Teenagers from around Ohio participated in hands-on learning about aquatic science on Lake Erie this summer, in part thanks to the extension efforts of Ohio Sea Grant.
At this year’s Ohio 4-H Sea Camp, which took place on Kelleys Island in July, youth ages 14-17 took part in a variety of Lake Erie-based activities, including fishing and water recreation. Tory Gabriel, Ohio Sea Grant extension program leader, served on the camp’s leadership team and helped teach kids about lake science.
Tory Gabriel, Ohio Sea Grant extension program leader, helped teens learn about aquatic scicence on Lake Erie at the 2024 Ohio 4-H Sea Camp.
“It’s really an introduction for a lot of these kids,” Gabriel said. “A lot of them have never even seen Lake Erie before. Seeing kids have their initial experiences on the lake, and just how rewarding that is for them, makes it super rewarding for us as a camp staff.”
The annual camp, directed by Ohio 4-H Youth Development, has a 40-year history of engaging youth: it was started in 1984 by Ohio Sea Grant and Ohio 4-H extension staff, including former Ohio Sea Grant extension specialist Dave Kelch. Today, teens who attend the camp gain an understanding of water recreation safety as well as lifelong skills fostered through water-based activities.
“Sea Camp is such a unique opportunity for youth across Ohio, many of whom have not had the opportunity to experience all that Lake Erie has to offer,” said Jenny Strickler, an Ohio 4-H extension educator who led this year’s camp. “Youth learn about career opportunities, safe boating practices, aquatic biology and more while participating in a variety of recreational watersport activities. They also have the chance to learn about and explore the history and unique aspects of Kelleys Island.”
At the camp, kids participated in a variety of activities, including fishing, boating, fossil hunting, and more.
This year, attendees spent five days on Kelleys Island with a full schedule of activities, starting with a waterfront orientation where they learned about different kinds of boats, basic knots, lure-making, and sun safety, Gabriel said. Over the next two days, they participated in different sessions focusing on personal watercraft, navigation skills, fishing techniques, geology, fossils, and more.
“I teach the aquatic science part of that, so I take them down to the lake to learn about Lake Erie’s food web and critical issues,” Gabriel said. “Then we use seines, dip nets, microscopes, and all kinds of fun stuff to get them really hands-on with sampling the aquatic environment.”
Students interacted with a number of experts from different Ohio agencies, including Ohio Sea Grant and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Sarah Orlando, Ohio Sea Grant extension educator who oversees the Ohio Clean Marinas Porgram, spoke with students about maritime career opportunities.
“The partnerships with so many experts from Ohio Sea Grant, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Spirit of America and more make it truly one of the most outstanding waterfront experiences for youth available,” Strickler said.
In the evenings, campers got to participate in additional activities such as kayaking.
On the fourth day of the camp, kids spend the whole day participating in an “adventure” activity, such as charter boat fishing or kayak fishing. Gabriel helped students learn how to catch and process walleye, and some students even helped in the kitchen to prepare for a fish bake.
“A lot of times, kids are catching their first fish, and that’s always super exciting,” Gabriel said. “It’s awesome to help teens, who are learning new hobbies, experience the different things that Lake Erie has to offer. It’s good timing to get them out on the water and let them see what’s going on and what’s possible.”
Near the end of their time in the island, students participated in different group competitions, such as a cardboard boat race and a contest to see who can build the most seaworthy boat based on the camp’s lessons.
For more information about the program, visit Ohio 4-H Sea Camp’s website or contact Strickler at strickler.60@osu.edu. Students interested in attending next year’s camp are encouraged to apply, and camper registration will start on March 1, 2025.
Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nation-wide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and is the research, education, and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and part of CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources.