Lillie really enjoyed the week this week, and has been sharing her knowledge with us daily. Robin did a great job! Thanks so much for these programs!
Jen, Coastal Explorer Parent
Week one was an absolute joy for both campers and Interpreter Robin Hazard as they shared their enthusiasm for “Under the Sea Adventures.” With an inspiring backdrop of Morro Bay State Park and Marine Protected Areas, Robin began each session with sea life stretches and ended the morning hour with a challenge to expand their experience, “It was fantastic sharing this special first hour with you. I look forward to hearing back this afternoon about your favorite ocean animal and three fun facts!” Campers were sent their kits in advance with week-long supplies, Coastal Explorers t-shirts, and exploration tools to use during the week and beyond. The week ended with an enjoyable campfire program on Friday where campers shared their discoveries with their family and peers around the campfire, played games, sang songs, and expressed appreciation for their week together. Interpreter Robin Hazard was elated about the culmination of an inspiring week with her group, but sad to say good-bye. Her favorite parts of the camp were making salt dough seastars with the campers and hearing them share ocean animal fun facts with the group.
Interpretive Planner Robyn Chase worked behind the scenes with our outstanding can-do partner Kristin Howland, Executive Director of the Central Coast State Park’s Association, who made the camp possible. With the expertise and help of Retail Operations Manager Sheri Robesky, they were able to plan, purchase, assemble, and prepare to ship the themed activity kits. When registration was still at zero the week before the start of camp, they had to carefully evaluate and lower the price while still recouping the costs of the kit and retaining the ability to offer need-based scholarships. Robyn also worked with Kristin on the logistics of registration, custom camp shirts, and marketing. Interpreters Robin Hazard, Monica Rutherford, and Mariana Perez planned activities and created their themed weeks with an emphasis on fun experiential learning.
Robyn Chase has already begun to formulate how to maximize this innovative model combining a virtual experience with a themed activity kit, as a perfect blueprint for future programs during the school year.When registration was still at zero the week before the start of camp, they had to carefully evaluate and lower the price while still recouping the costs of the kit and retaining the ability to offer need-based scholarships. Robyn also worked with Kristin on the logistics of registration, custom camp shirts, and marketing. Interpreters Robin Hazard, Monica Rutherford, and Mariana Perez planned activities and created their themed weeks with an emphasis on fun experiential learning. Robyn Chase has already begun to formulate how to maximize this innovative model combining a virtual experience with a themed activity kit, as a perfect blueprint for future programs during the school year.
A huge thank you goes out to our partners for sharing the camp flyer on their social media channels and to our PORTS and California State Parks social media teams for helping us reach our target audience. We are excited to see how the campers engage with this week’s “Botany Blast,” next week’s “Park Steward Superstars,” and a repeat “Under the Sea Adventures” added because of its popularity!