Exploring the Connecticut Shore

Calling all rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade Girl Scouts! Do you have an interest in marine science? Do you love learning about the ocean, coastal ecosystems and the creatures that call these places home? Come to Connecticut and explore the shore! Long Island Sound is Connecticut’s largest and most important natural resource and is home to 1,200 species of invertebrates, 170 species of fish, and dozens of species of migratory birds.
Together, we will explore the different ecosystems of the area and the creatures that live there. Naturalists will guide Girl Scouts through three unique coastal ecosystems at Hammonassett Beach State Park. We will spend 2 days at the Mystic Aquarium and immerse ourselves in the career field of Marine Science. Girls participating in the program will meet and talk with staff who work with seals, sea lions, penguins and whales while meeting these exciting animals. Mystic’s rescue team will share their role in rehabilitating wild seals and the research team will share why species survival plans are so important and how it relates to population genetics. Next, we will climb aboard a Marine Life Study Cruise at the Maritime Aquarium where we will study marine biodiversity from the water’s surface down to the bottom for a first-hand understanding of Long Island Sound’s interdependent marine life. Long island sound is a wonderful resource for many recreational activities! We will spend a day kayaking and relaxing on the water.
Join us for this awesome ocean adventure and get ready to gain an even deeper appreciation for our oceans, the wildlife that lives there, and the people who dedicate their careers to this amazing field.