Environmental Education Center at University of Rhode Island's W. Alton Jones Campus

Waterworlds is an Earth Camp program for ages 9-12. Within the Waterworlds theme, campers are divided into younger and older groups. The goal of the program is to learn about water, wetlands, just how important water is and how much fun water can be. You will explore different aquatic environments to find out what makes each unique and special. The week will be spent learning and enjoying the ponds, streams and lake of the W. Alton Jones Campus and will include a trip to the ocean to explore salt-water habitats.

Sunday through Wednesday will be spent on the W. Alton Jones Campus. Sunday is devoted to moving in and meeting and getting to know your fellow campers, junior counselors and counselors both in your cabin and your Waterworlds field group. Sunday night also includes an “all camp” campfire so you will meet and see other campers and counselors in Earth Camp for the week. You will sleep in cabins with some campers who are in your group and some who are in other themes, which will allow you to get to know lots of other kids. You will eat your meals in the dining hall, except Thursday lunch.

On Monday, you will participate in some group-building activities to enhance communication between you and the other campers in your group as well as your counselors and junior counselors. You will also have an introduction to wetland ecology and you will be involved in activities designed to orient you to your natural surroundings. Swim tests, free-swim time and canoeing occur at Lake Eisenhower, so be ready to get wet! After dinner you will be involved in the all-camp evening program.

Tuesday and Wednesday will include pond and stream explorations. Through exploring ponds, streams, and other wetlands you will learn about freshwater ecology, wetlands, wildlife and adaptations. You will explore them hands-on with nets and buckets. You will go on a stream hike: bring old shoes, because you’ll be walking down river in a meandering the streambed, exploring the river as you go. You will also:

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Explore the “world of water”, looking at the physical properties of water that make it such a unique substance, and how the water cycle works.
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Visit a variety of aquatic environments, freshwater and marine, to learn about the similarities and differences and what makes each special.
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Gain an understanding of relationships between the animals and plants in their environment.
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Look at the human role within aquatic environments and find out the reasons that water conservation is so important.

Thursday is the field trip to the coast. We will board a school bus after breakfast and drive to the ocean along the south coast of Rhode Island. In the morning you will explore life in the barrier beach, sand dunes, salt pond, salt marsh and possibly mud flats. After lunch, during the heat of the day, there will be time to ride the waves and just have fun in the surf under the watchful eyes of state lifeguards.

Friday is spent putting the whole week together with review and wrap-up plus closing activities. After lunch, there is some time to spend with new friends before the family program begins. Sign-out and goodbyes follow as the week comes to a close.