Summer Camps

Gulf Island Journey campers in the salt marsh.

Registration Opens February 1, 2024

The Discovery Hall Programs offer a variety of programs for all ages during the summer, ranging from single-day programs to residential camps and academic courses. Our highly qualified educators guide campers and students through all activities, and residential students are well-supervised by our exceptional counselors.

Camp registrations are processed in the order in which they are received.

More details available in the Summer Camp Guide.

Day Camps

BIO Blitz

Ages: 10-13 Cost: $60

Become a Barrier Island Observer in this full-day camp. Campers will set out on an expedition across the diverse habitats of Dauphin Island, including the beach, salt marsh, and maritime forest.

Ocean Bytes

Ages: 9-11 Cost: $75

Campers will get their feet wet in this single-day camp using some of the tools scientists use to study the oceans, including underwater robots, drones, and GPS along our beaches.

Ocean STEAMers

Ages: 8-11 Cost: $60

All Aboard!! The new Ocean STEAMers day camp is ready to set sail. During this program, our STEAMers will embark on an art meets science voyage where we will explore the art of camouflage, biological illustration techniques, and use sculpture to dive down into the deep sea.

Oceans Alive!

Ages: 5-8 Cost: $45

A fun half-day camp combining arts and crafts with a beach walk adventure. Children and their guardian will dive deeper into the marvelous Alabama coast.

Survivor: Dauphin Island

Ages: 10-13 Cost: $60

Join us for a ‘reel’ adventure and put your survival skills to the test. You will learn about Alabama’s fishes, which ones are edible, how to toss a cast net, how to bait a crab trap, how to drag a seine, and how to bring in the catch of the day while pier fishing.

Overnight Camps

When it states “Rising,” this means that the child will be in the specified grade in the NEXT school year.

Barrier Island Explorer

Rising Grades: 5th-6th Cost: $400

A three-night camp focused on exploring the wonders of the Gulf Coast region.

Bay Voyager

Rising Grades: 9th-12th Cost: $700

An active outdoors hands-on week-long overnight camp focused on learning about Alabama’s marine environment, animals, and plants.

Coastal Fisheries Camp

Rising Grades: 9th-12th Cost: $920

The School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, The Fisheries Learning Center, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab have partnered to offer Coastal Fisheries Camp. The camp introduces high school students ot the marine environment through a variety of academic activities.

Gulf Island Journey

Rising Grades: 7th-9th Cost: $650

Campers will have fun exploring areas of Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, Mississippi Sound, and the northern Gulf of Mexico learning about the animals, habitats, and issues confronting the Alabama coast and the world’s oceans.

Marine DeTECHtives

Rising Grades: 7th-8th Cost: $450

If you are interested in robotics and engineering then this camp is for you. Learn how to build a simple robot, solder components on a circuit board, and design and build a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Residential Marine Science Class

Rising Grades: 9th-12th Cost: $2,750

The Residential Marine Science Class is an immersive 4-week academic class that introduces high school students to the field of marine science. The course gives students a better understanding and appreciation of the various disciplines in marine biology and oceanography.