What is included with the program price?
A trained Educator(s) will facilitate your program, which will include your grade-appropriate program of choice, an introduction to the sea turtle patients and the opportunity to live the life of a sea turtle in the interactive Exhibit Gallery.Your field trip program has been designed to comply with the Georgia Performance Standards and each program is grade specific. Each field trip program will last approximately 90 minutes.

Do the teachers pay?
If you are a certified teacher, parapro or other school staff member with identification, your admission to the program is free. All adult/parent chaperones in attendance pay a deeply discounted rate when accompanying a school group.

What is the schedule for a field trip program?

Please plan to arrive 10 minutes earlier for field trip check in! Due to limited space, we divide visiting school groups and visit three ‘stations’ throughout the Center on a rotational basis. Although this schedule may change, here is an example of what you may encounter during a field trip program:

9:00 AM Program Time
8:50 – 9:00 A.M. Check-in at the Gift Shop & group line-up
9:00 – 9:40 A.M. Formal program

9:45– 10:05 A.M. Sea Turtle Patient Update program in the Rehabilitation Pavilion
10:05 – 10:25 A.M.Live the life of a sea turtle in the Exhibit Gallery

10:30 A.M. – Program concludes

What does it mean when I am told that you are FULL on the day I want to schedule?
School field trip programs are scheduled at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily. All requests are made on a first come, first served basis. When we are full, groups are currently scheduled for each time slot. No more reservations may be taken for that day.

How many participants can you accept for a field trip program?To help maximize the enjoyment of your experience we set a limit on the number of participants per group. Due to limited space, the Center can safely accommodate 60 participants (this includes students, teachers and parent chaperones combined) per time slot.

Which days typically fill?
Friday field trips are very popular. We also typically fill every 9am and 11am time slot from March through May. If you plan a field trip during these times, we strongly recommend that you make reservations no later than early February.

How should I plan my field trip if I have more than 60 participants?
Often, we are able to accommodate larger groups by scheduling 2 separate visits back-to-back (ie, 9am & 11am programs). By splitting the group equally, we can accommodate one group for the first time slot and the second group for the time period immediately following the first.

We recommend that you take advantage of your trip and include beach time with groups while they are waiting for their time at the Center. Beach scavenger hunts are available and can be downloaded here. Please note that we do not have enough staff to facilitate a beach program for your group.

Will we be able to touch a sea turtle during our visit?

No. Sea turtles are an endangered species and under Georgia State Law, any turtle that is in a rehabilitation facility cannot be used as a program animal. Therefore, only the veterinary staff handles our sea turtle patients for medical treatments.

What if we need to cancel our scheduled field trip?

GSTC Refund/Cancellation Policy

Effective 11/10/2009

The following statements outline the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s group tour policy regarding cancellation, late arrival, changes in attendance, and refunds:

1. Attendance changes to a group reservation must be made at least 72 hours prior to the visit to be considered for billing adjustments. Changes can be made by calling (912) 635-4076 and in writing at lhunt@jekyllisland.com.

2. Please note that the quoted fee is based on reserved spaces, not actual attendance. No refunds will be given for absent participants. However, the GSTC reserves the right to receive payment for the difference if additional participants arrive the day of the visit.

3.Cancellations must be made in advance by telephone and written (email) notification. Fees and refunds will be based upon the timing of notification by the reserving group.

ØNo cancellation fees will be assessed to programs providing at least 72 hours advance notice.

ØPrograms failing to contact the GSTC or canceling with less than 72 hours notice will be charged a cancellation fee of $50.

ØCancellation fees do not apply to groups that reschedule for future dates.

4.If the group will be arriving later than the scheduled time, a representative from the group will call the GSTC (912-635-4444). Groups arriving 15 minutes late may, at the discretion of the GSTC staff, forfeit their time in the Exhibit Gallery or other areas.