April Vacation Week at the National Marine Life Center

Learn, share, explore at the National Marine Life Center this April Vacation Week! We’re open April 18-27, 2014 (except Easter Sunday) from 10 am to 5 pm. With a variety of programs including favorites such as Little Flippers Club and Marine Animal Medical Mystery, as well as new programs such as Marine Animals of the Cape Cod Canal and SEAL TIDES Educational Comic Mystery Play, it’s fun for the whole family!

Click here for a downloadable PDF schedule.

Friday, April 18 ~ Theme: Seals & Sea Lions
11 am – Little Flippers Story Time & Crafts ($3/members, $5/non-members)
12 pm – Patient Update
1 pm – Marine Animal Medical Mystery ($3/members, $5/non-members)
2 pm – Patient Update
3 pm – Patient Update
4 pm – Marine Animals of the Cape Cod Canal Lecture  ($3/members, $5/non-members)

Saturday, April 19
9 am – 1 pm – AmeriCorps Canal Cleanup
1 pm – Marine Animal Medical Mystery ($3/members, $5/non-members)
2 pm – Patient Update
3 pm – Patient Update
4 pm – Patient Update

Sunday, April 20 – CLOSED

Monday, April 21 ~ Theme Sharks & Rays
11 am – Little Flippers Story Time & Crafts ($3/members, $5/non-members)
12 pm – Patient Update
1 pm – Marine Animal Medical Mystery ($3/members, $5/non-members)
2 pm – Patient Update
3 pm – Patient Update
4 pm – Marine Animals of the Cape Cod Canal Lecture. Guest speaker Lindsay Hirt, Whale & Dolphin Conservation. ($3/members, $5/non-members)

Tuesday, April 22 ~ Theme Earth Day Celebration
11 am – Little Flippers Story Time & Crafts ($3/members, $5/non-members)
12 pm – Behind the Scenes Tour
1 pm – Marine Animal Medical Mystery ($3/members, $5/non-members)
2 pm – Behind the Scenes Tour
3 pm – Behind the Scenes Tour
4 pm – Marine Animals of the Cape Cod Canal Lecture  ($3/members, $5/non-members)

Wednesday, April 23 ~ Theme Manatees & Dugongs
11 am – Little Flippers Story Time & Crafts ($3/members, $5/non-members)
12 pm – Patient Update
1 pm – Marine Animal Medical Mystery ($3/members, $5/non-members)
2 pm – Patient Update
3 pm – Patient Update
4 pm – SEAL TIDES Educational Comic Mystery Play  ($5/members, $7/non-members)

Thursday, April 24 ~ Theme Turtles
11 am – Little Flippers Story Time & Crafts ($3/members, $5/non-members)
12 pm – Patient Update
1 pm – Marine Animal Medical Mystery ($3/members, $5/non-members)
2 pm – Patient Update
3 pm – Patient Update
4 pm – SEAL TIDES Educational Comic Mystery Play  ($5/members, $7/non-members)

Friday, April 25 ~ Theme Dolphins & Whales
11 am – Little Flippers Story Time & Crafts ($3/members, $5/non-members)
12 pm – Patient Update
1 pm – Marine Animal Medical Mystery ($3/members, $5/non-members)
2 pm – Patient Update
3 pm – Patient Update
4 pm – SEAL TIDES Educational Comic Mystery Play  ($5/members, $7/non-members)

Saturday, April 26
11 am – Patient Update
12 pm – Patient Update
1 pm – Patient Update
2 pm – Patient Update
3 pm – Patient Update
4 pm – Patient Update
7 pm – SEAL TIDES Educational Comic Mystery Play ($10/members, $15/non-members, includes light refreshments and the opportunity to meet with the actors and playwright)

Sunday, April 27
11 am – Patient Update
12 pm – Patient Update
1 pm – Patient Update
2 pm – SEAL TIDES Educational Comic Mystery Play ($5/members, $7/non-members)
5 pm – SEAL TIDES Educational Comic Mystery Play ($10/members, $15/non-members, includes light refreshments and the opportunity to meet with the actors and playwright)

Descriptions of Programs:

Little Flippers ~ Join us for a marine animal-themed story time and craft project! Different themes every day. All ages welcome; best suited for children ages 3-8. Children must be supervised. Program lasts 45-60 minutes.
Cost: Members $3/child/program; Non-members $5/child/program.

Marine Animal Medical Mystery ~ What does it take to be a marine animal care technician or scientist? What are some of the questions and “mysteries” involved in wildlife rehabilitation and research? Each day we’ll learn how to care for a different animal. Best suited for ages 8-14. Space is limited to 15 children. Program lasts 45-60 minutes. Please reserve your spot by calling (508) 743-9888 at least 24 hours in advance.
Cost: Members $3/child/program; Non-members $5/child/program.

Patient Update: Learn the stories of the marine animal patients currently in our care from a member of our Animal Care Team. View our sea turtles via live TV and meet our small turtles in person. Program lasts approximately 15-20 minutes.
FREE, donations welcome. All donations help care for our marine wildlife patients.

Behind the Scenes Tour: Learn the stories of the marine animal patients currently in our care from a member of our Animal Care Team. Get a “Behind-The-Scenes” tour of our Clinic, our small turtle care area, and our marine animal hospital. Meet the marine animal patients currently in care. Program lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.
FREE, donations welcome. All donations help care for our marine wildlife patients.

Marine Life of the Cape Cod Canal: 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the Cape Cod Canal! The Canal has not only been important to human transportation and commerce, it has also been utilized by a variety of marine animal species. Through slides, discussion, and guest lecturers, learn about the whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, birds, and fish that traverse the Cape Cod Canal. Program lasts 45-60 minutes.

This is a program of the Cape Cod Wildlife Collaborative, a partnership of local non-profit organizations committed to protecting wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, science, advocacy, habitat preservation, and education.

Suggested Donation: $3/person members, $5/person non-members.

Guest Speakers:

• Friday, April 18 – Jesse Mechling, Education Director at the Center for Coastal Studies, will speak about marine debris and sea life.
• Monday, April 21 – Lindsey Hirt, Volunteer with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, will speak about right whales.
• Tuesday, April 22 – Kathy Zagzebski will introduce an excerpt of the award winning documentary “Bag It”.

SEAL TIDES: An Educational Comic Mystery Play
Animal care technician Corinne teaches what to do if you find a stranded marine animal. Unfortunately, Jamie and Ruth keep hijacking her presentation. Join the National Marine Life Center for SEAL TIDES, an educational, family-friendly comic mystery play by playwright Eva Schegulla, and learn why presentations can by murder!
Performances take place at the National Marine Life Center, 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay. Tickets available on-line at https://ezidesignconcept.com/2014/03/tickets-available-for-seal-tides/, by phone at 508-743-9888, or in person at NMLC. Matinee performances are $5/person for members and $7/person for non-members. Evening performances are $10/person for members and $15/person for non-members. The evening performances include light refreshments and the opportunity to meet the actors and playwright after the play. Tickets will be held at the door.
Performances:
~ April 23, 24, 25 at 4:00 PM (matinee)
~ April 26 at 7:00 PM (evening)
~ April 27 at 2:00 PM (matinee) and 5:00 PM (evening)
This production is supported in part by the Bourne and Mid-Cape Cultural Councils, in partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council.