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URI Shark Camp sets sail week of July 17

Innovative program introduces high school students to marine sciences, college life

A SHARK CAMP PRIZE: Met School student Ariana Elysee holds up a dogfish, a member of the shark family, during URI's Shark Camp. URI photo by Hugh Markey

KINGSTON, R.I. – June 29, 2023 – The University of Rhode Island will hold its fourth annual shark camp the week of July 17. The program, devised by Professor of Biological Sciences Brad Wetherbee, began in 2018 as a way to introduce students from underserved communities to the biological sciences and marine sciences programs at URI. 

Wetherbee notes the lack of representation of students from diverse communities in many of his marine science classes, and the life sciences in general, as his motivating factor for starting the camp.

“Kids from underserved communities don’t have the same experiences and opportunities growing up that kids from wealthier communities do,” said Wetherbee. “Shark camp gives them a chance to learn about sharks – but at the same time, while they are here they’re learning about college and opening their eyes to opportunities they may not have thought were open to them.”

As part of the camp, students spend three days (July 18, 19 and 21) on the Cap’n Bert trawler, catching sharks and examining many other forms of sea life. Sharks are measured, typed for sex and returned to the water. Students also receive tours of URI’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences and meet with professionals in the marine sciences field, as well as alumni of the program who are students at URI.

Student attendees this year hail primarily from Providence area schools. Joining them will be two shark camp alumni, Sara Lataille of Warwick, a marine biology major, and Joe Barney, a high school student who attended last year’s shark camp and is working with Wetherbee for the summer. Also working with the camp as mentors are Nate Conde of Chicopee, Massachusetts, and Garrett Acuna of Norwalk, Connecticut – both are marine biology majors serving as science and engineering fellows in URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences. 

Members of the media who are interested in covering URI Shark Camp are encouraged to reach out to Professor Brad Wetherbee at (401) 450-8086 to reserve space on the Cap’n Bert. The trawler leaves the dock at 9 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m. each day.

WHO:  URI Professor Brad Wetherbee; URI marine biology majors Sara Lataille, Nate Conde and Garrett Acuna; shark camp alum Joe Barney; and Providence area high school students.

WHAT:  Free URI Shark Camp

WHERE: The Cap’n Bert trawler leaves from the Wickford Shipyard, 100 Steamboat Ave., Wickford, R.I.

WHEN:  July 18, 19 and 21, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Note for Media: Members of the media who are interested in covering URI Shark Camp are encouraged to reach out to Professor Brad Wetherbee at (401) 450-8086 to reserve space on the Cap’n Bert. The trawler leaves the dock at 9 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m. each day.