MarineLab’s First HS Camp
By Kim Burnett, Guest Blogger/ Multiple Time Attendee/ Super Chaperone
Invertebrate behavior lab is a camp favorite
What an honor it was to be a part of the first ever high school summer camp experience! As a teacher, I have had the privilege to bring groups of students to MarineLab and I have even attended several Teacher Workshops. However, this was a truly unique event and opportunity.
It began from the first Zoom meeting when I spoke to the students that were participating from all over the country in this summer adventure. Their excitement to travel from as far as California to Key Largo was inspiring. However, it was even better meeting them in person on our first day at camp. All the organization and planning that went into the travel plans of the students coming from so many parts of the country was smooth and seamless. Once all the campers arrived, friendships began forming immediately. My fellow teacher chaperone and I had icebreaker activities planned, but these weren’t even needed because all the students immediately began talking, unpacking, and hanging out playing volleyball before dinner! That very first night friendships, that I believe will last a lifetime, were formed.
New friends, lasting friendships
Soon the morning of our first day of MarineLab activities was upon us. We had a scrumptious and plentiful breakfast and headed out for a swim test and lagoon snorkel. This was the summer of seahorses! Our campers found a total of five just that first day in the lagoon. There were many more seahorse encounters during the next five days. In fact, whether it was seahorses, nurse sharks, or eagle rays, our campers worked together with their snorkel buddies to locate and share the amazing and unique sea life found in the Florida Keys.
The adventures the high school campers experienced snorkeling in the seagrass, mangroves, and reefs are memories that will last a lifetime. The time spent working together in labs as partners in learning will support them in the science classroom and possible future scientific careers.
Sunset swimming creates special memories
However, my best memory of this experience was the last night when we went out into the backcountry for the sunset cruise. The kids had done so much work learning through labs, class, and field experiences. This was a time of celebration for the growth that occurred both intellectually and personally. The picnic on the boat, swimming in the blue green water, and watching the sunset was a very special moment for students, chaperones, and instructors. We were all laughing, swimming, reflecting, and sharing in a beautiful moment that will last in their hearts and minds for many years to come.
I know and believe that this experience strengthens not just educational abilities, but social emotional well-being too. Like Ryunosuke Satoro said, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” If given the opportunity to come to MarineLab’s High School Camp, seize the gift and make memories!