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MAKE A RESERVATION Ages: 13 and older Program Fee: $250.00 ($240.00 Zoological Society Member Discount) Program Time: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm  (3 ½  hour program) Avability: Daily Fall, Winter and Spring. Private program for 1-2 participants Interested in the career of animal training? Our Animal Trainer Job Shadow program is just for you! In this 3 ½ hour private program, you will spend your morning shadowing our trainers while learning about the field of marine mammal care and training. You will assist in the daily activities involved with caring for our animals including feeding, cleaning and training the seals and sea lions at Ocean Connections! This program allows individual participants the opportunity to experience and explore the career path of a marine mammal trainer with hands-on interaction time with our animals.      

Application Submission Please submit the following documents to be considered for an internship position. Applicants considered for internships will be contacted to begin the interview process. This will include an interview with one of our animal care specialists as well as a performance portion. Internship Application Resume (include two references) Two Professional Letters of Recommendation Must be sent directly to Ocean Connections or submitted in a signed, sealed envelope with your other application materials. For Credit Internships Only Letter from Sponsoring Professor  Verifies your eligibility to receive college credit Please send all application materials to: Ocean Connections Intern and Volunteer Coordinator 10001 W. Bluemound Rd Milwaukee, WI 53186 For questions or more information please contact us here.

All interactive programs run rain or shine. Participants should come dressed for all weather conditions. (i.e. rain poncho, closed-toed shoes, boots, hat, gloves, etc.) Umbrellas will not be allowed in animal areas or utilized during interaction times. In the event of severe weather, accommodations may be made to postpone or reschedule your program. Ocean Connections will make these determinations and contact you with as much notice as possible. For weather related questions and information call: (262) 303-4444      

Want to join the team? As a part of the Ocean Connections animal care team you will be able to observe and learn about marine mammal care and training through activities such as: hosting shows, preparing animal diets and assisting in water quality and pool maintenance. Animal Care internships are available at both our Milwaukee and HersheyPark locations. Together, we can help inspire a great appreciation for animals and the environment. Learn more about our intern and volunteer programs! Animal Care Internship Volunteer Opportunities    

Ocean Connections has a colony of both male and female California sea lions which allows us to educate the public about these majestic animals along with environmental conservation. California sea lions are playful, noisy, social animals. They often rest closely packed together at favored “haul-out” sites on land or float together on the ocean’s surface in “rafts”. Fun Facts Sea lions can hold their breath for 15-20 minutes. Sea lions can reach speeds up to 25 mph. A female sea lion's gestation period is 12 months, including a 3 month delayed implantation. During this time the fertilized egg is free-floating and not attached to the uterine wall. Pups nurse for 6 - 12 months. California sea lions can be found as far north as British Columbia, along the coast of California and as far south as Mexico. Sea lions are capable of diving to depths of up to 1100 feet. A group of sea lions is called a rookery. Click here to meet the sea lions of Ocean Connections.  

General Information Scientific Name: Phoca vitulina Order: Pinnepedia Average Life Span: Zoological environment up to 25-35 years Diet: Consists of an assortment of fishes and invertebrates including herring, cod, flounder, sculpin, shrimp, octopus, capelin and squid. Size: Males weigh up to 350 pounds and average 5-7 feet in length. Females weigh up to 200 pounds and average 4-6 feet in length. Fun Facts Seal pups are born in spring and summer, and enter the water almost immediately. Seals are capable of diving to depths of up to 1700 feet. Seals can swim underwater for a duration of 40 minutes. Sexual maturity in seals happens at age 3-6 for females and 3-7 for males. In the scientific order Pinnipedia, there are true seals and eared seals. Harbor seals, also known as common seals, are true seals that possess certain characteristics making them different than eared seals. True seals possess internal ears, propel themselves through the water with their hind flippers in a side to side or sculling motion, and use their stomach muscles to bounce along the land. Harbor seals have a rounded body and their flippers are short and webbed. Their fore flippers have noticeable claws that harbor seals use for scratching, grooming, and defense. Harbor seals typically have beautiful coats of gray or brown fur with individual dark and light spots. Males are slightly larger than females. There are five subspecies of harbor seals: P.v. richardsi, P.v. vitulina, P.v. concolor, P.v. mellonae, and P.v. stefnegeri Distribution: Harbor seals can be found along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In the east they range from from Canada and Greenland through New York. In the Pacific ocean they range from Alaska down to Baja, Mexico. Habitat: Harbor seals prefer shallow areas of estuaries, rivers and places where sandbars and beaches are uncovered at low tide. They prefer to haul out on rocky cliffs as well as sandy beaches to rest and raise their pups. When they are not on land, these seals are commonly seen in the Arctic, subarctic and temperate coastal waters, estuaries and rivers. Predators: Harbor seals are hunted by large sharks, orcas and polar bears. Like most animals living in the wild today, human destruction of their environment creates the largest danger to them. Family Life: Harbor seals do not form pair bonds. Male seals breed with many females. Pregnant seals give birth to a single pup following an 11- month gestation period typically in March or April. Females give birth on land, ice, or in the water near shore. Gestation includes a period of delayed implantation, when the fertilized egg stops growing and remains dormant for a period of 1 1/2 - 3 months. Delayed implantation allows pups to be born when environmental conditions are optimal for their survival. Pups nurse for about four to six weeks. Harbor seal milk is high in fat content allowing pups to double in weight by the time they are weaned. Females recognize their pups by vocalizations and by smell. After the pup is weaned, the female shows no interest in the pup. Pups typically weigh up to 30 pounds at birth and naturally learn to swim within the first moments of life. Pups nurse from their mothers for about four weeks, after which they are weaned. Adult females usually mate and give birth every year. Seals may live 25-30 years in a zoological environment.  Earless Seals: Harbor seals are called earless seals because they lack external ear flaps. Their ears are internal providing them with excellent hearing. Diet: Harbor seals have 34 - 36 teeth. Their teeth are pointed and sharp, adapted for grasping and tearing, not chewing, their food. Harbor seals are opportunistic feeders and eat a variety of fish and invertebrates. Their diet varies seasonally and regionally depending on local prey availability. They generally feed close to shore and in shallow waters. Behavior: Harbor seals spend about half of their time on land and the other half in the water. Harbor seals can swim up to 12 - 15 miles per hour, but they generally cruise at slower speeds. They are known to dive up to 1,500 feet and are capable of holding their breath for up to 40 minutes per dive. Conservation Status:  Harbor seals and all marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) passed in 1972. This act makes it illegal to hunt or harass any marine mammal in U.S. waters. According to the MMPA, all seals and sea lions in U.S. waters are under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Although these mammals are protected by law, they are still under threat due to human impact. Marine debris is extremely dangerous and often deadly. Seals and sea lions live both on land and water, so they encounter both material dumped at sea as well as debris such as fishing line that washes up on shore. By recycling, we can all help to save and preserve these animals and our environment. The Atlantic harbor seal population is stable, which means that it is not currently at risk for extinction. The harbor seal world population is estimated at 400,000-500,000 animals. For additional information Seal Conservation Society: www.pinnipeds.org Riedman, Marianne. The Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses. Berkley: University of California Press, 1990.

  Ocean Connections currently houses California sea lions and harbor seals at our facility located within the Milwaukee County Zoo. Click on the names below to learn more about each of our animals. Geneva Sport Sonoma Slick Makaia Bumper Satara Diego Colby Scooter Abby Seals and sea lions are both classified as pinnipeds. They are also known as marine mammals. Being a mammal means that they possess the five characteristics that all mammals share. They are warm blooded, air breathing, covered with body hair, and they give birth to live young that the females nurse and care for. Sea lions and seals also share many predators. Their natural predators include killer whales, sharks, polar bears, coyotes and wolves. We are also considered to be a predator to marine mammals. Humans create pollution and oil spills, overfish, and use drift nets. All of these things contribute to making life out in the wild very difficult and dangerous for these animals. Plastic is especially dangerous to these animals since it is found both in the water and on land. Humans can really help these animals out by recycling in our own homes.          

Meet one of our marine animal stars in an unforgettable experience and forever capture the moment in a high-quality souvenir photo that you can share with others. A photo session follows every Ocean Connections Seal and Sea Lion Show.  This photo is sure to be worth a thousand words, so be sure to capture the moment with one of our flippered friends! Photo packages start as low as $17.00 and are offered for individuals, groups or families.  Advanced reservations can be made at our Sea Lion Shoppe located across from Monkey Island. Photos are taken throughout every interactive program.  Photo packages will be made available at the end of the program.  Packages start at $17.00.  USBs are also available.    

Seal vs. Seal Lions Both seals and sea lions belong to the order pinnipedia, meaning “fin-footed”. There are 33 living species of pinnipeds. They are all warm-blooded, air breathing mammals that have a streamlined torpedo-shaped body, enabling them to swim and dive gracefully. Both seals and sea lions have flippers that act as rudders, helping them to steer in the water. Although they are very suited to their marine environment, pinnipeds spend part of their life in the water and part on land, which sets them apart from the other marine mammals (whales). Though seals and sea lions are similar there a few key differences between these kinds of animals. Scientists have divided the pinnipeds into three families: earless seals (Phocidae), eared seals (Otariidae), and walruses (Odobenidae). Seals The earless seals are the phocids. They are what you would think of as a seal. They are called earless because they lack ear flaps. However, this does not mean they are deaf. Seals have tiny openings, which are called pinnae that serve as ears. There are eighteen species of seals. The most distinguished feature of the seal is the flipper which sets the seal apart from other pinnipeds. They have short front flippers with a claw on each toe. The hind flippers are also clawed. The flippers have a thin webbing of skin, enabling them to move gracefully through the water. Seals can flex their toes to groom themselves or haul themselves out of water. In order for a seal to move across dry land, it must crawl along using their bellies. Seals have more girth than most of the other pinnipeds. They are not as sleek and can even appear chubby. Even though they are disadvantaged on land, they move swiftly through the water. The front flippers serve as rudders for steering. The hind flippers allow the animal to thrust along in the water. It is with these combined adaptations that seals can move along through the water at speeds of 14 to 24 miles an hour. Sea Lions The species of pinnipeds most individuals know are the sea lion. They are frequently found in zoos and aquariums as ambassadors for marine species. Sea lions make up several of the fourteen species that make up the family Otariidae. The sea lion differs from the seal in that its pinnae are covered by external ear flaps. This is why they are known as the “eared seals.” Sea lions also have longer necks than seals. The body of the sea lion is much sleeker than that of the seal, even though sea lions are generally larger than most seals: a male sea lion of certain species can tip the scales at over one thousand pounds. Another very different adaptation of the sea lion is the flipper. Sea lions’ front flippers have only a partial fur covering, unlike the seal, whose flippers are covered entirely by fur. Sea lions’ first toes are longer than the other toes. Their hind flippers are extremely flexible, and can actually rotate forward and beneath the body. This enables sea lions to move around on land with ease, unlike the seal. Behaviorally, sea lions are usually more vocal than seals. Sea lions are called “sea dogs” due to their unique barking noise, whereas seals tend to make much quieter grunting noises. Sea lions also tend to be more social than other pinnipeds. Similarities Seals and sea lions are cousins belonging to the same family. They have some similarities, such as adaptations that make them extremely effective oceanic animals. Both species are adept at diving and can reach to depths beyond a thousand feet, the record-holder being the elephant seal, which can descend to 4,125 feet. In fact, only the sperm whale and the beluga whale are capable of making deeper dives. In the wild, both seals and sea lions are hunted by the killer whale (orca). In the past both were also hunted by humans for their pelts and blubber, the fatty insulating layer both groups have beneath their skins. Both animals are adapted to life on land and in the water. They have excellent vision in both environments and great flexibility that help them to avoid their natural predators and find food on a daily basis.  We encourage you to stop by Ocean Connections to meet our animals in person.  Seals and sea lions actually have more in common than is different!    

  After over three decades of providing educational seal and sea lion programming which both entertains and inspires zoo patrons, Ocean Connections has left the Milwaukee County Zoo.  This decision was made after several months of careful consideration and conversations.  The pool in Milwaukee is 38 years old and is in need of restoration to remain operational and meet the welfare standards which are essential in housing marine mammals. The Milwaukee County Zoo decided not to allocate funds to these renovations and instead retired the facility at the close of 2023.  Ocean Connections was founded in Milwaukee, WI and was the only facility in the state to house California sea lions. “Providing forever homes to seals and sea lions, including rescued, non-releasable animals which touch the heart and teach the minds of our guests has allowed us to introduce thousands of children to the world of marine mammals, inspiring empathy and stewardship for our natural world. It is with great sadness that we now lose such an instrumental community reach.” said Ocean Connections President and CEO, Shelley Ballmann. “Our commitment to the community will remain strong as we plan to continue school outreach and community programs within the Greater Milwaukee area as well as within our sister parks in Hersheypark, PA, Pigeon Forge, TN and Myrtle Beach, SC. “   The Ocean Connections animals remain our highest priority. Our animals have been relocated to our sister facilities and are adjusting to their new homes. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all so much for the love over the years and we look forward to your continued support.  

Ocean Connections is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education.  The goal of our Animal Care Volunteer program is to further our mission by mentoring charismatic individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the following areas: Biology, Marine Biology, Psychology, Animal Behavior, Oceanography, Ecology (Environmental Protection), Education, and Communication.  If you are looking to receive credit, please review our Animal Care Internship program. Ocean Connections offers three different seasonal terms for volunteers: Winter-Spring, Summer, and Fall-Winter.  There is a minimum hour requirement that varies depending on the location, term, and position you are applying for.  Daily schedules also vary based on animal care and program needs.  More specifications and details on this are embedded within each location's application listed below. Why Choose Our Program? If you are passionate about marine life, conservation, and the environment, our Animal Care Volunteer Program may be the correct fit for you.  Individuals chosen for our Animal Care Volunteer Program will experience: Diverse Opportunities - The Ocean Connections Volunteer Program introduces a variety of key aspects to working in the animal care field.  Individuals will gain experience with diet preparation, facility maintenance, and public speaking.  Our Animal Care Volunteer Program is a well-rounded experience that will broaden your understanding of animal training, care, education, and conservation. Expert Guidance - Animal Care Volunteers work alongside our Animal Care Specialists to learn about positive reinforcement, husbandry, enrichment, and environmental protection strategies.  This includes a four-part workshop series that delves into pinniped species information, reading animal behavior, animal training techniques and basic terminology, and professional conduct. Contribute to Conservation - From beach clean-ups to community outreach opportunities, Animal Care Volunteers will have opportunities to directly impact our environment.  Whether removing pollution from local waterways, or conversing with guests about how we can ensure these species are around for future generations to come, our Animal Care Volunteer Program contributes to our mission in various ways all throughout their term. Locations Ocean Connections provides marine mammal and animal ambassador programming in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.  We have partnered with Hersheypark and Pirates Voyage to connect guests of all ages with a variety of species and to expand our educational reach.  Our Animal Care Volunteer Program is offered at all of our locations.     Term Term Length Summer Approximately  May 15 - Labor Day Fall - Winter Approximately September 15 - January 1 Winter - Spring Approximately January 15 - May 15 The terms listed above are suggested and can be adjusted to accommodate you schedule.  There is no deadline to apply for our Volunteer Opportunities. Due to the large number of resumes received and the limited number of positions available, volunteers are hired on a first-come, first served basis.  Questions? Email us at education@oceanconnections.org.                    

Ocean Connections is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education.  The goal of our Animal Care Internship further our mission by mentoring charismatic individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the following areas: Biology, Marine Biology, Psychology, Animal Behavior, Oceanography, Ecology (Environmental Protection), Education, and Communication. We offer both credit and non-credit internship opportunities. Ocean Connections offers three different seasonal terms for internships: Winter-Spring, Summer, and Fall-Winter.  There is a minimum hour requirement that varies depending on the location, term, and position you are applying for.  Daily schedules also vary based on animal care and program needs.  More specifications and details on this are embedded within each location's application listed below. Why Choose Our Program? If you are passionate about marine life, conservation, and the environment, our Animal Care Internship may be the correct fit for you.  Individuals chosen for our Animal Care Internship will experience: Diverse Opportunities - The Ocean Connections Internship introduces a variety of key aspects to working in the animal care field.  Individuals will gain experience with diet preparation, facility maintenance, and public speaking.  Our Animal Care Internship is a well-rounded experience that will broaden your understanding of animal training, care, education, and conservation. Expert Guidance - Animal Care Interns work alongside our Animal Care Specialists to learn about positive reinforcement, husbandry, enrichment, and environmental protection strategies.  This includes a four-part workshop series that delves into pinniped species information, reading animal behavior, animal training techniques and basic terminology, and professional conduct. Contribute to Conservation - From beach clean-ups to community outreach opportunities, Animal Care Interns will have opportunities to directly impact our environment.  Whether removing pollution from local waterways, or conversing with guests about how we can ensure these species are around for future generations to come, our Animal Care Internship contributes to our mission in various ways all throughout their term. Locations Ocean Connections provides marine mammal and animal ambassador programming in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.  We have partnered with Hersheypark and Pirates Voyage to connect guests of all ages with a variety of species and to expand our educational reach.  Our Animal Care Internship is offered at all of our locations.   Deadlines for Application Term Term Length Appplication Deadline Summer Approximately  May 15 - Labor Day March 25 Fall - Winter Approximately September 15 - January 1 August 17 Winter - Spring Approximately January 15 - May 15 November 15 Due to the large number of resumes received and the limited number of positions available, we recommend getting your applications in as soon as possible for consideration.  Questions? Email us at education@oceanconnections.org.                    

Ocean Connections is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world’s ocean through education.  Located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we provide the animal ambassador portion of the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show as well as an interactive and educational Animal Encounter.  Our “touch the heart, teach the mind” philosophy comes to life as you immerse yourself into the beautiful world of wildlife and nature.  After learning about animal training, participants will have the chance to put themselves in the shoes of our animal care team to ask one of our sea lions to show off some of the behaviors they’ve learned and feed their new flippered friend a fish. You’ll be able to see the mesmerizing macaws up close before they soar in the show. Discover how their brightly colored feathers, long tails, and unique feet help them survive in their natural environment. The Ocean Connections Education Team will even highlight how you can use our positive reinforcement training at home when you meet one of our dock-diving dogs. Don't miss out on this ultimate escapade!  In partnership with Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, Ocean Connections Myrtle Beach promises an unforgettable journey filled with thrills, feasts, and furry, flippered, and feathered friends.  The show schedule varies but our Animal Encounter is offered daily.  While show tickets are not required to participate in the Animal Encounter, we highly recommend purchasing both to maximize your experience. Learn more or purchase tickets by clicking here.      

It’s a splashing good time! MAKE A RESERVATION Ages: 5-10 Program Fee: $100.00; ($85.00  Zoological Society Member Discount) Program Time: 2 ½ hour program Availability: Spring Hours: Programs will be offered on Saturdays & Sundays beginning the end of March and running through Memorial Day weekend. The summer schedule is Thursdays and Saturdays beginning in June and running through Labor Day weekend. Programs start at 1:00pm. Please click "Make A Reservation" on the left for additional details. Program Size: Minimum of 3 Jr. Trainers, Maximum of 15 Jr. Trainers If you’re between the ages of 5 and 10, and want to become a junior trainer for our flippered friends, Sea Lion Splash is the program for you! Head out pool-side and spend time training, feeding and playing hands-on interactive games with our seals and sea lions. Learn about our animals' characteristics, adaptations, habitats and diets, and then join our Animal Care Specialists to take part in a Ocean Connections sea lion presentation. After the program, head to our Sea Lion Shoppe to view and purchase photos of your unique marine mammal experience.

Ages: 5 years and older Program Price: $200 (includes 12 participants and 2 required chaperones) $12.50 per additional participant up to 25 participants total  $10 observer fee (2 or younger are free) Program Size: 12 participants and 2 required chaperons Maximum of 25 participants and 4 required chaperons (additional fees apply) Program Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm Availability: Sundays Year-Round Are you looking for that one-of-a-kind birthday party experience? Maybe you are searching for a unique  location for an exciting group experience. Ocean Connections offers group programs perfect for scout troops, community groups, family outings, special occasions and birthday parties. All Private Parties can be tailored to fit age groups 5 years and older making them a truly unique experience. Come behind the scenes at Ocean Connections to learn about our seals and sea lions, their adaptations, and how to train our animals. Participants will have the chance to use hand and voice signals to communicate with our animals during a private training session. One participant may be selected as a special volunteer and has the opportunity to work personally with our animals. Following animal interaction, sit back, relax and enjoy our animals as they perform in a public or private marine mammal presentation. Private Parties include: 12 participants and 2 required chaperons Educational portion focused on the seals and sea lions cared for at Ocean Connections  Private animal training session Animal interaction using hand and voice signals Special volunteer highlighted in a public or private presentation (weather dependent)  Private Party Fees and Guidelines Package for 12 participants and 2 adult chaperons--$200 Each additional participant is $12.50 up to a total of 25 participants. Participants must be at least 5 years old to interact with our animals.  Large parties (15 + participants) require 4 adult chaperons. Required adult chaperons are included in the price of the program. Chaperons may not have young children (2 or younger) under their care during the party. If infants and toddlers are attending, the guardian will be considered an observer and is subject to a $10 observer fee. Additional observers may be added to the program for a $10 per person observer fee. Children 2 or younger are free. As an observer, you may take still photography from designated areas, must follow all trainer rules and guidelines and may not videotape any portion of the program. Observers should remain seated in designated areas and should never disrupt the program through movement or noise level. Zoo admission and parking are NOT included in the cost of this program. We encourage you to enjoy the zoo the date of your party. Please plan accordingly so that you check-in at the Sea Lion Shoppe 20-30 minutes early ensuring your party starts promptly at 2:00pm. Due to weather and Milwaukee County Zoo schedules, some Private Parties will receive a public presentation while others will receive a private presentation.  All Private Parties are held rain or shine. Please see our Weather Policy for details. Party Planning Tips Collect parent signatures for all participants prior to zoo arrival on the date of your program.  Designate a meeting area for participants and families. We suggest the Milwaukee County Zoo Walk-In Gate located on Bluemound Road. Parents can drop their children off and pick up at this gate easily if they are not attending the party. Walk-in admission fees can be paid at the Walk-In Gate and will not be subject to parking fees. Parents attending the program can enter the zoo, park and meet at this same entrance within the parking lot.  Coordinate with participants’ families who have zoo memberships to help reduce the cost of admission and zoo parking fees.  Consider purchasing a Milwaukee County Zoo family membership. There are many membership levels that include multiple guests, parking and offer free admission to the zoo for an entire year. Contact Group Sales for information regarding group admission rates. Ocean Connections does not offer an area for cake and presents. There are many public picnic areas located around the zoo that could be utilized for this purpose. Due to the uniqueness of this program, phone reservations are required. For details or to book a party, please feel free to contact us at 414-453-5527 ext 1 or reservations@oceanconnections.org.    

 Summer Camps! MAKE A RESERVATION Ages: 7-9 (Sea Lion Explorers Camps) 10-12 (Marine Voyager Camps) Program Fee: Camp prices vary.  Prices listed under respective camps. Program Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm AM Extended Care available starting at 8:00am  ($7.00 per day)  PM Extended Care available from 4:00-5:00 pm ($6.00 per day) Lunch: BYO or box lunch available for purchase with advance reservation. Program Size: Minimum of 3 campers, Maximum of 15 campers per session. If you’re between the ages of 7-12 and want the ultimate summer camp experience, we have a variety of camps for you to choose from! For those of you who LOVE marine mammals, our week long camp Maine Mammal Camps will provide you a full week of fun as you get to know our animals personally. Each fun-filled day is designed around a specific theme, such as seals and sea lions, animal behavior, conservation, training and marine mammal care. You’ll spend time exploring the zoo, visiting the special exhibits, playing training games, creating art projects and enjoying loads of fun at our sea lion pool! Our resident junior trainers are able to feed, interact with and participate in training sessions throughout the week. This camp will be the highlight of their summer! If your true interest is in animal training and you're between the ages of 10-12, our 2 day Animal Training Camp will immerse you in the training techniques we utilize with our marine mammals. We use positive reinforcement training which will be valuable as you practice and perfect training at home with your own pets! In depth discussions and hands on learning allow kids the opportunity to learn firsthand about marine mammal care, training and conservation. Younger kids (Sea Lion Explorers ages 7-9) who are not quite ready for a full week of camp have wonderful opportunities to choose from. Our Sea Lion Explorer Animal Behavior Camp gives kids a look into the world of marine mammals as well as the opportunity to gain knowledge and apply it throughout the zoo as we learn about animal behavior, adaptations, and conservation. Kids have fun while learning through exploration!  New Camp Offerings in 2013! This summer boasts new opportunities for young children interested in making a difference in the world. Whether your interest in is in conserving natural resources, veterinary care or you simply enjoy animals, these new camps will provide an in-depth look at marine mammals and their role in the environment! Sea Lion Explorer Ocean Ambassadors is a 2 day camp for 7-9 year olds focused on learning about the ocean and environmental issues. Campers will explore ocean animals and identify simple steps to help keep our oceans clean and blue. The Marine Voyagers Ocean Stewards camp is offered to 10-12 year olds. This 2 day camp covers environmental conservation topics with an emphasis on taking personal action to protect the earth. For campers interested in becoming a vet, check out our Pinniped Practice 1 day camp! Marine Voyagers (10-12 year olds) will explore marine mammal medicine and practice husbandry behaviors with the seals and sea lions of Ocean Connections! Lunch packages, early drop off and after care are all available.   Sea Lion Explorer 5 Day Marine Mammal Camp: $390 ($375 Zoological Society Member Discount) June 24-28, 2013 July 15-19, 2013 Aug 5-9, 2013 Sea Lion Explorer 3 Day Animal Behavior Camp: $255 ($240 Zoological Society Member Discount) June 17-19, 2013 July 1-3, 2013 July 24-26, 2013 August 19-21, 2013 Sea Lion Explorer 2 Day Ocean Ambassadors: $195 ($185 Zoological Society Member Discount) July 29-30, 2013 August 26-27, 2013   Marine Voyager 5 Day Marine Mammal Camp: $390 ($375 Zoological Society Member Discount) July 8-12, 2013 August 12-16, 2013 Marine Voyager 2 Day Animal Training Camp: $195 ($185 Zoological Society Member Discount) June 20-21, 2013 July 22-23, 2013  August 22-23, 2013 Marine Voyagers  2 Day Ocean Stewards: $195 ($185 Zoological Society Member Discount) August 1-2, 2013 August 28-29, 2013 Marine Voyagers  1 Day Pinniped Practice: $140 ($130 Zoological Society Member Discount) July 5, 2013 July 31, 2013                

PET, PLAY, SPLASH AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE WORLD OF MARINE MAMMALS! Our seal and sea lion programs are designed for people of all ages. Whether you’re interested in a summer camp, water interaction, our junior trainer program or a private party, you will find our “one-of-a-kind” interactive programs an incredible experience! Plan on getting your feet wet! AQUATIC ADVENTURE Ages 6 and older SEA LION SPLASH Ages 5-10 UNDERWATER JOURNEY Sea Lion Explorers (Ages 7-9) Marine Voyagers (Ages 10-12) JOB SHADOW Ages 13 and older  

Get your feet wet! MAKE A RESERVATION Ages: 6 and older; Ocean Connections requires a paying participating adult 18 years of age or older to attend with all 6-12 year olds. Program Fee: $165.00; ($150.00 Zoological Society Member Discount) Program Time: 1 ½ hour program Availability: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10:15-11:45am Program Size: Maximum of 6 participants An experience of a lifetime! Come meet our family! Aquatic Adventure, the first in-water sea lion interaction program, invites you to enter the sea lion's environment where you will learn to feed, pet and play with our flippered friends in an experience unlike any other. During our 90-minute program, you’ll go behind the scenes of our facility where you will learn about marine mammals, training techniques and environmental conservation. From there you’ll enter the water on a special waist deep wet dock where our flippered friends will greet you in a controlled, comfortable environment.  After your program concludes and you have received your final sea lion kiss good bye, you are invited to grab a seat in the stadium, relax and enjoy our animals as they perform in a public marine mammal presentation.  

Our Mission Ocean Connections is a professional, registered, 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education. Dedicated to the field of marine mammal science and education, it is our goal to provide the best possible environment, training and care for our marine animals with the focus of educating the public about marine life, environmental protection and conservation. Located in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, Ocean Connections provides a variety of opportunities for you to meet our animals up close and personal. Ocean Connections is committed to community outreach and education. Our goal is to promote stewardship and respect for the natural world through our interactive learning opportunities. Daily shows are offered from spring through fall which will allow you to enjoy our animals as they teach you about marine mammals in our world today. If you are interested in an interactive program, we have several to choose from. The opportunity to feed, play with and interact personally with these magnificent animals is available in a variety of interactive programs. Choose the one that is right for you!  

Relationships Forming a strong and trusting relationship between animals and trainers is the foundation to developing a successful positive training program! Spending time playing is not only fun but also allows us to provide each animal an individual training experience that sets them up for success while providing them the mental and physical stimulation they need on a daily basis. Animal Training At Ocean Connections we believe in positive reinforcement, meaning our animals get a reward anytime they do something correctly! To target simply means to touch. Utilizing these simple tools, we are able to train our animals a wide variety of behaviors.   A very important aspect of our training is husbandry care.  Our animals are trained to voluntarily assist in their own medical care by presenting their flippers, eyes, mouth and on a daily basis.  Some of the husbandry behaviors our animals know are laying out for x-rays or ultra sounds, presenting a hind flipper for a voluntary blood draw, and even brushing their teeth.  All of these husbandry behaviors allow us to provide medical care in a restraint free environment that is as comfortable for the animal as it is for the trainers and veterinarians working with them.  It is because of these husbandry behaviors that we are able to provide the best care possible for our animals.

How do we provide exceptional animal welfare? Ocean Connections is committed to providing exceptional animal welfare for the marine mammals within our care.  As an accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammals and Aquariums (ammpa.org), we adhere to the highest standards of animal care ensuring that the physiological, biological, psychological and social needs of our animals are always being met. From nutrition to reproduction, to behavior management and veterinary advancements, our team of trainers, veterinarians and animal care specialists are invested heavily in ensuring that the highest standards of care occur daily. Caring for seals and sea lions on a daily basis requires tremendous amounts of resources!   From a proper diet of fish to enrichment items, we are continually ensuring that our animals have everything they need to be happy, healthy and successful. Each of our animals can eat between 5-30 pounds of fish per day, so we can go through up to 150 pounds of fish each day during the colder months.  Now that’s a lot of fish! In order to provide our animals with the appropriate mental and physical stimulation they require, we create enrichment devices, otherwise known as novel objects, for our seals and sea lions to interact with and explore.  These enrichment devices are made out of a variety of materials including buoys, floating toys and car wash strips.  For our younger animals, providing baby pools allows us the ability to teach pups how to swim in a safe and controlled environment.  And pups always require “pup toys”, which are safe for a youngster’s play and exploration. Veterinary and husbandry care is also a vital part of caring for our animals.  Large scales are utilized to weigh our animals on a regular basis allowing us to monitor growth, weight and overall health.  A variety of specialized husbandry tools are required to transport, examine and treat animals routinely.  Digital portable x-ray machines are a tremendous diagnostic tool for marine mammals living in an aquatic environment.  Small portable ultra sound machines allow us to monitor the health and growth of a mother and pup during pregnancy.  All donations made to Ocean Connections go directly to animal care allowing us to provide exceptional and progressive animal welfare!   Our animal needs are both plenty and consistent.  We all appreciate your support! YOU can make a difference in the lives of the animals at Ocean Connections! < < Back to GIVING BACK

Each season the Ocean Connections training team puts down the fish and settles in for a brainstorming session on how to give back to our wonderful family of friends, colleagues and fans who love our animals and support our mission of excellence. This year the trainers took a classic piece and lovingly created OUR version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas at Oceans Of Fun. As their words went down on paper, we knew that this delightful story needed the skillful hand of our creative design team, Peppermint Narwhal, or as we affectionately call them “Our Peppi Whale” to truly bring the words to life. We hope you enjoy our Christmas Story. You can follow it on our Facebook page or check back here daily as we unwrap a daily segment on our Christmas countdown. We hope that you all enjoy a beautiful Christmas and we look forward to sharing an exciting New Year with you! Merry Christmas!     Happy Holidays from your friends at Ocean Connections!

  Care. Connect. Conserve. Ocean Connections is a 510(c)3 non-profit organization that relies heavily on our supporters to fulfill our mission.  We are dedicated to inspiring public action and conservation awareness for our world's ocean through education.  Ocean Connections is committed to providing exceptional welfare to the animals that call us home as well as giving as many rescued marine mammals as possible a second chance at life.  We just need your help!  You can make a difference by supporting the animal welfare, care, and education reach of Ocean Connections today. Want to learn more about how we fullfill our mission? Click here to read our Education Impact Summary! Your Dollars at Work $25 - Feeds Our Harbor Seals for a Day $50 - Provides Necessary Vitamins for Our Entire Population for 1 Week $75 - Sponsors a Conservation Education Program for 1 School $100 - Provides Necessary Vitamins for Our Entire Population for 2 Weeks $250 - Feeds 1 Adult Male Sea Lion for a Week $500 - Provides Annual Veterinary Wellness Exam for 1 Animal $1,000 - Sponsors 1 Animal Care Team Member to Assist with the Transport of a Rescued Animal $2,500 - Feeds a Rescued Animal for 100 Days YOU can make a difference in the lives of the animals at Ocean Connections!       On behalf of all of us including Diego, Makaia, Sonoma, Ripley, Talise, Moana, Cruz, Reese, Scooter, Cobh, Satara, Harper and Cocoa we say THANK YOU!!!  

Marine mammals living in the wild face many challenges on a daily basis. Some of these challenges occur naturally while others are contributed by human interaction and development. Through habitat destruction, harassment, pollution, overfishing, and disease, these animals struggle to survive in their natural habitats. Ocean Connections functions as a marine mammal education center with the goal of promoting public education on marine mammals and environmental conservation. Our goal is to educate guests on local, national and global levels about conservation issues which effect marine species, habitats and biodiversity. By promoting stewardship and encouraging respect for the natural world, we are committed to educating the public about marine life, environmental protection and conservation while also contributing and taking part in important conservation and research efforts supporting the survival of marine mammals in the wild. Your contribution plays a vital role in our continued efforts towards important research and conservation and will help allow us to continue to be proactively involved in pinniped conservation around the world. Recent Research and Conservation Efforts Punta San Juan Pinniped Research Project Ocean Connections has joined in partnership with the Chicago Zoological Society in studying the populations of South American sea lions and the endangered South American fur seals in the Punta San Juan (PSJ) Marine Protected Area.  Both facilities are committed to the development of veterinary field projects, conservation programs, and education programs. Unusual Mortality Event (UME) in California Since January of 2015, over 7,000 California sea lions have stranded off the coast of California in what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has deemed an Unusual Mortality Event or UME.  This mass marine mammal stranding has left rescue centers flooded with individuals that may or not may be able to return to the ocean.  When an animal is deemed non-releasable by the government, accredited zoological institutions like Ocean Connections provide a permanent home for them.  Such is the case with our rescued California sea lion, Moana!  Moana was found at four months of age trapped in a storm sewer.  Starving, dehydrated, and alone she was deemed non-releasable due to her young age and lack of survival skills.  This is the third time in our history that we have welcomed a rescued California sea lion into the Ocean Connections family and we plan on continuing to keep our doors open to these stranded animals in order to give them a second chance at life.   It is only with your continued support that we are able to do so.  Donations made to Ocean Connections can help stranding centers rehabilitate and release marine mammals back into their natural habitat, and when release is not possible, the donations aide in providing the best possible care for these animals at facilities like Ocean Connections. YOU can make a difference in the lives of the animals at Ocean Connections! < < Back to GIVING BACK