By Cathy Silver, Blue Ocean Discovery Center Co-Founder and Director
The summer of 2018 was a very busy one at our Blue Ocean Discovery Center in Hampton Beach, NH.
More than 20,000 visitors enjoyed looking at the two observation tanks, whale and history displays, and barnacle feeding exhibit. As always, the large touch tank filled with Asian shore crabs, hermit crabs, and periwinkles was a favorite. Our new lobster trap exhibit quickly became a big hit with visitors who were able to measure and band lobsters after they learned how the lobster trap worked.
When asked to record their favorite Hampton Beach memory, many visitors said that visiting the Discovery Center was a highlight of their vacation. At the end of the season, we asked our staff, volunteers and interns about their experience.
Staff member Mackenzie Steeves commented, “Working at the Discovery Center was a really cool experience, both as an intern last summer and an employee this summer. I really enjoyed educating people and promoting what Blue Ocean Society has to offer.”
Volunteer David Gilman remarked, “The Discovery Center is a great place for kids of all ages to learn about some of the wildlife right here in the Gulf of Maine, and the work Blue Ocean Society does to help protect it. We often heard comments such as, ‘we come here every year…sometimes every week’…[it’s a ] great family destination.”
High School volunteer Colin Donnelly said that helping at the Center taught him a lot about marine life that he knew nothing about before and made him more passionate about caring for our marine life and our planet. “What was even more special was that numerous children came in with a passion for learning more about the marine life in New England, whether it be about how to band a lobster or how a whale eats,” he said.
….and at an admission donation of $1 per person, it’s the best bargain on the Beach!
The Blue Ocean Discovery Center also offered a chance for our summer interns to share their enthusiasm and hone their public speaking skills.
“I was able to build confidence in my public speaking skills, and was constantly learning new information regarding marine conservation,” said intern Austin Castrucci. “Additionally, this experience raised my interest in pursuing a master’s degree in Wildlife and Conservation Biology.”
Interns were also able to contribute to the Center’s exhibits. Ilana Heller said, “I was lucky enough to leave my mark on the center by hanging up my education project of a humpback whale that had trash in it, to prompt future interns and volunteers to discuss marine debris with visitors.”
Many visitors returned throughout the summer to learn how to handle and protect the animals that make their home in the Gulf of Maine.
Intern Holly Hoag enjoyed “educating the public about why animals are the way they are, why ocean conservation is important, and what people can do to make sure our native Gulf of Maine species are around for a long time.”
Employee Sydney Guertin echoed this sentiment, saying, “If I can teach at least one person something new, or get them thinking about how they can get involved, then I feel like I have accomplished something. “
Thank you so much to all the interns, volunteers, staff and visitors that made this summer at the Blue Ocean Discovery Center such a great success!!
