ST. LOUIS, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Camp can inspire, motivate and create
memories that last a lifetime. Every camper has a story about a counselor, an
experience, or a moment when they realized what they wanted to be in life,
discovered something about themselves or learned a fact they never knew
before.
At SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Adventure Camps, participants often report
that up-close animal encounters are what they enjoy the most. Park guests see
animals in the shows, but campers get to care for, study and interact with
these fascinating creatures.
For some participants, the camp experience goes beyond just a great
memory, becoming the inspiration for a lifelong appreciation for wildlife, or
maybe even a career in animal science. In fact, more than 150 past campers
are now employed in the zoological departments of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
adventure parks.
Many of these campers are young women defying the perception that females
show less aptitude for science. On the contrary, they not only have the
interest and aptitude, but in some program sessions, they outnumber male
campers as much as three to one.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
What is it about SeaWorld and Busch Gardens camps that inspire young
people, especially girls, to become interested in science?
"Because they see that they can," says SeaWorld San Diego Director of
Education Joy Wolf. "It's empowering for young girls to be given hands-on
experience and to be around animals that in the past, they've only read
about."
Recent research (2004) by the Roper ASW organization showed a remarkable 9
in 10 Americans believe that a summer camp featuring hands-on experiences with
animals is likely to inspire a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the
environment. Because wildlife conservation and environmental awareness are
key themes woven throughout all SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Adventure Camp
programs, campers leave with not only a heightened awareness of the natural
world around them, but also with concrete ways they themselves can make a
difference.
"Teenage girls especially benefit from this type of camp program because
it helps them build confidence and develop a sense of self at an age when
social pressures can confuse and hinder a young woman," says Lonnie Carton,
Ph.D., family therapist and education consultant. "With a solid foundation of
self-esteem in place -- and the opportunity to work with and learn from female
role models in science -- these young girls are better equipped to make the
right choices in life, and to pursue their dreams, which could include a
career in science."
The amazing experience at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens camps is like nowhere
else in the world. But it's not all glamorous.
"Girls love dolphins, we know that," says SeaWorld San Antonio Director of
Education Ann Quinn. "So they come to Career Camp, and there is this elation
of being around the animals they love. But they also find out what hard work
it is, what kind of dedication it takes. They get a glimpse of what this
career would really be like."
Career Campers at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks work side by side with
animal care specialists, trainers and in some cases, veterinary staff and
researchers. Science education ranges from animal training and behavioral
science, to anatomy and physiology, to animal enrichment and animal husbandry.
"Students of all ages are captivated by the experience they get behind the
scenes at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens camps," says Carolyn Randolph, Ph.D.,
past president of the National Science Teachers Association. "Whether it's
preparing environmental enrichment devices for a polar bear, cleaning an
orangutan habitat or swimming with dolphins, the curriculum is not only in
alignment with National Science Education Standards, it's also perfectly
suited toward young campers' interests."
CAMP ALUMNAE
Lindsey Gandy, who is part of SeaWorld San Diego's Animal Interaction
Team, knew she wanted to work with animals when she was 14 years old.
"I was actually visiting SeaWorld San Antonio when I overheard someone
talking about this great camp for kids," says Gandy, who immediately signed up
for Career Camp that summer. After that, "I was hooked and I kept going
back," she says. After three years of Career Camp, Gandy worked as a camp
counselor at SeaWorld San Antonio while attending Texas A&M University in
Galveston. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, Gandy got a
job as an associate trainer at SeaWorld San Diego. While she enjoys working
with birds and otters, Gandy has set her sights on one of the most high-
profile, sought-after jobs in the world: killer whale trainer. "Killer
whales are the ultimate," she says.
Maria Kasper, who works with primates at Myombe Reserve at Busch Gardens
Tampa Bay, also started as a Career Camper at SeaWorld San Antonio. She
attended three years of Career Camp and then worked as a counselor in the
summer of 2001 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The following summer, she went
back to SeaWorld San Antonio and served as a counselor for the Career Camp
program there.
"That was a wonderful experience because I was able to work alongside many
of the trainers that had been there years before when I was a camper. Plus, I
was able to gain a perspective of working with marine mammals vs. terrestrial
animals."
The following summer, after graduating from Southwestern University in
Georgetown, Texas with a degree in animal behavior, Kasper returned to work as
a counselor at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, another step toward her goal. After
eight months of hard work and proving herself, Kasper got her dream job:
working with the primates in Myombe Reserve, an exhibit featuring endangered
gorillas and chimpanzees. "I have been here for almost two years and I am
still loving every moment of it."
Nicole Olson, a trainer at SeaWorld San Antonio, figured out in high
school that camp would be her ticket to a career in animal training.
"I had done a lot of research, looking for ways to get involved with
marine animals." Olson attended three years of Career Camp at SeaWorld San
Antonio during high school and between semesters at Drew University in
Madison, New Jersey. She was then hired as an apprentice at the park's Shamu
Stadium and eventually got a job at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Fla. working
with dolphins and small land mammals for two years. Next, she transferred to
the Viva! show at SeaWorld San Antonio (working with beluga whales and Pacific
white-sided dolphins) before landing her current job as a trainer at "The
Cannery Row Caper," a sea lion, otter and walrus show, also at SeaWorld San
Antonio.
Camp was a big part of Olson's preparation and inspiration for becoming a
trainer. "It allows you to be more focused, to find out which area you'd like
to concentrate on," she says. Olson would like to study the effects of global
warming on coral reefs and plans to pursue a graduate degree in marine
science.
ROLE MODELS
Many of the top educators, trainers, veterinarians, and animal care
specialists at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks are women.
At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Lisa Harris is an assistant curator in the
mammal section of the zoo department. She is responsible for the primates
throughout the park, as well as the carnivores found in the Edge of Africa and
Claw Island habitats. Another female role model at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is
Laura Wittish, assistant curator of birds and reptiles. Wittish, who holds a
Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University in Toledo, Ohio
has worked with killer whales, dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions, walruses,
otters and a wide variety of bird species throughout her 23-year career with
the family of SeaWorld parks.
Based at SeaWorld San Diego is senior veterinarian Dr. Judy St. Leger, who
is responsible for diagnostic evaluations investigating illness in animals for
all of the SeaWorld parks, Discovery Cove in Orlando, Fla. and Busch Gardens
in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Dr. Beth Chittick, senior veterinarian at SeaWorld Orlando, oversees the
health and well-being of all the animals at SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery
Cove. In addition to diagnosis, treatment, research, preventative medical
programs and nutrition, Chittick also disseminates information from scientific
meetings and publications to help educate the animal staff in areas of health
and husbandry.
At Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, a nonprofit marine research
organization based in San Diego and Orlando, a number of the top researchers
are women, including Dr. Ann Bowles, senior research biologist at the San
Diego facility. Bowles has spent more than two decades studying the effects
of human-made noise and disturbance on a wide range of species, including
seals, sea lions, whales, birds, tortoises and sea turtles. Dr. Pamela
Yochem, also based at the San Diego facility, has been working with satellite-
linked instruments to document the migratory and foraging habits of a number
of marine mammals, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. The data
collected from this study may be key to the species' survival.
At the Florida location of Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, women are
leading the way in animal rescue research. Wendy Noke, who holds a master's
degree in biology, co-directs the HSWRI Marine Mammal Stranding Program in
Florida. Megan Stolen, who has been with Hubbs-SeaWorld since 1999, serves as
coordinator for stranded whales and dolphins along the beaches of east central
Florida.
"All of these scientists, educators, counselors, trainers and animal care
specialists are passionate about their work," says SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
Animal Ambassador Julie Scardina. "Through the camp programs, they get to
share that passion with thousands of young people each year, many of whom go
on to become scientists, veterinarians, field researchers, conservationists or
teachers. But regardless of what path they choose, every camper takes with
them a deep and lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the natural world."
Camp programs are offered to youth of all ages at SeaWorld parks in San
Diego, San Antonio and Orlando, Fla.; Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Fla; and
Discovery Cove in Orlando. For more information, visit
http://SWBG-AdventureCamps.com or call (866) GO-TO-CAMP.
SOURCE Busch Entertainment Corporation
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Related links:
http://SWBG-AdventureCamps.com
http://www.4adventure.com
CONTACT:
Fred Jacobs of Busch Entertainment
Corporation Public Relations, +1-314-613-6077
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