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About Oceans for Youth. -


Oceans For Youth FoundationConceived in 1998 and incorporated in 1999, Oceans for Youth Foundation is a non-profit foundation designed to encourage underwater education for youth. Using a variety of educational tools, the Foundation plans to implement specific programs that will help draw young people into being more aware and interested in the underwater environment.

The mission of Oceans for Youth: to promote awareness, understanding, leadership and appreciation for the marine environment through the development, promotion and distribution of educational materials, programs and other media directly to youth.

The primary goal: to interest and prepare youth for the joy and excitement of exploring and protecting the underwater world, utilizing educational institutions, teachers, parents and volunteers. It is the foundation's belief that a young person introduced early to the wonders of the oceans will naturally become much more environmentally aware and practice a lifelong attitude of ocean conservation and protection.

Board of Directors: Oceans for Youth Foundation is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors who have all had long and successful careers in the dive industry. It is the intent of the Board to share their interest and passion for the oceans with youth.

Wayne Hasson - President; Naples, Florida
Jewell Esposito - Secretary; Washington D.C.
Mark Young - Treasurer; Parkville, Missouri
Wayne Brown - Augusta, Georgia
Larry Speaker

Advisory Committee:

Jean-Michel Cousteau
Dr. Guy Harvey
Jerry Beatty
William Huisking
Davie Dunlevy
Ron Steven
Anne Hasson

Funding: Oceans for Youth Foundation is funded through grants, donations, fund raising events and income associated with royalties and licensing agreements for Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth (SASY) and adults (SASA). The SASY/SASA inventor, Wayne Hasson, donated the patent and trademark rights to the Oceans for Youth Foundation. Currently there are no plans to have organizational overhead, all accomplishments have been completed by volunteers, directors and committees.

Accomplishments:

* DVD Production, Marine Life Series, Part One
* "Isles Under The Sea" Patrons Dinner and Auctions
* Underwater Film Festivals, Gulf Coast High School
* Marine Poster/Marine Art Contest
* Summer Aqua Camp, Collier County YMCA
* Galapagos Kid's/Family Week
* Bay Islands Kid's/Teen Camp
* Cayman Islands Kid's Training Camp
* Production Galapagos Family Video
* Production Belize Family Video
* Production Silver Bank "Humpback Whale Family Adventure"
* Recognized PADI SASY Certification Program
* "Try Scuba" Events nationwide for the past 7 years, participation & funding with DEMA
* Youth Presentations by volunteers, reaching over 250,000 to date.
* Created volunteer base for school presentations, over 3000 worldwide.
* Creation of Oceans for Youth Web site www.oceansforyouth.org
* Anual Marine / Oceans Career Fair, Naples Florida

Goals and Objectives:

* DVD Production, Marine Life Series, Part Two
* Kids Summer Camp Kids 6-10 centered around water skills
* Teen Scuba Camp, training and preparation for employment in the dive industry
* High School Assembly Programs - Marine Environment Protection & Preservation
* Enhance Scholarship Fund
* Establish Mentoring Program for the Dive Industry
* Develop Youth Internship Program
* Marine Science Summer Camp Kids 11-17
* Summer Camps utilizing Jean Michele Cousteau's Reef Ambassadors Program
* Marine Art and Music Festival, Naples Florida
* Increase awareness by using dive retail stores to make local presentations
* Summer Camp 2005 for the Cognitively Impaired, Little Cayman B.W.I.

Who may underwrite and sponsor an Oceans for Youth standardized educational presentation or otherwise summer program for youth?

* Charitable Foundations
* Community Organizations
* Individual Donors & Sponsors
* Anonymous Sponsorships Available

Funding Information