If you were to ask anyone at The University of Southern Mississippi Marine Education Center (MEC) what my favorite time of year is, most of them would immediately say summer. There are a few reasons for this answer, but the biggest reason of all is that it’s summer camp season at the MEC! Sea Camp, Sharkhead’s Sharkfest, Shaggy’s Angler Camp, and Island Adventure Camp are all Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-supported camps on the roster for 2024. Although each of these camps offer different activities for different ages, they all offer immersive experiences that we hope will foster a deeper understanding of how to be a good steward of the environment!
Each year, Sea Camp, which Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant helps support, unveils an exciting theme to captivate campers' imaginations, from the thrilling "Ultimate Sea-vivor" in 2022 to the enchanting "Magic of the Ocean" in 2023. This year, our campers will travel through time with "Splash from the Past!" Campers will embark on a journey and dive into the mysteries of ancient oceans, discover the creatures that once roamed their depths, and explore the global events that shaped our world.
Campers will board the Miss Peetsy B to get up close and personal with Davis Bayou, have a blast at the beach and travel to Deer Island! Throughout the week, campers will engage in friendly competition, collaborating with teammates to earn points towards the coveted Sea Camp Awards. For 37 years, Sea Camp has served generations of families, and many have grown into scientists, educators and more!
Mississippi's barrier islands are buzzing with a diversity of plants, animals and history! Island Adventure Camp is an exciting three-day journey, open to students in grades 4-12, exploring the wonders of our critical barrier islands! Island Adventure Camp immerses campers in the fascinating features of our coast’s most important natural features. Campers will learn about coastal preserves, island ecology and geology, as well as the wildlife that are supported by them.
For students in grades 7-12 that are fascinated by one of the ocean's most famous apex predators, Sharkhead’s Sharkfest provides an unforgettable experience! Campers learn all about the species of sharks in the northern Gulf.
Campers gain firsthand knowledge of these animals in their natural habitat through our partnership with researchers from The University of Southern Mississippi Center of Fisheries Research and Development. Campers assist in deploying a handline to catch, tag and release sharks aboard the R/V Jim Franks. Beyond just learning about sharks, this camp instills respect for sharks and dispels common misconceptions that often demonizes them.
Sharkfest holds a very special place with me. As a high-schooler from north Mississippi, I attended Sharkfest and was instantly “hooked” by the Gulf Coast and all the work the members of USM’s Gulf Coast Research Lab and the MEC were doing. I consider this experience the one that cemented my decision to attend USM and following the path of informal education.
Shaggy’s Angler Camp offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and environmental education centered around fishing! Campers not only learn the fundamentals of fishing, such as knot tying and casting techniques, but also gain an understanding of marine ecosystems and the importance of sustainable fishing practices. Campers have multiple fishing experiences, such as pier fishing in Gulf Islands National Seashore, wade fishing on Cat Island and charter fishing for red snapper! Whether it's catching their first fish or reeling in a big one, campers develop a fresh appreciation for the waters of the Mississippi Sound and northern Gulf.
This year is Shaggy’s Angler Camp’s 10th anniversary, and with the support of Shaggy’s throughout the years, we are grateful to be able to empower the next generation of anglers! Every summer, we appreciate the people who dedicate their time to help us achieve this goal. We couldn’t do it without the help of the amazing counselors, volunteers and sponsors that support the MEC and the campers that spend their days with us. Through these outdoor, experiential, place-based education opportunities, we all aim to inspire environmental stewards!
Meet the author
Lacy Lindsey
Marine Education Specialist, USM Marine Education Center
Lacy Lindsey works as a marine educator at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Lab's Marine Education Center. She creates and implements educational programming that includes... Read more
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