Aquarium Sleepover

Before your tour, please review the following important information:

• Wear closed-toe, non-slip shoes.
• Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your tour. Check in at our Staff Entrance, just around the corner from the Aquarium's Main Entrance and across from the USS Torsk submarine.
• You'll be asked to sign a waiver when you get here—save time by bringing a signed copy for each member of your group.
• Learn more about discounted parking at our partner garages. Bring your parking ticket to the Aquarium to have it validated before leaving.
• When booking your tour, please notify Central Reservations of any guests with special needs.
• Your sleepover program ends at 9 am, but your ticket is good for a full day of exploration! With a hand stamp, you can leave to stow your gear in your car and return to the Aquarium the same day.

• You'll be camping on the floor, so bring a sleeping bag! Sleeping pads and pillows are optional; air mattresses smaller than twin-size are allowed, but due to limited space, we encourage guests not to bring them. Air mattresses larger than twin size and cots of any size are prohibited.
• Comfortable clothes and non-slip, closed-toed shoes
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, medications, etc.)
• Sleepovers are coed; please be sure to bring appropriate sleepwear
• Emergency contact information
• Reusable water bottle

All participants must be at least 8 years of age to participate in this program. All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult and have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian in order to attend. Refunds will not be given for participants who do not meet the age requirements.

Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, including if you miss your tour due to late arrival. If the Aquarium cancels your program, you'll have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.

To ensure that your tour hasn't been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances such as animal health or inclement weather, please call 410-576-8822 the day of your program for cancellation information.

All aspects of this tour are subject to availability.

Water is our blue planet's greatest resource, needed by all living things. This water provides a home for many of our National Aquarium residents, but how does it get here? Join us as we follow the water's journey as it falls from clouds, flows through local waterways and splashes into our own aquatic exhibits. Brownies will learn about how human activity can affect water quality, the process of water filtration and how we can inspire others to conserve and protect this resource. This classroom program will help Brownies meet most of the requirements of their "WOW! Wonders OF Water Journey: SAVE Water Award Badge" and facilitate ideas for their "SAVE Project".

Rank: Brownies (ages 7-9)
Time: 9 to 11 a.m., following conclusion of sleepover
Minimum Participants: 8
Maximum Participants: 30
Badge: SAVE Water Award, 3rd in a series (not provided by Aquarium)
Price: $15 per scout*

*No charge for chaperones.

The National Aquarium cares for many species, including fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. To do this, we need knowledgeable experts caring for these different types of animals. Join us as we explore careers in animal care and husbandry. Scouts will learn about the teams of aquarists, aviculturists, herpetologists and marine mammal experts at the Aquarium, their daily duties and the habitats, diets and needs of the animals under their care. This classroom program will help Girl Scouts meet the requirements of their STEM Career Exploration Badge at the Brownie level.

Rank: Brownies (ages 7-9)
Time: 9 to 11 a.m., following conclusion of sleepover
Minimum Participants: 8
Maximum Participants: 30
Badge: STEM Career Exploration Badge (not provided by Aquarium)
Price: $15 per scout*

*No charge for chaperones.

For millennia artists the world over have been inspired by nature, but did you know nature itself is also a talented artist? Nature uses complex shapes and patterns, based on geometry, in many of its creations. Join us as we uncover the mathematical patterns seen in the marine realm. Juniors will gain knowledge on mathematical principles and vocabulary by seeing real life examples before using these examples to create their own nature-inspired works of art. This classroom program will help Juniors meet the requirements of the Shapes in Nature Badge.

Rank: Juniors (Ages 10-13)
Time: 9 to 11 a.m., following conclusion of sleepover
Minimum Participants: 8
Maximum Participants: 30
Badge: Shapes in Nature Badge (not provided by Aquarium)
Price: $15 per scout*

*No charge for chaperones.

Coral reefs are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. It is estimated that 25% of all marine life depends on a coral reef at some point in its life. Due to this habitat's beauty and importance, many scientists have dedicated their careers to the conservation and understanding of corals. Join us as we explore STEM careers in coral reef ecology. Scouts will learn about coral biology, threats to reefs, and how scientists and conservation advocates are facing these threats. This classroom program will help Girl Scouts meet the requirements of their STEM Career Exploration Badge at the Junior and Cadette level.

Rank: Junior/Cadette (Ages 10-15)
Time: 9 to 11 a.m., following conclusion of sleepover
Minimum Participants: 8
Maximum Participants: 30
Badge: STEM Career Exploration Badge (not provided by Aquarium)
Price: $15 per scout*

*No charge for chaperones.

Yes! You'll visit behind-the-scenes areas during your tour.

A paid parent or guardian must accompany all participants under the age of 18. Parents or guardians accompanying children must be at least 18 years old.

Yes! Your sleepover tour will include a visit to Living Seashore, our interactive touchpool exhibit, where you'll be able to touch skates, jellies, horseshoe crabs and more. Please be advised that our exhibits are periodically closed for maintenance and unforeseen circumstances; if Living Seashore is scheduled to be closed during your tour, your tour guide will notify you beforehand.

You'll be traveling behind the scenes, so closed-toe, non-slip shoes are required. That means no Crocs, sandals, flip-flops or high heels. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, as you'll be traveling around the Aquarium. Sleepovers are coed; be sure to bring appropriate and comfortable sleep attire.

Yes. You're free to explore the Aquarium during our regular hours before or after your sleepover.

• You'll be camping on the floor, so bring a sleeping bag! Sleeping pads, pillows and foam or air mattresses are optional, but due to limited space, we encourage guests not to bring air mattresses. Air mattresses larger than twin size and cots of any size are prohibited.
• You'll be spending the night, so bring toiletries and personal articles, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, facial soaps, medications and sleepwear suitable for a coed group.
• Remember that closed-toe, non-slip shoes are required. That means no Crocs, sandals, flip-flops or high heels.
• You may also want to bring money if you plan to visit the Aquarium's gift shop. Please note that shopping time is not included in the schedule. We recommend arriving early, or planning to re-enter the Aquarium after your sleepover is over, if your group would like to visit the gift shop.

When you arrive for your sleepover, please plan to park at the Parkway Lockwood Place Garage (124 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202) located directly across the street from the National Aquarium. Remember to bring your parking ticket to check-in. Your sleepover guide will provide you with a chaser ticket to use upon exiting the garage with a flat rate of $8. To receive this discount, you must exit the garage prior to 12 pm following your sleepover.

No. We will not be able to store your gear prior to your scheduled check-in time or following your sleepover, so be sure to store your gear in the car if you plan to explore the Aquarium!

Yes. Our sleepovers are best described as indoor camping experiences and are open to any and all groups, so they may be coed. If your group wishes to have a private sleeping area, please let your sleepover guide know during check-in. We will do our best to accommodate the needs of each group, but we cannot guarantee that a private sleeping area will always be available.

Yes! An evening snack will be provided, as well as a continental breakfast in the morning. If a member of your group has special dietary needs, please contact us at 410-576-8822 and someone will be in contact regarding options for you or your group.

All visiting scout groups receive a National Aquarium patch; however, this patch is not an official scout badge.

Yes! We require at least one adult (18 years or older) for every seven children under the age 18.