And our new sea turtle’s name is….

Our morning Campers decided on “Caretta,” the latin name for the Loggerhead sea turtle, and our new patient is a Loggerhead.  And the afternoon Campers decided on “Hope” because they are hopeful that even with only 2 flippers (she is missing both of her rear flippers) that she will have a successful rehabilitation here at the GSTC.  Put them together and what do you get?  Caretta Hope!

On our 4th day of Sea Turtle Camp, we focused on the human-associated threats that sea turtles face.  We learned about marine debris through our interactive game, Garbage in the Water.  Campers also became human board game pieces as we played the Sea Turtle Survivor Game on a giant, outside gameboard!  And no day is complete without a craft; Campers made reusable canvas bags, decorated with the Sea Turtle Prints they created by using recycled styrofoam trays!  Look how creative these Campers are!

Morning Campers

“I learned that some of the reasons that the sea turtle are in the hospital are because of people.”  ~Sydney

“Sharks can hurt sea turtles!”  ~ Faith

“I like the Sea Turtle Survivor game!” ~Hanna

“I learned that it is easier to prevent polution, then to clean it up.”  ~McEver

“Polluting the water is bad!”  ~Jackson

“My favorite thing was when we played the Garbage in the Water game.”  ~Ashley

“You should not pollute!  ~Reilly

Afternoon Campers

“I learned that things that are made from plants, break down faster.”  ~Zoe

“I learned that accretion is when sand bulds up somewhere - it is the opposite of erosion.”  ~Emma

“I learned what humans can do to help turtles, like turtle friendly lighting.”  ~Brooke

“I learned that when humans throw plastic bags in the ocean other turtles mistake it to be jellyfish!”  ~Ciera

“Boats are a major threat to turtles.”  ~Colton

“I learned that erosion can harm turtles.”  ~Juliana

“I learned that the main threat to sea turtles are actually humans!”  ~Jenna

“The white spots on an orca whale that look like eyes, aren’t really their eyes!”  ~Alex

Only one day left of Sea Turtle Camp!  Tomorrow we wrap up the week by discussing how people can help sea turtles.  More games, crafts and fun to come!

~Alicia Marin, GSTC Education Coordinator