HVNP to Participate in Remote ‘Camp Google’

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park will provide kids from across the country a chance to participate in a unique online adventure when the online “Camp Google” experience opens Wednesday at 9 a.m.

The project is a one-hour camp that is debuting during Google’s Nature Week.

Geared towards kids between 7-10 years old, the experience will provide the ability to participate in science activities and adventures.

“As the National Park Service and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park step into our next 100 years of caring for America’s special places, the number one goal for our 2016 Centennial is to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.

The Camp Google event falls during a great time, according to Orlando, who noted that the “Every Kid in a Park” initiative is also about to kick off.

During the 2015-2016 school year, all fourth grade students in the nation and their families are invited to visit national parks and public lands for free. Orlando hopes that Camp Google will provide families and kids across the country with the interest in visiting HVNP.

In mid-July, Google launched its first camp adventure with National Geographic explorers Sylvia Earle and Erika Bergman. Through the camp, kids jumped into the Atlantic Ocean through a remotely-operated vehicle and were able to view filefish, lionfish, corals, and other marine life.

The camp is co-hosted by Park Ranger Rebecca Carvalho, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Don Swanson, and Derek Muller, Creative Director of Veritasium, an online science video channel. HVNP served as the sole film location of the Nature Week segment.

Participants will learn about how Hawaiian volcanoes, culture, and biology are woven together as they visit the Kilauea Overlook, Thurston Lava Tube, Steam Vents, and even view Kilauea’s summit eruption at Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

The Nature Week segment will be available on the Camp Google website even after Wednesday. Kids who can’t join during its initial launch can participate at another time.

No registration or Google account is necessary to participate. The program is free to everyone, although some activities may require common household items. To review a list of items or to participate on Wedneday, go to the Camp Google website.