UNCW MarineQuest Summer Programs
As a diver you probably don’t need a list of the reasons why marine education, conservation and protection matter. As vital and diverse as rainforests, our oceans provide food, medicine, energy and jobs for billions of people. They regulate Earth’s climate. Marine plants such as phytoplankton produce a significant amount of the oxygen we breathe. In other words, the ocean is essentially the planet’s life support system.
“Knowledge of the oceans is more than a matter of curiosity. Our very survival may hinge upon it.” —President John F. Kennedy, March 1961 message to Congress
All these reasons are why the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s (UNCW) MarineQuest program was created—a comprehensive and unique summertime experience with options that build on a progression of skills and knowledge. UNCW is the North Carolina coastal university and offers higher education degree programs in the marine sciences as well as enriching pre-college programs for teens. MarineQuest programs are truly in a class by themselves.
If you’ve got a teenager who is interested in learning to dive, they can begin with a Discover Scuba course. If your teen wants to obtain their PADI Open Water certification or is already certified, there are options that allow them to complete their Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications. Is your teen curious about a career in marine science? The programs offer exciting opportunities to delve into marine science and research. Whatever their goal is, here are five reasons they should consider one of the programs offered by UNCW MarineQuest.
Courtesy of UNCW MarineQuestFor 45 years, UNCW MarineQuest has provided enriching academic opportunities for young people interested in the marine environment.
1) Dive Training: A Whole New World
Scuba diving is a fun, exciting activity that can be enjoyed by just about everyone, including kids and teens. It’s a chance to understand the planet in a whole new way, and the UNCW’s MarineQuest program has four programs that are designed as a progression of learning for high school marine science enthusiasts. Four dive programs are offered: The Leaders in Ocean Science program for 13- and 14-year-olds who will take Discover Scuba; Dive Hawks program for high school students ages 14 to 17 who have the opportunity to become open-water certified; Scientific Diver program for high school students ages 15 to 17 who already have their open water certification; and Oceans 17 for rising high school seniors.
In addition to developing skills and confidence for leadership roles, 13- and 14-year-olds who enroll in the one-week Leaders in Ocean Science program will try Discover Scuba, explore coastal habitats with UNCW faculty and graduate students, and collect oceanographic data during a research cruise. The next generation of explorers and researchers will love the opportunities for discovery, innovation and investigation in this program. Discover more here.
2) Career Exploration
It’s normal for a teen to not know what career path they’d like to pursue, which is why exposing them to a variety of enrichment programs can be so valuable. MarineQuest helps teens discover their interests, strengths and passions by participating in a variety of activities related to ocean or dive-centric careers, but they also develop a student’s “soft skills,” too. Teens benefit from MarineQuest in many ways, including developing confidence, expanding problem-solving, critical-thinking and strategic-planning skills, delving deeper into a field they love and learning what they do best.
In this week-long diving and marine science experience, teens aged 14 to 17 will be provided the opportunity to earn their PADI Open Water dive certification (which requires that they complete an online learning portion before the start date). They will become familiar with scuba equipment, diving techniques and dive safety while gaining the skills needed to become a confident diver. They will also explore the careers of an underwater archeologist, media diver and scientific diver; participate in an advanced snorkeling adventure; use population sampling techniques while exploring the salt marsh; and practice fish ID at the Fort Fisher Aquarium. Discover more here.
Courtesy of UNCW MarineQuestFun meets academic enrichment with these marine-science-focused sessions at UNC Wilmington.
3) Confidence Building/Part of a Community
Programs that foster a supportive community offer invaluable benefits: They prepare teens to be ready to face life’s experiences and challenges with resilience, make informed decisions, develop independence, have a sense of belonging, learn new skills and reach their full potential. Ensuring your teen has confidence is the fundamental quality that helps them navigate the changes they are undergoing, make good choices and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
MarineQuest guides teens in learning leadership skills, teamwork, problem-solving, communication and time management. While participating in community activities that contribute positively to the marine science research and work being conducted at UNCW, MarineQuest is helping to build the Next Generation science community.
Students who already possess their Open Water certification and who are aged 15 to 17, can choose between two Scientific Diver programs: Fish ID & Peak Performance Buoyancy or Nitrox with Search & Recovery Training. During the week, students will complete a PADI refresher course, get dive training tips and visit the UNCW Ichthyology lab for a fish anatomy lesson to better understand the biology of marine organisms. Discover more here.
4) Pre-college
A number of summer camps help young people learn about the planet’s marine habitats, but the MarineQuest academic enrichment programs are held onsite at UNCW and are designed as pre-college programs. Pre-college programs have been shown to improve the transition to college by helping them develop critical-thinking skills and fostering a lifelong love of learning.
MarineQuest’s capstone program is Oceans 17, a three-week, residential summer experience designed for students aged 17 who are Open Water certified and have an interest in pursuing marine science degrees or careers. Students conduct underwater REEF fish surveys and collect samples of local algae and seaweed species for in-lab study. They participate in workshops devoted to the flora and fauna found off North Carolina’s Atlantic coast, home to southern stingrays, queen angelfish, butterflyfish, barracuda and even the occasional manta ray. Students participate in ongoing research studies led by UNCW faculty as well as undertake their own research. They also can earn a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Courtesy of UNCW MarineQuestLearning doesn't take the summer off, but you won’t find any textbooks here.
5) Family Bonding
When your family shares a hobby, sport or activity, you build a positive environment for learning and fun as well as create memories that will last a lifetime. For parents who dive, MarineQuest offers a path for their kids and teens to become certified divers. It can be the beginning of a journey of underwater discovery and exploration for the entire family.
The UNCW MarineQuest program has launched the college and career paths of a number of its participants. As one student said: “My experience with MarineQuest Summer Camp further confirmed my desire and interest to pursue a career in marine biology. My time at UNCW was a positive and memorable one, and I hope to enroll as a college student once I graduate from high school.”
Courtesy of UNCW MarineQuestSharing a family hobby like diving fosters lifelong memories, learning, and exploration together.
Discover More
These programs are residential, allowing students a chance to enjoy and become familiar with the UNC Wilmington campus. When students are not diving, they will take organized trips to Wrightsville Beach to swim, boogie board, kayak, snorkel and spend time with new friends. Summer evenings on campus afford students a chance to enjoy UNCW’s many recreational options including sports field/courts, Bluethenthal Nature Preserve, games on the quad, and socializing at the gazebo. include outdoor games such as volleyball, cornhole, giant outdoor Jenga and more.
It’s a fun-meets-learning experience that’s perfect for teens who are curious about the ocean, scuba diving and marine science. Each session is limited to 16 to 20 students to promote community-building. These programs are also “unplugged”—students are asked to leave cell phones at home to foster engagement with their peers, mentors and hands-on activities. It’s just one more way UNC Wilmington helps create an experience that’s more than diving and more than science—each summer session is a life-enriching experience for teens.
For More Information
(910) 962-2640
