Kids from Santa Ana schools were treated to several days at Crystal Cove State Park during the annual Camp Cove.
More than 65 kids learned about nature, local plants and animals and ocean safety.
Campers touch a western toad during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors program brought several animals for kids to see and touch. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids look through binoculars during a bird walk at Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The camp brings kids from Santa Ana schools to learn about nature and ocean safety and to have fun. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Campers play a game during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Similar to beach flags campers had to retrieve tennis balls that were thrown into the surf. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Teresa Garcia holds “Kevin Owlexander”, a great horned owl during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors program brought several animals for students to see and touch. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Georges Edouard, Education Coordinator with the Crystal Cove Conservancy, talks to students about plants and birds during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jesse Perez-Razo, Lead Education Specialist with the Crystal Cove Conservancy, shows students the birds they will be looking for while playing bird bingo at Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students check out a western toad during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors program brought several animals for students to see and touch. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Campers run from the waves during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dylan Amaro plays a game of beach flags with his fellow campers during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Campers touch a western toad during Camp Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors program brought several animals for kids to see and touch. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Inside the Outdoors, a program of the Orange County Department of Education, brought live millipedes, toads, snakes and a great horned owl to show and educate the campers.
“Oftentimes, these kids have never been to the beach or a park like this,” said Danielle Snyder, supervisor at Crystal Cove State Park. “So we want them to understand that there’s a lot outside of their community and they can come and explore and discover new things.”
The camp is a partnership between the Santa Ana Police Athletic and Activity League, California State Parks and The Crystal Cove Conservancy.
The police league offers after-school programs year-round that offer students help with homework, physical fitness training, exposure to culture and the arts and intramural sports.
Kids that participate in the programs are eligible to apply for Camp Cove.
“One of our mottos is ‘Learning is forever, fitness is forever,’” said Dario Gaitan, assistant director of the Santa Ana Police Athletic and Activity League, “and I’m hoping that continues from generation to generation.”
