Community Engagement

School groups, civic groups, and other organized groups are welcome to schedule visits to the Coastal Studies Lab from Monday through Friday.

To book a visit, the group sponsor must fill out and submit the online tour request form at least two weeks in advance, however, a four-week lead time is recommended. Requests are typically answered within two business days. Please note that requests made over weekends or UTRGV holidays will be processed when normal business hours resume. Be aware that submitting a request does not secure your preferred date and time, so it is advisable to be flexible and propose multiple possible dates.

The Coastal Studies Lab accepts various forms of payment including purchase orders, school checks, IDTs, personal checks, money orders, and cash. Please note that credit card payments are not currently accepted. All payments are due on the day of the visit. Checks should be made payable to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. There are additional charges of $30 per bus and $12 per vehicle for entrance to Isla Blanca Park.

Seasonal Camp Counselors

High school and college students 14 yrs. and older may apply to become Marine Science Day Camp volunteer counselors. Counselors play an important role in ensuring that camp schedules run smoothly and safely, while actively monitoring campers throughout camp sessions. Volunteers assist camp coordinators with things such as: camper registration and sign-in, preparation and cleanup for lab and field activities, escorting campers to and from field sites, arts and crafts lessons, and meal preparation. As part of their duties, volunteers prepare marine specimens for dissection, and demonstrate proper collection techniques of marine specimens in the Laguna Madre and Gulf of Mexico using seines and other field equipment.