Caretta Research Project: Summer Sea Turtle Research
Overview
A hands-on residential sea turtle research and conservation program where participants conduct field research on loggerhead sea turtles in their natural habitat at Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge near Savannah, Georgia. Participants engage in nesting monitoring, nest protection, hatchling inventory, and data collection during week-long summer sessions.
At a glance
Deadline
Dec 1937 days
Sessions
May–Aug1 wk sessions
Formats
Residential
Location
Savannah, GA
Cost
$500–$1,499from $975
Entering grades
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Acceptance
First-come, first-served; limited to 6 participants per week
Application requirements
Age
Minimum 13 years old; age 14–15 may participate independently; age 13 requires family reserving all volunteer slots or parent/guardian accompaniment
Application and Waiver
Completed application and liability waiver required
Young Biologist Agreement
Required for participants under 18
Physical and Emotional Maturity
Commitment to full 7-day residential experience with rustic accommodations (shared bunkhouse, outdoor shower, limited electricity, no air conditioning)
Schedule Commitment
Full Saturday–Saturday 7-day week participation required
Cost & sessions
Early registration (Dec 15–19, 2025): $1,200/person/week. Regular registration (Jan 2, 2026 onward): $975/person/week. Includes 7 nights accommodation, meals (7 dinners + breakfast/lunch self-serve), 2 boat rides, and research supplies. Credit card processing fee ~$35–$45. Portion may be tax-deductible.
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