A Camp by the Water

There are so many options available during the summer, from the banal to the outlandish. It’s pretty obvious that summer school doesn't have to be boring: It doesn't even have to be school. With marine biology camps, students have an opportunity to pursue professional interests and use scientific equipment that would normally not be available to them until they reach the college or career level in the field. This kind of experience easily transcends the traditional idea of school. You can also expect that there is a certain level of interaction with natural environments, otherwise it would be just as easy to recreate the experience of the camp in a library or classroom.

 

Many camps offer these minimum requirements, but when you're choosing how to spend one of your precious summers, you might want to look for a little more than these practical necessities. While each camp will offer exciting opportunities and unique benefits, it’s best to keep a level head and compare some different options. Keep looking until you find somewhere that offers more than you expected, and does it in a social and ecological environment that surpasses the others.

 

Every marine biologist knows that the ocean biosphere is an almost infinitely complex network of interactions between organisms large and small. What some people both inside and outside of the world of professional science don't realize is that the study of marine biology can be represented as a similar network. Students and research scientists work together cataloging the knowledge that fuels discovery, and even grade school and high school students can contribute.

 

Exceptional marine biology camps provide a fertile environment for the interaction of students with instructors by encouraging passions and individuality in every situation. Because the best programs are almost by necessity self selecting, meaning that only interested people apply, students are bound to find a supportive atmosphere filled with other young people with similar interests. That’s not to mention the competent advisors with relevant education and experience who delight in directing the young and enthusiastic.

 

If you're not sure if the program you're looking at qualifies as this type of environment, look at reviews from former participants. It’s likely you’ll only find positive reviews, but pay attention to what the students said they liked. If those things they enjoyed are similar to what your priorities are in a study camp, then you’re likely to have found a good fit. Also, keep an eye out for the unexpected. If you see many of them saying that it's a program that change their life, that’s a good start. Even better if it improved their understanding of not only the marine environment but also themselves and how they fit into society as an individual and a scientist. These are the kind of statements people make only after an exceptional experience.

Of course, you should also look for programs that are located in great locations for marine study. This will allow for frequent and engaging observational outings. Close contact with nature engages people with both the subject of study and with each other through the sharing of observations. After all, making new friends and creating opportunities for long term growth is one of the most important ingredients for the perfect summer.