It’s summer and that means that the UWI’s Port Royal Marine Laboratory (PRML, Department of Life Sciences) is hosting its Marine Mania Camp Programme. In its seventh year, the camp caters to three age groups. The Seasquirts Programme is for ages 6-9 year olds and this year was held from July 8 -12. The Shore Trekees is for 10-14 year olds and was hosted from July 15-19. The last camp is Mariners which caters for 15-18 years and is scheduled for August 12-17. For the first two camps already held, campers were shuttled daily between the UWI Campus and Port Royal. The Seasquirts enjoyed an awesome introduction to the marine environment through a myriad of activities, which included mangrove boat tours, birding, marine litter activities and a trip to UWI Lyssons Beach, St. Thomas. The Shore Trekees were similarly introduced to various aspects of the marine environment through mangrove treks, pollution tours and snorkeling at Lime Cay. They also participated in a beach clean-up activity, learnt how to use marine equipment and were introduced to boat safety e.g. what to do when travelling by water, how to use a compass for navigation and knot tying. Both Camps concluded with Closing Ceremonies, where family members and friends were hosted at PRML. The PRML camps are staged with “zero single-use plastics and Styrofoam” thanks to six-time sponsors Jamaica Money Market Brokers/Joan Duncan Foundation who provided reusable water bottles for campers. Other biodegradable products used at the closing ceremonies were obtained from locally-based companies.

Registration for the final camp (Shore Trekees) is currently underway. Activities for this camp will include scientific surveys, snorkeling, Lime Cay visit, networking with professionals in the field, field trips and an overnight stay at the UWI’s Discovery Bay Marine Lab. The cost per camper is $17,000 which covers transportation, lunch and all activities. Interested persons can email prml@uwimona.edu.jm or check out: https://www.mona.uwi.edu/lifesciences/prml/marinemania.html 

Conducting zooplankton tows in the Kingston Harbour with Shore Trekees. 

Seasquirts heading out for Mangrove Boat Tour. 

Seasquirts participating in the Beach Clean-up.

Over 300 lbs. of garbage collected in 20 minutes by our Shore Trekees.

For more information about the Port Royal Marine Lab, please visit: https://www.mona.uwi.edu/lifesciences/prml/prml.html