Friends of Virgin Islands National Park to Bring Junior Ocean Explorers Program to St. John

Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is bringing the popular Junior Ocean Explorers program — run by University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) on St. Thomas and St. Croix — to St. John this summer.

Junior Ocean Explorers on St. John is for students in grades 3-6 and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 24 to July 28, at Cinnamon Bay Beach.  This hands-on marine science program is for students interested in learning more about local marine environment and developing water safety skills.

Program participants will learn foundational swimming and water safety skills, including mechanics for freestyle, elementary backstroke and treading water, as well as basic skills for water sports like snorkeling and kayaking. Program participants will also learn about local environment including plant and animal identification and ideas of conservationism, stewardship, sustainability and citizen science.

Registration for the program will close on July 21 or when the program reaches its capacity. There will be a registration drive from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 1, at Cinnamon Bay Beach. The cost to attend is $50 and includes daily lunch, swim gear, rash guard and marine animal identification cards.

Priority will be given to residents of St. John and current participants in the Friends’ Learn to Swim Program. Residents of St. Thomas are encouraged to apply but will only be accepted into the program if there is space. Applicants admitted to the program will be notified of their acceptance throughout the month of July but no later than July 21.

More information and online registration can be found on the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park website — https://friendsvinp.org/