Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration (Grades 9-12)

Registration for all 2026 summer programs will open on February 1, 2026.

The Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration Program has a capacity of 30 campers. 

The Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration Program is led by Colbi Gemmell, the Florida Institute of Oceanography’s Associate Director of Educational Programming. In this role, Colbi supports educational excellence across the FIO Consortium by developing programs that provide access to FIO’s research vessels, technologies, and marine lab facilities, expanding the hands-on learning opportunities available within the Florida State University System.

Colbi holds a Bachelor’s in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona, a Master’s in Marine Science from the University of Texas, and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of South Florida. She has 15+ years of experience in teaching, instruction and educational programming in higher and K-12 education with various marine science and biological academic institutions. Most recently, Colbi served as the Teaching Laboratory Manager for USF’s Molecular Biosciences Department and was heavily involved with course and curriculum development.

The Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration Program is located at the USF St. Petersburg Campus.

You will receive several reminder emails leading up to the camp start date. Emails will be sent 60, 30, 14, 7, and 1 day prior, each containing important information to ensure a successful experience at the Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration Program.

Yes, the Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration Program is eligible for Rocky’s Residents, a residential add-on offered for select high school programs. This option provides 6 days and 5 nights of supervised on-campus housing, meals, and evening programming that supports community building and exposure to university life.

Learn more about Rocky's Residents 

During registration for your day camp, you will have the option to add Rocky's Residents as part of the process. There is no separate registration required for the residential program.

Learn more about Rocky's Residents 

The cost for Rocky's Residents is $1,395 per camper. This includes:

• 6 days and 5 nights of accommodation at Juniper-Poplar Residence Hall
• All meals provided at USF Dining Halls
• Supervision and activities led by trained counselors
• Recreation and wellness activities, including sports, fitness challenges, and more
• Access to campus facilities, such as recreational fields and study lounges
• A campus tour and presentations from USF Admissions and Student Success
• Evening events with student organizations and USF faculty
• Laundry facilities for campers' use
• 24-hour on-call emergency maintenance and support

For safety, participants should be comfortable in the water and able to swim independently. While strong swimming skills are not required, students will be near and occasionally on the water throughout the week. If you have concerns about your child’s swimming ability, please contact us so we can discuss whether this program is the right fit.

Participants should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing suitable for outdoor fieldwork, along with a hat, sunglasses, and closed-toe shoes that can get wet. We also strongly recommend bringing sunscreen, a swimsuit, a towel, and a change of clothes each day, as activities may involve water and outdoor exposure.

Meals will be provided for all participants during the at-sea day. Participants enrolled in Rocky’s Residents will receive all meals throughout the program as part of their residential experience. Commuter participants will receive a meal only on the at-sea day. Please indicate any dietary needs or restrictions during registration so accommodations can be made.

The at-sea day is a full-day experience. Specific departure and pickup times will be shared with families once the schedule is finalized and closer to the program date.

If you need to cancel or transfer a camp registration, please email youthxp@usf.edu.

Cancellations or transfer requests received at least 15 business days prior to the camp start date will be eligible for a refund or transfer to another available camp, minus any administrative or processing fees. Cancellations or transfer requests received within 15 business days of the camp start date are not eligible for a refund or transfer. No refunds will be issued after a camp has begun, regardless of the number of days attended or participation level. No refunds will be issued if a participant is dismissed from camp due to a violation of the camp’s conduct policy or code of behavior.

We make every effort to run all camps exactly as scheduled. In the unlikely event it becomes necessary to cancel, postpone, or combine camps, or change a camp location, you will be notified by email or phone. Please ensure your contact information is up to date. If USF cancels a camp, you will receive a full refund. If USF reschedules a camp, you will have the option to receive a full refund or transfer to the new session.