Session 2: Science of the Sea

• Registration fee is $2,955 per ten-day session and includes meals, lodging, instruction, supervision, transportation during camp, field trips, entry fees, program activities and materials, and airport transfers (Hilo and Kona).
• A limited number of scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance.
  Click here to learn more.
  
  Science Camps of America is grateful for all of the generous support over the years and would like to especially thank the Gary and Apolonia 'Ohana for their generous support of this year's Science Camp Scholarship Fund.
• Campers must be ages 13-17 and entering grades 8-12 at the start of camp.
• A deposit of $375 is required at the time of registration, with full payment due no later than May 25th.
  Registrations after May 25th must be paid in full at time of registration. A monthly payment plan is available.
• Discounts are available for military families and Kamaʻaina (Hawaiʻi residents):
  Military Discount ($100) - use Promo Code US37W
  Kamaʻaina Discount ($100) - use Promo Code R6435
  Both Military and Kamaʻaina ($200) - use Promo Code QY57
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Camper safety is our top priority.
Click here to see our camper health and safety information.
Click here to learn about our Organization and Leadership Team

Science Camp is held at Pahala Plantation Cottages located in Pahala, Hawaiʻi. Campers sleep in houses as do their camp counselors (a girls' house and a boys' house).

Meals are included with registration and are prepared by the camp cook. Box lunches are provided for field trips.

Linens are provided at the start of each session. Washers and dryers are available in each cottage at no charge.

Part of the camp experience is to develop understanding and responsibility for the environment on different levels. As part of the camp program, campers, under staff direction, will have chores which will include kitchen duty, clean-up and personal laundry.

The Camp Director and the Counselors provide supervision. The camper to counselor ratio is no greater than 5 to 1. Background checks are conducted annually as is training to help monitor and ensure campers' physical and mental health.

Campers flying into Hilo or Kona airport will be met by camp staff and driven to camp in one of the camp vans. Campers flying out of Hilo or Kona are taken to the airport and accompanied by camp staff until they have checked in and passed through security. Campers may also be dropped off and picked up at camp.

Camp vans driven by camp staff are used for field trips during camp. Staff who drive vans are subjected to annual driver license record checks.

Daily Life at Camp

On most days, we will get into our vans after breakfast to drive somewhere for a field trip. Destinations include Volcanoes National Park, museums, observatories, alternate energy facilities, beaches, forests, nature preserves and more. Field trips typically take up most of the day. During these field trips we will at times conduct field labs and exercises, hear from instructors, docents, and scientists, visit unique places, encounter new plants and animals, collect samples, and make and discuss our observations. We will usually return to camp in the mid-afternoon. Prior to dinner, there is a combination of planned activities and free time, opportunities for recreation, work on science projects, and art and photography activities.

After dinner, there is usually a talk about the day’s field trip and the field trip for the next day, followed by the evening program. Evening programs might be stories told around a campfire, talks about science or science careers, a movie, and, of course, star-gazing and sharing stories about Polynesion Voyaging.

Cell Phone / Electronics Policy

Our goal is to create a safe, focused and engaging environment with a minimum of distractions. For this reason, all devices such as laptops, music players, TVs, iPads, etc, should be left at home. We expect most campers will travel with their cell phone, so cell phones are collected from campers upon arrival at camp and returned at the end of camp. While at camp, campers may use their phones to call home upon request and as our schedule allows. Cameras are provided to the campers to use during camp so there are many photos; some of which are usually posted online daily.

Packing for Camp

Essential: daypack, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, underclothes, pajamas, lightweight jacket, sweatshirt, hiking shoes, sneakers, flip flops or sandals, toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.), bug repellent, sunscreen (see below), light work gloves, beach towel, bathing suit, sunglasses, hat, rain gear, jacket, medications (supervised by staff), flashlight, laundry bag, and two water bottles.
Optional: water shoes, inexpensive camera, snorkel, mask and fins, inexpensive musical instrument.
Click here for the complete packing list

Sunscreen

We recommend a quality sunscreen of at least 30 SPF as well as face and lip protection. To avoid harming Hawaiʻi's coral reefs, be sure your sunscreen does not contain the following harmful substances: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, PABA, Parabens, Triclosan, any nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium and any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads”. Opt for non-nano mineral based sunscreens, instead.

What should campers NOT bring?

Campers may NOT bring any of these items to camp: extra cell phones, computers, laptops, tablets, pagers, radios, TVs, gaming systems, CD/MP3 players, any electronic devices, gum, knives, cigarettes/tobacco, e-cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, fireworks, or firearms. Camp staff reserves the right to confiscate any inappropriate items; if possible, they will be returned to the camper’s parents upon departure.

Spending Accounts

To avoid the need for campers to carry cash or credit cards, Spending Accounts are setup up for each camper and purchases are deducted from those accounts. Spending accounts are funded online prior to camp using a credit card. Spending account funds may be used at designated stores and times where campers may purchase souvenirs, snacks, drinks, hygiene items, etc. Camp staff will make the purchases with camp funds and then deduct them from the campers spending account. Unused funds will be refunded within one month.

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