Anyone have kids that attended career camp at SW?

[Ann Giles]

My son is attending career camp at Sea World in August. He's very excited as he wants to be a marine biologist.

We're going to be in the Orlando area while he's at camp - too far to drive back and forth to drop off/pick up!

Any suggestions on camp?

What to pack? What NOT to forget?

What did your kids like most/least?

Any suggestions, tips, comments would be highly appreciated!

Pam

 

[DixieDolphin]

I did the camp about ten years ago when I was in high school. When I went, they only offered it at San Antonio. But I imagine the general ideas are still the same.

I did a little writeup on it on a previous thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24297914

As for things to pack, keep it as light as possible. They should send you a list of what to bring as far as clothes and such. Just stick to that. Beyond that, though... Maybe bring a couple books to read, some spending cash, and a camera (preferably a waterproof one). Maybe an iPod or something with headphones for at night. They keep the campers /extremely/ busy, so there's not a whole lot of time to fool around. I do recommend sending a notebook and pens. I kept a journal while I was there, it's worth doing.

When packing clothes, keep in mind that many are likely to be absolutely filthy before the end. My sweatshirt & sweatpants that I wore during fish breakout days were never the same again. Stank of fish forever, regardless of washing--ended up throwing them away. So, for don't send any nice stuff for the 'wet' clothes. The 'dry' set stayed fairly clean, though. So, no worries about those shorts & such.

Also, bring a light jacket. It's hot, it's summer... but campers will likely be spending some time in walk-in freezers and shoveling snow in penguin exhibits. Bring the jacket.

A handy thing to have is a lanyard for sunglasses, as you cannot have loose sunglasses in any of the animal areas (this applies to the employees as well as campers). They gotta be secure.

Hmm. Okay.. I just dug up my checklist from when I went (yes, I still have all my paperwork from my trip ten years ago... it was THAT special of an experience!)

Definitely bring sunscreen. Florida sun is brutal.

Oh! And a travel alarm clock.

And no jewelry. Can't wear it in the animal areas and don't want it to get stolen anyway.

This recommended a combination lock for a locker. Sounds like a good idea.

But... this was all info from 1998. So, I'd go by whatever info they send.

In general, don't overpack and don't bring extra junk. I had very, very little time to do anything after hours. But dang, if it wasn't the best time of my life! =D

 

[disneylandlvr13]

I have been to adventure camp twice now..once last yr and once this yr and two different parks and what i can tell u each park is different. I also did the career camp my first yr and advanced the second. Both were a trip of a lifetime and something i will never forget. Like DixieDolphin stated pack as light as possible. My first yr i way overpacked but the next yr i knew waht i needed and what i didnt. Some important things is sheets which need to be xtra long twin. A blanket is good because the rooms get cold. A jacket and a sweatshirt r both good to bring because you do go into the freezers A LOT and it can get uncomfortable. Sweats and generally old shorts and pants r good because u likely wont be able to keep them..they stink afterward. Try and stay away from jeans cuz they normally dont allow u wear them. Water shoes r an also must...crocs work great but so do normal water shoes. Another important thing is an underwater camera or a waterproof one for two reasons.. u sometimes get the chance to take pics underwater and two when u attend shows u dont have to worry about getting wet. A digital camera is also good if u can trust ur son. My first yr i didnt take it but second yr i made sure i had it.. This might sound weird but a gallon size ziplock is really nice to have so when u go to shows u can put stuff in it that u dotn want to get wet because the counselors make sure u sit close being adventure camp and the trainers notice u and extra soak u. Depending on what camp u attend really depends on how much animal interaction u get. Advanced was basically shadowing a trainer for a week and got lots of time with the animals. If ur son really wants to be a trainer or a marine biologist brainstorm some ideas of what questions u want to ask. The more u ask the more u will likely get to do. Have a very open mind because some things u might not want to do but in the end it will pay off. Have a great time and if u want to ask any specific q's u can always write me a pm.

 

[Ann Giles]

Thanks for the replies! I was afraid I wouldn't get any!!

They're staying at an area hotel except for the first and last nights of the camp week. That's when they'll stay at an animal exhibit in the park overnight. Sounds like fun! So since they're staying in a hotel, I won't need sheets or blankets. He can always unzip his sleeping bag and use that as an extra blanket if he gets cold in the room.

Did you stay in a hotel, or have they changed it that radically in the last couple of years?

Great suggestions on the jacket. I didn't even think about that! He freezes to death in 90 degree weather as it is, so I can only imagine how miserable he'd be if I sent him without a jacket into the penguin exhibit!

What size backpack/daypack did you take with you each day to camp? Will just a normal sized school backpack size due? Is that too large?

I will have him start a journal now with questions he wants to ask. Great idea! Thanks!

There wasn't much mentioned in the paperwork regarding "fish days" and what to wear. I will send him an old set of clothes for that. Thanks for the heads up!

Any other suggestions you can think of, PLEASE send them my way!

 

[DixieDolphin]

They stay at hotels for the camp in Florida? Sweet! At San Antonio, we stayed at on-site dorms with bunkbeds.

As far as a pack to carry, I don't recall even taking one when I went. But if he does, I recommend taking something as small and light as possible. Preferably something hands-free. It'll be a long day of hoofing it around the parks and I know I was exhausted each night. Make sure it's something comfortable to carry around. Although, if they're asking for daypacks then I assume they also have someplace to store them when in animal areas and such.

Looking at the current online info for the Orlando camp, it looks like they do a day at Discovery Cove. In that case, I'd probably recommend bringing a mask & snorkel if you have them already. They provide them there so don't run out and buy any, but if you have a nice, quality pair already it's probably nicer than what they offer.

Their programs for this sort of thing are really great, I'm sure he'll have an awesome time!

 

[Ann Giles]

They aren't necessarily asking him to bring a daypack or anything, I assumed he would need one!

I try to be very organized and since I have no idea how this is run or what they'll be doing on a daily basis, I'm struggling!

I figured I would send with him a small daypack that he can carry a small beach towel in and have somewhere to stash his beach towel and wallet. Is that unnecessary? Do they tell them each evening what to bring with them the next day then provide a place to store their things while they're in the park that day?

 

[disneylandlvr13]

oo ya i forgot orlando camps stay in a hotel..in san diego and san antonio they have their own dorms. They do tell u what to bring each day normally and if u will need a towel and stuff like that. What camp is he doing? I normally bring one of those sports backpack with the drawstrings. It works perfectly cuz everything fits in it. And u will need crappy clothes for everyday practically because of breakout which normally occurs everyday.

 

[Ann Giles]

He's doing the career camp at Sea World. He's too young for the advanced camp - by one year! Definitely doing that one next year though.

OK..So I'll send very few nice things with him. I'll send along all the stuff he'll outgrow before next summer because it won't matter if it gets lost, or if we have to throw it away due to smell!!

Definitely sending him a small daypack. That way he can stash his water bottle, wallet, sunscreen and throw his sunglasses in there rather than wear a lanyard (which he thinks is DORKY!!).

 

[disneylandlvr13]

ya..i brought my sunglasses and never had a problem wearing them..its mostly for the younger kids who cant always be trusted.

 

[Coachshoes]

at san antonio advanced career camp you cant wear sunglasses during the day, you are only allowed during night activities!!

 

[disneylandlvr13]

at san antonio advanced career camp you cant wear sunglasses during the day, you are only allowed during night activities!!

huh..this past march i was there for advanced and in sa and had sunglasses during the day and so did every1 else and we had no problem..even our counselors had them..did they recently change it?

 

[Ann Giles]

Should I send him a wet suit or will they provide those?

Also, what about rain boots?

 

[DixieDolphin]

Nono, no wetsuit or waders necessary. They'll provide all that. =)

 

[Coachshoes]

huh..this past march i was there for advanced and in sa and had sunglasses during the day and so did every1 else and we had no problem..even our counselors had them..did they recently change it?

they told us we werent allowed to wear them. the counselors wore them at evening activities but not during the day!

 

[Andrea from PA]

Sounds like a great opportunity!

Let us know his age & what he thought of the Camp!

 

[Ann Giles]

I sure will!!

He'll be 14 at camp. Right now, he's over the top excited! If this camp is even 1/4 of what he expects, he'll love it!

Sounds like a great opportunity!

Let us know his age & what he thought of the Camp!

 

[clutter]

Next summer, my dd (12 then) wants to do either BG or SW. She's having a hard time deciding.

 

[sbplayer2410]

i did the advanced career camp in florida last year and the year before so if you have any questions dont be afraid to ask me, if you pm me i will respond back that day.

 

[sbplayer2410]

I have been to adventure camp twice now..once last yr and once this yr and two different parks and what i can tell u each park is different. I also did the career camp my first yr and advanced the second. Both were a trip of a lifetime and something i will never forget. Like DixieDolphin stated pack as light as possible. My first yr i way overpacked but the next yr i knew waht i needed and what i didnt. Some important things is sheets which need to be xtra long twin. A blanket is good because the rooms get cold. A jacket and a sweatshirt r both good to bring because you do go into the freezers A LOT and it can get uncomfortable. Sweats and generally old shorts and pants r good because u likely wont be able to keep them..they stink afterward. Try and stay away from jeans cuz they normally dont allow u wear them. Water shoes r an also must...crocs work great but so do normal water shoes. Another important thing is an underwater camera or a waterproof one for two reasons.. u sometimes get the chance to take pics underwater and two when u attend shows u dont have to worry about getting wet. A digital camera is also good if u can trust ur son. My first yr i didnt take it but second yr i made sure i had it.. This might sound weird but a gallon size ziplock is really nice to have so when u go to shows u can put stuff in it that u dotn want to get wet because the counselors make sure u sit close being adventure camp and the trainers notice u and extra soak u. Depending on what camp u attend really depends on how much animal interaction u get. Advanced was basically shadowing a trainer for a week and got lots of time with the animals. If ur son really wants to be a trainer or a marine biologist brainstorm some ideas of what questions u want to ask. The more u ask the more u will likely get to do. Have a very open mind because some things u might not want to do but in the end it will pay off. Have a great time and if u want to ask any specific q's u can always write me a pm.

Disney Land: which park did you do the camps at? your experience sounds very different than mine and i was at the advanced camp in florida last year and the year before.

 

[sbplayer2410]

o and what is "break out"??? at the florida camps we never did that, and your clothes stay fairly nice and clean, the only fish you deal with is when you feed the penguins and seals, and then only your hand touch them and your clothes dont get gross, (i went last year to adv. career camp and the previous year in florida)