The Von Trapp Children visited SeaWorld San Antonio as part of Wild Days with Jack Hanna. While they were here, they participated in our Beluga Interaction Program. Here's Amanda with one of our beluga whales!

We’re on the road again! Each year in the early spring, the SeaWorld San Antonio Marketing, Animal Ambassador, and Education Departments travel to several of our neighboring communities to spread the word about what’s new in our park for the upcoming year. While we’re in town, we also takethe opportunity to share our animals and their stories with schools.

I’ve written about former campers and where they are now, whether it is up at Shamu stadium as a trainer or working with sea lions or in the Florida Keys on a lobster boat, but this story may be the best yet. A few weeks ago, one of SeaWorld San Antonio’s first campers brought her own family back to camp. Julie was a part of our first day camp group in 1992 and part of the first resident camp in 1994. She then came back as a camp counselor in 1996 & 1997, the years that I was a camper.

Now that summer is in full swing, the SeaWorld Education and Conservation Department is busy as ever. Walk through the park, and you’re certain to see our Day Campers in their “buddy lines”, singing cadence songs as they head to their next activity, Career Campers shoveling snow at the Penguin Encounter or helping out during an Azul show, and if you look close, you’ll probably see a few tour guests on their way to another

Whew! Things sure have been busy in the Education and Conservation Department these past few months. While it’s true that the summer time can be quite eventful around here with camp programs and public tours, to me, the spring always feels like the time of year with the highest buzz of activity.

Last year, the American Camp Association (ACA) launched a campaign entitled “Because of Camp…” With YouTube videos and bill boards, it got people thinking about the benefits of camp: friendship, responsibility, skill development, self confidence, etc. People from all walks of life can experience camp and I think no two people get the same thing out of the camp experience.

We have a lot of fun here at SeaWorld - amazing shows, exciting rides, and endless opportunities for families to have a great time together. But the most important thing we do has always been taking care of animals - both in our park and out in the natural environment. Ever since the very first SeaWorld opened in San Diego CA back in 1964, we have consistently been there to answer the call when animals need our help.

Now that the holidays are over, and just when you thought you were safe from delicious snaking temptations – January brings Girl Scout Cookie time!