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Aquatic Life & Nature Programs at GLEN ECHO PARK AQUARIUM
Children’s Classes and Programs SPRING & SUMMER CAMPS DRAWING, PAINTING & CRAFTS Aquatic Life and Nature Programs 301.955.6256 gepaquarium.org
Come explore the aquatic world at Glen Echo Park Aquarium (GEPA)! We are a Chesapeake Bay Discovery Center where you can learn about our nation’s largest estuary, our local watershed, and the impact we have on our environment. GEPA presents interactive exhibits, family programs, camps, school field trips and birthday parties. Using a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) educational approach, GEPA nurtures exploration of our natural environment, blended with the creative artistic community of Glen Echo Park.
Our mission is to promote awareness of the aquatic environment through education, in order to encourage stewardship and conservation. GEPA is an extension of Under the Sea, a private educational outreach organization, and is a collaboration with the Glen Echo Park Partnership.
VISIT THE AQUARIUM Due to Covid-19, our hours of operation may vary. Please check our website for updates on classes and events.
Explore our Aquarium exhibits and follow water’s journey from freshwater streams and rivers, through the watershed, and to the Chesapeake Bay. See what organisms are impacted along the way. Experience aquatic animals up close in our touch tank and learn what you can do to keep our watershed safe. Outside the Aquarium, play at our sensory table and check out simple experiments and interactive games. Explore the grounds, and visit our giant sand pit, “GEPA Beach,” our Geological Discovery Zone. Climb aboard the USS GEPA, our nautical classroom, and learn about sailing with early European explorers, Navy ships, fishing boats, and pirates.
GEP AQUARIUM
HOURS & ADMISSION
Spring & Summer Hours (March-August) Wednesday to Sunday: 9am-5pm by appointment only Group tours, school field trips and birthday parties are available by appointment year-round. Admission is $8; children under 2 are free. Group discounts available: Advanced reservations required for group visits.
SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS
April 17—Closed Easter Sunday May 30—Open for Memorial Day holiday; 11am-4pm July 4—Closed for Independence Day
SUMMER CAMPS
The Glen Echo Park Aquarium is excited to offer onsite camps for ages 5-13 to discover nature, especially the aquatic world! Camps are offered throughout the summer with exciting activities and themes.
For Younger Campers
Bay Buddies Camp (Ages 5-8) $475
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Staff Class 1: M-F, Jun 27-Jul 1, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Class 2: M-F, Aug 8-12, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Wade into our Chesapeake Bay Watershed as we journey like a water drop from Glen Echo Park Aquarium all the way to the ocean. Slide into learning about the varied life and habitats water passes as you meet the animals of our Aquarium from creek to river to the Bay. Discover crabs, fish, and snails as well as the history of our Chesapeake Bay. Then join us further on an epic tour of the Bay as we showcase diverse Bay habitats from beach to marsh to brackish environments. This camp will incorporate learning, games, and crafts to bring your learning to life! $50 nonrefundable deposit is included in the tuition. More info: info@GEPAquarium.org or 301.955.6256. 5 sessions.
Sensational Sharks Camp (Ages 5-8) $375
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Staff Class: Tu-F, Jul 5-8, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park Aquarium Discover sharks both big and small that call the Chesapeake Bay home. Become a shark detective and investigate how these perfect predators have survived longer than the dinosaurs! Search out all the amazing ways sharks sense their surroundings to find food and survive in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Perform an engineering experiment to test the strength of shark jaws! $50 non-refundable deposit is included in the tuition. More info: info@GEPAquarium.org or 301.955.6256. 4 sessions.
GEP AQUARIUM
Ocean Quest Camp (Ages 5-8) $475
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Staff Class: M-F, Jul 18-22, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Join us on a journey to find new ways we can help protect Minnehaha Creek from pollution by helping to keep it clean through critter counts and stream surveys. Investigate every level of the ocean from the sunlight zone to the abyss and discover who lives there and why. Create a future vision of pollution prevention by designing a campaign to keep our oceans healthy and to encourage others to have as much ocean devotion as we do! $50 non-refundable deposit is included in the tuition. More info: info@GEPAquarium.org or 301.955.6256. 5 sessions.
Treasure Island Camp (Ages 5-8) $475
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Staff Class 1: M-F, Jun 20-24, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Class 2: M-F, Jul 25-29, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Seek clues and explore the world as we try to find buried treasure! We will set sail onboard the SS GEPA, in search of gold as well as aquatic life, all the time avoiding Pirate Pete and his crew. Journey with us to explore a variety of habitats, as we play games, take hikes, and create crafts from the treasures we find outdoors. Let’s see where our outdoor treks take us! $50 non-refundable deposit is included in the tuition. More info: info@GEPAquarium.org or 301.955.6256. 5 sessions.
One Fish, Two Fish Camp (Ages 5-8) $475
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Staff Class: M-F, Aug 15-19, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Explore the world and diversity of fish. Become an ichthyologist (a fish expert) as we discover species both near and far, shallow and deep. $50 non-refundable deposit is included in the tuition. More info: info@GEPAquarium.org or 301.955.6256. 5 sessions.
GEP AQUARIUM
For Older Campers
Chesapeake Critters Camp (Ages 8-13) $475
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Staff Class: M-F, Aug 1-5, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Discover the wide variety of critters that inhabit the Chesapeake Bay, from snails to whales to oysters and fishes. This camp will examine habitats, food webs, life cycles and fisheries. Campers will explore the relationships between oyster and bay grasses as well as what happens when the balance is upset. Learn about blue crabs and how their population is tied to the population of jellyfish. The geologic history of our Chesapeake Bay as well as human history will be discussed too. This camp will incorporate learning, games, and crafts to bring your learning to life. $50 non-refundable deposit is included in the tuition. More info: info@GEPAquarium.org or 301.955.6256. 5 sessions.
Sensational Sharks Camp (Ages 8-13) $475
Glen Echo Park Aquarium Staff Class: M-F, Jul 11-15, 9am-3pm, Glen Echo Park
Aquarium Discover sharks both big and small that call the Chesapeake Bay home. Become a shark detective and investigate how these perfect predators have survived longer than the dinosaurs! Search out all the amazing ways sharks sense their surroundings to find food and survive in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Perform an engineering experiment to test the strength of shark jaws! $50 non-refundable deposit is included in the tuition. More info: info@GEPAquarium.org or 301.955.6256. 5 sessions.
