Pacific Whale Foundation’s ‘Marine Mammal Mania’ Ocean Camp opens registration – Maui Now

Report on Pacific Whale Foundation’s Winter Ocean Camp and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview

The Pacific Whale Foundation has initiated registration for its winter Ocean Camp, a science and culture program for students in grades 2-5, scheduled from December 29 to January 2. The program, themed “Marine Mammal Mania,” will be based at the Foundation’s Discovery Center in Māʻalaea. It is designed to foster an understanding of marine ecosystems and local culture through a curriculum focused on whales, dolphins, and seals.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education

The Ocean Camp program directly supports SDG 4 by providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities. Key contributions include:

• Experiential Learning: Campers engage in hands-on activities and lessons about marine mammal communication, hunting, and survival, fostering scientific curiosity and knowledge.
• Immersive Field Trips: The curriculum is enhanced with two private snorkel excursions aboard PacWhale Eco-Adventures vessels and a visit to the Hawaiian Wildlife Discovery Center, providing practical, real-world context to classroom learning.
• Inclusive Access: In alignment with SDG Target 4.5, which aims to eliminate disparities in education, the camp offers a four-tier tuition system and full scholarships for qualifying students. Specific provisions are made for those impacted by recent wildfires, ensuring access for vulnerable children.

Advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

The program’s core theme is intrinsically linked to the objectives of SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

1. Marine Literacy: By focusing on marine mammals, the camp increases scientific knowledge and awareness of marine ecosystems among young learners, a critical step toward conservation.
2. Fostering Stewardship: The stated goal is to help children “learn what it means to care for the natural world,” thereby nurturing a sense of environmental responsibility and creating a foundation for future conservation efforts.
3. Direct Engagement: Snorkel excursions allow students to observe marine life directly, building a personal connection and “lifelong love for the sea” that is critical for its long-term protection.

Support for SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The initiative also contributes to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities by addressing local cultural and social needs.

• Cultural Heritage (SDG 11): The program deepens the students’ understanding of Hawaiian culture, supporting the effort to safeguard local cultural heritage as part of a sustainable community.
• Community Resilience (SDG 11 & 10): By offering financial assistance and scholarships specifically to students affected by wildfires, the Foundation directly addresses social and economic inequalities and supports the recovery and resilience of the local community.

Operational Details

• Dates: December 29 to January 2
• Location: Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center, Maui Harbor Shops, Māʻalaea
• Registration: Available via the Foundation’s website.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Inquiries can be directed to the education department via email.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Camp addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on education, marine conservation, and social inclusion.

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The core of the article is about an educational program, the “Ocean Camp,” which is described as a “week-long science and culture program for students in grades 2-5.” It aims to provide knowledge through “hands-on activities and lessons.”
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The camp’s theme, “Marine Mammal Mania,” focuses specifically on marine life such as whales, dolphins, and seals. The stated goal is for children to “discover the wonder of marine life” and “learn what it means to care for the natural world,” directly promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article highlights the camp’s inclusive tuition policy, which is “priced in four-tiers ranging from full cost to reduced rates, with full scholarships available for qualifying students, including those impacted by the wildfires.” This directly addresses economic barriers to participation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities and objectives described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The article supports this target by describing how the camp helps children “deepen their understanding of Hawaiian culture and learn what it means to care for the natural world,” which are key components of education for sustainable development and global citizenship.
2. Under SDG 14 (Life Below Water):
   • Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…” While not about high-level research, the camp serves as a foundational effort to increase scientific knowledge among young students. It is a “science and culture program” where campers learn “how marine mammals communicate, hunt and survive in the ocean,” thereby building a base of scientific literacy about marine ecosystems.
3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.” The article directly relates to this target by mentioning the provision of “full scholarships available for qualifying students, including those impacted by the wildfires.” This action promotes inclusion by ensuring that children from financially disadvantaged or crisis-affected families can access the educational opportunity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• For Target 4.7 (Education for sustainable development):
  • Implied Indicator: The number of students (grades 2-5) enrolled in the Ocean Camp. The article states that registration is open, implying a measurable number of participants.
  • Implied Indicator: The content and structure of the educational program. The curriculum focusing on marine science (“Marine Mammal Mania”) and Hawaiian culture is a direct measure of the type of education being provided.
• For Target 14.a (Increase scientific knowledge):
  • Implied Indicator: The number of educational outreach programs focused on marine life. The existence of the “Ocean Camp” itself is an indicator.
  • Implied Indicator: The number of participants engaged in hands-on marine science activities, such as the “two private snorkel excursions” mentioned in the article.
• For Target 10.2 (Promote inclusion):
  • Indicator: The availability and number of scholarships provided. The article explicitly states that “full scholarships [are] available,” which is a direct, measurable indicator of financial support for inclusion.
  • Indicator: The implementation of a tiered tuition system. The mention of a “four-tier” pricing structure is an indicator of policies designed to reduce economic inequality in access to the program.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mauinow.com