Saving Lives through Youth Guidance & Development

At the Boys & Girls Clubs we strive to give our youth experiences they normally wouldn’t get the chance to do.  Recently 42 enthusiastic and inquisitive members had the chance attend ZooSnooze, a special overnighter at the Oregon Zoo. The ZooSnooze is a unique wildlife experience where youth who would not normally have the opportunity to visit the zoo are able to spend the night and experience an exclusive, behind-the-scenes evening around inhabitants of the zoo.

Youth were split into small groups, each led by an Oregon Zoo tour guide, and toured several facilities that are usually restricted to zoo staff.  They visited the reptiles, learning about different reptilian species and had the chance to meet and pet a corn snake and a turtle.

Next they viewed the kitchen area where animal foods are stored and prepared and learned about the varying diets of the zoo inhabitants.

Another behind-the-scenes section they had the chance to explore was the animal hospital.  Members were able to get a glimpse of the medical lab and view any x-rays currently on display. They were shown a few special scientific preservations, including a monkey brain and the eye of a rhinosaurus!

The evening wrapped up by viewing a motion picture of enrichment efforts in the Oregon Zoo, and activities used to stimulate the mind and body of each unique animal. These enrichment activities followed into the next morning, as they woke to witness two slender cheetahs receiving their breakfast through a series of challenges.  After that they made rounds to another medical facility at the zoo, a heated incubation room, where they were able visit newborn turtles barely the size of a pinky finger.

Throughout the event, members absorbed their surroundings and marveled at new information and discoveries. They posed challenging questions about the animals and held meaningful discussions with staff and one another. The ZooSnooze was an exciting time of an enriching scientific experience for members.

For the past two years, 24 members of the Inukai Boys & Girls Club in Hillsboro, Ore. have participated in the Sea Research Foundation’s Immersion Mentoring Program.  The Immersion Learning Program, founded in 2002 by Dr. Robert Ballard (discovered the Titanic and Bismarck), is an evidenced-based, small-group mentoring program that actively engages at-risk mentees ages 9 to 13 through weekly hands-on ocean science activities.

Whale watching, Sea Lion shows, and a real boat expedition are just a few of the activities Juan and Thurston from the Inukai Boys & Girls Club experienced at the 2015 Camp Hercules Immersion program in Mystic, Connecticut this July.

Camp Hercules invited Boys & Girls Club members from across the country to participate in a 2 1/2 day science and technology mentoring camp. The camp featured fun team building activities, ocean science education experiences, and sea explorations with Club Staff­ mentors and fellow mentees.

All youth had the opportunity to meet a beluga whale, take a ride on the Save the Bay Marine Science boat, get lost in the Ocean Exploration Center, check out the Mystic Aquarium, interact with real scientists, as well as meet other Boys & Girls Club youth from across the country.

Juan and Thurston were selected to attend Camp Hercules based on enthusiasm and accomplishments in the Sea Immersion program, a year-round, nation-wide science and marine biology program that is offered weekly at our Inukai Club in Hillsboro. The program teaches youth about marine biology and ocean science in a hands-on environment through innovative curriculum and field trips. The program is open to all Inukai Boys & Girls Club members grades 4th grade and up free of charge.