For middle and high school students, summertime is often an opportunity to relax and spend time with friends outside of the structure of institutions such as school. However, summer can be much more than this. It can be an opportunity to grow or change as a person, or to investigate a specific interest in the company of passionate advisors and similarly interested piers. While these types of formative experiences are advertised widely, it's often difficult to find those that are truly what they claim to be. There are even imitators when it comes to marine biology camps. Here are a couple of things to look for when you are reviewing potential seaside summer activities. A History of Success First of all, it's important to look for an established program. Try looking for a program that's been around for at least a few years. There are major benefits to this type of established camp. It stands to reason that with experience you’ll get a polished program with good connections in the real world, but one of the major advantages when it comes to making your choice is that you’ll be able to review previous participants’ feedback to the program. Of course, you should also look for positive feedback from former students and parents and students. This will at least give you an idea of what people liked about the program. If what they liked is what you're looking for, then it's a match. You can also look for programs with long term teachers and leaders. These are the personalities that imbue a spirit and personality to each moment of the camp experience, both in and outside of the classroom. Connection with Nature The second thing you should look for in Marine Biology camps is a superior level of interaction with nature. You can study marine biology in the library or on the internet, so why spend the time and money on traveling to a camp just to learn in a classroom? You should definitely require any experience you have to be interactive on a level is not available to you normally. One way to make sure of this is to look for a camp situated near notable marine environments and those that have frequent excursions to the shore or out onto the water. The richness of this experience forms an indelible mark on every participant. Whether it’s seeing the large mammal life or examining the smallest plankton, there’s something about being right there where it all happens gives a deeper understanding and patience for learning. Not only that, the shared experience of connecting with a natural environment is provides a solid foundation for the lifelong friendships that form in the best marine biology camps. Part of the Ecosystem These camps are always opportunities in and of themselves in terms of the ability to connect with nature and others. The best ones even act as formative experiences, but you don’t have to be satisfied with just that. It’s important to look for experiences that not only take advantage of your time and resources, but also ones that create tangible opportunities for you to build a future. Look for camps that are connected to the marine biology field via their partnership with major research organizations or educational institutions. Some will even have agreements that secure scholarships for qualifying participants, giving a tangible benefit to those who excel in passion or performance.
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