AWSC Gives Local Kids a Summer They Will Never Forget!
Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Donates Funds to Send 5 Local Kids to Summer Camp
Orleans, MA- This summer, Mass Audubon and Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will be hosting some very lucky youngsters who wouldn't normally have had the opportunity to go to camp. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is providing scholarships to send five local kids to summer camp. These kids will get outdoors and learn about nature, take on new responsibilities, gain an appreciation of the natural world and be exposed to new shark education curriculum. “We are thrilled that through the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Summer Camp Scholarship Program, we are able to provide these kids with a fun and educational summer camp experience they can enjoy and remember for years to come,” said Cynthia Wigren, founder of Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.
The scholarship recipients are 7th and 8th graders and chosen for their interest, initiative and financial need by their schools. These coastal day camps offer a unique curriculum that focuses on the region’s rich natural history and fascinating wildlife, including sharks. Mass Audubon’s Chatham Natural History Day Camp includes exploring, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and involvement in local wildlife research, while Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s KidSummer program in Brewster gives children access to over 400 acres of pristine environment with a STEM based curriculum led by experienced educators and naturalists.
“Our goal is to connect a future generation to sharks through hands-on learning opportunities; inspiring the conservation of keystone species in our marine ecosystem,” explains Wigren. “By partnering with Mass Audubon and Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, we can also educate children about the ecosystem as a whole, and how all things are connected.”
“We are grateful for AWSC’s generous support of our efforts,” said Bob Prescott, Director of Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. “Time spent at camp can be a life-changing experience for kids. It can instill feelings of self-worth, open up the world and offer hope for the future. If there is one thing kids agree on, it’s that sharks are cool. We want a world with sharks in it when these children grow up – so empowering them is key. By sharing our knowledge and positive messages – with a healthy dose of cool shark facts, we’ll inspire them to become true stewards of the beautiful Cape Cod nature that we enjoy.”
For more information on AWSC visit www.atlanticwhitehshark.org. And to learn more about local day camp opportunities contact Mass Audubon at 508-349-2615 and Cape Cod Museum of Natural History at www.ccmnh.org.
Atlantic White Shark Conservancy
Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) is the only nonprofit on the East Coast of the United States exclusively focused on understanding and protecting white sharks. Based on Cape Cod, AWSC is an all-volunteer organization established in 2012. Their mission is to raise public awareness of white sharks, and provide critical research and educational resources to establish a better understanding of this charismatic apex predator. AWSC has launched important initiatives in partnership with Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay, New England Aquarium, OCEARCH and MassGeneral Hospital for Children to foster education and research programs to study the Atlantic white shark