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Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC)
The Essentials
- Age Range: 16-20
- Camp Term: Summer
- Camp Time Slot: All Day
- Camp Type(s): Art & Educational, Mixed Activities
About
The Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC), for young Caymanians age 16 to 20. A great opportunity for students who are interested in working in watersports or marine conservation: it includes dive training up to PADI Rescue Diver (May-August) followed by a week at CCMI in August (conservation lectures, marine survey practice, job interview practice, career talks from Caymanians working in conservation...).
Places for this program are fully-funded for successful applicants.
Annual Camp Details
CCMI’s Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC) provides an opportunity for local students ages 16-20 to carve their pathway into the water sports industry and marine sciences. YELC participants complete PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue Diver certifications*, and they attend a one-week intensive, hands-on experience with CCMI’s education and research staff at the Little Cayman Research Centre. Students work on field projects as well as learn to use instruments and equipment to broaden their horizons with skills and experiences applicable to the workplace. Students also take part in night dives, lionfish dissections, CV workshops, mock job interviews, and assist with CCMI’s ongoing research.
This programme works to build skilled and enthusiastic environmental ambassadors. Students are exposed to the breadth of opportunities in the marine industry, and as a result, they make important connections for employment and internships. Local businesses that may be involved in the programme include Go Pro Diving, DiveTech, Cayman Eco Divers Foundation, The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, The National Trust of the Cayman Islands, Shark Conservation Cayman, Plastic Free Cayman, Red Sail Sports, Ocean Frontiers, ProYacht, Spinion, Cayman Kayaks, and government agencies and educational institutions include the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, John Gray High School, Clifton Hunter High School, the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), and the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC). The YELC programme bridges an important gap for local students that do not have access to post-school education in the Cayman Islands, breaking down financial and educational barriers.
*Dive training is typically conducted on Saturdays with Divetech on Grand Cayman
- Dates: Deadline: 25th April, Interviews: Week of May 5th, Dive Training Grand Cayman: 21st May-8th August, Little Cayman Residential Experience: 10th-16th August
