Cultivating Baja Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow

Recently, we had the chance to take the Aventurero kids out on a panga to swim with whale sharks, thanks to some friends who invited us along. And let me tell you, eight-year-old Keylor came READY.

Before even stepping onto the boat, Keylor showed up with his whistle in hand. When I asked him about it, he explained, “I came prepared in case I fall into the water.” 

He was clearly ready for an adventure, but I’m not sure he knew just how big that adventure was about to be.

Once we were out on the water, Keylor told me he thought we were just going for a boat ride. He had never seen a whale shark before, let alone swum with one! When I asked if he wanted to get in the water, he admitted he wasn’t ready. The whale shark was HUGE, and he was scared.

So, we waited.

He watched as several of his friends slipped into the water, but Keylor needed a little more time. And that was okay. There was no rush.

Then, finally, he decided to give it a try.

The moment he saw the whale shark for the first time, he turned toward me, absolutely bursting with excitement, and shouted, “I SAW IT! I SAW IT!” We went back in the water again, and he got to see it one more time.

But as incredible as it was to watch Keylor swim with a whale shark, that wasn't the part of the experience that stayed with me the most. It was what he said afterward.

Keylor told me that even though he had been scared, he realized he could do new things even when he felt afraid.

Let that sink in for a moment. An eight-year-old, after facing his fear and experiencing something entirely new, had discovered something pretty powerful about himself.

As adults, we often convince ourselves that we need to feel confident, be fully prepared, or know exactly what to expect before trying something new. But sometimes, we don't discover what we're capable of until we give ourselves the chance to try.

Now, every time I see Keylor, he asks when we're going on the next panga trip to see the whale sharks. I have a feeling that whistle will be coming along, too!

This is what Aventureros is all about.

Here in Bahía de los Ángeles, we're surrounded by incredible wildlife and some of the most amazing natural experiences imaginable. It's easy to assume that growing up here means every child has had the opportunity to experience that nature up close. But that isn't always the case.

Aventureros helps change that. It's about giving local kids opportunities to explore their own backyard, connect with the natural world, try things they never thought they could do, and discover a little more about themselves along the way.

And sometimes, the lessons go both ways. We set out thinking we're going to teach the kids something about the ocean, and we come home reminded of something important ourselves.

Keylor went out expecting a boat ride. He came back with a whale shark story, a new adventure to look forward to, and the realization that being scared doesn't mean you can't do something amazing.

Thank you for supporting Aventureros and helping make experiences like this possible. Your support helps local kids build connections with the incredible environment around them, one adventure at a time. And who knows what they'll discover next?

Links:

• Discover more about the Aventureros