United Way x Aquarium of Niagara: Grant supports camp scholarships for students

United Way of Greater Niagara partners with Aquarium of Niagara to provide accessible educational opportunities

Aquarium of Niagara press release & photos

Niagara County students can experience the Aquarium of Niagara’s immersive, science-based summer camps for free, thanks to generous funding from United Way of Greater Niagara.

The Aquarium of Niagara is hosting six weeks of immersive, weeklong camps for children entering grades 1-6. The camps combine marine science education, youth conservation initiatives, and career exploration through hands-on learning, animal meet-and-greets, and STEM-based activities. Campers enjoy behind-the-scenes access and opportunities to interact with the experts that take care of their favorite aquarium animals.

United Way of Greater Niagara has provided nearly $80,000 since 2024 in support of the Aquarium of Niagara’s informal educational programming, which includes both on-site presentations and demonstrations, as well as offsite outreach programs. This year, the Aquarium of Niagara planned to relaunch an ambitious summer camp program after a several-year hiatus and approached United Way of Greater Niagara for support in making the immersive camp experiences accessible for students in Niagara County. The $20,000 grant funds 30 scholarships and supports seasonal staff members to help facilitate the camps.

“At United Way of Greater Niagara, we believe every child deserves access to enriching opportunities that help them learn and grow, which is why we are proud to partner with Aquarium of Niagara and support its summer camp program,” said Andrea Gray, president and CEO, United Way of Greater Niagara.

Images courtesy of the Aquarium of Niagara.

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Aquarium of Niagara President and CEO Chad Fifer said, “We are so grateful to United Way of Greater Niagara for supporting the aquarium’s commitment to providing accessible educational opportunities to our community. We are passionate about developing the next generation of scientists and conservationists, and often, the spark that ignites a lifelong interest happens during these memorable learning experiences. This partnership helps us eliminate barriers to access for children who are curious about the wonders of the aquatic world.”

Aquarium summer camps are in progress and run through Aug. 28. Niagara county residents who are interested the scholarship opportunity should complete this online registration form. Visit the Aquarium of Niagara’s website to explore available camp weeks and themes. 

For more information visit aquariumofniagara.org.