Shark River Discovery Camp Promotes Environmental Awareness

Learning how to ride a kayak alone, finding starfish and catching crabs topped the list of “coolest things I did at camp” according to several participants of last week’s Shark River Discovery Camp.

Twenty children took part in this week’s session of the day camp launched this year by the Friends of Belmar Harbor, a volunteer group dedicated to promting the Shark River.  

“We had the idea to expand our instructional sailing program with an environmental awareness program,” said Roy Childers, a group board member.

To launch the program, the group brought on Chris Childers, 24, whose infectious passion for the Shark River, sailing and the environment is evident to parents and campers alike.

“I’m right there with the campers and loving it as much as they are,” said Childers. “I have my dream job.”

Childers majored in Environmental Science while at the University of Vermont and went on to work at the Clearwater (Fla.) Community Sailing Program and also the Lake Champlain (Vt.) Community Sailing Center.

“Chris set up the Shark River program and then promoted it through the Wall Township Board of Education and other school districts,” said Roy Childers.

In its first year, the Shark River Discovery Camp has 90 paid campers aged 7 to 15. Campers from Spring Lake, Neptune, Bradley Beach, Avon and Point Pleasant Beach participated during the most recent week-long session, but the camp was open to many more communities, including Wall. 

The camp takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday throughout the summer at the group’s headquarters on the Shark River at L Street and Route 35, Belmar.

The Shark River Discovery Camp seeks to provide an opportunity for community youths to experience the different wonders of the Shark River. The program combines recreational sailing and kayaking excursions with environmental education and more, according to the group’s website.

The last day of camp includes a presentation by the students about the coolest things they learned over the week.

“The coolest thing I did at Shark River Discovery Camp was kayaking, finding critters and meeting new friends. I never went kayaking before. I never found starfish before,” said Madyson Lagotta, 9, of Bradley Beach.

The group plans to continue and expand the program next year based on the success of the inaugural year of the Shark River Discovery Camp, according to staff.  

For more information, visit www.fobhnj.org.