp. These vaccination requirements also pertain to our camp staff and other Project Oceanology employees.

Is there a waiting list for all sessions that are full?

Yes, waiting lists are kept for all camp sessions. If you apply to a session that is already full, we will automatically enter your camper's name on the list. You will be notified if a space becomes available. No payment is required to register for the waitlist.

Can my camper receive academic credit for participating in camp?

Project Oceanology does not provide academic credit for participating in camp.

How do I get in touch with you?

If you have any questions regarding our policies or requirements to attend camp at Project O, please email us at projecto@oceanology.org.

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camp forms

Registering for Camp

What camp forms are required? (All forms will be included in your confirmation email when you register your child for camp).

Asthma Action Plan

EPI-Pen Emergency

Health Exam and Vaccination Record

Self Administration of Medication

Individual Plan of Care

Permission to Walk/Bike to Camp

For more information about camp forms check our our Parent's Guide to Required Camp Forms

Camp Handbooks

Residential Camper Handbook

Day Camper Handbook

Bunk Room Assignments

It’s important for us to know what to consider when assigning your camper to a bunk room: Is this the first experience at a sleepaway camp? Is your camper returning the same week as a friend and wants to bunk with them? Do they prefer a top bunk or bottom? Is a sibling attending camp the same week - do they prefer to be together or separate? As part of the registration process, you can tell us those details and we will do our best to accommodate them. In addition, this year, we will offer a “Gender-Inclusive” bunk room. This is a great choice for campers who identify as non-binary, who want to bunk with a friend who is non-binary, for siblings who prefer to room together, or for campers who feel this is the best fit for any reason. For more information, please read our “Best Practices for Gender Inclusion”. You can also email us at projecto@oceanology.org with any questions you might have

Best Practices for Gender Inclusion

Why offer this option? That’s easy, we are as passionate about our camper’s environment at Project O summer camp as we are about our planet’s marine environment! If we want to provide an excellent camp experience, we must have a plan in place to ensure all campers feel welcome and respected in our camp community

What about Bathrooms? We have a single-occupant bathroom complete with a shower designated as Gender-Neutral and available for use by any person, regardless of gender.

Who will be in my camper's bunk room? When a camper is registered, parents will have the option to choose a bunk room that corresponds to their camper’s gender. Those campers who register for a female room will be roomed with other campers who identify as female. Those campers who register for a male room will be roomed with other campers who identify as male. Those campers who choose the “Gender-Inclusive” option will be assigned to a room that will have others who made the same choice, regardless of sex. Just like all other bunk rooms in our hostel, they will be supervised by our staff, and expected to adhere to our code of conduct.

Who can opt to stay in a “Gender-Inclusive” bunk room? Gender-Inclusive bunk rooms are a good option for campers who feel this is the best fit for any reason, regardless of gender. For example, non-binary campers, their friends who want to bunk with them, or perhaps siblings who want to bunk together.

Anything else? Project O already has well-tested policies and practices that deal with all sorts of behaviors and contingencies that might arise at a summer camp for pre-teens and teenagers. We have well-trained staff. Our camp directors are Project O educators for the rest of the year (before and after camp season). We address things like bullying, inappropriate behaviors, special needs, and anything else you can imagine might happen at summer camp as a matter of policy and best practice. We’ve had campers of all identities before and accommodated them; this step only allows us to streamline and standardize our practices

handbook

Bunk Room Assignments

Gender Bes Practices

Medicine

Bringing Medicine to Camp

My Child needs to take medication at camp. What do I need to know?

Project Oceanology chooses to have campers self-administer medications under the supervision of trained staff and in accordance with CT State Laws. All medications are secured by Project O staff and distributed to the camper as directed by the Physician’s written order (Form: Authorization for the Self-Administration of Medication by Youth Camp Personnel). All camp staff are certified in medication administration which includes Epi-Pen as well as First Aid/CPR. The “Authorization for the Self Administration of Medication by Youth Camp Personnel” form is needed for EVERY medication your child brings to camp. The top half of this form is the Physician’s Written Order (Physician signature required). The bottom half of the form is the Parent’s consent for self-administration of medication. This does not mean your child will self carry their medication. As stated above, it means your child will self-administer their medication when it is distributed to your child by certified Project O staff as directed by the Physician’s written order. Physicians and parents must agree that the child can self-administer their medication. We cannot accept medication if this form is not signed by both the Physician and the Parent. If you have any questions about this procedure or completing the form, please contact us before submitting the form to your child’s physician.

Please check these items before arriving at camp with medication:
- The medication is in its original container that has the original prescription label. ex. Inhalers need to have the box with the prescription label
- The medication is not expired, or in a bottle with an old label that is expired.
- If the form from the doctor lists a specific brand of medication, a generic brand cannot be used as a substitute.
- It would be helpful to bring a copy of your medical administration papers.
- Each medication needs its own form and requires a Doctor’s signature. Even over-the-counter medications such as Advil (Ibuprofen), Tylenol (Acetaminophen), Vitamins, etc. require a form with a Doctor’s signature.

Please call us if you are unsure if a form is required. State law permits no exceptions so please take the time to ensure each medication, container, and label is in order and matches the forms submitted.

tuition assistance

Tuition Assistance

Is tuition assistance available?

The ability for Project O to offer tuition assistance varies each year and is dependent on private donations and grants. We expect to know what our funding ability is by mid-March and will begin processing applications on or after March 15.

Our policy is to award tuition assistance funds based on need. In an effort to assist as many campers as possible to attend our camps we do not offer 100% assistance. Please note that before submitting an application for tuition assistance you must register your child for camp through our online registration software which requires a deposit of 10% of camp tuition and a payment plan for the remaining balance. If assistance is not available (or enough) and you are unable to pay the tuition cost, your deposit and any installments will be refunded. Please email us at projecto@oceanology.org if you have questions or concerns prior to submitting this application.

Tuition Assistance Application

camp staff

Camp Staff

Camp staff qualifications:

Staff may include both Marine Science Educators and Marine Education Interns. All Marine Educators have degrees in Marine Science or related fields. Marine Education Interns are current college students completing undergraduate studies in marine and/or environmental science. All staff is American Heart First Aid/CPR/AED certified. All camps are licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood-Division of Licensing. Licensed Captains operate Coast Guard inspected vessels.

Is camp staff background checked?

Yes, all the camp staff are fingerprinted for state background checks. Boat captains and deck crew for any of the Project Oceanology vessels are also part of a random drug pool testing per U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

Medical staff qualifications:

All camp staff are American Heart First Aid/CPR/AED certified
All camp staff are certified in the self-administration of medication and Epi-Pen
Our on-call youth camp physician is part of the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group and provides the planning of emergency care, supervision of camp health staff and reviews our health care procedures and weekly first aid camp logs

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medical staff

deposit

Deposit & Cancellation Policies

What is the deposit policy?

A 10% non-refundable deposit is required to register for camp (you will also have the option to pay in full). If you choose to register for camp with a deposit, you will be automatically enrolled in our payment plan. Payments for camp are due once a month (the payment date varies between camps and will be provided during registration). Camp tuition must be paid in full 30 days before our camp season starts (June 26, 2022). If you register for camp after May 26, you must pay for camp in full.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations made up to 30 days prior to the start of camp will receive a refund of camp cost less 10%. No refund will be given if canceled within 30 days of camp. Individuals who have commenced camp and withdraw prior to the end of camp for any reason and individuals who are dismissed from camp for violating any of the enrollment policies listed above or other applicable camp rules are not eligible for a refund of any portion of the tuition paid.

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Camp Types & Status

What camps are running this year?

Day Camps: Ocean Explorer Academy and Undersea Technology Camp
Residential Camps: Ocean Camp and Marine Science Research Camp
Partnership Camps: Project O & Mystic Aquarium Day Camp

Are there any overnight camps running this year?

Yes both Marine Science Research Camp and Ocean Camp are overnight (residential) camps offered for the 2022 camp season.

Do you offer virtual camps?

At this time, we do not anticipate offering virtual camps for the 2022 camp season.

What camps are offered for each grade level?

Project Oceanology offers summer camps for students entering grades 4 through 12. For a list of camps broken out for each grade level see the document below.

Camps by Grade

residential camps

virtual camps

camps by grade level

transportation

Transportation

Is transportation provided?

Project Oceanology is not able to provide transportation to or from camp.

potassium iodide

Potassium Iodide (KI) Distribution

How can I find out more information about Potassium Iodide (KI) distribution?

Click here to proceed to the CT.gov website for Emergency Preparedness

Click here for the Potassium Iodide (KI) in CT Fact Sheet PDF

Summer Employment

Summer Intern and Junior Counselor Applications

Find both the job descriptions and job applications for Summer Interns and Junior Counselors here.

Summer Employment

COVID

We remain hopeful for a return to normal health conditions by summer 2022! However, This section will be updated as frequently as needed.

Sanitaton

Is the Covid Vaccine required for camp?

Yes. All campers that are eligible for the vaccine must be fully vaccinated prior to camp arrival. All Project O staff are fully vaccinated.

Is Covid testing required for my child to attend residential (overnight) camp?

Yes, for residential camp (Ocean Camp and Marine Science Research Experience). Campers must present a negative PCR Covid test from an accredited lab result taken within 72 hours of arriving at camp (PCR, Rapid-result PCR or PCR/NAAT). Parents should research the best options for this test well in advance of their child's week of camp. For families that are traveling right before arriving at camp, it might be helpful to check out the CVS and Walgreens websites as those pharmacies offer testing and are available in most states.

What extra steps will Project Oceanology take to ensure proper sanitation during camps?

Deep cleaning of all areas of use, self serve sanitization stations, health and safety signage posted in our facility, verbal instructions and reminders for campers, daily activities incorporate CDC and CT-OEC recommendations, etc.

Are face masks required?

Our full mask policy can be found here (updated 4/28/22).

Can you tell me about your medical staff? What are their qualifications?

All camp staff are American Heart First Aid/CPR/AED certified
All camp staff are certified in the self-administration of medication and Epi-Pen
Our on-call youth camp physician is part of the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group and provides the planning of emergency care, supervision of camp health staff and reviews our health care procedures and weekly first aid camp logs

How will you reduce the risk of COVID transmission between campers?

We ask that you check on the health of your camper daily beginning 14 days prior to camp. The best camp sessions start with healthy campers and this begins at home. We will offer frequent opportunities for hand-washing (indoors) and hand sanitization (outdoors in the field). Campers will be required to wash or sanitize their hands before and after eating, and after touching any shared items or surfaces. Each camper will be provided with their own life jacket and basic scientific supplies (pencils, markers, notebook, etc). Each day of camp (Day and Overnight camp) consists of ample time outdoors working from an outdoor classroom space, the shore and aboard our boats. Day campers will enjoy their bag lunch outside daily, as long as weather permits and residential campers will also eat meals outdoors when possible.

Overnight campers bunk room space: Bunk Beds are spaced so campers sleep 6 ft apart and will be positioned “Head to Toe” (please view our camp video) to allow for the greatest distance between them.

Medical Staff

Face Masks

Reduce Risk

COVID Vaccine

COVID Test