WASHINGTON (July 15, 2009)—Thirty high school students from around the globe will have a unique opportunity to document and learn about national marine sanctuaries in Florida and California during two upcoming National Geographic Photo Camps. From July 15 to 25, students from Armenia, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan and the United States will explore the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; and from July 30 to Aug. 9, students from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Canada and the United States will travel to the Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Bank and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries in California. Both Photo Camps are collaborations with the Ocean for Life program, an initiative to increase cultural understanding through ocean science. <br><br>National Geographic contributing photographer Matt Moyer, with the support of Photo Camp staff, will guide 15 students, ages 14-18, during each workshop as they explore and document marine environments and design a portrait of their group’s cultural diversity through photography and writing. The photographers will coach students on the production of a multimedia show, called the Photo Camp Youth Media Project, which will convey the students’ perception of their experience and allow them to share what they have learned about ocean conservation and cultural understanding to classmates, friends and family back home.<br><br>In addition to Photo Camp activities, the students will also participate in the Ocean for Life program, whose values are ocean conservation and stewardship, interconnectedness and a sense of place. They will explore the ocean and coastal areas, drawing comparisons with their own local and regional environments; they will participate in field studies in the national marine sanctuaries designed to raise their awareness of vital ocean resources; and they will learn about research, conservation and stewardship efforts to address issues threatening ocean health. Ocean for Life is made possible by a partnership of the U.S. government and private entities.<br><br>"Together, Photo Camp and Ocean for Life can provide these young people from diverse backgrounds an opportunity for cross-cultural understanding as they explore vital marine areas," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president, Mission Programs. "We are honored to participate in this endeavor."<br><br>EVOLT and Stylus Tough cameras for Photo Camp 2009 are provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards for Photo Camp 2009 have been donated by PNY, a National Geographic Mission Partner.<br><br>Moyer, a photojournalist and contributor for National Geographic magazine, The New York Times and The Guardian, has been committed to telling stories that put a human face on today’s news for the past 15 years. He has worked on three stories for National Geographic, including "The Sinai: A Separate Peace" in the March 2009 issue. <br><br>National Geographic Photo Camp has provided programs for more than 850 young people in over 40 locations since 2003. Photo Camps are also being held this year in Botswana; Jordan; Olympic National Park, Seattle; and Pine Ridge Native American Reservation, S.D. Visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp for more information.<br><br>The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 370 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.