Sea Life exploration for child

[dunelover]

Hi guys---

Planning my next trip and I have a daughter that is obsessed with sea life. I would love to get her into some educational program while there. Does anyone know of such a thing?

She is already saying she wants to be a marine biologist and I would love to foster that as much as I can while there. I guess our numerous trips have led to this love of hers. Kind of unique wanting to be a marine biologist from the middle of Oklahoma.

Thanks in advance....

 

[Matt J]

It's gonna be a day trip, but there is:

http://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/
You will need to call ahead for a tour, but in the past they have always been accommodating even for small groups.

http://www.gulfspecimen.org/
Right down the road and an absolute hidden treasure. Not sure if my parents friends still run it, but it is a hidden jewel on the coast of North Florida. Fun for kids, adults, and really just anyone.

 

[jodiFL]

there are some programs available at http://www.gulfworldmarinepark.com/gulf world/index.asp
that might be of interest to you guys

 

[Miss Critter]

For future reference, Dauphin Island Sea Lab on Dauphin Island, Alabama (near Mobile) offers a weeklong summer camp for 7th grade and above. Our son attended a couple of summers ago, back in his budding "marine biologist" days.

http://dhp.disl.org/studentopps.htm#Gulf_Island_Journey

Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island offers a summer day camp, which you could possibly combine with your summer vacation. I think that one's up to 6th grade. Our son attended that one also.

http://www.gulfarium.com/education.html

 

[bluemtnrunner]

I don't know what aquariums or attractions there are around here but you might try: www.WaltonOutdoors.com
Rent or borrow some kayaks and head out on the dune lakes or over here in Tucker Bayou.
I haven't looked into any of the kids books lately but when I was kid I had tons of books on shells, fish, wildlife, plants and I would go out and try to find the stuff.
Cheap disposable underwater camera and one of the underwater periscopes (cut both ends off a milk carton and cover one end with plastic so she can get a clear view of what is under the kayak or when she is walking in the shallows.

Might want to remind her that marine biology is not only what is "out there in the ocean" it is also what is in the Dune lakes, bayous, woods, swamps. I grew up near Mote Marine Institute and did a lot of my high school Marine Biology classwork around there. They found recently that the baby sharks that hatch in the estuaries and then head out to the Gulf when they are mature enough can detect when large storms are coming and they will go back into the estuaries to ride out the storm. With this in mind, my son and I have spent a lot of time wading in the dune lake cuts looking for any traces.

 

[dunelover]

Thanks for all the help. I knew you all would be a wealth of information. Now, we just have to decide which place to see. And you are right bluemtnrunner, there a penty of other great ways to explore...we will do those as well. Shell Island was a hit last year as they saw so many "creatures". Just can't wait to get there!

Thanks Again--

 

[jensieblue]

Park rangers

You may also want to call or email the Park ranger station at Grayton Beach state Park. They used to have some programs for learning about not just the beach but about the ecology of the pine woods and lakes. With budget cutbacks, I have no idea if they still run these programs but when we took advantage of these services, the rangers were great...they even hosted a night walk..My daughter and husband attended the program on Dauphin Island and loved it...

 

[Matt J]

Not sure where you are staying, but I believe WaterColor and WaterSound also offer nature classes/tours/experiences.