Jr. Marine Biologist Campers Make An Impact During Week 1 of Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Summer Camp
The campers this week eagerly attended several scientific seminars that taught them the ins and outs of everything sea turtle-related. These seminars prepared them for the active work that our staff at LMC do each day. They were able to gather up the sea turtle knowledge necessary for a marine researcher. But, all of this learning didn’t just take place inside the classroom! The whole week’s activities and events were designed to encourage campers to make practical use of the information they learned.
As this week comes to a close, we want to thank every single one of our amazing Junior Scientists for the great job that they did in learning, experimenting, and adventuring their way through the ocean. For our Sea Turtle Savers camp, we were able to witness the campers jump in and explore the complex and enigmatic world of ocean studies. We could really see the passion that every one of them had as they were able to participate in events that prove their skill as responsible, bright, and happy veterinarians, marine biologists, and researchers.
On our very own Juno Beach Pier, our campers learned the importance of responsible fishing, the Juno Beach Pier is the flagship pier in LMC’s Responsible Pier Initiative (RPI). Being confident, capable, and competent anglers came naturally to most of the campers, and they ended up with successful and fun-filled fishing trips! Fishing is a sport that many members of our community participate in, but for the Jr. Marine Biologists at camp this summer, just participating wasn’t enough. Here, they learned about proper techniques as well as etiquette that made pier fishing a safe activity for everyone involved–including the little fish who call the pier their home.
Closer to home, the campers made almost daily trips down to the beach right in front of LMC’s campus. This beach, which is one of the most active sea turtle nesting sites in the world, holds an absolute haven for biodiversity. Since it’s a space shared by our native marine animals as well as us humans, the campers quickly learned about the importance of respecting their environment. They led and partook in extended beach clean-ups, where they did their part to let everyone keep enjoying the ocean. In doing this, they were able to see right in front of them the effect of human-created waste, and the importance of taking a stand to remove it.
Off-campus, our Jr. Marine Biologists also went on frequent field trips in order to get to understand local nature in different ways, with field trips to local parks, trail walks, and learning centers! Right around us, we have nature reserves and state parks that work with us here at LMC to help educate visitors and give everyone a chance to enjoy the natural world.
To channel their imaginations, the campers made creative art pieces that reflected everything they learned. Artbooks about marine life and new fashion pieces that took inspiration from sea-turtle biology became some of the inventive creations the campers made as arts and crafts.
For all of this week, we are so glad that you trusted us enough to let your children join in on a camp dedicated to them and their avid interest in the ocean, marine life, and science. We were ecstatic to give you a hands-on experience that showed them the life and daily activities of LMC staff!
Education. LMC’s Education programs aim to empower and inspire individuals to engage in the conservation of the world’s ocean by providing STEM-based knowledge and resources to take responsible action. For in-field, in-classroom, and virtual education experiences, please email Guest Services at [email protected].