What do I Bring to Camp?
Not all of the following items are essential, but would certainly be helpful. Appropriate
clothing and footwear is essential for your own comfort and safety while on a boat and
during hiking/poor weather conditions.
 Personal identification – This is an essential item in case we need to access Campobello
by land, or decide to visit the nearby right whale research team in Lubec, Maine. The
forms of identification accepted by US Customs and Border Protection include:
o valid passport,
o original or copy of birth certificate
o Consular Report of Birth Abroad
o Naturalization Certificate
o Canadian Citizenship Card.
 Sunglasses - make sure your glasses will filter out at least 99% of the harmful UV rays.
Also, polarized glasses are best for observing marine mammals on the water and cutting
glare. Bring a string or cord to attach the glasses around your neck.
 Brimmed Hat – for sun protection
 Rain coat/pants or wind protective coat/pants
 Warm clothes for fieldwork on the water – We highly recommend that you bring
clothing so that you are prepared for both warm weather and cold weather on the boat
charters in the Bay of Fundy and in our surveys and hikes along the shore.
Recommended items to keep you warm and in comfort are fleece, toque, Gore-Tex, and
gloves.
 Other essential clothing – socks, underwear, pants, shirts, sleepwear, shorts, etc.
 Good sturdy walking shoes – Please do not plan on wearing flip-flops outside! We
highly recommend shoes with good soles that you will be safe in on a boat, and will be
good for hiking (these could be running shoes, hiking shoes or rubber boots )
 A spare pair of shoes – Just in case one pair gets wet!
 Sunscreen - at least SPF 30 is recommended
 Sun protective lip balm
 Medications that you might need – this includes anti-nausea drugs for boat surveys
and any pain medications you might need during your visit (Tylenol, Ibuprofen etc.).
Please note that camp staff is NOT authorized to administer or provide these drugs in the
event that your child is seasick or has a headache.
 Travel alarm or watch
 Calculator
 Long-distance calling card (or other means to call home as needed)
 Camera – if you want to take pictures
 Notebook and pen/pencils – for taking notes
 Flashlight and batteries
 Insect repellent
 Small to medium sized backpack – useful for hikes and day trips
 Water bottle – this item is essential
 Earplugs – if you are a light sleeper, these might come in handy!
 Marine Mammal Summer Camp  www.science.smu.ca  outreach.science@smu.ca 
 Binoculars – You may not own binoculars, and this is not an essential item, but will be
very handy when doing surveys for marine mammals. If you do not bring a pair, we will
have some that can be shared amongst the campers.
 Personal Toiletries – shampoo, soap, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair
brush/comb, feminine hygiene products, and other toiletries that you would like to
bring.
 Book or magazines - to read during free time
 Cellular phone – we understand that it may be important to contact home while you are
at camp. Cellular phone use will be allowed at designated times and will be limited to a
reasonable usage. Failure to follow camp rules will result in phone confiscation. Please
note that due to the proximity to the United States, cell phones roam to U.S. towers
resulting in roaming charges. Be sure to adjust your phone to not receive a signal from a
U.S. tower.
 Marine mammal guidebook – we would recommend the National Audubon Society
Guide to Marine Mammals of the World (2002).
 Ziplocs or dry bag - to protect important items in the rain and on the boat
 Small amount of cash – We ask that you bring some money for any ‘extras’ you might
want along the way (additional snacks, souvenirs, etc.). This money could also be used
for laundry facilities should they be needed.
 Musical instrument – if you like playing an instrument and would like to bring it, please
do!!
 A small sketch pad and pencils – if you like to draw
 A positive attitude, a sense of humour, and a willingness to participate - ESSENTIAL
Linens and Laundry
All linens will be provided (pillows, blankets, towels, etc.) at both of our camp locations.
We ask that you bring enough clothing to last you throughout the 10-day camp, without
having to do laundry. However, should you need it, Saint Mary’s University does have
laundry facilities that will be available ($2.00/load). There will not be laundry facilities
while at Campobello Island.
Contacting your Camper while at Camp
While at Saint Mary’s, campers will be staying at the University dorms, located at 923
Robie Street in Halifax. During this time, students will have access to pay phones (but
will require a credit card or calling card to use), cellular service and Wi-Fi. Should you
need to get in touch with your son or daughter during the camp in the event of an
emergency, please call 1) 902-209-8410 or 2) 902-496-8165.
While at the Roosevelt-Campobello International Park, campers will be staying in the
park bunkhouse, a fully equipped facility. Campers will have access to pay phones and
Wi-Fi access. However, cellular service on the island is VERY limited, so please keep this
 Marine Mammal Summer Camp  www.science.smu.ca  outreach.science@smu.ca 
in mind between August 12 – 16th. Should you need to get in touch with your son or
daughter in the event of an emergency, you can contact us at the 24/7 toll-free park
hotline 1) 877-851-6663.
Our Camp Itinerary
Our camp schedule is tentatively outlined as follows, but may change with weather:
Day 1: 4:00pm, student arrival and meet and greet with camp staff, campus tour and
settling in.
Camper and staff dinner.
Evening - introductions, games and orientation.
Day 2: Marine mammal Diversity and Evolution: Lectures and activities.
Surveys for Marine Mammals: What are surveys? How (and why) do we do
them? Introduction, activities and conducting land-based surveys from Halifax’s
Point Pleasant Park
Evening – Marine mammal movie night at the SMU theatre!
Day 3: Marine mammal adaptations and ecology: Lectures and activities.
Photo identification of marine mammals: Lectures and activities.
Preparation for field trip. Where are we going? An introduction to the Bay of
Fundy: ecology, oceanography and marine mammals.
Evening – Halifax Ghost Tour!
Day 4: Travel day from Saint Mary’s University to Campobello Island, NB.
En route visit to the Green’s Point Lighthouse Museum
Evening – evening hike, beach walk, outside sports fun, board games, etc.
Day 5: Boat based marine mammal surveys in the Bay of Fundy
Visit to the Lubec, Maine North Atlantic right whale field station and discussions
with researchers.
Guest visit: Marine mammal scientist Dr. Philip Hamilton
Evening – Marine mammal movie night at the RCIP theatre
Day 6: Land-based marine mammal surveys
Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of marine mammals
Guest visit: Marine mammal scientist Dr. Moira W. Brown
Evening – knot tying and seamanship with Jerry Conway, manager, Canadian
Whale Institute
Day 7: Boat based marine mammal surveys in the Bay of Fundy
 Marine Mammal Summer Camp  www.science.smu.ca  outreach.science@smu.ca 
Evening – evening hike, beach walk, outside sports fun, board games, etc.
Day 8: Travel day from Campobello Island, NB to Saint Mary’s University.
Visit to the New Brunswick Museum: Tour of the marine mammal gallery.
Visit to the New Brunswick Museum collection facility: Tour of marine mammal
collections with Zoology Curator Don McAlpine.
Evening - Marine mammal movie night at the SMU theatre
Day 9: Conservation of marine mammals: Lectures and activities.
Marine mammal anatomy and physiology: dolphin necropsy
Evening – Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing
Day 10: Where from here? The future of marine mammals
Camper Departure – 11am
Other planned activities:
Debates on discussions on topics such as whaling and captivity.
DNA analysis: Lecture and laboratory exercise
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the arrival and departure times for the Marine Mammal Camp?
Campers should arrive at Saint Mary’s University, Loyola Building, 5865 Gorsebrook
Avenue (http://www.smu.ca/administration/confoff/external/location.html) at 4:00
pm on Friday, August 09, 2013. Campers will depart the University on Sunday, August
18th at 11:00 am.
What will I eat at camp?
While at Saint Mary’s University (SMU), campers will eat all their meals in the cafeteria
and food will be provided by food services. Campers will have healthy food choices at for
every meal, and accommodations are made for individuals with allergies or food
restrictions. Be sure to let us know of any food concerns as soon as possible.
During our Campobello field trip, campers will eat at local restaurants and on-site at the
Roosevelt Campobello International Park (RCIP) where they will work together to
prepare and to clean up after each meal. Example meals include lasagna and tossed
salad, soft taco bar, and BBQ hamburgers and pasta salad.
Where will I be sleeping?
 Marine Mammal Summer Camp  www.science.smu.ca  outreach.science@smu.ca 
At SMU, campers will be staying in residence, in either a single or double room. Camp
counselors will be staying in rooms nearby. At RCIP, campers will be staying in a large
bunkhouse, fully equipped with bathrooms, kitchen, phone, etc. Camp counselors will be
staying in rooms nearby.
What other information should I know about camp?
We will provide you with additional information about camp, the SMU campus, the RCIP
and camp rules when you arrive. Please feel free to contact us will any other questions
you have regarding your upcoming camp experience!
 Marine Mammal Summer Camp  www.science.smu.ca  outreach.science@smu.ca 