With everything packed away after Seagrass Summer Camp 2026, I’ve been looking through the photos and videos, working out where to begin with telling the story of this special event which has filled my heart with joy, hope and gratitude… feelings which, I do believe, are also felt across the 22 young people who attended, as well as the numerous staff and special guests who contributed their time and energy to our Ocean Rescue Champions. 

Five years ago, when I was asked if it would be possible to build in some sort of youth aspect into the then upcoming Seagrass Ocean Rescue project, I never could have dreamt it would grow into what it has become. 

Ocean Rescue Champions was created in 2022… a youth programme, running annually, with an intake of 12 young people each year. Initially establishing each cohort with a variety of monthly marine conservation and team building activities, working up to Seagrass Summer Camp where the group help with the seed collection efforts. The remainder of the annual activities involves completing the seagrass restoration cycle – i.e. planting the seeds at our restoration sites and then monitoring the seagrass growth.

Earlier this year we completed the fourth cohort of Champs, and with news that we had received a project extension until June 2027, discussions began on how best to do things. It felt important to continue working with our existing young people to build on our efforts of the past four years, so we are doing just that – we have a supergroup of Ocean Rescue Champions Alumni! 

Seagrass Summer Camp 2026 has been the best one yet. The perfect combination of brilliant young people, incredible staff, the most inspirational guests, and good weather is always helpful too. 

The group took part in seed collection on Friday and Saturday, helped by the fact that all the Champs had done plenty of seed collecting in previous years, these young experts set straight to the task at hand, and with some healthy competition, collected lots of seeds. 

We enjoyed a blissful early morning snorkel over the seagrass meadow, followed by a relaxed morning of painting on the beach with local artist, Kim Atkinson. And there were more creative workshops across the weekend to further inspire passion and interest for marine conservation– with the Children’s Laureate for Wales and all-round wonderful human, Nicola Davies; the extremely talented artist and creator of ‘Ambassador’ the seagrass seahorse, Olivier Leger; and storyteller and National Seagrass Action Plan manager Carl Gough all generously giving their time to lead workshops and have conversations with our young people.

And when there wasn’t a specific activity planned over the weekend, these brilliant youngsters filled every single moment with laughter. Silly games and stories galore nurtured friendships and solidified this group as a community of like-minded individuals. Coming together through their love of the sea and their want to care for our planet, and staying for all the fun bits in between. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much with a group in all of my years of working with young people.

On Sunday afternoon, with the camp all packed up, we headed back down to the beach for a public Seagrass Celebration event. The Champs were encouraged to make sure they did a volunteering stint on the engagement stand, the chance to talk to the public about their experiences on the project. It was the perfect opportunity, tired from 3 busy days, to enjoy an afternoon on the beach, with storytellers, art and live music. As I sat, listening to the blissful sea-themed songs of local musician Eve Goodman, with the Seagrass Celebration event and the weekend Summer Camp drawing to a close, I looked around, taking in the scene of a warm, calm Porthdinllaen, busy with holidaymakers, pub-goers and SOR project partners. I could see some of the Champs sat with their families who had come along for the afternoon; some colleagues around me chatting away with one another, enjoying the opportunity to socialise on the beach; and a group of my youngsters sat round in a tired pile of contentedness, right at the front, listening to the music…. “I’m not making history, I leave no footprints in the sea…” 

These youngsters are, in fact, making their own little bit of history with their positive footprints. Contributing one seagrass seed at a time to making their world a better place for us all. 

The one question on everyone’s lips is what happens next, when funding comes to an end?