Tobago Cays Marine Park hosts its first summer programme

The Tobago Cays Marine Park hosted its first summer programme from the 11th-15th August, 2008. This one week session was attended by sixty five students ranging from ages 8-15 years old. The objectives of the programme were to educate the students on the beauty of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, and raise their level of awareness on taking care of the environment.{{more}} The programme combined fun, learning, cultural and physical training which turned the students’ summer into an extraordinary adventure.

The programme featured an overview of TCMP, workshop on waste management and coral reefs, field trips, basic survival techniques and swimming. Some of the resource persons included Glenroy Adams, of Grenadines Dive, who spoke about coral reefs and its beauty and importance. Katrina Collins of Union Island Environmental Attackers highlighted the need for environmental preservation. Krista Kavanaugh from Sustainable Grenadines Project also spoke on the waste management and the importance of a healthy environment for the future.

The swimming classes were facilitated by SVG national swimming coach Rickydene Alexander and Stephenson Wallace who represented SVG at various international tournaments namely 2004 Olympic games. The students were taught the basic swimming techniques include the back stroke, breast stroke, butterfly and the free style.

One of children’s fulfilling experiences was to visit the Tobago Cays on two consecutive days. Their main task was to clean the beach of any human generated solid waste like plastic cups, forks and wine bottles etc and to continue their swimming lessons. They also toured the islands of the cays and the Horseshoe reef where they had no fewer than 15 sightings of turtles as they came to the surface for air. The students were also fortunate see other marine animals, such as Sting Rays, gracefully swimming through the crystal waters of the Tobago Cays.

The last day, Friday, August 15, was spent at the Clifton Court House, in Union Island, reading essays which were written by the participants, a slide show of pictures taken during their visit in the Tobago Cays, the presentation of certificates of participation and a cultural treat of African drumming and dancing.

Overall, the TCMP summer programme 2008 is regarded as a success and plans are already in the making for next year, where the organization hopes to incorporatedmore students from the other grenadine isles and also from mainland St.Vincent.