2025 SPRING: March 24 – March 28; April 7 – April 11
Registration now open!
2025 SUMMER: June 2 – June 27; July 7 – August 1
Summer Camp Registration opens Jan 31!
WAVE Foundation offers Summer and Spring Break day camps. Camp WAVE curriculum features learning and exploration with animal ambassadors and entertaining programming that engages young learners in the aquatic world. Hosted at the WAVE education building at Newport on the Levee with daily trips to the Newport Aquarium to experience the biology of aquatic creatures first-hand.
Questions? Please review the FAQ below
Click HERE to learn more about Camp WAVE scholarships!
Spring Camp Topics 2025
Become a scientist as we explore the five senses. Uncover ways humans are similar to animals, discover how they use their super senses to survive in their habitats, and experience the wonders of our animal friends.
Step into the world with WAVE as we investigate wild and wacky animal senses and use scientific methods to examine animal adaptations. From sensational sharks to legless lizards, find out how animals have used their senses to adapt to the environment.
Did you know that plants can communicate through their root systems? Have you ever wondered how big our impact is on nature? Come with us as we identify the earth’s senses and the ways we alter the world. From local streams to national forests, how do we relate to nature?
Summer Camp Topics
Weeks Offered: June 2 - June 6; June 9 - June 13; June 16 - June 20; June 23 - June 27
Tiger sharks and hammerheads and blacktips… oh my! Delve into this week-long expedition to explore the world of sharks and other predators. Throughout the week, campers will come to understand the importance of sharks in our oceans, learn about fascinating predator-prey relationships, and encounter our amazing animal ambassadors!
Weeks Offered: June 2 - June 6, June 9 - June 13, June 16 - June 20, June 23 - June 27
Tiger sharks and hammerheads and blacktips… oh my! Delve into this week-long expedition to explore the world of sharks and other predators. Throughout the week, campers will come to understand the importance of sharks in our oceans, learn about fascinating predator - prey relationships, and encounter our amazing animal ambassadors!
Tiger sharks and hammerheads and blacktips… oh my! Delve into this week-long expedition to explore the world of sharks and other predators. Throughout the week, campers will come to understand the importance of sharks in our oceans, learn about fascinating predator - prey relationships, and encounter our amazing animal ambassadors!
Weeks Offered: June 2 - June 6, June 9 - June 13, June 16 - June 20
Tiger sharks and hammerheads and blacktips… oh my! Delve into this week-long expedition to explore the world of sharks and other predators. Throughout the week, campers will come to understand the importance of sharks in our oceans, learn about fascinating predator - prey relationships, and encounter our amazing animal ambassadors!
Tiger sharks and hammerheads and blacktips… oh my! Delve into this week-long expedition to explore the world of sharks and other predators. Throughout the week, campers will come to understand the importance of sharks in our oceans, learn about fascinating predator - prey relationships, and encounter our amazing animal ambassadors!
Weeks Offered: June 23- 27
Have you ever hoped to make a difference in the lives of our animal friends? In this week of camp, we will be focusing on conservation actions that protect our planet and the animals that live in it. Through crafts, science experiments, and even animal encounters, your camper is sure to make an environmental difference!
Have you ever hoped to make a difference in the lives of our animal friends? In this week of camp, we will be focusing on conservation actions that protect our planet and the animals that live in it. Through crafts, science experiments, and even animal encounters, your camper is sure to make an environmental difference!
Weeks Offered: July 7 - July 11; July 14 - 18; July 21 - 25; July 28 - August 1
What do feathers, scales, and tails all have in common? They’re adaptations of course! During this week, campers will discover the unique survival skills of penguins, sharks, snakes, and more! This section is a half-day offering for our younger campers.
What do feathers, scales, and tails all have in common? They’re adaptations of course! During this week, campers will discover the unique survival skills of penguins, sharks, snakes, and more! This section is a half-day offering for our younger campers.
Weeks Offered: July 7 - July 11; July 14 - 18; July 21 - 25; July 28 - August 1
These heroes may not wear capes, but they definitely know how to save the day! From sharks to alligators to sea stars, campers will spend the week exploring the many keystone species found at the Newport Aquarium along with the habitats they call home.
These heroes may not wear capes, but they definitely know how to save the day! From sharks to alligators to sea stars, campers will spend the week exploring the many keystone species found at the Newport Aquarium along with the habitats they call home.
Weeks Offered: July 7 - July 11; July 14 - 18; July 21 - 25; July 28 - August 1
Are you ready to become a marine biologist for a week and explore aquatic ecosystems around the world? Campers will learn what an ecosystem is, the roles animals play in each ecosystem, and even get up close with the animals that would call these places home.
Are you ready to become a marine biologist for a week and explore aquatic ecosystems around the world? Campers will learn what an ecosystem is, the roles animals play in each ecosystem, and even get up close with the animals that would call these places home.
Camp WAVE General Information
Please drop off campers at WAVE Foundation at 1 Levee Way, Suite 1103, Newport, KY 41071. From 3rd Street, pull into the circle drive by Brio. WAVE will be straight ahead. This is the only location where campers may be dropped off and picked up. If you arrive early for pick-up or drop-off, please pull into the parking garage to avoid a line of cars backing up onto 3rd Street. The first hour in the garage is FREE. You may walk up to WAVE's doors to drop off campers with camp staff.
Drop Off: Drop off time is from 8:45–9 a.m. Please call the camp staff at (859) 652-9991 if you are running late.
Pick-up: Pick-up time is from 3:30–3:40 p.m. Picking up campers after 3:45 p.m. may result in an extra fee of $15. Guardians must call camp staff at 859-652-9991 if they are running late for pick-up.
Drop Off: Drop off time is from 8:45–9 a.m. Please call the camp staff at (859) 652-9991 if you are running late.
Pick-up: Pick-up time is from 3:30–3:40 p.m. Picking up campers after 3:45 p.m. may result in an extra fee of $15. Guardians must call camp staff at 859-652-9991 if they are running late for pick-up.
Before Care:
- 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Drop off begins at 8 a.m. in front of the WAVE building
- $40 per student
- 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Campers must be picked up by 5 p.m.
- $50 per student
- Please call (859) 652-9991 if you're going to be late.
Campers grade level for Spring camp is determined by what grade they are currently in at school. Summer campers grade level is determined by what grade they will be in for the 2025-2026 school year. (ex. If your student is currently in 3rd grade and going into 4th grade in the fall, sign them up for 4th grade camp.)
**Campers must be 5 years or older to attend camp.**
**Campers must be 5 years or older to attend camp.**
Full Day Camp
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- $300 per student per week.
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- $275 per student per week for current Newport Aquarium passholders.
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- Before care for campers is $40 per child.
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- After care for campers is $50 per child.
WAVE Foundation is committed to increasing access to Camp WAVE through full and partial scholarships. Our scholarship fund is comprised of community donations.
You can apply by submitting a scholarship application in our registration system. Spring and summer scholarships are approved on a rolling basis, and will be approved until all spots are filled. WAVE will notify you whether or not your application has been accepted. Awards are granted based on the need and funds available.
How to apply:
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- Please create an account in UltraCamp. Once you have added the primary adult, you must also add each child as a separate individual on the account.
- Click on the Menu button -> select Document Center -> then select Camp Scholarship Application.
- Select the child for whom you are applying for a scholarship from the account members list. You will need to submit a separate application for each child in need of a scholarship.
- You’re all done! Check your inbox for a confirmation email.
- Cancellations received 15 days or more before the first day of camp will receive a full refund minus a $25 administration fee.
- Cancellations received less than 14 days prior to the first day of the camp will forfeit any paid camp fees.
Please do not send your child to camp if they have any of the following symptoms:
Please contact Camp WAVE staff at 859-652-9991 if your camper will be absent. Campers may return to camp once they have been symptom free for 24 hours.
If a camper shows symptoms of sickness during camp activity, their emergency contact will be notified and early pick up will be required. In case of emergency, certified First Aid staff will assess the situation in addition to notifying the emergency contact.
If a camper misses 3 or more days due to illness, partial refunds may be assessed on a case-by-case basis with the submission of a doctor’s note to camp@wavefoundation.org.
- Severe coughing
- Sore Throat
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Fever over 100
- Untreated rashes or skin patches
- Lice
Please contact Camp WAVE staff at 859-652-9991 if your camper will be absent. Campers may return to camp once they have been symptom free for 24 hours.
If a camper shows symptoms of sickness during camp activity, their emergency contact will be notified and early pick up will be required. In case of emergency, certified First Aid staff will assess the situation in addition to notifying the emergency contact.
If a camper misses 3 or more days due to illness, partial refunds may be assessed on a case-by-case basis with the submission of a doctor’s note to camp@wavefoundation.org.
Gift certificates are now available for purchase!
- Create an account on UltraCamp or login to your existing account.
- Click the link above OR head over to the “Camp Store” category on UltraCamp to make your purchase.
- Determine the amount of the gift certificate and indicate who it is for and who it is from. Note: One week of Camp WAVE is $300 per student for spring and summer sessions.
- Enter the email of the person receiving the certificate. They will receive an email with a redemption code. If you do not provide their email, the redemption code will be sent to you to forward to the recipient.
- Add a personalized message to show your love for your kiddo!
Camp WAVE instructors try to keep the kiddos near shady areas when outside. Camp WAVE instructors are not permitted to apply sunscreen to children.
You may send your camper with sunscreen they can reapply themselves. WAVE suggests campers wear a hat and/or lightweight UPF shirts for extra all-day sun protection.
You may send your camper with sunscreen they can reapply themselves. WAVE suggests campers wear a hat and/or lightweight UPF shirts for extra all-day sun protection.
- Create an account on UltraCamp or log in to your existing account.
- Click on the reservations tab and select "Explore Session" to pick which camp experience matches your needs.
- Select any additional criteria at the bottom of the camp session you choose. For example, if you are a Newport Aquarium pass holder, select the pass holder discount from the options menu below the session information section.
- Want to make sign-up a breeze? Navigate to "My Account -> Overview" and add your camper information before signing up. You can choose your camper's name at the top of the page for each session you select to auto-populate their information.
WAVE's number 1 priority is your child's safety. Our policies, training, and procedures are all formed with your camper's wellbeing as the focus.
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All of our Camp WAVE instructors, and many additional staff, are CPR, First Aid, and AED certified.
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Every WAVE staff member has completed the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training to prevent, recognize, and report child sexual abuse. This internationally recognized training is endorsed by Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Click Here to learn more about Darkness to Light.
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Every WAVE staff member signs a Code of Conduct, which includes policies and practices such as never allowing an adult team member to be alone with a minor and never having private interactions through social media with a child.
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Every WAVE staff member must pass a background check prior to employment.
WAVE wants you to feel comfortable knowing that when you drop a camper off, we will make sure they have a safe, fun day of learning.
