Frequently Asked Questions/MarineQuestions
Below is a list of common questions we receive. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 910/962.2640.
2. How can I register for your summer programs?
3. I have already registered my child for the summer, what do I do next?
5. I am only 16 years old and want to attend Oceans 17, is this possible?
6. I have sent in my summer application but have not heard back. Have I been accepted yet?
8. Where will I drop off and pick up my child?
9. What does my child need to bring with them to your program?
10. Does my child need to know how to swim?
11. Where will residential students be housed?
12. Does MarineQuest provide a tuition payment plan?
14. What is your cancellation policy?
15. My child will need to fly to Wilmington to attend the program. How do I make this happen?
Answers
1. My child does not meet the age requirement of your program, but meets the grade completion requirement. What do we do?
After having looked at our developmental profile chart you may discover that your child meets one of the requirements but not both. Our preference is that they at least meet the grade requirement but we strongly recommend that they also meet the age requirement. If you still feel this camp best meets your child's needs, you can petition the MarineQuest Director for an exception. All requests/petitions must be submitted via email to marinequest@uncw.edu. Any exception will be made at the discretion of the MarineQuest Director.
2. How can I register for your summer programs?
Hopefully by now you have been to the individual program websites and have determined the program and the dates you'd like your child to attend. Once you have done this, you can register your child online if they are in the following programs: Sea Squirts, Sea Safari, Sea Dawgs, Mermaids, ArtSea Mini, Sea Sibs, Coastal Cruisers, Treasure SEAkers, Cape Crusaders, ArtSea Jr, Sea Angels, Sea Devils, and Sea S.I. Register now!
If your child is interested in our older programs (Coast Trek, Ocean Trek, Shore Shots, ArtSea, Ocean Lab, Surf - n - Science, Sea Shots, TechnOcean Jr., Ocean CheMystery, Dive Hawks, MQ Jr. Scientific Diver, O.C.E.A.N.S., and Oceans 17) they must first submit an application and a teacher recommendation form. To do this, go to our application page and following the link to your selected program. Once your child is accepted, we will send you the information that will let you register for this program.
3. I have already registered my child for the summer, what do I do next?
Once you have registered and paid, you should receive a confirmation e-mail. If you did not receive this e-mail please call the registration office at 910.962/3195. In early Spring MarineQuest will send out summer confirmation packets. These packets will have all pertinent information regarding your program, where to go, what to bring, etc. If you have any additional questions please call the MarineQuest office at 910.962/2640.
Through the generosity of area donors UNCW Youth Programs is able to offer a limited number of need-based (financial or at-risk youth) scholarships to North Carolina residents for select commuter programs. If you have further questions or would like to be considered for a scholarship please email us at marinequest@uncw.edu to be put on our waiting list.
A limited number of select merit based partial scholarships will also be made available for the Oceans 17 and O.C.E.A.N.S programs. These funds are fairly limited however, and we encourage you to seek support from your local area groups such as churches, rotary clubs, etc. if you are in need of extra funding.
Please review our scholarship information page for more information. All questions regarding scholarships must be submitted via email to marinequest@uncw.edu
5. I am only 16 years old and want to attend Oceans 17, is this possible?
The Oceans 17 program is designed for our oldest students. However, if you have previously completed a summer session in our O.C.E.A.N.S. or O.C.E.A.N.S Gulf Stream, you may apply to attend Oceans 17.
6. I have sent in my summer application but have not heard back. Have I been accepted yet?
The most likely reason you have not heard back from us is that we are still waiting to receive your teacher recommendation form. If you are positive that your teacher has sent the form to us, please contact us and let us know and we will attempt to resolve the problem. You may also want to check your "spam" or "trash" folder in your e-mail account. We have noticed that G-mail accounts often "spam" out e-mails sent from addresses marked with edu.
7. I want to register my child for your program next week, but the website says I have to register by the Wednesday before it starts. Can I still register?
Due to planning and reservations of summer activities, we must have all our student information into us no later than the Wednesday before your program begins. Please consider joining us for the following week of camp. In extreme circumstances, you can petition the MarineQuest Director for an exception or call the registration office at 910.962/3195.
8. Where will I drop off and pick up my child?
All pick-up and drop-off will happen on the UNCW campus unless otherwise noted. The exact location will be sent to you in your camper confirmation packet. These packets will start being mailed to you in early Spring.
9. What does my child need to bring with them to your program?
This information will be sent to you in your student confirmation packet. These packets will be mailed to you in early Spring. One of the most important items your child will NEED to have is a water bottle with them every day.
What to Bring/Wear | PDF - Ages 5 - 10
What to Bring / Wear | PDF - Ages 10 - 17
10. Does my child need to know how to swim?
While it doesn't hurt to know how to swim, it is not necessary. MarineQuest can provide floatation devices and PFDs while in or near the water and your child will never be forced to go into any water against their will. MarineQuest employs certified lifeguards that supervise all water-based activities.
11. Where will residential students be housed?
MarineQuest residential students are housed along with our Residence Life staff in UNCW dormitories on campus. These dormitories have 24-hour surveillance and A/C. Males and females are separated in the dorms and have their own bathroom facilities. MarineQuest also has staff on-call 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. Roommates will be randomly assigned unless you or your child specify otherwise. Rooms are usually shared by two students of the same age.
12. Does MarineQuest provide a tuition payment plan?
Below is a tuition payment schedule provided for our various programs.
Programs Ages 5 - 12 Tuition Payment Schedule | PDF
Programs Ages 10 - 17 Tuition Payment Schedule | PDF
13. My child needs to submit a teacher recommendation for the application, but school is over and we cannot get in touch with a teacher. What should we do?
You must provide a copy of a report card (the most current one) as well as a letter of recommendation from an individual that has observed your child in a learning or group environment. For examples, scout leaders, youth group leaders, etc.
14. What is your cancellation policy?
To ensure that our programs are of the highest quality, we plan, schedule activities, and hire staff months before summer begins. Therefore, last minute cancellations are particularly difficult for us to fill since most students have already made other arrangements for the summer. To view our full cancellation policy, visit the cancellation policy link under the appropriate camp web page.
15. My child will need to fly to Wilmington to attend the program. How do I make this happen?
The MarineQuest staff is more than happy to pick-up and drop-off students at
Wilmington International Airport at no cost. An airline request form is required. For more information, see our MarineQuest Airline Information Page.
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