GOMI Summer Conference 2013
The 2013 Annual Gulf of Maine Institute (GOMI) Summer Conference took place this past summer in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Youth and leaders from all around the Gulf of Maine congregated at Acadia University for a week of learning, inspiration and environmental stewardship.
The students participated in various fun team-building activities.
GOMI participants celebrated Canada Day at the Grand Pré UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The youth from different communities worked together on six different “theme teams” to learn about a specific topic and prepare a presentation to share their knowledge with the rest of the group. The 2013 theme teams were: Community Gardens, Sharing Your Story (through Photography), Climate Change, Salt Marsh Ecosystems, GOMI Ocean Drifters and Tidal Energy.
Learning about sea level rise while standing on the dykes in Wolfville.
Throughout the week, the youth were asked to practice their public speaking by making short presentations about various topics related to community organizing and the environment.
Salt Marsh Salad
The students also had the chance to share their talents in the Annual Talent Show. There were singers, dancers, storytellers, bubble makers, stand up comedy and more.
Learning new dance moves.
Washing off the youth that went mud sliding.
After the final presentations were made by the theme teams, each regional team was asked to come up with a set of goals to work on for the coming year. One of the goals chosen by the Tantramar Team was to start a compost program at Tantramar Regional High School. The students will launch the program on December 9, 2013.
The Tantramar GOMI Team is currently raising funds to attend the 2014 GOMI Summer Conference in Massachusetts.