December 2010 - From Camper to Intern

Raul Oliva, a senior at Stamford High School, works after-school as an intern at the SoundWaters Center at Cove Island Park. The 17-year-old is quite adept at slicing and dicing sea food for hungry creatures in the SoundWaters aquarium tanks. But he still remembers when he first learned about marine life and Long Island Sound: "It was here," he said, "at a camp for little kids."

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He is one of a growing number of students, selected by their teachers, who are gaining real-life, paid work experience, along with job skills and personal responsibility through our Sound Interns program. Raul feeds crabs, fish and terrapins, cleans and maintains tanks, assists educators, engages adults and children at the touch tank, and moves tables, chairs and whatever else is needed. He likes his job so much, he recruited his cousin, Roberto Lopez, to sign up.

Raul's connection to SoundWaters is extensive, beginning with a visit by educators to his elementary school classroom, then reinforced through summer camp and after-school programs that feature outdoor field study activities. "I learned everything from SoundWaters," he said, without prompting. "I didn't know anything before that."

Raul, his parents and two siblings live close to Cove Island Park, where barbeques and beach walks are part of family life. "When I was younger, it was interesting to see the different animals, but I didn't know what they were," he said. "Sometimes we'd see the shells of horseshoe crabs, and I was scared."

Not any more. These days he is equipped to tell his family what he learned. "I kind of taught them about marine life," he said. Better yet, "I learned some stuff at SoundWaters that we go over at school." In science class, for example, when the subject turns to topics such as the turbidity of water, "I can easily raise my hand," he said. "SoundWaters helps me in school."

When asked about his future plans, Raul said he wanted to do something with sports and business. "But I'll be back," he promised. "I'll come back and help volunteer and teach little kids what I've learned."

Regards,

Leigh Shemitz, Ph.D.
Executive Director
SoundWaters