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Hollyanne Shirley
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Summer Aqua Camps
Information Updated as of 14/03/2023.
AQUA CAMP REGISTRATION INFORMATION
We have listened to the challenges of Aqua Camp registration and have worked diligently with our website designers to provide a simpler registration process this year. One of the major changes to this year’s registration is that we have reduced the number of information fields that need to be completed before purchasing and will instead require parents to complete a more detailed form after your child’s spot has been secured. Please note that the child/children you are registering must be your immediate family.
Please note that in order to register for Aqua Camp, your BZS membership must be current. You can renew online here.
Below is a list of the shortened requirements you will be asked in order to register your child, please have information readily accessible to help with easier sign up. If you run into any issues on the day of registration, please contact our Education department at (441) 293-2727 ext. #2187.
Registration Information:
- Camp Group Name (by child's age)
- Desired Week
- Child Name
- Point of Contact Name, email, phone number, address
- Credit Card Information
- Membership Level
- Membership Number
The “go live” times on Tuesday, 14th March will be as follows:
Below is a schedule indicating which camps will be available during the summer. We have changed the names of the camps, so please make note of the age range for each camp.
To download a PDF of the above graphic, please click here.
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Education Administrator, Hollyanne Shirley at edadmin@bzs.bm.
AQUA CAMP INFORMATION
Aqua Camps are for BZS and ACP members' children only - and all are welcome to become members. Children's parents or grandparents must have a current, minimum level of Killifish (Family or Grandparent) membership to register for Aqua Camps.
Our Aqua Kids, Fun, Zoo and Explorer camps use a two-year alternating curriculum that takes children through a series of life science and Bermuda natural history topics. Camps for preschool and primary school students also include field trips, crafts, animal encounters and wading/swimming/snorkeling at an age-appropriate level. Children may only sign up for one week of a traditional Aqua Camp and one week of a Freediving camp.
This summer we will be having camps based at BAMZ for our younger campers and camps based on Trunk Island for our older campers. Our campers will have access to the exhibits in the Zoo unless it is determined that Covid-19 is again a threat to our susceptible animal species.
A list of what your child needs to bring to camp will be emailed to you at least a week before your child is due to start camp. Prior to your child starting camp, you will also be emailed a schedule of their daily activities. We reserve the right to use photos taken during Camps in a not-for-profit marketing promotion.
If you have any questions concerning camp activities, please contact Hollyanne Shirley, Education Administrator at edadmin@bzs.bm with "Aqua Camp Query" in the subject line or call 293-2727 ext 2181. We look forward to having a wonderful week with your child.
AQUA ANGELFISH (FORMERLY KNOW AS AQUA TOTS):
- Time of Camp: 9am - 3pm and the camp fee is $325 (includes a $15 non-refundable application fee).
- This camp is for children born in 2018.
- Aqua Angelfish campers will learn about different animal groups and plants. They will also have crafts, field trips to safe beaches and gardens, and a variety of animal encounters during their week at camp. We assume that children in this camp do not know how to swim.
AQUA SQUIRRELFISH (FORMERLY KNOWN AS AQUA KIDS):
- Time of Camp: 9am - 3pm and the camp fee is $325 (includes a $15 non-refundable application fee).
- This camp is for children born between 2016-2017.
- Aqua Squirrelfish campers will learn about Bermuda’s original and present-day forests, their inhabitants and their importance for wildlife. They will also have crafts, field trips to forests and beaches, and potentially a variety of animal encounters during their week at camp. We assume that children in this camp do not know how to swim.
AQUA SNAPPERS (FORMERLY KNOW AS AQUA FUN):
- Time of Camp: 9am - 3pm and the camp fee is $325 (includes a $15 non-refundable application fee).
- This camp is for children born between 2014-2015.
- A child may attend only one week of our traditional aqua camps each summer. Aqua Fun students born in 2014 may also attend one week of the primary school freediving camp.
- Aqua Snappers campers will learn about Bermuda’s beaches, their inhabitants, their importance and what is threatening them. They will also have crafts, field trips to a number of beaches and potentially a variety of animal encounters during their week at camp. We understand that some children in this camp may be able to swim and snorkel while others may not yet be swimmers.
AQUA JACKS (FORMERLY KNOW AS AQUA ZOO):
- Time of Camp: 9am - 3pm.
- This camp is for children born between 2012-2013 and the camp fee is $325 (includes a $15 non-refundable application fee).
- A child may attend only one week of our traditional aqua camps each summer. Aqua Zoo students may also attend one week of the primary school freediving camp.
- Aqua Jacks campers will be based on Trunk Island and will learn about the life cycle of our local sea turtles and the seagrass beds they depend on and how both are being threatened. Campers will have various boat excursions to field sites and should feel comfortable swimming in deep water. They will have the opportunity to snorkel and view existing and diminished seagrass beds and (hopefully) sea turtles.
AQUA EXPLORERS:
- Aqua Explorers is for children who have completed M1 or M2. Camp is from 9:00 am-5:00pm and is $385 (includes a $15 non-refundable application fee).
- This camp is for children born between 2010-2011.
- Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis.
- A child may attend only one week of our traditional aqua camps each summer. A freediving camp for this age group may be available as well.
- Aqua Explorers camp will take place on Trunk Island and campers will be exploring an array of Marine and Aquatic habitats across the island by boat and by bus, working on identifying the organisms who live in each habitat, while learning how to monitor them like scientists. Students should be strong swimmers and have some snorkeling experience.
AQUA CONSERVATIONISTS:
- The Aqua Conservationists Camp is a camp for students in Middle School 3 and Senior School 1.
- Conservationist Camp is $500 per child (includes a $15 non-refundable application fee).
- This camp is for children born between 2008-2009.
- The Conservationists Camp is a residential camp (5 days - 4 nights) that will be based on Trunk Island with housing either in tents or in a cottage. The camp is designed to expose campers to a variety of conservation programmes in progress in Bermuda. There will be theory modules with guest speakers and hands-on work with field work. We will conduct studies and projects on Trunk Island and at other locations across Bermuda. This camp is a great introduction for those interested in conservation, natural history and science. Participants will also be introduced to volunteering at BAMZ in the Aquarium, Zoo and Education Department so they can decide if they want to apply for the Junior Volunteer Programme for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Students who are not yet 14 during camp can attend but we will need to organize a chaperone during their volunteering duties. Campers will be in charge of running the daily housekeeping tasks on a rotation basis. Everybody will get a chance at cooking, cleaning and timekeeping. Free time on Trunk Island will be scheduled daily, usually before dinner, with some work sessions scheduled after dinner.
- Students will be invited for an interview to ensure that they understand the scope of the camp. If you have any questions concerning camp activities, please contact Hollyanne Shirley, Education Administrator at edadmin@bzs.bm with "Aqua Camp Query" in the subject line or call 293-2727 ext 2181.
AQUA FREEDIVING:
- Freediving camps are from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm and is $400 per child (includes a $15 non-refundable application fee).
- Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis. A child may attend only one week of our freediving camps and one week of our traditional camps each summer.
- During the camp, we will build underwater confidence through safely learning freediving skills and techniques. If your child is already a water baby, then this is their opportunity to take their skills to the next level. For those kids who are already freedivers, this Camp will vastly improve their one breath abilities. All Campers will experience specialised coaching and training to empower them physically and mentally.
- On land, we will have a daily focus of stretching, fun theory, breath hold games and mindfulness development. Out on the ocean, we will be diving into a whole new world of wonderment, practising safety skills and exploring Bermuda’s world class reefs and wrecks! We will also learn about the important role of freedivers as guardians of the oceans and gain an understanding of the positive changes that can be made to protect our blue planet.
Aqua Camp Teacher Applications
Are you interested in becoming an Aqua Camp Teacher? We employ a number of dedicated, creative and passionate teachers each summer who enjoy teaching about Bermuda’s Natural History and love working with children. Applicants will need first aid/CPR training, need to be competent swimmers (and snorkellers for the camps for older children), have a police check and SCARS training. An on-site first aid/CPR course may be provided as well as assistance in obtaining a police check.
Applications are available in January and will normally close sometime in May. January and February are the best times to apply. For further information, contact Dr. Jamie Bacon, Education Officer, at (441) 293-2727 ext. 2142 or edofficer@bzs.bm.
Click here for an online Aqua Camp Teacher Application.
Aqua Camp Assistant Applications
Are you interested in becoming an Aqua Camp Assistant? Each year a number of enthusiastic teens aged 15 and up are hired to help teach our Aqua Camps. Applicants need to enjoy working with children, be competent swimmers (and snorkellers for the camps for older children) and have an interest in Bermuda’s Natural History. It’s a great learning and job experience. Applicants will need to have first aid/CPR training and a police check and applicants 16 years old and above are also required to have SCARS training. An on-site first aid/CPR course may be provided as well as assistance in obtaining a police check and scheduling SCARS training.
Applications are available in January and will normally close sometime in May. January and February are the best times to apply. For further information, contact Dr. Jamie Bacon, Education Officer, at (441) 293-2727 ext. 2142 or edofficer@bzs.bm.
Click here for an online Aqua Camp Assistant Application.