MCH Middle School Bonaire CORAL REEF RESTORATION Expedition

SPRING 2025

Blue Endeavors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit for ocean conservation, restoration, and education. All the tax deductible donations from this fundraiser go towards the expenses of the expedition for the MCH students to ensure the trip will proceed as planned.

Some of you may have already caught wind of the spirited buzz swirling around our Middle School. For those of you haven't, we're thrilled to announce that MCH is embarking on a remarkable journey, one brimming with heart and purpose, all thanks to our newfound partnership with Blue Endeavors.

Blue Endeavors is a non-profit organization wholly and dynamically dedicated to the vital cause of ocean conservation. Our middle school is teaming up with them to launch a transformative 2-year life science curriculum, culminating in an awe-inspiring expedition to Bonaire. There, our students will actively engage in restoring a local coral reef.

Blue Endeavors has been guiding high school students and middle school students on this expedition for several years, providing them with invaluable real-life experience in the intricate art of coral reef restoration. The impact of this collaboration cannot be overstated; it is nothing short of exhilarating.

As we come together to support this incredible initiative, we're not just raising funds; we're planting seeds for nurturing our students to "see themselves as contributing members of their local and global community" and using "their strengths and passions to make a difference in the world."  

The following video is from a middle school in California. The MCH middle school is currently fundraising so that 100% of MCH Middle School students can participate in the program you are viewing below. Once that goal is met, funds will support local Jong Bonaire students in participating in the program with MCH students.

2025 MCH Expedition Details

The Mission Part 1

During this expedition MCH students will be working with Reef Renewal’s ongoing coral reef restoration program. MCH divers will be learning coral local restoration techniques while working with diverse coral species. Divers will be trained how to fragment coral, place in coral nurseries, clean and maintain the nurseries, and how to outplant coral on a restoration site.

The Mission Part 2:

The Open Science Network Project

Students on this expedition will be trained as research divers, completing multiple surveys during the trip. One of these surveys will be at a smart data buoy deployed to advance ocean sampling. Students will assist with the updates to the hardware, and pair indicator species data to the site.

Training & Certifications

  • Open Water Diver Track

    Students who are not yet scuba certified divers will be on the Open Water Diver track. Open Water Certification will be issued as a pre-requisite to the research diver training. Nitrox is a recommended optional dive specialty. Open Water Diver track students will be limited to 60ft on this expedition.

  • Advanced Diver Track

    Previously scuba certified students will be on the Advanced Diver track. These students will complete additional training in night diving, nitrox, and underwater videographer. Advanced certifications will be issued with the completion of four specialty classes and a min. of 25 logged dives. Advanced track students will be limited to 60ft on this expedition.

  • CONSERVATION MEDIA TRACK

    Students aspiring in journalism and content development are mentored in the art of modern media and storytelling. Through on-site workshops we make cutting edge tech and professional skills development accessible, fun, and productive, creating positive ocean impact media that makes a difference now.

Open Water Diver Track Students have the option to also enroll in the Nitrox Diver Course

Diving nitrox is highly recommended on all expeditions. The higher percentage of oxygen means less nitrogen in your gas mixes. Less micro bubbles of nitrogen is always going to be be a positive thing. The only downside of diving nitrox is the added gas fill cost, however at our resort nitrox fills are included in the price! Nitrox training is included for students already certified before the trip. New divers have the option to enroll in the Nitrox course for an additional $200. To enroll simply use the button below.

All Students in the field researcher program are trained & certified in coral restoration & Research Diving Techniques

Students learn a set of underwater research skills that universities, NGOs and AAUS scientific professional research divers use to collect data for the advancement of science, marine conservation and restoration. During the course students will act as community scientists crowd sourcing data collection that will be used by researchers.

Pre-Trip Training

Maire ID Online Training

  • The Bonaire fish ID eLearning will be on the Area9 Platform. The online training will take approx. 4 hours. If you would like to learn even more fish, please reach out for bonus material.

  • Your instructional staff has access to your eLearning progress. You do not need to submit the final exam for this part of the training.

Scuba eLearning & Review

  • The SDI scuba eLearning will be issued to students in class. The program will be on the SDI Platform. You will activate your unique code on the SDI website page: www.tdisdi.com/elearning.

    Open Water Track students will receive 1 online code. (2 if enrolled in the optional nitrox course)

    Advanced Track students will receive 2 online codes for night diving and nitrox diving.

    The online training will take approx. 8 hours. All online training is due by the April pool sessions.

  • Please upload a signed copy of your final exam for each online training here.

Ocean Simulator (Pool) Training

  • POOL SESSIONS

    TBD

PAPERWORK

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Basic or Advanced Scuba Training

  • Coral Reef Restoration Training

  • Sea Turtle Nesting Ground Survey

  • Mangrove Kayak

  • Collecting Underwater Indicator Species Data for Real World Research

  • Updating Oceanic Data Buoys

  • Donkey Sanctuary - (Related to the coral reefs)

  • Working on the Project with Local High School Students.

Trip Details

INCLUDED IN THE TRIP

  • Resort Accommodations & Transportation

    3 meals daily

    Airfare with one check-in bag and carry-on bags. A second bag is available for purchase.

    Local gratuity

    Boat Dives

    Equipment Rental

    Complimentary wireless internet access

    Donkey Sanctuary Tour

    Marine Park Fee

    Sea Turtle Survey

    Mangrove Kayak

    Dive Training & Certifications

    DAN Diver Medical Insurance

    Island Entrance Tax

LOCAL INFO

  • POWER: The Resort has 110V US compatible plugs

    INTERNET: the resort has wireless internet access in rooms and common areas

    CURRENCY: USD is the official currency of Bonaire

    FRESH WATER: All the water at the resort is reverse osmosis and safe to drink. It is recommended to bring a water bottle you can fill up to avoid plastic bottles.

    LAUNDRY: The resort will do laundry for guests for a fee.

    LOCAL MARKET: We can bring students to the local Dutch supermarket for snacks and personal items.

    The meal plan includes three meals per day. Some students bring extra cash or a credit card to stock up on snacks and drinks for their rooms. All units have a small kitchen.

Don’t Forget

  • Passport

    (Expiration date more than six months from trip)

    Proof of COVID vaccination

    Certification Card - Advanced Divers

    Chargers and/or extra batteries for computers, lights, and cameras

    A lightweight rain jacket for the occasional tropical storm

RECOMMENDED ITEMS

All ordered items will be delivered to Students at the Pool

Non Reef-Safe Sunscreen is not allowed in Bonaire, and may be confiscated at the airport.

Students are required to have a log system in place before the pool session. Smart phone apps are accessible. This is a nice simple way to log dives w/ waterproof paper.

SCUBA EQUIPMENT

The following rental dive equipment is included in the expedition price: Dive Computer, Regulator, BCD, 3m Full Wetsuit, Tanks, & Weights

Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Boots, Mesh Bag, and an SMB for advanced track students is available with students discounts through local partners.

This video from SCUBAPRO shows how to pack your BCD for the trip in the provided carry-on backpack

Please Reserve Your Equipment Sizes Below

Your Expedition Equipment will be delivered to the pool sessions. You will keep the gear until you return it after the expedition to a post-trip session at MCH.

Once delivered to students, if a student fails to bring equipment to a session or on the trip, that student is responsible for additional equipment rental charges. Students are responsible financially for the replacement value of any lost equipment, including GoPro cameras used for filming, and research equipment.