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 identify a summer team with experience working with youth, marine science, and hold safety certifications including first aid, lifeguard, and more.
If you need to communicate with your child's instructors before the program starts, please email marinequest@uncw.edu and a phone call can be coordinated.
Overnight students and parents will meet the residential hall staff at the orientation held at Sunday check-in.
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 the Policies and Procedures page
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.
Through the generosity of area donors UNCW MarineQuest is able to offer a limited number of partial and full, need-based scholarships. MarineQuest primarily provides scholarships to support commuter attendance to programs.
For more information, and to apply for a scholarship, visit our Scholarships page.
Overnight students are housed along with our Overnight staff in UNCW on-campus residential halls equipped with 24-hour surveillance and A/C. Males and females are housed on separate floors and each room has an en-suite bathroom.
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 Overnight page.
MarineQuest partners with UNCW campus catering for almost all student meals to accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, etc. We ensure that all students eat a balanced and healthy diet throughout the duration of their program.
If you need to speak to someone about your child's dietary restrictions, please contact UNCW Dining Services (dining@uncw.edu) and let them know that your child will be attending a summer program with MarineQuest.
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 at least two weeks before your child's flight. 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.
No - you have not been accepted until you receive an acceptance email which will be sent once a teacher recommendation has been submitted and reviewed by the MarineQuest team. 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 child in a learning or group setting. For example, scout leaders, youth group leaders, etc. Family members or friends will not be accepted.
If you are unable to find an adult individual to fill out the teacher recommendation, please contact marinequest@uncw.edu.
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.
DAN insurance is a specialized insurance coverage for diving accidents and dive travel. Dive Hawks, MarineQuest Scientific Diver, and Oceans-17 students are REQUIRED to have DAN insurance with at least coverage at the master level, ranging from $80 - $100.
PADI eLearning is the online work required to earn your Open Water, Peak Performance Buoyancy, or Advanced Open Water certification. About 3 weeks prior to your program start date you will be issued an eLearning code. You are required to complete your program eLearning course before arriving at your MarineQuest program.
Students participating in MarineQuest scuba diving programs are required to bring their own mask, snorkel, and fins. All other scuba gear (BCD, wetsuit, regulator, computer, weights, and tank) are provided. Students who would like to use their own gear must provide a receipt of service within one year.
MarineQuest suggests that you purchase your mask, fins, and snorkel in person at the scuba diving shop. The mask is very important and should be fitted to your student's face. If you do not have a shop where you live, students can purchase mask, snorkel, and fins at Aquatic Safaris SCUBA Center, Inc. while during their MarineQuest program.
MarineQuest
Main Office: 626 MacMillan Ave.
MarineQuest Lab: Center for Marine Science, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
