Intermediate & Senior Commuter Welcome Page

Make sure your student arrives prepared, with sunscreen applied, and has eaten a nutritious breakfast.

To begin our programs without schedule delays, we ask that all students arrive ready for the day. On the first day (Monday), all students should arrive wearing a swimsuit under their field clothes, and appropriate closed-toed shoes.

• Field clothing
  • Weather-appropriate clothing that can get wet and muddy.
  • Do not wear clothes that cannot be permanently stained or accidentally damaged.
  • If a student questions if their field clothes are appropriate please review the dress code found in the policies and procedures.  
• Swimsuit and rashguard/shirt for sun protection
• Closed-toed field shoes.
  • All-terrain closed-toed sandals (Keen-like), water shoes, or old tennis shoes with laces.
  • Please note that although the “croc” style clog with ankle strap is very popular with students, crocs have proven to be a problem in the marsh mud and on exceptionally hot pavement.
• If you wear glasses, please wear a neckstrap.

Each day your student needs a variety of items available throughout the day.  We prefer that students bring these items in a traditional backpack as it is easiest for students to manage.  Make sure your child’s name is clearly marked on ALL of the items listed below and the student can carry the bag.  Please only pack what your child will need for each day.  

Food

• Nutritious bagged snack and a beverage.
  • No glass bottles, caffeinated beverages (these can contribute to dehydration), or chewing gum.
• Nutritious bagged lunch and beverage preferably in an insulated lunch bag to stay cool.
  • No glass bottles, caffeinated beverages, or chewing gum.
  • Lunch and snacks are best stored in an insulated lunch box.  
• Please try to avoid food that contains peanuts for the safety of any fellow student who may have severe allergies.

Gear

• Backpack containing:
  • A hat with a visor.
  • Water bottle (must have at least one and we will refill them during the day).
  • Waterproof sunscreen (SPF 15 +), we suggest spray sunscreen for easy application.
  • Dry “beach” towel in a water-proof bag (ziplock) that can get wet and muddy.
  • Full change of clothes in a waterproof bag (ziplock).
  • Extra pair of closed-toe shoes for lab/non-field related activities (this is a second pair in addition to the field shoes listed in “what to wear” above).
  • Rain gear – rain jacket, poncho if rain is in the forecast.
  • Sweatshirt or light jacket only if the weather indicates or if your child gets cold easily.

Medications

Any necessary prescription or over-the-counter medications that must be taken during the day must be clearly labeled with the student’s name and instructions for administering and must be handed directly to the MarineQuest instructor at the start of the day. Medications will be placed in the appropriate medication box and carried throughout the day by the MarineQuest instructor. It is the parent’s responsibility to ask for the return of the medicines at the end of the day. At no time should students have possession of the medicines themselves (*exception: epi-pens and/or rescue inhalers may be held by students if a second epi-pen and/or rescue inhaler is in the possession of the instructor).

The agenda and what materials will be needed on what day will be distributed during check-in on the program’s first day.

• Waterproof camera
• Waterproof watch
• Bug spray

• Cell phone
• Smartwatches
• Gaming devices
• Collectable items/toys

You must complete the required steps on the MarineQuest enrollment completion page.

The confirmation form is best completed in one sitting (about 30 uninterrupted minutes).  If you must leave the confirmation form and finish later that's ok! You must access the form on the same computer and internet browser as cookies are used to save your progress.  Please note this progress is only saved for 2 weeks.  Please contact MarineQuest if you have any issues accessing an incomplete survey, we can help!

If you require access to update your forms please email MarineQuest and we will provide a link for you to resubmit information.  

Students who are registered for more than one program only need to submit one confirmation form.  

See below for a list of information and materials you will need to complete the confirmation form:

• Student information
• Custodial parent's contact information
• Primary and secondary emergency contact information 
• Authorized carpoolers contact information
• Medical physician contact information 
• Medical insurance card (electronic copy) 
• Current medical conditions, medication, and allergies
• Date of last tetanus immunization 
• Roommate requests (overnight programs)
• Program-specific supplemental release forms (see below) 

We ask that you complete your confirmation forms within 72 hours after registering. Without Confirmation Forms your child cannot attend the program.

All families are expected to view the MarineQuest Policies and Procedures video, which will be sent to you via email before their program begins. This video provides important information to ensure your child has a successful week at MarineQuest. Parents will receive a detailed agenda on the first day of program from the instructor.  The agenda will outline what clothing should be worn for each day. 

Upon arrival, parents should remain in their car and follow staff members’ instructions to locate their student’s program check-in area. Each program will be designated by a sign with their program name. Students are not allowed to ‘walk themselves to the program’, as Parents/Guardians must sign their student in/out daily. Program instructors will check in each student during drop-off each morning, and they will be checked out at pick-up each day. Parents and guardians must remain in their vehicles. If you are running late, please call the appropriate phone number (found on the program agenda) so our program instructors can plan accordingly. To ensure program quality, we make every effort to begin programs on time each day.

NOTE: Unless prior arrangements have been made with staff, children must be picked up on time at the end of the program day. Any child who is not picked up on time will be accompanied by their program instructor to the MarineQuest summer office located in the MacMillan Modular. UNCW MarineQuest reserves the right to charge $15/hour for late pick-ups (minimum charge is for one hour regardless of tardiness).

Be aware of children in the parking lot and drive very slowly obeying all MarineQuest signage. We ask that you refrain from the use of handheld mobile devices while in the parking lot. Since young children are involved, drive cautiously! On the first day of the program, our staff will direct you to your check-in location. For the rest of the week, drop your student off at the designated area on the linked campus map.

If you need to contact program staff or your child during their program please call our office number 910.962.2460.  This number is also available on the program agenda you will receive on the first day.  

NOTE: We expect any conversations that take place - by phone or in-person - to be conducted in a civil manner by all parties involved.

Staff members are instructed to make note of any incidents or accidents during each day of program. These reports will be shared with parents either by phone at the time of the incident or in person at the end of the day. Do not be alarmed if a staff member calls to speak with you about an ‘incident’ – we just want to make sure we have good lines of communication with parents. 

Students must bring at least 1 reusable water bottle to program. Students will be encouraged to refill the bottles during outdoor activities. It is very important that everyone drink plenty of water and communicate any feelings of physical discomfort to their instructors to prevent heat-related ailments.

Please note: If a student refuses to hydrate when instructed to do so, they may be excused from program. Dehydration can quickly turn into an emergency situation.

MarineQuest staff are not able to apply sunscreen on your child.  We can only remind and provide backup sunscreen.  We will encourage your child to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.  Because of this we suggest packing spray sunscreen.  If you don’t think your child can apply sunscreen themselves to their back, please tell your child not to take their rashguard or shirt off.  If your child is extremely sensitive to sun exposure, please share this information in the confirmation paperwork so that your instructors are aware of the sensitivity.  

Any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication that a student brings must be checked-in to MarineQuest staff at check-in.  Medications must be in their original packaging or have a copy of the drug facts and pill description.  Students with prescription medications that are administered on an as-needed basis must be communicated in the confirmation forms when they are needed by describing the symptoms, symptoms must match those listed on the prescription.  Please do not send medications in weekly travel containers as they are not in compliance with safety guidelines.  Upon request, if a student brings 2 inhalers, 2 epi pens, and some 2 topical creams one can be kept by students.  Also, the parent must sign a release of the medication to the student at check-in.

MarineQuest maintains a stock of generic OTC medications for all ages (child, jr., adult) including ibuprofen, extra-strength non-aspirin tablets, antacids, motion sickness meds, allergy antihistamines, and swimmer’s ear drops. However, if your child regularly takes an OTC we ask that they bring this medication with them.  For example, if your child takes Benadryl before bed, we ask that you provide this medication in its original packaging. 

MarineQuest is an academic program. If your child takes medication for school, we expect them to take it as prescribed while attending program. Please note that if your child is sensitive to taking their medication, we will make every effort to administer the medication in private.

All portions of this seasickness policy should be reviewed with your personal physician, and in no way should it be considered medical advice. MarineQuest wants to make sure you are safe and have fun on your dive adventure. Students and parents should realize that diving on the ocean may cause some people (even experienced boaters) to become sea sick. We suggest that if you believe it is possible your camper might experience seasickness you (the parent) authorize MarineQuest staff to administer seasickness medication the evening prior to the dive. If you choose to authorize this administration, please send your child with the seasickness medication of your choosing (to be held by MarineQuest staff). Dramamine and Bonine are two medications that our staff have found personally helpful in the past.

Parents and students should be aware that diving charters are booked in advance and accommodate our entire group, not single individuals. As such, short of a medical emergency dive charters will not return to land for seasickness. Seasickness is something that is often easily avoided, but without proper preparation can result in an uncomfortable experience for those who encounter it. If you are concerned, you and your child should discuss ways to help prevent seasickness (for example: proper hydration, good/bad foods, medication, etc.) with your physician.

If the weather or ocean conditions on the day of a scheduled diving trip prevent us from having a safe and enjoyable experience the chosen day and/or dive site location may be changed. MarineQuest will work with our dive charter provider to relocate the dive to the best alternate option. In some cases, this may mean that students will dive in a lake/quarry instead of the ocean. In other cases, MarineQuest may need to change the diving trip to another day to try to achieve more desirable diving conditions. Only in the most rare and extreme circumstances will dives be completely canceled. We assure you that we will always strive to maintain our original diving plans, and if they must be changed due to weather, ocean conditions, or safety reasons we will always choose the highest quality alternate available at that time.

Hydration is a top safety priority for all diving programs, and as such students are required to be aware of, monitor, and maintain their hydration levels at all times during diving activities. Please note: If a camper refuses to hydrate when instructed to do so by a counselor, they may be excused from camp. Dehydration can quickly turn into an emergency situation. Each boat is equipped with large coolers stocked with ice and water. Students are welcome to put personal items in these coolers. MarineQuest will provide lunches and a single beverage as well as a water cooler for all students. All students are expected to, and responsible for, bringing water-filled personal water bottles on board each time they board the diving boat, as proper hydration is key for a safe and healthy diving experience. Each boat is equipped with a marine head (bathroom).