ECO-WEEKEND

Tropical Marine Biology & Conservation

Cayman Islands High School Students (15-18 Years Old)

Eco-weekends are open to qualified Cayman Island high school students. If you are a high school student and would like to participate, please ask one of your teachers to contact us. If you are a teacher, please contact the CCMI Program Officer (see contact information below) to arrange dates and obtain further details.

PROGRAM DATE(S)
All dates are pre-arranged by CCMI and the high school.

The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman and Cayman National Bank have generously funded 2010 eco-weekends that allow Cayman Government high school students to participate on the following dates:

Session 1 Jan 24-Jan 25 2010 - DONE

Session 2 [TBA]

Session 3 [TBA]

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Join us at the Little Cayman Research Center (LCRC) for a wonderful weekend to learn tropical marine biology, ecology, and conservation at one of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. Students will learn that, in the Cayman Islands, their lives are inextricably linked to the ocean – the health of each one depends on the other. The weekend will give students a hands-on opportunity to study marine biology, ecology and conservation of the marine environment surrounding Little Cayman. The program is intended for students who have an interest in science.

ELIGIBILITY
Students, 15-18 years old, that currently attend one of the Cayman Islands Government high schools and are in good academic standing are eligible to join. Qualified students are admitted on a first come, first serve basis. Space is limited and we encourage students to register early. A maximum of 20 students per session will be admitted.

ACTIVITIES

(a) Snorkeling & swimming
(b) Identifying & learning about different marine species
(c) Learning Marine Park Laws and why they are important
(d) Learning what it's like to be a marine scientist studying this fragile environment
(e) Learning what you can do to save the Cayman Islands marine environment
(f) Beach Clean-Up
(g) Kayaking
(h) Biking

ACCOMODATIONS
Program participants will stay at the Little Cayman Research Center (LCRC). The LCRC opens onto the beautiful Caribbean Sea and the world-renowned Bloody Bay reef lies less than half a mile to the west. The LCRC affords dormitory style sleeping accommodations, a screened-in dining area, an off-the-grid sustainable-development bathhouse, laboratories, library, boats and a multi-media classroom. For more information, see About LCRC.

COST
(a) High Schools
CI$350 per student
Includes room, 3 meals a day, pick up and return to Little Cayman airport, and associated activities at LCRC. Airfare to/from Little Cayman is not included.

(b) Rotary Club- & Cayman National Bank- Funded Government High Schools
CI$100 per student (registration fee)
Includes flights, room, 3 meals a day, pick-up and return to Little Cayman Airport, and associated activities at LCRC. However, each student must pay a CI$100 registration fee.

REGISTRATION
Registration takes just a few steps:

1) CONTACT CCMI PROGRAM OFFICER
Contact the CCMI Program Officer to arrange eco-weekend dates and discuss details. If you are a student and would like to participate, please ask one of your teachers to contact us. If you are a teacher, please contact:

2) FILL OUT REQUIRED FORMS & WAIVERS

Registration is coordinated by the sponsoring teacher who will collect the forms and waivers filled out by each student and send them to CCMI Program Officer. Each participant is required to complete the following:
(a) Eco-Weekend Registration Form (PDF)
(b) Combined Waiver (PDF) - All LCRC Visitors
(c) Emergency Information and Medical Statement (PDF) - All LCRC Visitors
Please note:
Each participant must completely fill out and sign all forms.
A parent or guardian must sign the forms & waivers in addition to the student.
The signing must be witnessed by someone other than the signing parties.
All forms and waivers should be handed into the sponsoring teacher and CCMI no later than ONE MONTH before the scheduled eco-weekend. Failure to meet this deadline will jeopardize a participant's ability to attend. At this time, please also send in all payments with your mailed documents (see below).

3) MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Make travel arrangements to Little Cayman:

(a) Cayman Airways
Cayman Airways operates several short-hop flights between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac & Little Cayman daily.

(b) FAQs
See our FAQs for frequently asked questions and further travel information.

PAYMENT
All fees should be handed into the teacher sponsoring the eco-weekend along with the completed forms and waivers. Checks should be made payable to the 'Central Caribbean Marine Institute'.

The sponsoring teacher will forward all forms, waivers and fees to CCMI. Please mail all correspondence to:

Thank you.