Program offers firsthand exposure to coastal environment
Youth from a Fort Myers organization recently had an opportunity to take a cruise, see dolphins and more, and visit Cayo Costa State Park as part of the ongoing No Child Left on Shore initiative.
In partnership with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Captiva Cruises treated the Ebenezer Christian Academy’s Youth Group – 24 in total, including chaperones – to the Jan. 19 excursion.
Captiva Cruises educator Richard Finkel noted that it was the first time for many of them.
“We’ve taken this particular group our before, but it was quite a few years ago so a lot of the kids we took out on Saturday had never been out before,” he said.
The initiative was started in 2010 by Finkel and Paul McCarthy, the former owner of Captiva Cruises, as a collaborative with SCCF. It is designed to be an environmental, educational outreach project.
The initiative strives to provide experiential education opportunities for the children of Southwest Florida who might not have firsthand exposure to the coastal environment by any other means.
“We saw a real need to provide this opportunity to the younger generations of Southwest Florida who, in particular, do not have this kind of opportunity otherwise,” Finkel said.
It also helps in cases where funding cutbacks mean the elimination of environmental field trips.
“There’s some financial constraints for school departments, then there’s individual youth organizations that do not have the funding to provide this kind of experience for the youth in their programs,” he said.
On this particular cruise, the wildlife sightings did not disappoint.
“Right off the bat, right when we left the marina, there were two bald eagles perched on a channel marker,” Finkel said. “It was incredible – the reactions of the kids, and the adults as well.”
On the ride out to Cayo Costa, the group spotted dolphins and a variety of other birds.
At the park, they tracked along the beach and learned about the local wildlife.
“We explored the shoreline and looked for critters or evidence of life washed up on the shore,” he said, noting that the youth found a variety of shells, horseshoe crab skeletons and more to share. “A lot of these kids, it was their first experience, first opportunity to get their toes in the sand and their feet wet.”
Opportunities like that go a long way in educating youth about the importance of the environment.
“Gaining an appreciation for the environment is often the first step in good stewardship, and hands-on experiences are vital in making that connection,” Finkel said.
Plus, he enjoys providing the younger generations with firsthand exposure.
“As an environmental educator, these experiences that we provide are probably some of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve had within the field of education,” Finkel said.
He noted that the group was excited and enthusiastic.
“They were such appreciative kids, and they all made a point to thank us for providing this opportunity for them,” Finkel said. “They were so grateful to take part in this field trip.”
No Child Left on Shore is funded by donations raised by SCCF, with Captiva Cruises providing reduced rates. Each of the groups typically arrange their own transportation and chaperones.
Individual donors can earmark funds to SCCF for the initiative.
Those interested in supporting the initiative or have questions about it can contact SCCF at SCCF@SCCF.org or Captiva Cruises at info@captivacruises.com or 239-472-5300.
For additional information, visit online at www.sccf.org.