(DiverWire) STINAPA Bonaire, a nonprofit non-government organization and is dedicated to the conservation of Bonaire’s natural and historical heritage, recently sponsored scuba training for five “Junior Rangers”. The effort is part the extensive program to educate children and adults on the island, to make the people aware of the beauty and fragility of the nature of Bonaire. Those programs involve land and sea activities.
One of the courses is the training for Junior Rangers. This program is to prepare children from 13-16 for a future job as a marine park ranger or as a start for a study in Biology and nature sciene.
Stinapa started this program in 2003.
It is an extensive 8 months after school program and it covers many areas, like : auto and outboard motor engine mechanics, boat handling, public speaking, VHF radio operation, fish, bird and plant identification, marine ecology information, SCUBA diving, the basics of computer use and train them in the preservation and conservation of nature.
In 2011-2012 5 children enrolled the program with great enthusiasm and with a lot of love for nature.
To become a Junior Ranger, one of the important modules is the PADI Junior Open Water Course.
This programs was sponsored by Capt. Don’s Habitat Bonaire by hosting the place, rental equipment and instruction and Palm Trading by donating the PADI Open Water Books.
All 5 junior rangers did really well in the course with their instructor Irvin de Haseth, and their enthusiasm was inspiring. All 5 passed the course with good results.
To celebrate the dive certification of the 5 junior rangers, a big ceremony was arranged on Monday the 2nd of April during Habitat’s “Meet the Captain” party.
Dive Manager Roger Haug from Capt. Don’s started the ceremony by thanking all the sponsors and people who are involved like Palm Trading for sponsoring the PADI Open Water Books and Jack Chalk, General Manager from Capt. Don’s Habitat to authorize the course on a complimentary basis.
Commissioner Kroon handed out the certifications and encourages the rangers to continue their education.
The new junior rangers were also welcomed in the Stinapa team by the junior rangers from last year. They did hand out the very special Junior Ranger Cap, and the 5 new junior rangers did put them on with a lot of pride.
Bonaire is very proud of the 5 new junior rangers – Xavier Bernabela, Nyandrew Pourier, Eliomar Frans, Marven Molina and Gorgegino Tokaay Pa bien tur hende.
