Community Engagement
- UVI In the Community
- Research & Public Service (RPS)
- Alliance for Responsive Investment in Children’s Health: Virgin Islands (A RICH VI)
- Agricultural Experiment Station (AES)
- Center for the Study of Spirituality & Professionalism (CSAP)
- Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center
- Caribbean Exploratory Research Center (CERC)
- Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
- Cybersecurity Program & Activities
- Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) Programs
- Etelman Observatory
- Institute for Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness (ILOE)
- Office of Self Determination and Constitutional Development
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- Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- St. John Academic Center
- Summer Programs
- The Caribbean Writer
- VI-EPSCoR
- VI Writing Project
- Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS)
- Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS)
- Goal and Objectives
- St Croix
- St. Thomas & St. John
- Virgin Islands Water Quality Education Program
- Coastweeks
- Coastweeks Coordinator Data Form
- Environmental Learning Outside the Classroom
- Environmental Learning Outside the Classroom Inquiry Application
- Reef Fest
- VIMAS Swimming and Scuba Program
- Youth Ocean Explorers (St. Thomas)
- Youth Ocean Explorers St. Croix
- Junior Ocean Explorers
- Citizen Science
- USVI Glass Recovery
- Sea Walls
- Mangrove Restoration Project
- Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD)
- WUVI Student Radio Station
- Community Service Photos
- Caribbean Film & Artistic Cinematic Festival (CF&AVF)
Youth Ocean Explorers Youth Ocean Explorers St. Croix
YOE students engage in a variety of field experiences.
YOE students learn the importance of making observations.
YOE students gain an appreciation for both land and sea.
YOE students exploring our unique marine habitats.
-ABOUT US-
The Youth Ocean Explorers (YOE) Summer Program, which started in 2015, is a 4-week, hands-on marine science program for middle to high school-aged students interested in exploring our oceans. YOE utilizes best practices in science education and youth development to provide a fun, unique and educational experience for students in grades 7-12. Each week, our team of informal science educators and youth mentors engage students on various topics such as animal and plant identification, careers in marine science, and environmental impacts to natural resources. Students can also earn their PADI open water scuba certification from the Coki Dive Center and Cane Bay Dive Shop which helps to further their love for the ocean! Dive in and join our Youth Ocean Explorers family today!
-YOE TEAM-
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Howard Forbes Jr., MSc.
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Jarvon Stout (Program Coordinator) |
| Howard Forbes Jr. currently serves as the St. Thomas Coordinator for the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS). "YOE is one of the many programs I enjoy coordinating that helps to connect our Virgin Island's youth with the ocean." |
Jarvon Stout currently serves as the Community Engagement Specialist for the Virgin Islands Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR). "I love that this program creates access to the types of ecosystems, research, and STEM professionals that the students otherwise would not have exposure to." |
-YOE MEDIA-
- 2022 FLYER - Click the previous link to download the 2022 YOE flyer and share.
- NEWS - Youth Ocean Explorers Did Not Let COVID-19 Stop Them from Learning (VI Source).
- NEWS - National Summer Learning Association fellowship award to support YOE 2021 (VI Source).
- NEWS - YOE students help to fight coral disease outbreak (VI Source).
- MEDIA COVERAGE - CBS USVI news story on the YOE 2021 Summer Program.
-PROGRAM QUICK FACTS-
| What age is my child eligible to participate? | The YOE Summer Program operates by grade level. Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to apply. |
| Should my child be a strong swimmer to be selected to participate? | Students should have some comfortability in the water as many of the program's lessons will be conducted in or near water. |
| Are non-VI residents eligible to apply? | Yes, non-VI residents are eligible to apply; however, first preference is given to VI residents. |
| Is this an overnight program? | No. The YOE Summer Program operates as a day program and thus housing is not provided. |
| What is the current structure of the program? | During the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure public safety, YOE operates on a half-day basis with 3 days virtual (M, W, and F for 1 hour / 9am - 10am) and 2 days in person (T and R for 3 hours / 9am - 12pm). |
| How much does this program cost? | The YOE Summer Program charges a one-time program fee for selected applicants of $400 (this amount can vary by year and funding support received). Scholarships are provided. |
| When can I register for this program? | The registration application for the YOE Summer Program opens each year on the 1st of January and closes on May 1. |
| Are there any similar marine science based programs for younger children? | Yes. Our team also facilitates the Junior Ocean Explorers Summer Program for students in grades 3-6. Log on to vimas.uvi.edu for more information on this program. |
-REGISTRATION INFORMATION-
IMPORTANT DATES - REGISTRATION CLOSED
- May 1, 2022 - Registation closes
- July 11, 2022 - Program starts
- August 5, 2022 - Program ends
STEP 1: Complete the online application for the program you are interested in.
STEP 2: Child completes the following documents:
STEP 3: Apply for a scholarship to cover your registration and scuba certification costs. Please note that scholarships are only provided to USVI residents.
STEP 4: Review checklist; your application is only complete until all of the following have been received:
- Completed online application (Done by parent or legal guardian)
- Completed student application (Done by child)
- Completed video response (Last question found in the student application; all videos should be uploaded to this DROPBOX folder as the file will more than likely be too large to send through E-mail. Please be sure to rename the video file as follows: Student first name_Student last name_YOE2022; e.g. Howard_ForbesJr._YOE2022).
- E-mailed a copy of child's current insurance policy (if insured) and child's vaccination card (if currently vaccinated against COVID-19).
-REGISTRATION FOR MENTORS-
To be eligible for a mentorship position in the Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program, the applicant should have participated in the program previously and be at the high school level (grades 9-12). Mentors are paid a monetary stipend for their assistance with the YOE Summer Program.
Click on the application button below to register for mentorship position for the 2022 YOE Summer Program.
-PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP-
Our program operates each year via small grants from private foundations and federal agencies as well as donations (monetary or in kind services) from the Virgin Islands community. Your funding could support the registration costs for a student or covering their scuba diving course fees. If you are interested in providing a donation or to sponsor a student to attend, you can donate to the program by clicking the "Donate" button below; from the dropdown menu, select "Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program" to make your donation. The University of the Virgin Islands is a 501c3 institution so all donations are tax deductible.
-CONTACT US- 
Office Phone: St. Thomas (340) 693-1672
E-mail: St. Thomas (howard.forbes@live.uvi.edu)
Website: http://vimas.uvi.edu
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Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service
Center for Marine and Environmental Studies
University of the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas
#2 John Brewers Bay
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
Registration information
How to Apply
-REGISTRATION FOR NEW OR RETURNING STUDENTS-
STEP 1: Complete the online application for the program you are interested in.
STEP 2: Child completes the following documents:
STEP 3: Review checklist; your application is only complete until all of the following have been received:
- Completed online application (Done by parent or legal guardian)
- Completed student application (Done by child)
- Completed video response (Last question found in the student application; all videos should be uploaded to this DROPBOX folder as the file will more than likely be too large to send through E-mail. Please be sure to rename the video file as follows: Student first name_Student last name_YOE2021; e.g. Howard_ForbesJr._YOE2021).
STEP 4: Check the E-mail address that you provided with your application regularly as all initial correspondence will be done through E-mail regarding your application status and program updates.
STEP 5 (Optional): Apply for a scholarship.
Selected applicants will be required to pay the one-time program fee of $400 no later than 1-week prior to the start date of the program. Cash, check, and credit card payments are accepted; contact howard.forbes@live.uvi.edu for more details. Scholarships are provided each year for local students (returning students are eligible for partial scholarships whereas new students are eligible for full scholarships). Students that receive scholarships will be required to participate in at least three VIMAS or VI-EPSCoR outreach/community events within one year upon receipt of the scholarship. Applicants interested in receiving a scholarship should apply by clicking the "Scholarship Application" button below.
-REGISTRATION FOR MENTORS-
To be eligible for a mentorship position in the Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program, the applicant should have participated in the program previously and be at the high school level (grades 9-12). Selected mentors will be required to complete either the Red Cross Life guard training or Emergency First Responder training (costs covered by the YOE Summer Program) as well as attend a week-long training session that includes the Junior Ocean Explorers Summer Program prior to the facilitation of these programs. Mentors are paid a monetary stipend for their assistance with the YOE Summer Program.
