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Our Virtual Valentines are a wonderful way to tell that special someone in your life how you feel. These digital videos feature one of our incredible animal ambassadors and a personalized message from you! The animal lover in your life is sure to cherish this one-of-a-kind Valentine forever. Learn more or reserve yours by clicking here.

  Hippity Hoppity Easter's On Its Way! Our seals and sea lions are hopping down the bunny trail to send the animal lover in your life an Easter-gram.  With help from our animal care team, this customizable video features your own special message and one of our flippered friends.   Learn more or reserve yours by clicking here.

DayOftheSeal-2024 by Shelley Ballmann

Ocean Connections Hersheypark is excited to announce our accreditation by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA).  This prestigious honor is only bestowed upon organizations that are the gold standard in marine mammal care.   Ocean Connections Hersheypark has always prioritized the well-being of the seals and sea lions in our care.  Each day our animal care team tests and adjusts the water quality to ensure our animals have the proper environment.  The animals receive restaurant-quality diets that are prepared daily by our staff members.  We evaluate each animal’s diet to make sure they get the correct amount of fish based on their age, their size, and the season of the year.  We train our animal ambassadors to participate in their own health care and have a team of marine mammal veterinarians that provide medical attention to our seals and sea lions.  We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to ensure the exceptional well-being of our animals. Ocean Connections Hersheypark team members spent the last year preparing the application highlighting our dedication to animal welfare and conservation education.  The accreditation process includes an in-person inspection and an evaluation of all aspects of our daily operations to ensure we prioritize the well-being of our animals.  Ocean Connections Hersheypark would like to thank AMMPA for recognizing our dedication to upholding the highest standards for marine mammal welfare. If you would like to learn more about AMMPA, click here.  To visit Ocean Connections Hersheypark, click here.

  We 💙 Mother Earth! Ocean Connections team members spent the weekend of Earth Day sharing our mission of inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education.  All waterways lead to the sea so by protecting our local rivers, streams, and beaches, we can help the health of our ocean.  We also provide educational opportunities to encourage positive action toward the environment. Our Education Team at Ocean Connections Myrtle Beach attended Earth Day at the Bay and educated over 150 students about marine life and conservation. Ocean Connections Milwaukee attended the 29th Annual Spring Clean-Up removing pollution from the Milwaukee River.  We are still waiting to hear the statistics on the event but know a significant amount of waste was removed. Team Members from Ocean Connections Pigeon Forge attended Earth Day Gatlinburg's Way.  This river clean-up saw the removal of 32 trash bags worth of pollution.   Check out our photos from these events and be sure to follow us on social media to learn about local clean-up events that we'll be hosting all summer long.

  Ocean Connections is committed to protecting our local and global waterways.  We will be hosting river and beach clean-ups all summer long.  Check out our upcoming events below:       Hershey Clean-Ups June 22nd from 12:00-2:00 at Barshinger Fields (Accomac Rd. York, PA 17406) Milwaukee Clean-Ups June 5th from 5:30-7:00 at Bradford Beach June 25th from 5:30-7:00 at South Shore Park (in partnership with Nicole Ross of Shorewest Realtors) July 16th from 5:30-7:00 at Bradford Beach Myrtle Beach Clean-Ups May 21st from 10:00-12:00 at 8th Avenue Beach June 21st from 10:00-12:00 at 8th Avenue Beach Pigeon Forge Clean-Ups May 18th from 9:00-12:00 at 131 Island Drive 37863 If you have any questions, please contact us at education@oceanconnections.org or (262) 303-4444

May 30th is World Sea Lion Day! We're celebrating this charismatic species with a fundraiser supporting their care.  Ocean Connections is committed to providing forever homes for rescued marine mammals as well as ensuring their well-being.  Your contributions will directly support the animal welfare efforts of Ocean Connections! To bid on our Silent Auction items, symbolically adopt one of our animal ambassadors, or donate today visit: https://sealionday.givesmart.com Ocean Connections is recognized by the IRS as a 501©3 non-profit organization.

Ocean Connections CEO & President, Shelley Ballmann, joined Dr. Grey Stafford on the Zoo Logic Podcast. Listen to learn more about our history and our bright future as we look forward to furthering our commitment to animal well-being and conservation education. Click Here to Listen!

We love celebrating birthdays! Our seals and sea lions receive special enrichment and plenty of love from our animal care team.  Here's to all of our flippered friends getting another year older! April 11th - Diego turned 20 April 17th - Talise turned 11 May 15th - Scooter turned 28 May 22nd - Satara turned 30 May 28th - Harper turned 4 May 30th - Dash turned 6 May 31st - Cruz turned 3 June 1st - Grommet turned 12 June 9th - Cobh turned 5 June 10th - Cocoa turned 6 & Smoky turned 4 July 10th - Reese turned 9 July 14th - Ripley turned 10 July 18th - Toby turned 11 July 19th - Lovell turned 9 July 21st - Moana turned 8                                                                                                                                      

  Pirates Voyage is bringing the swashbuckling excitement of their dinner show to Panama City Beach, Florida!  Ground was broken early in 2024 and progress is being made on the 60,000-square-foot pirate-themed dinner theater which will seat more than 1,000 guests.  In partnership with Pirates Voyage, Ocean Connections will be providing the animal ambassador portion of this exhilirating show as well as educational opportunities for the local community.  We look forward to welcoming you to this family-friendly attraction featuring acrobatics, fire acts, mermaids, sword fights, a four-course meal, and, of course, Salty the Sea Lion!  Check back for more updates.                                      Image Courtesy of Pirates Voyage.

Join Ocean Connections Myrtle Beach and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show for a beach clean-up adventure! Meet community members, learn about our conservation efforts, and help us keep our coastline clean on Sunday September 22nd, 2024 from 2:00-4:00pm at Myrtle Beach (8th Avenue N. Beach Access). Questions? Contact us at education@oceanconnections.org. We hope to "sea" you there!

Welcome back, Diego! Ocean Connections and Hersheypark are excited to welcome back male California sea lion, Diego, to the Aquatheatre. Diego is a fan favorite who has previously spent numerous summers in Pennsylvania capturing the hearts of patrons with his sweet demeanor.  He arrived earlier this week from Ocean Connections Myrtle Beach and is transitioning seamlessly back into life at Hersheypark.  Diego has already been spotted reacquainting himself with his old flippered friends and making new ones.  We are overjoyed to have Diego rejoin the Hershey family. While we are taking this move at his pace, you may spot Diego at the Hersheypark Aquatheatre this weekend for Sea & Sea Lion Shows, Feeds, and Photos.  For schedule and ticketing information visit: https://www.oceanconnections.org/hersheyschedule

  Support 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Ocean Connections, today! It's giving season and you can make a huge impact on marine life no matter where you live! Proceeds from our Giving Tuesday Fundraiser help cover the cost of veterinary bills, provide new toys for our animals, and allow us to care for rescued marine mammals. Help us, help them this Giving Tuesday as every donation is appreciated. Bid high, bid often, or adopt an animal today to help make a difference in these animals' lives! Click here to view or bid on our Giving Tuesday Fundraiser!

Our Virtual Valentines are a wonderful way to tell that special someone in your life how you feel. These digital videos feature one of our incredible animal ambassadors and a personalized message from you! The animal lover in your life is sure to cherish this one-of-a-kind Valentine forever. Learn more or reserve yours by clicking here.

Education Impact Summary 2024 2024 was an exciting year for Ocean Connections as we furthered our commitment to STEAM+ based, educational programming.  From beloved interactive experiences to new learning opportunities, our Education Impact Summary highlights how we fulfill Ocean Connections' mission of inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education. Read the full report by clicking here.

  Hippity Hoppity Easter's On Its Way! Our seals and sea lions are hopping down the bunny trail to send the animal lover in your life an Easter-gram.  With help from our animal care team, this customizable video features your own special message and one of our flippered friends.   Learn more or reserve yours by clicking here.

DayOftheSeal-2025 by Shelley Ballmann

Grunts and growls, hoots and howls...this camp is wild! Sign your kids up for a journey of exploration, learning, and adventure this summer.  ZooAmerica offers exciting camp sessions for children of all ages, from preschool through high school.  Campers will leave with a greater appreciation for nature and a deeper understanding of the wild of North America. Back this summer, Zoo America's ZooCamp will include a visit to the Hersheypark Aquatheatre to meet the Ocean Connections seals and sea lions.  Participants will experience the magic of marine mammals up cloe through learning opportunities that support each camp's theme. Learn more or register today by clicking here.

  The Wait is Over! Our Panama City Beach, Florida location is now open.  Check out the swashbuckling excitement of the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show at this 60,000-square-foot pirate-themed dinner theater which seats more than 1,000 guests.  Ocean Connections provides the animal ambassador portion of this exhilirating show and looks forward to introducing educational opportunities for the local community soon.  Don't miss out on this family-friendly experience featuring acrobatics, fire acts, mermaids, sword fights, a four-course meal, and, of course, Salty the Sea Lion! Learn more or purchase your tickets today by clicking here.

  Meet Our Flippered Friends! Get ready for an up-close and personal experience with one of the amazing animal ambassadors of Ocean Connections. Participants in this program will have the opportunity to feed and give a back rub to one of our seals or sea lions. Plus, we’ll capture the moment with a commemorative photo. Take a tour behind-the-scenes to learn more about how we care for our animals before enjoying preferred seating for our Seal & Sea Lion Demonstration! Learn more or register today by clicking here.

  Ocean Connections is committed to protecting our local and global waterways.  We will be hosting river clean-ups at all of our locations.  Check out our upcoming events below:       Hershey Clean-Up September 26th from 10:30-11:30 @ Swatara Creek Watershed Myrtle Beach Clean-Up September 27th from 10:00am-12:00pm @ 8th Avenue N. Beach Access Panama City Beach Clean-Up September 20th from 9:00am-12:00pm @ Pier Park Drive & Front Beach Road Pigeon Forge Clean-Up September 27th from 10:00am-12:00pm @ Pigeon Forge Greenway If you have any questions, please contact us at education@oceanconnections.org or (414) 246-7068.

Our Virtual Valentines are a wonderful way to tell that special someone in your life how you feel. These digital videos feature one of our incredible animal ambassadors and a personalized message from you! The animal lover in your life is sure to cherish this one-of-a-kind Valentine forever.   For US residents, you can learn more or reserve your Virtual Valentine by clicking here.   For internation residents, you can learn more or reserve your Virtual Valentine by clicking here.    

Education Impact Summary 2025 2025 was an exciting year for Ocean Connections as we furthered our commitment to STEAM+ based, educational programming.  From beloved interactive experiences to new learning opportunities, our Education Impact Summary highlights how we fulfill Ocean Connections' mission of inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education. Read the full report by clicking here.

BRING YOUR CREATIVITY TO LIFE! Dive into a coloring adventure featuring your favorite flippered friends. Enjoy filling these illustrated pages with colors to create your own unique masterpieces! This book includes the following: 30 COLORING PAGES ready to be turned into your own creative art piece. STANDARD PAGE DESIGN: 8.5 x 8.5 inches ENTERTAINING & EDUCATIONAL: let your imagination loose and learn about our flippered friends. IDEAL GIFT: this book provides a relaxing activity for all ages. SINGLE-SIDED PAGES to prevent bleed-through and protect your artwork (if coloring with markers, use a protective sheet).   Get yours by clicking here!