We are a science camp at our core! We love to learn and we know that there is science around every turn in Jamaica. It is important to us that campers who join us for Animal Camp Jamaica grow a love for the ocean and a desire to help with its conservation and care. Science is everywhere in Jamaica!
Fauna, flora, and biology of the island
Marine Biology is easy to find each morning, and even more opportunities exist for campers who choose to also become SCUBA certified while on the island. Botany is unavoidable with all the incredible flora on the island. Monstera, Hibiscus, and Bougainvillea are around every corner. We encourage campers to learn about the the different palms, fruits and new types of vegetables the they will see and taste while in Jamaica, including over fifteen different kinds of fruit that grow right in our own backyard of the villa! And of course: All the animals! We will challenge campers to learn the diversity of the sea with its fish and invertebrates with each morning snorkel. By the end of the trip, we want to be able to identify these creatures by sight! And at nearly all our excursions, we will be on the look out for lizards, birds, and mammals if we aren't already feeding and holding them!
Our evenings are reserved for group education and bonding. At all of our excursions we learn something from our guides or through the counselors gained and applied knowledge. But the evenings are a time to relax and unwind from the adventures of the day. After dinner, we gather in the living room or on the back patio for a lesson:
- Marine Biology - Coral reefs are without a doubt one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. They are estimated to support 25% of all marine life, with over 4000 species of fish. Campers share their knowledge of marine biology through their hands on experiences on the coral reefs.
- Ichthyology and Fish ID - We learn to identify the inhabitants by site and share our knowledge and appreciation of this diverse ecosystem with one another.
- Caribbean Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, and Invertebrates - We see so many diverse animals while in Jamaica! From petting native iguanas, to kissing macaws, campers are exposed and learn a lot about these exotic animals.
- Patis/ Jamaican Creole / Culture - Campers are constantly immersed in the Jamaican culture. In the evenings we will discuss realizations of what has been learned coming to the island. Sometimes we have special guests that teach us native dancing!