Kids Ocean Day, an inspiring event for youth that educates and engages elementary students in ocean conservation, took place yesterday and impacted the 1,000 participants with the beach cleanup and the extraordinary aerial art project.

Mission Beach provided the scenic backdrop for the event where Me encanta un san diego limpio hosted students from seven Title 1 schools from across the region. I Love A Clean San Diego joins four other California regions in connecting local youth to the environment for the annual Kids Ocean Day event.

“This year’s Kids Ocean Day is extra special, as it marks the event’s return to full capacity, which was previously held with limitations since 2019 due to the pandemic,” said Eric Dillemuth, education program specialist at I Love A Clean San Diego.

The Kids Ocean Day program began weeks before yesterday’s culmination event, with educational presentations at eight elementary schools throughout the county. The beach cleanup provided students with first-hand experience in applying their ocean conservation knowledge.

The students concluded their visit to the beach by creating a stunning aerial art message, spanning an impressive 230 feet by 230 feet, which spelled out the powerful statement, “Give Nature A Chance,” along with a jellyfish. The artwork served as an homage to nature’s resiliency and perseverance that occurred during the pandemic.

By providing an interactive experience, Kids Ocean Day was a catalyst for youth to actively care for their environment, instilling a sense of responsibility and encouraging a lifestyle that fosters the well-being of our region. For many of these students, it was their first visit to the beach, creating a memorable experience that will inspire them to become lifelong stewards of the environment.

This year’s Kids Ocean Day was made possible through the support of the California Coastal Commission, San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, Cox Communications, and Wells Fargo.

“We are proud to support Kids Ocean Day, a program that connects youth to the environment and demonstrates the critical role they play in preserving its health,” said Susan Day, president of Kiwanis San Diego.