Where can camp at CBFS take you? One campers life-changing experience.

Guest blogger: Kristina Dedicatoria

I attended CBFS camp the summer of 2012 and it was a life changing experience. I decided to go to CBFS camp because I was interested in Marine Biology and it was close to where I lived. I participated in many activities that were engaging and educational. The campers and I roamed the coastal environment and learned about the unique animals that lived there. We also learned about the anatomy of the animals we collected and got to visit some of the small businesses that were on Chincoteague Island. My favorite part of the camp experience was when we took a tour of Tom's Cove Aquafarms, an aquaculture facility that specialized in growing clams and oysters. I was fascinated by the algae that was gently bubbling in the tanks and the baby clams that were growing in the race ways. At the end of the tour, the owner of the facility, Tom Clark, informed us that there was a job opening for a water testing technician. I unsure if I was qualified for the job, but one of the campers, Melissa, encouraged me to apply. 
 
After camp was over, I was hired and worked for two years under Mr. Clark collecting water samples and running several tests. When the funding ran out, I began to work for his business partner, Kenny Blanchard, at his aqua-farm growing clams and oysters. After working with both of these amazing men, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in aquaculture. I earned a Bachelors in Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University and recently got a job working as a hatchery manager at Tom's Cove Aquafarms. At Tom's Cove Aquafarms, I am learning all the aspects of the shellfish aquaculture industry and enjoying my dream job. 
 
All in all, I was able to find my dream career attending the Chincoteague Bay Field Station Summer Camp. In fact, my parents once told me, it was the best 800 dollars they ever spent! I would strongly suggest attending this program if you are interested in Marine Science and take advantage of the education opportunities they have to offer. 

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Kristin recently took staff at CBFS for a tour at Tom’s Cove Aquafarms. We are proud to be part of a network of organizations on the Eastern Shore that are working to educate and empower people in making sustainable decisions and protecting the unique nature and ecosystems of the Mid-Atlantic region.

We hope that each camper that comes to our summer camps creates memories that last a lifetime. Kristin is just one example alumni of CBFS that has gone on to do great things in the field of marine science!

Interested in learning about the ways Chincoteague Bay Field Station can nurture your child's interest in marine biology? Visit us at www.cbfieldstation.org/summer-camps or give us a call at 757-824-5636!