Pa’Ti Mar Reefcrew:

Summer Youth Coral Apprenticeship

Real Science. Real Skills. Real Impact.

Our Reefcrew Coral Apprenticeship is a hands-on conservation program designed for youth who want to learn real coral restoration skills while supporting San Juan’s first land-based coral nursery.

This program goes way beyond a typical summer camp. Attendees work directly with Pa’Ti Mar staff to learn the science behind corals, how our nursery operates, and what it takes to maintain and restore a living reef.

Participants will leave with real technical skills, leadership experience, and a deeper connection to the ocean they love.

Ages: 12-14 years old 

Dates: 
June 22nd- 26th
June 29th- July 3rd
9:00 am-3:00 pm
$600/week

What’s Included

  • All materials and equipment

  • Pa’Ti Mar apprentice workbook

  • Coral restoration skills training

  • Snorkel day (weather permitting)

  • Pa’Ti Mar T-shirt

  • End-of-program certificate

Requirements

  • Ages 12–14

  • Ability to focus, follow instructions, and handle tools safely

  • Must be comfortable in and around water

  • No previous science experience needed

Hands on Daily Activities

  • Daily coral nursery maintenance tasks

  • Learn to care for Elkhorn & Mountainous Star corals

  • Track coral growth using data sheets

  • Clean tanks, remove algae, prep tools

  • Shadow Pa’Ti Mar’s restoration team

  • Interactive lessons on marine biology

  • Snorkeling days to observe the reef (weather-dependent)

Skills Teens Will Gain

  • Beginner coral technician skills

  • Understanding of the Blue Economy & conservation careers

  • How to collect and interpret basic data

  • Teamwork + responsibility

  • Leadership in environmental stewardship

  • Scientific observation techniques

Daily Schedule (Sample)

9:00–9:30 – Morning check-in & briefing
9:30–11:00 – Coral nursery tasks (cleaning, care, tracking)
11:00–12:00 – Marine biology + restoration lesson
12:00–1:00 – Lunch break
1:00–2:00 – Skill workshop (water testing, species ID, tools)
2:00–3:00 – Reflection, data entry, leadership activities
3:00 – Pick-up

What Youth Will Learn

  • How coral fragments are grown in tanks

  • water quality testing and monitoring

  • How to clean and maintain coral tanks

  • coral health assessments

  • Algae removal techniques

  • Ocean threats + local reef ecology

  • Coral outplanting steps

  • Community stewardship &l leadership skills

  • Safety & scientific protocols used in real facilities