New Marine Summer Program Connects Learning and Fun for Bay Area Kids

Santa Cruz, CA, June 05, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Young Bay Area entrepreneur starts educational marine biology camp for kids.

For years parents and educators alike have been seeking alternatives to the younger generation’s preoccupation with television, video games and movies. The days of bike rides and playing outside with the other neighborhood children have faded away. Now, thanks to a young Bay Area marine biologist and entrepreneur, kids have a new chance to experience educational opportunities and outdoor playtime simultaneously.

Shark Camp is a specialty Marine Science summer program aimed at providing an enriching, fun, and educational experience for children ages 9 to 14. Shark Camp was first started in Mosselbaai, South Africa by Mary Cate Bernal, a California native and graduate of Santa Clara University in the Bay Area. After Shark Camp’s two successful years in Africa, Bernal is incorporating her work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Hopkins Marine Station to bring an expertly improved Shark Camp to the Bay Area.

Beginning on June 15th, Shark Camp will be providing weekend camps launched out of Santa Cruz, in cooperation with Stagnaro Charters, Natural Bridges Visitors Center and the Seymour Center. The camps will include a Boat Day out of Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and a Beach Day at Natural Bridges State Beach during which children will experience activities such as whale watching, tide pool explorations, a shark touch experience, mammal center tours, crafts, games and more. Kids attending Shark Camp will take home a t-shirt, a self made shark tooth necklace, and countless memories to commemorate their experience.

“As a marine researcher, I think it is important to not only show the kids the marine organisms in their own backyards, but also to explain why these organisms are here and why they are so important,” says Founder and Activities Coordinator Mary Cate Bernal. Shark Camp is designed to teach conservation as well as to develop age-appropriate skill sets while exploring an intricate environment in our own beautiful California coast.

If you would like more information about this topic, please visit www.santacruzsharkcamp.com or www.facebook.com/SCSharkCamp. To schedule an interview with Mary Cate Bernal, please call (831) 205-3245 or email MaryCate@santacruzsharkcamp.com.