Teen Advanced Open Water SCUBA Camp

Take a deeper dive into the world of marine biology in our 6-day Advanced Open Water/Nitrox SCUBA certification camp. This program is designed for rising 9th graders – recent high school graduates who have already completed their Open Water SCUBA certification and are looking for new and challenging opportunities!

The waters off the North Carolina coast provide the perfect opportunity to further develop your skills, as our coast was rated one of the top diving destinations in North America. During this program, you will develop your knowledge of marine biology fundamentals and ocean conservation further while developing your SCUBA skills. This camp is designed for rising 9th-12th graders, who are passionate about SCUBA diving and the marine environment. Join us on our next adventure as we:

• Earn a PADI Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification
• Earn PADI Nitrox Certification
• Dive the crystal clear waters off the coast of North Carolina
• Take nest walks to check for recent tracks or nests
• Boogie board and enjoy the ocean right out front of your room
• Hands-on marine science lessons taught by professionals
• Earn ten hours of community service

**Please note that all activities are subject to change without notice**

Due to our commitment to personal instruction, each camp session will be limited to 15 students. This guarantees that everyone has the best experience possible. Camp tuition includes lodging on Topsail Island, all meals from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day, 24-hour access to camp staff, admission to all activities, all equipment, transportation including pickup and drop off from the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), Sea Turtle Hospital donation, community service certificate, Sea Turtle Camp t-shirt, and memorable group photo. Campers are responsible for round-trip airfare to ILM or transportation to Topsail Island, mask, fins, and snorkel, and additional money for souvenirs.

2025 Dates

Coastal North Carolina is surrounded by rich marine ecosystems that countless aquatic species call home. From the expansive Atlantic Ocean, with its miles of white sand beaches on barrier islands to the fluctuating and dynamic salt marsh habitats, Sea Turtle Camp gives you the opportunity to explore and study these amazing ecosystems in depth. We strive to provide teenagers with the opportunity to learn more about marine biology and conservation through hands-on, feet-wet experiential education. Campers get the extraordinary opportunity to participate in some amazing daily activities designed to teach them through experience instead of out of a textbook.

During this amazing adventure you will:

• Visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
• Receive PADI Advanced Open Water Scuba Instruction
• Earn the PADI Nitrox Certification
• Hands-on marine science lessons taught by our professional staff
• Search for turtle nests during nest walks along the beach
• Learn ocean and wave dynamics through boogie boarding

* *  Schedule is subject to change. Please keep in mind that we try our best to adhere to this schedule but we cannot control mother nature. In the event of adverse weather, we have rainy-day activities in place. We cannot control canceled vendors. We will try our best to incorporate what was missed in later days, but it does not always fit into our schedule **

While at camp, students will be staying in the heart of the sea turtle action on Topsail Island. Pronounced Tops’l by the locals, this 26-mile long, quarter-mile-wide barrier island has a rich history filled with pirates, fishermen, and surfers. Since Topsail Island is one of the less developed barrier islands in the area, groves of maritime forest still dot the island and are rumored to hide Blackbeard’s treasure. Nowadays, Topsail is known as a laid-back beach town and a sanctuary for sea turtles.
Campers will be housed in a fully furnished retreat center with an ocean view and beach access just a few feet away. This is an ideal location, as we will only be steps from our outdoor classroom. Students will see the sun rise over the ocean during morning nest patrols.

Students will enjoy dining together in our very own dining hall.

The rooms are gender-specific and feature air-conditioning, comfortable common areas, and gender-specific bathrooms. Each participant will have his or her own bed. Sea Turtle Camp staff members are housed on-site providing campers 24-hour access to staff.

Campers will not only enjoy the breathtaking sunsets from the decks of the Retreat Center, but also private beach access, campfires, and outdoor activities such as volleyball, corn hole, basketball, and much more.

As we are only minutes from the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center and beach, we can have a more active role in providing care to the turtles at the hospital and assisting the Topsail Beach Nesting Patrol. More hands-on opportunities and nest watching means more fun for the campers!