A Conservation Camp for Kids

The Clear Water Marine Aquarium Research Institute wrapped up its first ever Belize Marine Conservation Summer camp. Sixty children between the ages of five to fifteen attended the three-day conservation camp where they learned about the environment and the role that can they play in conservation. The camp featured educational presentations by OCEANA, Wildlife Conservation Society, Belize Audubon Society and other organizations, as well as fun educational activities. Jamal Galves of the Clear Water Marine Aquarium shares more.

Jamal Galves

Jamal Galves, Belize Program Coordinator, Clear Water Marine Aquarium Research Institute

“Kids spend a lot of time in classroom during the school year. The goal is to take them out of the classroom make it more interactive as opposed to power-point presentation; more arts; more games; in ways that these kids are going to engage. While they are being engaged with a sport or an activity, we are flooding them with information as well where they are tested on their knowledge about the topic we are presenting; other creative ways, whether it is arts and craft; games; movies. Today we saw dolphin tail; things that are really going to inspire these young kids.  I thought it was a very rounded initiative that kids get to have a perception on different activities, whether it is ecosystem based, wild-life based or human based. So, it tied them all together so that they can see that all these things evolve together and not by themselves. I definitely hope that they take the idea of conservation, and though five or six year old, they too can participate. They too can come out and take data. They too can assist with manatee rescue. They too can be a part of the change that Belize needs. These are the voice of the next generation and these are the voices that are actually going to save this country, save our environment. I hope that people who are in the position to make decisions listen to this younger generation.”

Galves says that that plan is to host the camp next year in different parts of the country.