At the Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC), our summer day camps allow burgeoning young scientists and adventurers to spend a week exploring beaches, uncovering treasures hidden in our exhibits, playing games, making crafts, and hiking through beautiful Fort Worden State Park. Our science campers come back year after year and many of our past campers return again as camp counselors.
Join us for a wet, sandy, adventurous, fun-filled week!
Find information on camp registration, scholarships, camp counselors and more below the camp descriptions.
2026 Summer Camp dates are listed below. All sessions are currently full, however, we recommend signing up for the waitlist so you will be notified if space becomes available.
Junior Explorers
Ages 6 – 7 | $215
Morning and afternoon sessions
Spend a week exploring and discovering marine and coastal life, animals, plants, and secret spots. This half-day camp is all about fun, with activities in and around the Marine Science Center. Junior Explorers is a great program for the younger camper who loves marine animals and exploring.
Select the session to register!
Morning sessions, 9 a.m. to noon
July 6th – 10th (FULL)
August 24th – 28th (FULL)
Afternoon session, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
* August 3rd – 7th (FULL)
Maximum group size: 12 campers / 2 staff
* enrolling 10 campers for this camp
If the camp you want is full, please sign up for the waitlist.
Coastal Explorers
Ages 8 – 9 | $360
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ready, set, explore! Examine the varied coastal environments of beach, glacial bluff, forest, pond, and meadow. This is the perfect camp for nature-loving kids who want to explore it all! Using observation skills, campers discover how these places support life in the coastal ecosystem. Through partnership with the Northwest Maritime Center we provide a short boating expedition as part of this camp.
Select the session to register!
June 29th – July 3rd (FULL)
July 27th – 31st (FULL)
If the camp you want is full, please sign up for the waitlist.
Maximum group size: 15 campers / 3 staff
Marine Biology
Ages 10 – 12 | $385
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Immerse yourself in Marine Biology – literally! Campers engage in exciting classes, labs, field programs and conservation in the nearshore marine environment. A few of the many captivating activities include: sieving through goopy sediments looking for brittle stars, articulating a gray whale skeleton, and using microscopes to observe the plankton that supports all life in the sea.
Select the session to register!
July 13th – 17th (FULL)
August 10th – 14th (FULL)
Maximum group size: 14 campers / 3 staff.
If the camp you want is full, please sign up for the waitlist.
Marine Biology Afoot & Afloat
Ages 11 – 14 | $495
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Calling all budding Marine Biologists! This camp takes marine biology skills to the next level through hands-on activities. Campers sail aboard vessels from Northwest Maritime Center and Sail Port Townsend while doing scientific investigations. Ashore, campers participate in intertidal surveys, labs, and explore exhibits. Campers work together as a team while learning to be stewards of the marine environment.
Select the session to register!
July 20th – 24th (FULL)
August 17th – 21st (FULL)
If the camp you want is full, please sign up for the waitlist.
Maximum group size: 16 campers / 3 staff.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday, camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday are sailing/boating days.
Camp will have a later end time on those days, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Creatures of the Shore & Sea
An art camp with Northwind Art
Ages 7 – 10 | $412
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Explore the beautiful world of the sea through beach adventures and art at Fort Worden. Spend the first half of the day at the beach with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, and then head to Northwind Art for crafts, story, and outdoor games with local youth arts educator Myco from Wild Child Arts Education. We will make projects such as finger crochet octopuses, needle felted orcas, and sewn starfish. Every day there will be crafts, stories, and games to play as we learn more about the ocean and all its delightful creatures!
August 3rd – 7th (FULL)
Registration is live on the Northwind Art website.
This program is run by Northwind Art. You can find additional course details, scholarship information, the cancellation policy, and more on their website.
Camp information
If you have questions about any aspect of camp, please email us at camps@ptmsc.org or call us at 360-385-5582 x109.
If camp is in session, emails are easiest to respond to.
Online Registration
To register your child for a PTMSC Summer Camp, please click the camp date registration link. You will be directed to the online registration form.
Payment in full is requested upon completion of the online registration form. You do have the option to pay by check.
PTMSC members receive $10 off each registration.
You can choose that option during registration. If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join today to enjoy this and many other members-only benefits!
Scholarships available
We offer scholarships to help make summer camp more accessible for your child.
You can directly apply for a scholarship by filling out this Google form.
Please register for camp before applying for a scholarship. Choose the ‘pay by check’ option, so payment won’t be required to finish the registration.
For more information, please email camps@ptmsc.org.
If you wish to contribute to the Seth Bender Camp Scholarship Fund, please click here.
Cancellation policy
In the event that you can’t make it to camp, PTMSC is happy to refund 75% of the full cost of camp, retaining a 25% cancellation fee, provided the cancellation request is made at least 30 days prior to the start of camp. After that date, there are no refunds unless you need to cancel for health reasons, including potential Covid-19 exposure in your household or the camper’s household. In that case, please email camps@ptmsc.org for a full refund minus a 25% admin fee.
Seeking camp counselors
Do you know any teens who enjoy working outdoors, with youth, and/or love marine science? We are looking for volunteer camp counselors to help with summer camps! To find out more and sign up, fill out the application form.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of your children while attending summer camp is our top priority. Our procedures and protocols for summer camps this year are based on careful review of health and safety guidance from the CDC, Washington State Department of Health, Jefferson County Public Health, and the American Camp Association. We will provide specific procedures and protocols, if needed, as we approach the beginning of summer camps and update you when any changes are advised throughout the summer.