Marine Mammal Workshop ages 15-18

Marine Mammal Sea Camp was designed not only to begin to prepare young adults for careers in marine mammalogy, but also to familiarize them with the ecological importance of this diverse group of animals. The idea is not to convince campers to become marine mammal scientists, but to inform them about the opportunities this field has to offer. This camp is not for everyone, but for those truly interested in marine mammals. Campers will receive a broad overview of issues facing marine mammals, while gaining a greater appreciation of their biology. This camp covers a wide range of topics relating to marine mammals from physiology to conservation to behavior. Campers will spend time in the field as well as in the classroom learning about these amazing creatures with the focus being whales and dolphins.

The quality and the diversity of the resources open to this camp are superior within the marine mammal scientific community. With the cooperation of the Marine Mammal Research Program at Texas A&M University at Galveston and agencies within them such as the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, this camp is able to offer the cutting edge of marine mammal science, theory, and technology to the campers.

This camp is a once in a lifetime chance to experience marine mammal science as it truly is without being a researcher. As the camp progresses, attendees will use what they have learned about these animals' lives to assess their long-term status in a sometimes threatening world. The campers will learn how to use such scientific sampling techniques such as the use of hydrophones to record dolphin vocalizations

Campers will also learn about tracking marine mammal movement in the field through the use of radio/satellite tagging as well as the plotting of the latitude and longitude of a signal's source. Campers will also learn research skills such as photo identification through dolphin dorsal fin tracing and dolphin aging by counting the growth rings on cross-sectioned teeth. If you would like to be a part of this truly unique experience and are ready to fill your head with knowledge, then Sea Camp welcomes you to Marine Mammal Sea Camp.