Summers means camping at the V.I. Environmental Resource Station; and as it has for about a dozen years, the Friends of V.I. National Park will sponsor a series of six free educational camps open to children across the territory.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn about science and the environment,” Friends program manger Audrey Penn said.
According to Penn, the youths get to interact with scientists who are spending the summer at VIERS working on their scientific projects.
Camps start July 5 with the Ranger-in-Training Camp for teens ages 13 to 16. It runs for five days and four nights until July 9 with park rangers and staff making presentation. Funded by the Labor Department, the camp offers career exploration by looking at the everyday life and work of park rangers along with environmental education and fun.
The next four camps (for three days and two nights) are the traditional Eco-Camps for youth ages seven to 12. The camps introduce kids to terrestrial and marine eco-systems with emphasis on environmental awareness and preservation.
Campers also take part in the Learn-to-Swim Program, go hiking and enjoy educational and fun evening activities at camp. The Eco-Camp schedule is July 11 through 13, July 14 through 16, July 18 through 20, and July 21 through 23.
The Friends summer camp program wraps up with Science Camp for teens, ages 13 to 16. The camp runs from July 25 through July 29. Funded by the V.I. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, this camp (five days, four nights) focuses on advanced natural science concepts.
Campers live, learn and work side by side with visiting and local researchers and scientists, helping them with their research and learning in a hands-on environment. This camp includes free travel to and from St. Croix for interested participants.
All camps are free for V.I. residents. The fee for nonresidents runs $500 each for the Ranger-In-Training and science camps, and $300 for the eco-camps.
For more information, visit www.islands.org/viers or call 776-6721.
