Gulf Shores, Alabama– Faulkner State Community College’s Gulf Shores campus will host their first children’s program with Ocean Camp; a summer day camp for ocean lovers and future marine scientists ages 5-12.

Ocean Camp curriculum is designed using Ocean Literacy principles to guide learning through hands-on activities, inquiry, research, problem-solving and critical-thinking.

July 19-22 is Dive Deep Explorers week. “Only 5% of our ocean has been explored, so there’s a big job out there waiting for us,” Ringpfeil said.  “Building a submarine or learning about SCUBA; planning a research mission or tracking animals; this will be a new experience for most curious scientists.”

Pictured: Brian Eslava, manager of Down Under Dive Shop, works with Ocean Camp to offer SCUBA exploration for campus. Photo provided by Belinda Ringpfeil.

Discover SCUBA and snorkeling in the safety of a 3-ft pool during field adventure day in camp, then take an optional snorkeling group trip with instructors after camp.

Children ages 5-8 will meet for camp 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m., while children ages 9-12 will meet for camp 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a four-day camp, Tuesday through Friday.

Each four-day week is $100 per camper. Siblings close in age may participate in the same session. One camp day will be planned in the field along with nominal additional cost and parent transport.  Optional ocean-related family trips will be offered after camp week.

Each topic will include opportunities to address the oil spill cause and effect issues in the Gulf of Mexico.  Campers’ use of reusable materials in project building and ocean pollution issues will call attention to environmentally responsible topics.

For registration, contact Faulkner State Community College’s Continuing Education Office at 251-990-0445 or 1-800-381-FSCC (3722).  For program and camp questions, contact Belinda Ringpfeil at Oceancamp@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/oceancamp.