Ocean Alive Camp Summer School
Binding young futures to the ocean
Ocean Alive Camp was born from our desire to provide young people with a transformative experience that would connect the ocean to their future aspirations.
Through sharing scientific knowledge and fostering a sensory connection with the sea, this summer course aims to center the value of marine ecosystems and the threats they face in the conscience of young people. As a goal, we aim to empower our participants with the tools needed to create collaborative solutions for these problems.
The participants will engage in a sustainability project with the local community of Keepers of the Sea and will contribute to its social and environmental impact. This experience will inspire them and give them a range of skills and tools to take forwards into their future, independently of their academic field or career path.
The course the course is furthered by our team’s mentorship’, the engagement of the local community and the participation of visiting teachers and researchers. Besides scientific knowledge, we will share our life experiences, our passions and our vision for the Ocean Alive project. Through this, we aim to foster both technical and interpersonal skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, communication and team-work.
We adapt the program’s curriculum to each group we receive. Course activities include lectures, hands-on lab classes, scientific protocols in marine studies, and field and water activities as tools to explore marine life; all of this whilst in close contact with local culture and the fishing community.
Ocean Alive Summer Course takes place in Setúbal, one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Setúbal city is located by the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, classified as an important area for nature conservation, and the Arrábida Natural Park, a hotspot of marine biodiversity and the first marine protected area implemented in Portugal.
TARGET AUDIENCE: YOUNG PEOPLE (AGES 14-25)
DURATION: VARIABLE (3-12 DAYS)
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
INCLUDES: LECTURES, ACTIVITIES, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, accommodation AND FOOD
©Sílvia Tavares
The first Ocean Alive Camp took place in 2017 as part of the “Aquatic ecosystems and sustainability” program of CIEE. 55 high-schoolers from the United States participated in two separate groups.
Here’s what they said:
“While we were in Portugal we cleaned up trash at a small fishery located in the Sado Estuary, we really saw first-hand the problem. During the program we were asked to create a power talk on a subject we had been studying (we chose plastic waste in the ocean) (…) we decided to start a non-profit for our project.”
“Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 3 years! I think about my experience at least once a week, I’m so thankful for y’all and everything you taught me and all the friendships made on that trip.”
“(Raquel and Sílvia) Two of the most compassionate people I know. Their love for the ocean/all waterways sparked a new perspective on how I view the ocean and its cool creatures.”
The second year of Ocean Alive Camp took place in 2019. We received 2 separate groups, one of them with students exclusively above 18 years of age.
Ocean Alive Summer Course 2019 was run in partnership with Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (Technical University of Setúbal). We received 16 young people from all over the world, selected from >230 applicants. The course was possible with the support of Santander scholarships.
“The Ocean Alive course is unique. This holistic programme is filled with activities that teach you about the ocean, our planet, culture and local communities, other people and yourself. I absolutely loved the course and the inspirational people I met and would encourage anyone with big dreams of protecting our ocean to apply.”
Alissa Brueckner, 2019 Ocean Alive Summer Course student
Our students described the course in one word:
“Enlightening; Nourishing; Awesome; Unforgettable; Life-changing; Meaningful; Different”