Sea Smart Summer Camps

Calling all Outdoor Adventurers!

Looking for the perfect Vancouver summer camp for you child?

The Starfish Canada Sea Smart outdoor summer camps are the perfect way for your child to spend their week this summer, exploring the wonders of the Pacific Northwest and the Salish Sea! Located at Kitsilano Beach and John Hendry Park (Trout Lake), The Starfish Canada summer camps offer a unique opportunity for children ages 6 – 10 to dive into ocean and environmental education while having a blast outdoors. Our summer camps for children feature exciting, hands-on activities that teach your child about marine life, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Plus, they’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to become advocates for the environment!

Our Vancouver summer camps fill up fast, so don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!

Kids celebrating Sea Smart summer camps

Vancouver summer camps

Summer Camp Registration Opens February 3rd 2026

Ages 6-7*

  • Welcome to the world of Ocean Creatures! This is a week-long outdoor camp where campers will learn all about their favourite sea animals.

    Camp dates (5 days):
    * July 13-17, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *    July 27-31, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 10-14, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)

    Fun Activities Include:

    • Ocean animal-themed games

    • Marine storytelling

    • Tide pool investigations.

  • Ahoy, future scientists! This week-long camp is designed for girls* who are curious, adventurous, and ready to dive into the world of STEM.

    Camp dates:

    July 6-10, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *July 20-24, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 4-7, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)  – 4 Day Camp
    *August 17-21, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)

    Fun Activities Include:

    • Tide Pool Exploration

    • Science Experiments

    • Beach Activities

  • 4-Day Camps - $320*

    5-Day Camps - $400*

Registration Opens Feb. 3

  • Become an Animal Detective during this one-week outdoor camp, where kids will learn all about local Pacific Northwest wildlife.

    Camp dates (5 days):
    * July 13-17, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *July 27-31, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 10-14, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)

    Fun activities Include:

    • Scavenger Hunts

    • Make-your-own tracks art and crafts

    • Mystery-solving games

  • Calling all young eco-heroes! At Forest Guardians, campers will journey through the hidden worlds of the forest, exploring a new habitat each day, from the forest floor to the towering canopy, and even the riparian zones where forest meets stream.

    Camp dates:
    * July 6-10, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *July 20-24, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 4-7, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)  – 4 Day Camp

    Fun Activities Include :

    • Nature Walks

    • Forest-themed games

    • Soil critter hunts

  • 4-Day Camps - $320*

    5-Day Camps - $400*

Registration Opens Feb. 3

Ages 8-10*

  • Camp dates (5 days):
    * July 13-17, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *July 27-31, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 10-14, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)

    Does your child love marine animals? In today’s world, more and more animals are becoming rare, at risk, endangered, or even extinct. Campers will learn about the marine animals that need their help and what they can do to protect them.

    Fun Activities Include:

    • Shoreline Cleanups

    • Endangered Animal Arts and Crafts

    • Action projects

  • Camp dates:
    * July 6-10, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *July 20-24, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 4-7, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)  – 4 Day Camp
    *August 17-21, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)

    Calling all future marine biologists! At The Starfish, we empower girl* identifying children to become STEM experts. This girls* only day-camp will inspire your child to dive deeper into the exciting world of marine biology.

    Fun Activities Include:

    • Shoreline Cleanup

    • Exploring marine invertebrates

    • Research Projects

  • 4-Day Camps - $320*

    5-Day Camps - $400*

Registration Opens Feb. 3

  • Camp dates (5 days):
    *     July 13-17, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *July 27-31, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 10-14, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)

    Has your child always been curious about the wonders of rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, wetlands, canals and creeks? Campers will explore different aquatic environments in this adventure-filled camp and learn all about the animal and plant species that call these water bodies home.

    Fun Activities Include:

    • Water sampling methods

    • Plant and Insect Identification

    • Freshwater Themed Arts and Crafts

  • Camp dates:
    * July 6-10, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)
    *July 20-24, 2026(9AM – 4PM)
    *August 4-7, 2026 (9AM – 4PM)  – 4 Day Camp

    Calling all future Wildlife Biologists! At this week-long day-camp, your child will be immersed in the fascinating world of wildlife biology.

    Fun Activities Include:

    • Informative games

    • Plant and Insect Identification

    • Shoreline cleanup

  • 4-Day Camps - $320*

    5-Day Camps - $400*

Registration Opens Feb. 3

*Age of your child by Dec 31, 2026 (ie: if your child is 5 now, but they turn 6 by the end of the year, they can join our age 6-7 camps)

**These inclusive camps are open to youth identifying as girls, trans, genderqueer, gender non-binary, Two-Spirit, and gender questioning. We are working to close the gender gap in science-related fields!

Our camps are not affiliated with and do not take place at the Trout Lake Community Centre. Please see our Parent Orientation Package below for a detailed site map and drop-off/pick-up location.

Summer camp details

  • Camp Details

    Location: Kitsilano Beach or John Hendry Park (Trout Lake Park***)

    Time: 9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday (due to statutory holidays there are no camps on Monday, August 3, 2025) 

    Cost: $400 for 5-day camps; $320 for 4-day camps (K.E.L.P. Education Fund)

    Lunch and snacks are NOT included

    Read our FAQs

  • Extreme Weather Policy

    Sea Smart will keep families informed about potential changes due to extreme weather. These may include activities in the shade, low-activity days, water games, moving to an indoor location, half-days, or camp cancellations.

    See our full Extreme Weather Policy linked below.

    Extreme Weather Policy

  • Cancellation Policy

    Withdrawals 31 days or more prior to camp start date = Full refund

    Withdrawals made 10 - 30 days prior to camp start date = Full refund minus a $25 administration fee per camp

    Withdrawals made 9 days or less prior to camp start date = No refund or credit (i.e., 100% forfeiture of camp fee)

    Please note that there is a $25 admin fee for camp date switches.

    Please note that there is a $25 admin fee for withdrawals made between 10-30 days prior to camp start date.

    Cancellation Policy
Download parent orientation package
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Why choose Sea Smart

Sign your child up today for an unforgettable summer at Sea Smart’s summer day camps in Vancouver - a summer camp experience that will inspire, educate, and create memories for a lifetime.

Here’s why families love our camp:

✅Flexible, family-friendly policies to make scheduling and participation easy.
✅Sliding scale pricing, including fully funded spots -ensuring everyone can join the adventure.
✅Specialized programs, like our all-girls** STEAM camps, combining science, creativity, and environmental stewardship.

Our flexible family-friendly policies make Sea Smart Camps participation a breeze:

✨1:8 educator-to-camper ratio
✨Trained staff in first aid & CPR
✨Autism Awareness & Sensory Friendly strategies
✨Cancellation and date switching options available, see policy for details
✨Pro safety measures for extreme weather

Two children exploring some large rocks near a shoreline during Sea Smart's summer camp

Scholarship Program

Sea Smart’s summer camps are for everyone! We offer sliding scale pricing, including fully funded spots, to ensure camp is accessible to all families - with no barriers, no long applications, no questions asked.

Currently not taking any more applications.

Thank you to our generous partner Peterson, for making this financial aid program possible

Hear what parents are saying

  • "One of the most important things we can instill upon our children is a reverence for nature. Sea Smart is an intelligent way to deepen our childrens’ connection to our oceans, helping them to become part of the solution for environmental issues, rather than part of the problem."

    Rosalee, parent

  • “Excellent and important program by highly trained expert. My daughter loves it! She's always excited to share what she learned in Sea Smart and is teaching us how to eat sustainable seafood and use ocean friendly cleaning products! It's great that she's learning how to take care of our environment."

    Dr. Shimi Kang, parent

  • "My son had a wonderful time at the camp! The instructors were lovely and friendly and each day was very organized. We will sign up again next year."

    Natalie Kardum, parent

  • "My kiddo had a great time learning about the ecosystems of the beach, developed collaborative skills working in a group to make a presentation and was *thoroughly* tired at the end of each day! Kiddo said even MORE science education would have been fun…thank you Sea Smart for a great week!"

    Erin Bentley, parent