‘ANINI — Young ocean explorers can take the plunge into environmental education this summer by enrolling in Reef Camp.
The outdoor day camp, already underway at ‘Anini Beach Park, is run by Reef Guardians Hawai‘i, a nonprofit that operates the program during school breaks throughout the year.
“At Reef Camp, kids learn about the natural environment from their own joyful experiences. Being a reef guardian starts with loving the reef,” said Reef Guardians Director Robin Mazor. “We’re gearing up for another summer of learning adventures and meaningful, memorable experiences.”
Reef Camp participants, aged 8 to 13, explore and study the world of fish, coral, turtles, algae and the environmental elements that create their home.
This program is taught from ecological, Hawaiian kilo ‘aina and scientific perspectives, encouraging values of stewardship, curiosity and a quest for learning. A team of professional marine biologists and educators conduct the program, and skilled volunteers assist in and out of the water.
“What sets Reef Guardians apart is how hands-on the program is,” said state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Education Specialist Aaron Swink. “The campers get to spend a lot of the day out in the water with scientists and teachers, experiencing our coral reefs up close and learning to appreciate them on a deeper level.”
DAR, along with the Surfrider Foundation, partners with Reef Guardians for the camp.
Reef Guardians’ education programs are supported by community donations and grants from the SW Wilcox Trust and the Manitou Fund, as well as board members and volunteers. Snorkeling gear is provided and sized for each camper. Half-price scholarships and free tuition are available through requests to education@reefguardians.org.
Summer Reef Camp sessions run three days a week through the summer — Monday through Wednesday — from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is open at reefguardians.org, Reef Guardians Hawai‘i on Facebook or reef.guardians on Instagram.
