Ocean Bridge connects Canadian youth from coast to coast to coast empowering them to make a difference towards ocean conservation. Each year 40 youth (ages 18-30) form a national team engaged in co-creating and delivering service projects for their home communities and two immersive expeditions addressing Ocean Health and Ocean Literacy in Canada.
Ocean Bridge is comprised of 3 key elements to support youth as they adopt a culture of service:
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Community & Capacity Building
Through regular video conference sessions and an interactive online environment, youth connect as a national team and with the broader community of ocean conservation. The team identifies priorities for their extended service expeditions working with members of the community they will be traveling to ensuring collaborative co-creation of their service projects. As individuals, youth receive weekly mentorship and coaching sessions from Ocean Wise educators and experts, building their capacity as ocean leaders in their home communities.
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Ocean Health Extended Service
During the spring, Ocean Bridge youth participate in a 10-day immersive wilderness expedition delivering a marine conservation service project of their design. The national team spends the months leading up to this extended service co-creating their project with the local community and each other. By living, working and reflecting as a team in an iconic natural setting, youth will develop social capital, respect for diversity and a heightened sense of responsibility and pride.
May 2018: Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
May 2019: Lake Superior, Ontario -
Ocean Literacy Extended Service
This immersive element brings the national Ocean Bridge team together in the fall at a leading nature connection institution in one of Canada’s most populous urban centres. During this 5-day urban expedition, Ocean Bridge youth deliver education outreach activities created by them to engage their peers in ocean conservation. Youth will share their skills and stories in their words and in ways that are meaningful to them.
October 2018: Vancouver Aquarium in Vancouver, British Columbia
October 2019: Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Ontario
Who can participate?
Each year Ocean Bridge recruits 40 youth 18-30 years old. The cohort participants are selected to represent the social, economic and geographic diversity of Canada. Whether you are from a rural land locked town, coastal urban city, northern community or anywhere else in between we want to hear from you! The program will cover travel expenses including transport, accommodation and meals for both extended service expeditions. Additional support is available to cover childcare during the extended service if necessary.
Want to sign up? Follow this link: http://bridge.ocean.org/