Summer Programs in Environmental Education

June 16, 2009
“From a luxury cruise ship exploring French Polynesia to a quiet coastal campground just up the highway from the Ocean Futures headquarters, to a treetop camp elevated above the Amazon rainforest, Ocean Futures Society is spreading the word of environmental awareness.” - Jean-Michel Cousteau

I would like to share with you the exciting changes coming to Ocean Futures Society’s Ambassadors of the Environment programs in the summer of 2009! Consistent with our commitment to the global ocean, our programs are now taking place around the world.

Regents Seven Seas
This summer, Ambassadors of the Environment took to the sea aboard two Regent’s Seven Seas cruise ships, the Mariner and the Paul Gauguin, bound for Alaska and French Polynesia. For the rest of the summer, four new Ocean Futures naturalists will educate cruise guests about the kelp beds and forests of Alaska, and the coral reefs and tropical rainforests of the South Pacific.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Island
The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Grand Cayman Island is supplementing its normal suite of Ambassadors of the Environment activities with a new summer camp for hotel guests. Focusing on ecological awareness and sustainability, this program will foster passion for nature and commitment to environmental conservation through activities such as kayak exploration, snorkeling excursions, solar and organic cooking experimentation, and climbing wall challenges.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Hawaii
As the newest addition to the family of Ambassadors of the Environment programs, this summer’s program in Kapalua will offer a new line up of adult, family, and youth activities, including underwater photography sessions, rainforest hikes, and snorkeling excursions. This program makes full use of the cultural, under water, and terrestrial wonders of Hawaii to communicate the environmental messages of Ambassadors of the Environment.

El Capitan Canyon Campground, California
Ocean Futures Society staff recently completed the spring season of Ambassadors of the Environment programs for school groups at El Capitan Canyon, a beautiful gem of the California coastline. Now we are offering a weeklong Ambassadors of the Environment Teacher Workshop at El Capitan to train teachers in environmental education. This program is available for course credit through Mesa State College and takes place June 22-26.

Catalina Island, California
Ocean Futures is celebrating another successful season hosting school groups on Catalina Island. Partnered with Catalina Island Camps, Ambassadors of the Environment enjoys the pristine natural environment of Catalina as a living classroom for teaching biological science, environmental science and resource management. Now we are gearing up for Family Camp in August, a weeklong event which I will attend with Dr. Richard Murphy.

Guaruja, Brazil
In early 2009, a new Ambassadors of the Environment program was launched in the mangrove and coastal Atlantic forests of Guaruja, Brazil. Corporate sponsor Dow Chemical funded the construction of an entirely green camp, complete with dwellings and walkways elevated above the forest floor. This camp is currently open to both public and private school groups.

From a luxury cruise ship exploring French Polynesia to a quiet coastal campground just up the highway from the Ocean Futures headquarters, to a treetop camp elevated above the Amazon rainforest, Ocean Futures Society is spreading the word of environmental awareness. Join me as an Ambassador of the Environment and make wise choices to live a more sustainable lifestyle!