Upstream Downstream Camp

Over 40 people came to our camp planning and potluck gathering to discuss the 2012 Upstream Downstream Connection summer camps! I love that spirit of volunteerism!

The Upstream Downstream Connection was chosen for the Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Excellence Award! Although our high school volunteers come from different schools and backgrounds, we found an instant connection that made it fun to lead the Boys & Girls Club campers into action. We are expanding to 6 camps for Summer 2012!

Love A Sea Turtle, A Time For Science and the Pamlico Tar River Foundation have collaborated in making presentations to our 5 local Boys & Girls Clubs to talk about our summer camp program - the Upstream Downstream Connection, water conservation and recycling.

Coming next summer – 6 Upstream Downstream Connection Camps!!! We’re expanding to include a weeklong camp for each of the 5 Boys & Girls Clubs in my county and an advanced level camp for returning students. Each year, we plan to get bigger & better and we need fundraising help. Consider sponsoring a camp week – contact loveaseaturtle@suddenlink.net for more information.

There are so many people and organizations to thank for their help in making the Upstream Downstream Connection camps a success. Here goes…

• A Time For Science - Dr. John & Nancy Bray, directors, & Leah Connell, camp director
• Pamlico Tar River Foundation
• Rum Runner Dive Shop – thanks to Andrew for snorkeling instruction
• Ayden Parks & Recreation
• Ocean-Minded
• Immaculate Baking Co.
• Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center
• Ecological Marine Adventures
• SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards
• Sue, Carol, Scott, Tom, Trey, Elizabeth, Becca, Sam, Doug, Brea, Patrick, Greg, Conner, Bethany, Kimberly & Lauren
• Boys & Girls Club Director, Staff & Bus Drivers – Mr. Robert is awesome!

Together, we made a difference in making the Upstream Downstream Connection!

It has been an amazing 2 weeks. When we arrived back from the Friday beach trip, I felt like I was in the clouds – a euphoric feeling. The kids were fantastic. We had a great time snorkeling & spending the day at the beach. I wish everyone could have seen these kids’ faces of happiness & excitement. None of them had ever kayaked, some had been to the beach and none of them had ever snorkeled – that’s a lot of firsts in one week! Here’s some highlights from this camp week with the Ayden Boys & Girls Club.

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A new group from the Boys & Girls Club arrived for a fun week at the Upstream Downstream Connection Camp!

Snorkeling was a new and fun experience for these kids! They jumped right in and took to it so fast. The only problem was getting them OUT of the water! They discovered some fascinating sea creatures and shells.

We headed to Topsail Island for a full day of fun – snorkeling, touring the Sea Turtle Hospital, cleaning the beach and learning with Ecological Marine Adventures. Love A Sea Turtle presented a $500 donation to Mrs. Beasley at the Turtle Hospital!

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We toured the Sea Turtle Hospital and saw all of the sea turtles. I got to see the interns and Mrs. Beasley again and gave them turtle cookies. I had fun and so did the kids from the Boys & Girls Club – another new experience!