By KAYLA J. MARSH
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN – Area children will get the chance to connect with and learn more about the marine environment around them through a new program full of hands-on activities aimed at fostering a sense of exploration and discovery.
Applications are currently being accepted for the new Bayshore Adventure Program, a partnership between the Leonardo State Marina and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, for local children entering third grade to sixth grade, or ages eight to 11.
“[When I came down] to the shore area, the marina was still recovering from superstorm Sandy and I just wanted to kind of build the marina up and do something different,” said Maggie Mitchell, superintendent of the Leonardo State Marina. “The marina is in a unique location … and is part of a wonderful township and community of residents and I wanted to build the marina up to become a more active part of that community.”
Mitchell said she knew she would need some assistance and reached out to Conserve Wildlife Foundation Director of Education Stephanie D’Alessio.
“The Bayshore Adventure Program is a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn more about the community around them and the wildlife that call it home,” D’Alessio said in a recent interview.
“Children may not even realize the variety of wildlife surrounding them, even though they have a bay right in their backyard, so this is an adventure for them and gives them an incentive to learn, explore and engage with the world out there.”
The week-long program will run two separate weeks this summer, July 11 to July 15 and Aug. 1 to Aug. 5.
Mitchell said the August week for the program is already full.
“The marina has the potential to be so much bigger than just a parking lot and marina … and can really grow to be a valuable part of the community,” she said.
“This is a test pilot of what we are capable of doing since nothing like this has been done before at the marina … and I hope both weeks will be full and is a wonderful experience for the children.”
Activities include crabbing at the marina, arts and crafts, bird-watching, seining on the beach to discover the fish, crabs and other marine wildlife that live in the bay and Friday Fun Day, a day consisting of activities such as tug of war, a sandcastle building contest, making solar s’mores and more.
“The hands-on activities allow the children to learn and grow in fun and engaging way,” D’Alessio said. “We believe we are offering an opportunity for children to be involved in a unique and engaging summer program and have a really good real life and hands-on learning experience.”
Children will also have the opportunity to learn about different careers that they could be involved in such as aquarist, marine biologist and many more.
“It is a great way to inspire the children in ways they might not realize right away,” D’Alessio said. “If we can inspire one child to protect our marine environment and wildlife by becoming a park ranger or veterinarian … it is worth it.
“I think it is so important to reach children at a young age because if you teach them to care while their young, they have the potential to still care as older.”
The Bayshore Adventure Program costs $125, per week, per child.
Families can register by July 1 and only the first twenty children to sign up for each week will be accepted.
Applications can be completed online or can be picked up at the Leonardo State Marina at 102 Concord Ave. in the Leonardo section of the township.
For more information or to download the application go to, http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/kidssummerprograms/.
