Summer Camp
Estuary Quest Summer Camp
Two locations, one summer camp adventure to remember! Estuary Quest is all about diving into the amazing world of Tampa Bay in a fun, hands-on way. Each week has its own animal theme, but no matter when you come, you can always count on snorkeling, science experiments, games, boat rides, eco-friendly art, and tons of exciting activities.
Our Auer Marine Education Center in Tierra Verde, Florida, is the perfect spot for water lovers. Want to get muddy in the mangroves or paddle a kayak through the bay? This is your place!
Over at the Discovery Center on the St. Pete Pier, you’ll explore Tampa Bay Watch’s interactive exhibits, enjoy creature meet and greets, and cool off at Spa Beach or the Splash Pad.
No matter which location you choose, Estuary Quest is all about making lasting memories, connecting with nature, and learning something new every step of the way!
***The registration button below is password protected until it goes live at 9:00 AM on March 9, 2026.***
2026: Secrets of Survival
(June 1 - August 7)
Let’s wade into the Tampa Bay estuary and uncover the sneaky, spiky, and sometimes seriously strange strategies plants and animals use to survive. Campers will become curious biologists, exploring the clever (and often surprising!) ways life thrives in salty waters, shifting tides, and ever‑changing living shorelines.
From the 18 venomous spines of a lionfish (ouch!) to the color‑changing chromatophores of an octopus (now you see me, now you don’t!), every species has wild features that help it succeed. Through hands‑on activities, creativity, games, and outdoor adventures (including science labs, art projects, boat trips, kayaking, snorkeling, and so much more!) campers will investigate adaptations up close and in action.
Get ready for a summer packed to the gills with discovery, exploration, and fun in the sun! By the end of camp, campers won’t just know about nature’s survival strategies, they’ll be thinking like scientists and seeing the weird, wonderful world around them in a whole new way.
Registration opens March 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM!
Summer Camp 2026 Parent Info Packet: Coming soon!
Cost: $375 per week (members receive 10% off, please call (727) 867-8166 ext. 240 for more information)
Ages: 6 - 12, we also offer a Counselor in Training Leadership Program for ages 13-18
Time: M-F 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location:
Discovery Center: 700 2nd Ave NE, St Petersburg, FL 33701
or
Auer Marine Education Center: 3000 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Questions? Please send an email to education@tampabaywatch.org – we’re happy to help!
Camp Scholarships: Tampa Bay Watch is dedicated to ensuring that environmental learning experiences are accessible to everyone in our community. We do our best to accommodate families in need of financial assistance. If you would like to receive more information about this opportunity, please click here to complete our request form.
St. Pete Pier
Camp Schedule
Ages 6-8
June 1-5
The Next Generation
In nature, every parent is a survival expert, hiding, protecting, and outsmarting predators in the race to keep their babies alive. Ready to learn their secrets? Campers will build their own nests, play “capture the egg,” and discover the art of camouflage. They’ll uncover how the next generation grows, whether it’s an alligator guiding her hatchlings, a panther shielding her cubs, or an eagle teaching it’s young to soar.
June 15-19
Earth on the Move
Animals around the world are always on the go! Each with their own unique movement that is necessary for survival. Campers will learn about the slowest and quickest critters while testing their own speed, how the smallest plankton in the ocean embarks on the farthest migration, and the unique way plants move on land! Through hands-on activities and games to explore the world of movement, campers will become masters of motion.
July 6-10
Learning from Life Forms
Ever wonder just how clever creatures really are? Dive into the world of animal intelligence and see for yourself! Campers will explore animal behaviors through hands‑on tools, games, and crafts - designing aquatic mushroom art, testing whether they’re smarter than a dolphin, and teaming up to communicate like a school of fish or a flock of pelicans. By sharpening our observation skills, we’ll become a crew of junior marine biologists ready to uncover the surprising depths of animal knowledge!
July 20-24
Feeding Frenzy
Feeling hungry for adventure? We sure are! Join us as we sink our teeth into the amazing adaptations animals use to hunt, eat, and survive. Campers will compete to gather food using different types of beaks, act out roles in the food chain, and invent their own expert hunters, all while discovering how adaptations shape who eats what in nature. This is one feeding frenzy you won’t want to miss!
August 3-7
Biologic Bonds
Welcome to the symphony of symbiosis! As we explore how creatures work together (or against each other) to survive, we’ll uncover the incredible strategies behind nature’s strongest partnerships. Campers will race through a high‑energy symbiotic obstacle course, investigate the real-life relationship between a shark and a remora, and create their own symbiotic creature magnets. It’s a week full of surprises, teamwork, and the kind of wild creatures that make symbiosis seriously cool!
Ages 9-12
June 8-12
Surviving with Salt
Have you ever seen a turtle cry or a penguin sneeze? Believe it or not, this is how these animals regulate the amount of salt in their bodies! We’ll discover how creatures survive in salty environments, like Tampa Bay’s estuary! Together we’ll move through interactive 3D watershed models, conduct some salty experiments, and explore the beauty of a mangrove forest through watercolor painting. Along the way, we’ll uncover the surprising adaptations that help life thrive where freshwater and saltwater meet.
June 22-26
Deadly Defenses
Meet the toxic creatures of Tampa Bay! Let's discover how the power of poison can turn easy prey into a yucky (and possibly deadly!) surprise. Campers will learn how venomous animals like snakes and jellyfish use their spines, stingers, teeth, and tentacles to dominate their environment. We'll dissect spikey lionfish, trawl for poisonous puffers, and create dangerously cool crafts. This week of camp will leave you totally rattled!
July 13-17
Extremely Evolved
From boiling hot deserts to bone‑chilling oceans, some animals don’t just survive extreme environments, they thrive in them! Campers will discover how creatures, like penguins and anglerfish, can teach us about the unlikely places life can exist. Through strategy games like frog freeze tag, an echolocation craft, and meet-and-greets with Tampa Bay’s highly adaptive horseshoe crabs, join us to explore how animals adapt to some of the most challenging conditions on our planet!
July 27-31
Undersea Spies
Now you see them, now you don’t! Come explore surprising kinds of camouflage with us - like the way some critters appear to be plants! From squid dissections to camo collages, let's investigate how animals like the mimic octopus, leafy sea dragons, flounders and more can hide in plain sight. We’ll train your eyes to see these masters of disguise!
Ages 6-8
June 8-12
Feeding Frenzy
Feeling hungry for adventure? We sure are! Join us as we sink our teeth into the amazing adaptations animals use to hunt, eat, and survive. Campers will compete to gather food using different types of beaks, act out roles in the food chain, and invent their own expert hunters, all while discovering how adaptations shape who eats what in nature. This is one feeding frenzy you won’t want to miss!
June 22-26
The Next Generation
In nature, every parent is a survival expert, hiding, protecting, and outsmarting predators in the race to keep their babies alive. Ready to learn their secrets? Campers will build their own nests, play “capture the egg,” and discover the art of camouflage. They’ll uncover how the next generation grows, whether it’s an alligator guiding her hatchlings, a panther shielding her cubs, or an eagle teaching it’s young to soar.
July 13-17
Biologic Bonds
Welcome to the symphony of symbiosis! As we explore how creatures work together (or against each other) to survive, we’ll uncover the incredible strategies behind nature’s strongest partnerships. Campers will race through a high‑energy symbiotic obstacle course, investigate the real-life relationship between a shark and a remora, and create their own symbiotic creature magnets. It’s a week full of surprises, teamwork, and the kind of wild creatures that make symbiosis seriously cool!
July 27-31
Learning from Life Forms
Ever wonder just how clever creatures really are? Dive into the world of animal intelligence and see for yourself! Campers will explore animal behaviors through hands‑on tools, games, and crafts - designing aquatic mushroom art, testing whether they’re smarter than a dolphin, and teaming up to communicate like a school of fish or a flock of pelicans. By sharpening our observation skills, we’ll become a crew of junior marine biologists ready to uncover the surprising depths of animal knowledge!
Ages 9-12
June 1-5
Undersea Spies
Now you see them, now you don’t! Come explore surprising kinds of camouflage with us - like the way some critters appear to be plants! From squid dissections to camo collages, let's investigate how animals like the mimic octopus, leafy sea dragons, flounders and more can hide in plain sight. We’ll train your eyes to see these masters of disguise!
June 15-19
Extremely Evolved
From boiling hot deserts to bone‑chilling oceans, some animals don’t just survive extreme environments, they thrive in them! Campers will discover how creatures, like penguins and anglerfish, can teach us about the unlikely places life can exist. Through strategy games like frog freeze tag, an echolocation craft, and meet-and-greets with Tampa Bay’s highly adaptive horseshoe crabs, join us to explore how animals adapt to some of the most challenging conditions on our planet!
July 6-10
Earth on the Move
Animals around the world are always on the go! Each with their own unique movement that is necessary for survival. Campers will learn about the slowest and quickest critters while testing their own speed, how the smallest plankton in the ocean embarks on the farthest migration, and the unique way plants move on land! Through hands-on activities and games to explore the world of movement, campers will become masters of motion.
July 20-24
Deadly Defenses
Meet the toxic creatures of Tampa Bay! Let's discover how the power of poison can turn easy prey into a yucky (and possibly deadly!) surprise. Campers will learn how venomous animals like snakes and jellyfish use their spines, stingers, teeth, and tentacles to dominate their environment. We'll dissect spikey lionfish, trawl for poisonous puffers, and create dangerously cool crafts. This week of camp will leave you totally rattled!
August 3-7
Surviving with Salt
Have you ever seen a turtle cry or a penguin sneeze? Believe it or not, this is how these animals regulate the amount of salt in their bodies! We’ll discover how creatures survive in salty environments, like Tampa Bay’s estuary! Together we’ll move through interactive 3D watershed models, conduct some salty experiments, and explore the beauty of a mangrove forest through watercolor painting. Along the way, we’ll uncover the surprising adaptations that help life thrive where freshwater and saltwater meet.
Tierra Verde
Camp Schedule
REGISTER
The registration button will become active when camp registration opens on March 9th at 9:00 AM. No space left in the week of your choice? Don’t worry, there’s a waitlist!
NEW! Bay Futures Counselor in Training Leadership Program
Teens ages 13-18 with a passion for marine science, leadership, and working with kids are invited to apply for our Bay Futures Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Leadership Program. Gain hands-on experience guiding younger campers while honing key skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—plus, earn volunteer hours! This exciting opportunity is available at both Tampa Bay Watch locations. Click here to learn more - your teen can apply today through our website and take the first step toward becoming a future leader!
The cost to participate is $180 per week, due at time of acceptance, which supports the supplies and dedicated staff time necessary to deliver a high quality learning experience.
PLEASE NOTE!
Full-face snorkel masks are not permitted during snorkeling excursions or other water-based Tampa Bay Watch programs. Safety is our top priority, and there are a number of risks associated with this type of equipment. Clean, sanitized traditional-style masks and snorkels are available for participants to borrow upon request.
FOUL WEATHER POLICY:
We do our best to ensure that all planned activities are accomplished throughout the camp day, but safety is our first priority, and camp staff and captains reserve the right to change the daily schedule based on weather conditions (e.g. rain, high winds).
CANCELLATION/ REFUND POLICY:
If you notify Tampa Bay Watch of your intent to cancel at least ten days before your child's camp session, the camp registration fee will be assessed for a full or partial refund at the camp coordinator’s discretion and a $25 administrative fee will be held against any refunds provided. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than ten business days before your camper’s session start date, if your camper does not show up for their camp session, or if your camper is dismissed from camp by camp staff for behavioral issues. If you have questions about a refund, please email education@tampabaywatch.org.
In the event of an unavoidable emergency or medical concern, a full refund will be issued. Tampa Bay Watch reserves the right to modify or discontinue programs due to inclement weather or to maintain safe operations. In in the unlikely event of a cancellation, a full refund will be issued. If you have questions about cancellations and/or refunds please contact education@tampabaywatch.org.
