Ocean Heroes Bootcamp
Ocean Heroes Bootcamp empowers existing and emerging youth leaders to create their own campaigns to take action against ocean plastic pollution. This 3 day bootcamp in British Columbia happens every summer and was conceived by Captain Planet Foundation and Lonely Whale with the goal of empowering the next generation of ocean health leaders. The bootcamp educates the participants, helps them with idea incubation for their campaign against ocean plastic pollution, assists them in putting materials together and an action plan, and supports them in bringing that campaign to life when they get back home.
How do I get started? Sign up for updates on the Ocean Heroes website and apply when the applications open.
How much time will this take? This is a high time commitment. Getting involved will require attending the 3 day bootcamp and then coming home and executing on your campaign.
How do I expand this narrative arc? If environmental research and ocean health is your narrative arc, consider building on this interest with one of the following:
Participate in a quick citizen science project that revolves around the environment or sustainability like The Big Microplastic Survey
Physically build and deploy satellite-tracked Student Drifters that track ocean currents and validate ocean models.
Apply for a grant from the Captain Planet Foundation for your own ocean related project.
You could also pivot to a community beach clean and organize a clean up of an area of beach near you.
Running a “Ban the Plastic” campaign in your school or town is also a great idea. See this organization for step by step instructions on how to launch such a campaign.
attend an incredible 6 week program at the Cooper Union in New York to develop plastic-eating bacteria.This is an enormous time commitment but a hugely impressive project to become involved with. Worth it!
HOT TIP: Ideally you should complement this project with all of the above suggestions, but if time is tight, then focus on the citizen science projects and the Student Drifters and make sure to complete your local Ocean Plastic Pollution campaign. Please note that the leadership component of this program is only useful when paired with a subsequent project with strong leadership aspects.