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| To complete the experience there are two stores and a café run by the Aquarium’s superb catering host, Sodexo. Seasonal boat trips, which include dolphin and whale watching, ocean collections and cruise the creek cruises, also add a deeper dimension. The Virginia Aquarium is located one mile south of the oceanfront resort area in Virginia Beach at 717 General Booth Blvd. Visit VirginiaAquarium.com for more details! For further group tour information call Aquarium Guest Services at (757) 385-0300 or email AquaHelp@VirginiaAquarium.com. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is best known as one the largest attractions in the Hampton Roads Area with an average yearly attendance of 600,000 visitors. Founded by a science teacher 22 years ago, it still holds true to its mission: to increase the public’s knowledge and appreciation of Virginia’s marine environment and inspire commitment to preserve its existence. With this goal in mind, we are a natural choice for student tours and group travel. Conservation through education is conducted on many fronts through the Virginia Aquarium. Principal programs fall into three broad areas and serve all ages from infants to seniors. Exhibits, the Aquarium’s primary means to educate the public, are housed in two buildings on 45 acres that include a natural salt marsh habitat, an aviary and a 1/3 mile nature trail. Three hundred interactive exhibits and 700,000 gallons of aquariums take visitors on a “journey of water.” Educational programming by staff and docents throughout the Aquarium are offered nearly every hour. A 3D IMAX® Theater which features nature-related and other feature-length films is an added benefit to the “life experience.” Research & Conservation activities such as the stranding response program are dedicated to the conservation of marine animal species through stranding response, research, rehabilitation and education. Annual Aquarium education program attendance averages 64,000 students and teachers on-site, and 58,000 off-site through outreach programming and dolphin and whale watching expeditions. Aquarium educators make every effort to include a conservation message in all programs, whether it’s a scientific lecture for adults or a craft activity for children. Additional educational programming for Aquarium guests include programs that are on the water and behind the scenes. Whale Watching, Dolphin Watching, Cruise the Creek and Ocean Collections boat programs introduce over 50,000 participants each year to marine mammals and other wildlife in coastal waters of Virginia. Conservation messages are key components of these popular field programs involving protected species and sensitive coastal habitats. International Eco-Tour Programs at the Aquarium offer annual excursions to wild places for the purpose of broadening perspectives of the natural world. The Aquarium has organized tours for staff, members and constituents to places such as South Africa, the Amazon River, Belize, the Galapagos Islands and Panama. Eco-tours are planned and locations are chosen for their significant natural ecologies and in-country conservation-oriented operations. Often, opportunities are provided for travelers to participate in habitat studies. Harbor Seal Splash is a successful interactive program with the Aquarium’s harbor seals. The first program of its kind to utilize harbor seals, the intensive experience offers small groups a behind the scenes view of husbandry and training procedures and an in-water experience. Seal paintings are sold in the Aquarium store and proceeds support the Stranding Response Program. A strong conservation message and information about wild seals highlights the program. Sea Turtle Behind-the-Scenes Tours provide a close-up look at the Aquarium’s sea turtle exhibits and husbandry procedures. Led by animal care staff, the program has a strong conservation message, and proceeds from the tours support sea turtle conservation projects. Other Aquarium amenities for student and group travel include: discounted admission; Sodexo catering for box lunches and other functions; and free bus parking. |
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