FRIENDS' Summer Camps
One of our annual programs that we do at FRIENDS are our summer camps in the communities of Marsh Harbour (Central Abaco), Cooper's Town (North Abaco), Crossing Rocks (South Abaco) and Sandy Point (South Abaco). This year (2023) we reached 133 students ages 3-17 during our summer camps. Thank you to the Ocean Conservancy, Bahamian Environment Protection (BEP Foundation) and supporters of FRIENDS for making our 2023 summer camp possible!
FRIENDS’ environmental summer camps are an exciting opportunity for Bahamian students to learn more about Abaco’s environment and spend time in the outdoors. The camps are structured so that half the time is spent doing constructive games, crafts and other activities, and the remainder of the time is spent outdoors exploring the very places they are learning about. Ecosystems and topics that are taught include, but are not limited to: mangroves, coral reefs, blue holes, pine forests, sandy beaches, rocky shores, pollution, invasive species and fishing regulations. To view more photos from past summer camps, visit our Facebook page.
Summer camp registration typically begins each year at the beginning of May. Check back on this page for updates for summer camp 2024!
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ACTION
FRIENDS encourages campers to take action in their communities by participating in at least one beach cleanup. During this time, data is recorded on how much trash they are picking up, what kind of trash it is and more. This awareness helps them be more mindful in their communities.
EXPLORATION
Campers get the chance to explore their environment by going on field trips to the mangroves, coral reefs, sandy beaches, rocky shores, blue holes and more. During this time they learn about animals that live within the ecosystem they're visiting, adaptation to certain environmental conditions and importance of the ecosystem itself.
CREATIVITY
Campers are able to channel their inner creativity through a variety of activities associated with ecosystems they're learning about. Making reusable coral reef bags, outlining a mangrove ecosystem or creating their own blue hole are just some of these activities. Putting their own personal touch on what they learned helps it stick!