News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Stewardship and Education Specialist Daniel Moffatt is seen with a marine artifact that kids can learn about through the archaeology adventure summer program at the national marine sanctuary this summer.

ALPENA — Summer is a time for fun and exploration for kids in Northeast Michigan.

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is offering a number of ‘summer in the sanctuary’ programs for kids to keep them busy all summer long.

The programs include underwater robot academy, archeology adventure, sanctuary explorers, learn to snorkel, and ROV 101.

UNDERWATER ROBOT ACADEMY

The robot academy is a three day experience for middle school aged kids.

“They come and learn the basics of ROVs, remotely operated vehicles and do some basic electrical switches and some soldering and then they design and assemble a frame to put some propellers and propulsion to it,” Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Stewardship and Education Specialist Daniel Moffatt said.

Students will pilot their own designs to accomplish tasks in the Marine Technology Training Tank on the campus of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. On the final day, they will have the chance to compete to win prizes.

The camp will last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

ARCHAELOGY ADVENTURE

Join an archaeologist to learn more about shipwrecks through immersive activities, games, and creative projects in the archaeology adventure program.

“That focuses on marine or maritime archeology,” Moffatt said. “It’s a two day experience.”

The adventure lasts three hours each day and there is a morning and afternoon session. The morning session is for kids ages 8 years old to 10 years old and the afternoon session is for kids ages 11 years old to 13 years old.

“They learn kind of the basics of maritime archaeology, what it’s like to study artifacts and things that past cultures left behind in the water,” Moffatt said.

In that program the kids will have activities in the heritage center and go on a walk on the heritage trail.

SANCTUARY EXPLORERS

The sanctuary explorers program is a three-day experience for ages 11 years old to 13 years old with lunch and snacks provided.

“It’s about outdoor recreation opportunities within Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary,” Moffatt said. “We’re gonna partner with Alpena Kayak Tours, get them out on a kayak over a shipwreck near a lighthouse. We’re gonna go out to the North Point Nature Preserve and walk the shoreline and talk about that program.”

On the final day, participants will join a filmmaking workshop to create a one-minute documentary of their experience. Cameras and filmmaking equipment will be provided.

LEARN TO SNORKEL

Two sessions, each two hours long, will be conducted this summer for kids ages 8 years old to 12 years old to learn how to snorkel. Kids must already be proficient swimmers to participate.

“You’re coming and kind of learning the basics of snorkeling, some some masks, mask techniques, finning techniques, and how to go about and kind of look at some different things underwater,” Moffatt said. “We focus too on just having fun, becoming comfortable in the water.”

Through fun activities, games, and comprehensive instruction, participants will learn breathing techniques, mask defogging, and snorkel clearing. Topics will also include respect of the water and marine life and how to stay safe and alert while underwater.

ROV 101

The ROV 101 program is similar to the underwater robot academy but less intensive.

“We have these kits called ROV in a bag or ROV in a box…this is kind of more introductory…come in, put a kit together, drive around, play, and have fun,” Moffatt said.

Kids can be dropped off or come with their families for two hours and enjoy the experience. They will pilot their ROV through a series of tasks at the end of the two hours.

Kids ages 7 years old to 11 years old can participate.

Scholarships for each of the programs are available to anyone that has a need.

“Summer in the sanctuary is a time to get out and explore what Thunder Bay has to offer,” Moffatt said. “So as the water and the weather warms up, get out and about and explore your sanctuary, dive deeper. Get your hands dirty and your feet wet and learn something new!”

Visit https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/summer-programs/ to learn more about each of the summer programs.