In this blog, I will talk about the marine mammal summer program I attended this summer, and why I would recommend it to anybody.
I was researching science-related summer programs one day when I came across St. Mary University’s website. It described a hands-on marine biology program that was 10 days long at St. Mary’s University and Campobello Island. I was engrossed in their program and decided to apply immediately. A few weeks later, I was notified that I had been accepted. Obviously, I was thrilled to go, but I was also nervous as it would also be my first time flying alone.
On the first day, I was introduced to thirteen other teens who I’d be living with for the next nine days. We played a few icebreakers and did a scavenger hunt all across campus to get to know the university a little better. By the end of the day, most of the awkwardness was gone. We slept in individual rooms with a single bed.
For the first three days, we attended lectures ranging from the classification of all marine species, to adaptation and ecology, to Acoustics. The science curriculum in Alberta barely touches this area, so it was very interesting to learn all about marine animals.
On our fourth day, we traveled to Campobello Island, where we’d be spending the next three days. On our way to the island, we stopped at the New Brunswick Museum. However, this was no ordinary museum visit. Instead of going through the regular entrance, we went into the collection building of the museum. We had the opportunity to witness how items were stored and prepared before they go on display.
At Campobello Island, the fourteen of us were split into groups of 3-4 individuals and devised three of our own experiments that we would conduct on the boat trips. For example, one of the experiments my group conducted was “How long does the average whale dive for?” During the handful of boat trips we went on at Campobello Island, I saw countless porpoises and seals. I even spotted a handful of whales, some of which were the second largest species that have ever lived!
On the way back to St. Mary’s University, we went through the New Brunswick Museum like the rest of the public.
We attended a few more lectures when we got back, and also presented our findings to everybody else. On the second last day, we watched the Wizard of Oz together outdoors, which was super fun and refreshing.
As the ten days came to an end, I was stoked to go home and see my family again, but at the same time, I knew I was going to miss all the wonderful people I met at this camp.
St. Mary’s Marine Mammal Camp was one of the most exhilarating 10 days of my life. I learned a ton but also had fun. The fourteen of us were very close by the end, and we still keep in touch. I would definitely encourage anyone interested in marine mammals or biology in general to apply.
