KEMAH AQUARIUM FIELD GUIDE
Sea Safari Camp — Scaly Squad: A Week of Hands‑On Marine and Reptile Science on the Kemah Boardwalk
A five‑day day camp for ages 7–12 that combines marine‑biology labs, herpetology activities, behind‑the‑scenes aquarium access and Kemah Boardwalk rides — this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Sea Safari Camp — Scaly Squad: A Week of Hands‑On Marine and Reptile Science on the Kemah Boardwalk.
Sea Safari Camp — Scaly Squad places children in an immersive, staff‑supervised program that blends marine biology and herpetology through dissections, water‑quality testing, habitat building, animal encounters, exhibit and behind‑the‑scenes tours, plus walks and rides on the Kemah Boardwalk.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands‑On Science: Anatomy, Water Chemistry and Life‑Support
Campers dissect squid, learn fish anatomy, test salinity, pH and nitrates, and sample the life‑support systems that keep aquarium exhibits thriving — a full curriculum of lab safety, field guides and educator‑led experiments.
Up‑Close Encounters and Behind‑the‑Scenes Access
Children meet aquatic and reptilian ambassadors, take exhibit tours, observe live dive shows and attend Q&As with aquarists, divers and herpetologists for a unique insider’s view of animal care and enrichment.
Boardwalk Rides, Train Trips and Outdoor Play
Daily schedules include walks on the Kemah Boardwalk, amusement rides such as the Boardwalk Beast speedboat, and train rides — blending classroom learning with outdoor recreation.
What the day feels like
What a Week Feels Like
From a morning meeting and themed activities to midday lunches in the Aquarium Restaurant and afternoon rides on the Boardwalk, the program runs weekdays and layers classroom‑style instruction with hands‑on labs, supervised animal encounters, exhibit tours and outdoor play under trained educators.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who benefits most from Sea Safari Camp — and who should check details before booking.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Five‑day day camp, Monday–Friday, July 20–24, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; before care (8–9 a.m.) and after care (4–5 p.m.) are available for additional fees.
If you opt out of the hot lunch, bring a cold packed lunch; bring any personal medications your child must self‑administer and note allergies or special needs during registration so staff can prepare accommodations.
Program is operated by the Aquarium Restaurant in Kemah, TX; check registration details and the selected date on the online calendar when booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What ages can attend Sea Safari Camp — Scaly Squad?
Camp is for children ages 7–12.
When and for how long does the camp run?
The listed session runs Monday–Friday, July 20–24, with core hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; before and after care are available for an additional fee.
How do you register and are there deadlines?
Online advanced registration is open and closes two weeks prior to the event; for questions contact [email protected].
What is the policy on medications and health care?
Participants must be able to administer their own medication (for example, inhalers or epi‑pens); aquarium staff are not permitted to administer medications and do not provide over‑the‑counter medicines onsite.
What happens if the program doesn’t meet minimum enrollment?
The program requires at least 10 registered participants; if the minimum isn’t met two weeks prior, families will be contacted about rescheduling options or issued a full refund.
What is included with camp registration?
All camps include daily field guides, educational programs, a Sea Safari Camp t‑shirt, snacks, lunch (hot lunch in the Aquarium Restaurant or cold packed lunch), hands‑on activities, animal encounters, exhibit and behind‑the‑scenes tours, and Boardwalk rides.