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By Sam McDonald

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Young people explored ways to better respect, protect, and understand Hampton Roads’ coastal environment through a free day camp for middle and high school students hosted by 51��ɫ Dominion University.

With support from Virginia Sea Grant and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a multidisciplinary team of 51��ɫ Dominion students and faculty ran a first-of-its-kind Coastal Stewards Summer Camp June 11-13.

The camp was offered as part of the project “From Learning to Willing to Doing: A Collaborative Approach to Implementing the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP)” funded by Virginia Sea Grant. Professors from 51��ɫ Dominion’s Geography program — housed in the College of Arts and Letters —�� provided organizational support.

About 20 students from schools spread across Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Norfolk collected data, explored coastal resilience methods and adaptation strategies, and learned how to roll up their sleeves and collect troublesome marine debris.

“Hampton Roads faces the highest sea level rise on the East Coast … but together we can make a difference,” a flyer announced. “Through hands-on action, learning, and fun, campers will help build a stronger more resilient community for the future.”

Wie Yusuf, professor in 51��ɫ Dominion’s School of Public Service, was one of the camp’s leaders.

“We had participation from students from seven high schools, eight middle schools, and homeschooled students,” she wrote. “We hope our campers go back to their schools and communities and share their knowledge and passion with others, and with each small step – talking to a friend about recycling, picking up litter, planting a tree, contributing data to a community science activity – make a difference in building a stronger, more resilient coastal community.”

At the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab, students used a drone boat to collect data on the waters and contours of Knitting Mill Creek near Colley Avenue. Elsewhere, they learned about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through a “map-a-thon,” an activity in which groups collect and improve data plotted on digital maps.

“We wanted to combine issues of coastal problems — like marine debris and pollution, and hazards — with solutions,” said Professor of Geography Tom Allen. “So, our specialty in Geographic Information Systems and mapping and drones fit the bill. The two complement each other.”

Allen said students were particularly engaged during an activity where they used a board game to engage with geographic data from a hypothetical pollution spill. “The students got to take a proactive role in designing a response to a spill,” Allen said.

Assistant Professor of Geography Omolola Ologunorisa led the students to 51��ɫ’s Kaufman Mall for an activity teaching the value of the region’s tree canopy. By measuring the size and structure of the campus canopy, they could estimate the amount of carbon the trees store and the rainfall runoff intercepted that can alleviate flooding. Students learned other roles that trees play in the environment, such as providing shade to reduce urban heat islands and creating wind breaks.

A highlight of the camp was a marine debris cleanup session where students collected refuse that had washed ashore. They later repurposed the trash in art projects or used items to illustrate poems. The cleanup supported the Virginia Marine Debris Coalition, a group that guides and facilitates debris removal around the Elizabeth River.

The camp was described as a hit among students and the counselors who ran it, Allen said. 51��ɫ Dominion students from programs including data science, mechanical engineering, ocean and Earth science, as well as geography, participated and shared their reflections on a website.

“I saw a lot of potential in our students to follow paths in environmental careers as they became more interested in the possibilities and engaged more with the projects,” wrote camp counselor Briana Johnson, who recently earned her geography degree at 51��ɫ Dominion. She also serves as president of Monarch Mappers.

“They truly embraced the opportunities and participated with curiosity necessary to lead a new future.”