FAQs

Most MarineQuest program educators are marine scientists pursuing or who have recently completed their undergraduate or graduate degree in a marine science discipline. 

We also hire teachers passionate about marine science education. We search through 100+ staff candidates to identify a summer team with experience working with youth, marine science, and hold safety certifications including first aid, lifeguard, and more.

All program participants are asked to monitor their health for flu, cold, and COVID-19 symptoms during the 3 days leading up to their program start date.  If a participant has any of these symptoms, they may not be able to attend program. For residential programs, students may be required to attest to a negative COVID-19 test.   

The MarineQuest illness policy states that students who are sick, with or without a fever, are not allowed to attend program. Students with a fever must be fever free for 24 hours without a fever reducer in order to attend. Residential students who become sick during their program must be picked up ASAP. The full policy can be found on page 5 of the Policies and Procedures. 

MarineQuest requests that students attending have all the North Carolina Public Schools' recommended immunizations. Additionally, we collect the latest tetanus immunization data in our confirmation forms. The program does not require but encourages that participants are vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend. For further vaccination information, please review the UNCW MarineQuest Policies and Procedures, Immunization and Outbreak Policy. 

Residential students are housed along with our Residence Life staff in UNCW on-campus dormitories equipped with 24-hour surveillance and A/C. Males and females are separated in the dorms and have their own bathroom facilities.

MarineQuest has staff on call 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. Most students will be placed in double rooms, with randomly assigned roommates unless specified. Students attending multi-week senior programs are permitted to occupy single rooms. For more information, please visit MarineQuest’s Summer Residential page. 

Wilmington International Airport is about 15-20 minutes from UNCW’s main campus. MarineQuest offers airport transportation services where a staff member will pick-up your child from the gate (if an unaccompanied minor) or at the exit to the terminal.

At departure, a staff member will ensure your child makes it through security or will wait with your child until their plane has exited Wilmington airspace (if an unaccompanied minor). If you wish to utilize these services, you will need to fill out the Airport Transportation Request form. For more information, please visit MarineQuest’s Airport Transportation page.  

MarineQuest prefers students to meet the grade requirement, but we strongly recommend that they also meet the age requirement. If you still feel this program best meets your student's needs, you can petition for an exception via email to marinequest@uncw.edu. Any exception will be made at the discretion of the director.

You have not been accepted until you receive an acceptance email which will be sent automatically once a teacher recommendation has been received on our end. If you have any questions on the status of an application, please email us at marinequest@uncw.edu.  

Ask an adult individual that has observed your student in a learning or group setting.  For example, scout leaders, youth group leaders, etc. Family members or friends will not be accepted. 

Due to planning and reservations of summer activities, we require a completed registration and payment to be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the start of program. In extreme circumstances, you can petition the Registration Associate for an exception or call the registration office at (910) 962-2939.