Friday the 13th was a lucky day for youth and adult participants of the Social Ecology Aquatic and Leadership (S.E.A.L.) Project. Good weather, good food and good friends were on hand as they recruited new members, rallied community support and raised money for the S.E.A.L. Project youth program. The S.E.A.L. Project is a co-ed adventure based experiential earth/ environmental science literacy, aquatic capacity building, community service and youth development initiative for youth (girls and guys) age 10 -21. Fridays event was a “social - entrepreneurial learning” experience for the youth, and a tremendous financial boost for the group. The S.E.A.L. Project’s strategy is to raise money through grants, donations and fundraisers to help offset the cost of youth activities and to keep the program from being a burden on parent’s pocket books.
Check out our PhotoShow (here)
The S.E.A.L. Project was created in response to a recent county sponsored youth needs assessment which revealed that; “gateway” use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; promiscuous sex involvement; and obesity are prevalent within Dinwiddie youth circles of influence. Focus groups for the study indicated overwhelming concern that there are “very few structured after school and evening activities available / accessible for youth”; Additionally, many citizens, parents, professionals and youth themselves attribute lack of programming to increased participation in risky behavior. As such, the S.E.A.L.’s plan to continue promoting “out of school time” cookouts, concerts, dances, skating parties, film festivals, organized group discussions, conferences, summits and pro-social “life skills” education for youth; especially during the summer. For more information about S.E.A.L. and how to join log onto www.riskids.org or call 804 265 3871.
December 31st, 2007
On July 21 youth participants of S.E.A.L chartered two 15 passenger vans to go to Norfolk to meet the researchers and staff from the Endeavor at Nauticus The National Maritime Center. The Crew was on hand to offer tours of the research vessel and answer questions about the expedition. On Friday July 21 the research vessel R/V Endeavor was at the Nauticus dock after returning from the expedition. We participated in activities outside the facility on this day. We were thankful for a $500.00 donation towards the trip from Mr. Parham owner of Parham Septic Tank Service. THANKS Mr. P!!!
December 31st, 2007
This is one of our first projects as a new youth program!
On July 19, 2007 the Holiday Inn Express, 5679 Boyton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA 23803 was the location where the Social Ecology Aquatic and Leadership project (S.E.A.L.) participated in a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sponsored interactive internet broad-cast from the research vessel Endeavor. The ship was participating in the USS Monitor Expedition sponsored by NOAA, The Institute for Exploration and in part by the Rhode Island Endeavor program. Click Here for Media News Release (PDF) This was the first time an event like this was attempted and although the internet feed was received, unfortunately the broadcast did not have sound. This was especially bad for us because the Endeavor sent a shout out to us from the expedition. The problem was reported to NOAA and they are working with us to make sure this does not happen again.
About the Expedition: On July 15-20, a team of researchers conducted a major mapping expedition to the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, the shipwreck site of the USS Monitor. The expedition collected high-resolution digital still and video imagery that will be used to generate a high quality photo mosaic of one of the greatest American technological innovations of the 19th century. The goals of this expedition are to use the optical images to generate a digital photographic mosaic of the ship’s hull and surrounding wreckage. Click here for a Picture. This was a collaborative effort between the Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Connecticut and NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program. The expedition collected high-resolution digital stills and video imagery that was used to generate a high quality photo mosaic of the entire wreck site. Researchers aboard the research vessel Endeavor used IFE’s robotic vehicle systems ARGUS and LITTLE HERCULES as the primary tools for the expedition. In addition, the expedition used satellite telecommunication links to broadcast streaming video feeds and answer questions from shore in real time! Even though sound was not available, it was great that we were invited to take part in this once in a life-time educational opportunity to experience a piece of history. Virginia SOL’s covered – Click here VA SOL Standard VS. 7
Click here to visit the USS Monitor Expedition Site.
December 31st, 2007
