Joining together to build environmental stewardship and community responsibility with Long Beach youth.
Every summer, over 800 kids from every Long Beach zip code join together on the beach to learn about water safety, leadership, and our connection to the water.
This collaboration engages the Long Beach Junior Lifeguards, aged 9 to 17, in exploring the ocean and becoming stewards of our beaches through engaging community science and conservation volunteer programs at the Aquarium. Through hands-on experiences and guided learning, these future leaders explore their role in the future of our beaches and ocean habitats.
“This encapsulates the essence of the LBJG Cadet experience – being part of a larger community that collaborates, motivates, and supports one another to become better individuals and collectively achieve the community’s goals.”
Participants are divided into four age-based cohorts: C Group (ages 9-11), B Group (ages 12-13), A Group (ages 14-17), and Cadets (leaders). Each cohort experiences tailored educational activities that highlight marine conservation, and the vital role young people play in protecting the ocean and local ecosystems.
“Nearly 1,000 Long Beach kids and an opportunity of a lifetime; a chance for local kids to build community and a love for the ocean while learning about our marine ecosystem.”
As a capstone to the program, LBJGs participated in an essay contest where they reflected on their experiences as Junior Lifeguards and their time at the Aquarium. The essays explored the relationship between environmental stewardship and community responsibility, encouraging participants to articulate their personal growth and insights gained from the program.
Generous donations supported the essay contest, including a first prize scholarship of $1,000 from the Jr. Lifeguard Fund and Bob and Val Hoffman, as well as second and third place prizes with experiences donated by the Aquarium of the Pacific. Winners from each age group demonstrated their creativity and commitment to conservation.
This partnership nurtures the next generation of ocean stewards and fosters a sense of community among participants, demonstrating how collective efforts can lead to meaningful change.
The Long Beach Junior Lifeguard Program and the Aquarium of the Pacific’s collaboration serves as a powerful model for youth engagement in conservation, inspiring young people to take responsibility for their environment while building lifelong connections to the ocean and their communities.
Teens are turning the tide at the Aquarium of the Pacific through volunteer leadership dedicated to conservation, science, and ocean stewardship.
Youth-led programs by teens, for teens, are here to engage and change the world.
Aquarium coupons at Baker’s through December
