Looking for a summer camp for teens that’s a bit different to other offerings? Look no further than Camp APA’s Marine Exploration Summer Camp. This one-week adventure in Cebu, the popular resort destination in the Philippines, will see campers snorkelling, identifying marine life, helping repopulate coral reefs and collaborating with local communities. All while learning valuable skills and life lessons!
About the Marine Exploration Summer Camp for teens
Camp APA is a division of the well-regarded Asia Pacific Adventure (APA) group, a leader for over 20 years in providing experiential learning and outdoor education for students in Asia. In short, Camp APA is about having fun, making new friends and trying cool new activities.
The team says that it’s “thrilled’ to be offering its first international program for teens this summer – in the prime coastal location of Cebu. ‘We chose Cebu for its beautiful outdoor environment, warm and inviting culture, and for the opportunity it gave us to help make a difference and give back.“
What it involves
The seven-day camp itinerary is jam-packed with activities and adventures, from the moment the team meets campers at Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Day 1, where the program begins. At the end of the week, there’s even time for a morning snorkel on Day 7, before a boat transfer back to Mactan Island and onward transport to the airport for the flight home.
And this isn’t just any snorkelling; Cebu is home to one of the world’s most vibrant coral reefs. Campers will learn all about them, and about the traditional culture and practices of local people living near the reefs.
Importantly, they’ll also learn that there’s a flipside to a beautiful ecosystem like this. While the coral reef system in the area is magnificent, the sad truth is that marine life here has been negatively impacted by natural disasters and by the ocean’s warming.
“In particular, Super Typhoon Odette created havoc for the coral beds in 2021, splitting and flipping them over and causing a displacement to the ecosystem,” says Camp APA. “Our Coral Reef Restoration Project will allow students to build their own artificial reef systems and dive down to place them into the seabeds to help repopulate the devastated areas. So far this year, we’ve already been able to deploy eight artificial reefs. But there’s still more work to be done!”
The takeaways: What campers will gain from the experience
SKILLS
- Paddle skills and techniques (including learning on traditional outriggers)
- Navigation, including how to use a compass and a sea chart to plan a journey
- Snorkelling (both day and night snorkelling)
- Learning traditional local crafts and livelihood practices such as bread making and weaving
SERVICE
- Coral Reef Restoration Project
- Coral and fish identification
- Mangrove identification and survey
- Environmental education; the trip touches on aspects of seven of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (2023)
LIFE LESSONS
Through all the aforementioned activities, students will have to the opportunity to lead a group, build on communication skills and understand how to work effectively as a team.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
This is major component of the trip, according to Camp APA, and by the end of the seven days, students will have gained a deeper insight into the unsettling reality of the ocean’s health. But they’ll also learn and be part of making a positive impact to combat this reality, and review and take action on their experience.
Marine Exploration Summer Camp for Teens Fact File
Ages: 15-17 years
Price: US$1,550 (flights not included)
Duration: 7 days
Location: Cebu, Philippines
Service hours: 12 hours minimum
Accommodation: Guest house in Olango Island
Program focus: Sea Adventure, Culture Immersion, Service, Environmental Awareness
Dates: 1-7 July (a provisional second camp is scheduled for 10-16 July)
Program meeting point and end point: Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Deadline for booking: 22 May 2023
The price includes all transport in the Philippines, experienced facilitators, program delivery, all activity and safety equipment, food and accommodation, and public liability insurance during activities.
Head here to find out more about the camp.
Here here to sign up!
The program is available for students in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. If you live in a different country and would like to join, email the Camp APA team at camp@apa.co. Camp APA also offers local overnight and day camps in Hong Kong.
+852 2792 7160 | camp@apa.co | asiapacificadventure.com/campapa
See more in our Living in Hong Kong section.
