SW Marine Mammal Keeper Experience??

[kerryc6]

Gonig to DC and SW in August. Will be there for a week (plan on hitting Epcot and Aquatica too).

My son (13), has had an interest in becoming a "zookeeper/aquarium worker" (intersests in marine biology and zoology) since he was 5.

Has anyone done this program or knows someone who did, any experiences?

We have been to SW a few times, and he loves it - just wondering if this is worth the extra $$$ in the budget.

Thanks!

 

[Capt_BJ]

dd did this when she was 15 and enjoyed it

when asked following year if she wanted to do it again she declined. Having found out what it cost she did not feel it was worth the $$$ for what she got.

now a senior at 'Bama on an academic scholarship and heading to Roatan for the summer to tag sea horses .. . REALLY!

btw I work at a zoo and our animal keepers get paid close to minimum wage . . . it's sad . . . most do it just because they love being around the animals.

Some zoos are better than others about this of course

 

[kerryc6]

Thank you Capt,
I think we might save the budget on this one then, he probably will get more experience volunteering at our local (coastal NC) sea turtle hospital.

His current ambitions are a Master's level degree in an "animal/marine animal" type field.

He went to a Marine Science camp at Ripley's aquarium in Myrtle Beach a few years ago and hada great time (intro to scuba, shark dissection, etc etc).. just want him to expand and reach for the stars!

So happy that your DD has reached for the stars! and loves it!