SeaWorld San Diego not only exposes individuals and families to the ocean’s wonders but offers a wide array of field trips and camps annually for groups as well.
Students at the marine mammal park can learn about science, math, and engineering, celebrate their graduation, and join in interactive summer camps and engaging field trips – even sleepovers. And they can do it all in a budget-conscious way with special youth packages that include admission and meals.
“The 2024-2025 academic year is upon us and I am excited to share with you our enhanced commitment to youth education and the unique, enriching experiences we have curated for your students,” said Tyler Carter, SeaWorld San Diego park president. “We opened in 1964 with a mission to educate guests in a fun way and we believe in the power of hands-on learning and the profound impact it can have on young minds. Our dedication to education is reflected in the diverse array of programs we have developed, each designed to inspire curiosity, foster a love for marine life, and make learning an adventure. We look forward to welcoming you and your students to a year filled with exploration, discovery, and unforgettable memories.”
SeaWorld San Diego has offered a variety of summer camp programs that are fun and educational for many years. Guests can choose everything from week-long day camps and resident camps to fun-filled school field trips.
One of SeaWorld’s special annual educational events, STEM Day, just took place on Nov. 14 immersing students in hands-on learning. Youth explored subjects like math, physics, and biology through interactive experiences with park animals, coasters, expert zoologists, and engineers. It was a day of education and excitement, designed to inspire future scientists and engineers through hands-on learning at STEM stations in the park. Students from Southern California were invited to RSVP with over 1,000 attending. The next STEM day will be in March 2025.
Mike Dunn, manager of SeaWorld’s Education and Conservation Department, noted marine science learning has been “one of the cornerstones of the park during the various iterations and transformations of the park itself.” That starts, he said, with something unique to SeaWorld. “We are fortunate enough to have most animal exhibits staffed by exhibit educators responsible for relaying information to guests about the natural history of the animals they’re viewing,” Dunn said. “We’re one of the few aquariums around the world that have educational staff throughout the entire day.”
Dunn added the park also offers several other specialty youth programs, such as behind-the-scenes tours of certain animal areas, like the Penguin Encounter, where guests experience animals in a smaller setting. “Also we offer a lot of different school programs for scouts, as well as our school field trip program which has been established for decades,” Dunn said. He added, “This is a very low-cost program that allows local schools to come to SeaWorld. We provide teachers with the resources they need to educate their students about the marine environment. In this program, in a typical year, we’ll see between 40,000 and 50,000 schoolchildren, kindergarten through high school.”
Regarding summer youth camps for first through sixth grades, Dunn said students can reside temporarily in the marine park in onsite dormitories. “Camp programs introduce kids to some special experiences not available to regular guests,” he noted. “For instance, touching and feeling the rays. We also have a single-night sleepover program where kids get to spend the night in the turtle exhibit. They bring their sleeping bags and we do educational activities throughout the night. It’s another way to teach kids about animals in a fun and engaging manner.”
“It’s just really important that we teach people about the marine environment,” concluded Dunn. “That is something we’ve stood for since our inception 60 years ago, and we’re carrying it on.”
More information on SeaWorld group functions can be found at:
Field Trips: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/educational-programs/field-trips/
Sleepovers for schools and youth groups: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/educational-programs/sleepovers/
Week-Long Day Camp (Grades 1-6): https://seaworld.com/san-diego/educational-programs/day-camps/
Week-Long Resident and Career Camps (Grades 5 – 12): https://seaworld.com/san-diego/educational-programs/resident-camps/
For any inquiries or to discuss programs in more detail, contact [email protected] or call 619-226-3690.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
- Youth Days: Join in a memorable journey into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at SeaWorld. Immerse your students in hands-on activities and thrilling experiences that bring STEM to life. Explore the fascinating connections between STEM and marine life alongside SeaWorld’s experts.
- Grad Night: SeaWorld announces the launch of Grad Night 2025. Dive into an exclusive night packed with exhilarating rides, thrilling attractions, and vibrant celebrations.
- Educational Adventures: SeaWorld is your student’s destination for discovery. Explore the world’s oceans through interactive summer camps, engaging field trips, and fun-filled sleepovers. SeaWorld artfully combines education and entertainment.
- Value-Driven Pricing: The park is committed to providing exceptional value through our specialty local youth tickets and bundled packages that include both admission and meals. These options ensure that your students have a rich, educational budget-friendly experience.
