To register, download the registration form and mail it to us along with a $300 deposit. Our mailing address is:

Whale Camp
Box 63
Cheyney, PA 19319

For our student program, the Whale Camp accepts participants aged 10-17 for a total of 36-38 participants in the program. Students will be divided into age appropriate teams during most instructional times.

Our educators program is for adults over 18 years of age. 

All kinds of people! But mostly, our participants are interested in marine biology, environmental science and exploring their world. Participants should be excited about sailing, hiking, kayaking and viewing wildlife up close. On our programs you will be immersed in the ecology and biology of the Bay of Fundy and Grand Manan Island and will work alongside specialists to learn about this environment in a hands on manner. 

In the 20 years that we have been in operation, all of our groups have had the chance to see whales and other marine mammals up close. It must be important to remember, however, that due to the natural oceanic patterns and environmental forces beyond our control, we cannot guarantee whale and marine mammal sightings.

All forms are due into our office May 1. Since some of the information on the forms is timely and vital for the safety and well being of each participant, failure to return the forms by May 1 may result in the cancellation of all prior agreements and forfeiture of the right to participate and loss of deposit.

Click on the forms online below to download printable versions. You can then mail or fax the forms to us:

Prior to June 1
Mail to Box 63, Cheyney, PA 19319 or fax to 506-662-8009

After June 1
Fax to 506-662-8009 only - please bring hard copy to the island with you.

To access the following forms online, please call 888-54-WHALE for your username and password:

Medical Form - Student Program (Parent Section)
Medical Form - Student Program (Doctor Section)
Medical Form - Adult and Educator Program
Transportation Form - Student Program
Conditions of Enrollment Form - Student Program
Conditions of Enrollment Form - Adult and Educator Program
Whale Camp Apparel Order Form

We have phones in each of the dorms that are available for participant's use. For the student program, we limit the times that students can call out or be called. The phone times for summer 2005 are from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Atlantic Standard Time. Each child is permitted to phone out to their family members a few times a week. Please note that the phone times change each summer according to our schedule.

We do not limit the use of the phone during our adult programs.

Each phone has an answering machine so that people can leave messages for you to receive when you return from program.

Important phone numbers:
Girls Dorm: 506-662-8661
Boys Dorm: 506-662-8656
Office (emergencies only, or to speak to Directors): 506-662-8602

Of course you can! Just remember that mail can take a week or more to reach Grand Manan. Please have your friends and family address your letters or packages to:

Your name
c/o Whale Camp _______________ Program (fill in program type)
Seal Cove
Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick
Canada E5G 4J4

Packages containing more than $20 in value will be assessed duty. Payment of this duty is due upon receipt.

The Whale Camp does not provide access to email for any of its participants. We do have a fax machine that can receive faxes. If you must fax a document out, we can assist you. A nominal charge for outgoing faxes may be assessed.

Most rooms have four students. The girls dorm has five rooms, with four students in each and the boys dorm has four rooms, two with four students and two with six students. All dormitory rooms are equipped with bunk beds, dressers, bedside lamps and hooks. Rooms are carpeted and heated for your comfort.

The educators program is housed in an Inn on the island. Rooms are double occupancy.

Please note on your forms that you would like to be placed in a room or group with your friends, or call us with your request. We will do everything possible to make sure that requests are granted, but cannot guarantee requests.

We offer kayaking once a week for Student and Educator programs. The cost of kayaking sessions will be listed on your invoice. It is always easier to pre-pay for kayaking on your invoice, however you can pay once you get to camp. Please note that kayaking must be paid in full before you go; we cannot bill you. Kayaking is included in the tuition price for the Birding program. 

Helpful Hint: Parents - if you think your child may be interested in kayaking more than once, send along some checks made out to Whale Camp. Then, if they like the experience, the money is there so that they do not have to pay out of their spending cash.

Although we will provide all of your meals while you are at camp (educators will be responsible for three of their meals), we do recommend that you bring some spending money for snacks and souvenirs. Souvenirs (sweatshirts, photos, art prints) and additional film cost varies. Use your own discretion.

Helpful Hint: If you will want to develop film on the island or add a kayaking experience, you will need extra money. 

Of course you can. There are many holistic and over the counter medications that provide relief from seasickness. We recommend that you bring non-drowsy Drammamine (or similar product) if you are afraid of being seasick. Some people find that taking ginger supplements helps to alleviate symptoms of seasickness. As always, if you are going to take any medications, prescription or non, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you.

Our meals are prepared by a chef on the island. Each breakfast and dinner is home cooked. The Whale Camp does not used pre-packaged foods and many of our vegetables and salads come from our own garden. Lunches are usually picnic style, unless we are on the Schooner, when we are served homemade fish and corn chowder!

We always have options for vegetarians; however, we do not cater to specific diets when planning our menu. Each meal provides balanced nutritional options for every person.

Helpful Hint: If you are a vegetarian, you may want to bring some nutritional snacks with you to camp such as Luna, Power or Granola Bars.

Click on your program below for the appropriate packing list:

Student Program Packing List
Adult and Educator Program Packing List

If you are participating in the author's program we ask that you bring your favorite art supplies (pens, pencils, paints, etc…) as well as extra money to develop film while you are on the island. We recommend you bring enough money to develop two rolls or more.

Flights can get cancelled or delayed. It is always a good idea to book with our travel agent, Sheila, as she can assist you when this happens. Sheila can be reached by phone at 610-642-3300, ext. 15; by FAX at 610-642-3010; by email at slwein@travelxperts.com. Always keep in touch with our office (506-662-8602) about any changes in flight plans mid schedule. We carry cell phones in the airport so that we can stay on top of the latest travel developments.

Helpful Hint: Our experience shows that if your child is flying as an accompanied minor and their flight is cancelled or delayed, they will be well taken care of and put on the next available flight, even before other patrons. 

To enter Canada you will need some form of identification - license, birth certificate, or passport. Please do not bring original copies of your birth certificate or passport. Xerox copies are sufficient. The Whale Camp is not responsible for the loss of any original passports or birth certificates brought into Canada.

Yes, there are. If you are taking a child other than your own across the border, or your own child without your spouse, you need to have a notarized note from the parent (s) giving you permission to take the child out of the country. Be sure the note specifies the dates of travel and is signed and notarized.

Click here for options.

Click here for options.

The ferry ride is approximately 1½ hours. The schedule can be found at the following website: http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/gmtouris/ferry.htm

All times are in Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour later than Eastern Standard Time. Also note that the ferry times are date dependent, so make sure you are looking at the correct schedule.

Yes, visits are permitted but must be approved in advance by the Directors. Please contact us as soon as possible if you would like to visit your child. Some parents choose to pick their children up on the island at the end of camp so that they can have some time to explore Grand Manan as a family after camp ends.

The way that the health care system on Grand Manan works is that you must pay both the doctor and the hospital charges by cash or credit card at the time of service and be reimbursed through your US health provider.

Please note that pharmacies in Canada cannot refill US prescriptions, so please make sure to bring more than enough medication for your stay on the island.

Helpful Hint: Parents - You may want to put some emergency cash or your credit card number in an envelope marked "Hospital", so that we can access it in the event your child needs to see the doctor. Costs for doctor visits and trips to the emergency room vary.