At Jones Beach State Park, a group of Hempstead students traded routine summer camp for marine exploration, according to the Cornell Chronicle. Wading into shallow waters, they hauled in silverside fish, green crabs, and even a blue crab, wide-eyed with discovery. The experience is part of an annual Marine Summer Field Trip Program reaching underserved youth across Nassau County.
The initiative, led by Cornell Cooperative Extension and New York Sea Grant, offers hands-on lessons in marine biology, sustainability, and water safety—many kids experiencing the ocean up close for the first time. Organizers say the camp also pushes back against Long Island’s legacy of unequal beach access.
By day’s end, kids were exploring whale exhibits, simulating rip currents in virtual reality, and dreaming of marine careers. One camper summed it up best: “It felt like a good day.”
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