Dolphin Experience educates over 1,000 children a year The Dolphin Experience at Unexso, Grand Bahama educates over 1,000 students a year in their effort to give back to the community. This free program has been in existence for over 14 years and hopes to inspire the next marine expert or future trainer. The program allows students from local schools, public and private, to touch, feel and interact with the many dolphins that they have on premises. Pictured are students from Freeport Primary School school getting to know all about the wonderful world of dolphins. (Photo courtesy of Unexso)

Freeport, Grand Bahama - Surrounded by an amazing ocean with an even more incredible and diverse marine eco-system, The Bahamas is fortunate to be the natural habitat of many marine animals. No one knows it better than UNEXSO’s Dolphin Experience team who have made it their goal to teach the next generation about the sea and its creatures. In a purely philanthropic belief that what you reap is what you sow; the UNEXSO family are avid about giving back to the community with its Dolphin Education program.

As dedicated advocates of marine life, The Dolphin Experience offers a free educational program to children from many schools including Freeport Primary School, Sunland Baptist Academy, Lucaya International School, Bishop Michael Elden High School, Catholic High School. “There were many reasons for developing our educational programs for the children of Grand Bahama, but none more important than, or as enjoyable as. giving something back to our community” said The Dolphin Experience’s Operations Manager, Dr. Robert Eiser. Eiser added “The Dolphin Experience serves as a unique education and learning facility promoting the understanding and conservation of dolphins and, by extension, other forms of marine life. Our children will inherit the responsibility of preserving our wildlife and marine eco-system. I truly believe that what is learned today lasts a lifetime.”

According to Eiser the program allows children the opportunity to touch, feel and interact with the dolphins. Children learn many interesting facts about the dolphins including their history and even get to discover their quirky and distinctive personalities on their own. Although all of the dolphins have a very important role in the success of the program, Cayla, Coral and Exuma are three particular dolphins who are often the stars and win over the children with their individual charm and intelligence.

During this unique experience, the children are briefed on dolphin behavior, dolphin communication, and witness the many animated tricks the dolphins have in store such as an impromptu splash and a wave, and if they are lucky, even a big wet kiss! “This enriching program assists us in teaching the students about Bahamian wildlife and its waters in a way that we are unable to teach inside the classroom. It is an extracurricular activity that is always a hit and the children are always excited to participate in,” notes Bishop Michael Elden’s Primary School Vice Principal, Tanya Wildgoose.

A big "KiISS" for the student and Teacher! Not just a learning experience but also an interactive one, this Freeport Primary teacher and her student lean in for her kiss from one of the many dolphins at the Grand Bahama, Dolphin Experience. The Dolphin Experience Education Program Coordinator at Unexso, Tristian Pratt, pictured above noted “It is important for children to learn about the world around them, and what better way than a hands on experience such as this one.” The Dolphin Experience hopes that more schools and teachers become aware of the program and register via their online website www.unexso.com or call Tristian at the Dolphin Experience at 373-9332. (photo courtesy of Unexso)

The important topic of conservation is also discussed. The program enables children to view these topics in a different light and opens their minds to other types of learning and connecting with the world the world around them. By educating children, they will become aware of the importance their actions towards their habitat and how it affects all living things. The program instills a higher sense of self and the concept that each one of us can become part of the solution and make a difference. "UNEXSO and The Dolphin Experience realise that education is key in our conservation efforts. While the dolphins play a big part in the program, conservation of our natural resources and what we can do to help preserve these resources is the message that we hope program participants will take home with them and share with others," noted UNEXSO’S General Manager, Linda Osborne.

Each year The Dolphin Experience educates over 1,000 children in Grand Bahama. The students who are exposed to this program would not normally be able to afford or have had the opportunity to touch and feel these magnificent animals without this free program. Through displays of affection, tricks and presentations of the intelligence of these astonishing marine mammals, the kids are able to have a greater understanding and appreciation for marine life. The interactive program last for approximately an hour.

Teachers looking to have their students participate can contact The Dolphin Experience at 373-9332 . Eiser hopes that more students and schools will be made aware of the program and decide to visit the facilities.

“It is important for children to learn about the world around them, and what better way than a hands on experience such as this one” said Tristian Pratt, The Dolphin Experiences Education Program Coordinator. Pratt added “We are all a part of the chain of life and it needs to be maintained, in order for future generations to have a place to live.”