Gateway to Great Careers concluded its final industry tour for the 2023-2024 school year with Gulf Shores High School on Thursday, April 25th. This month's excursion spotlighted careers in Ecotourism, Sustainability, and Agriculture. The day kicked off with a pleasant stroll from Gulf Shores High School to the Gulf State Park, where students engaged with various staff members and explored the park's Learning Campus. Students also had the opportunity to listen to representatives from the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability, slated to open in the Spring of 2025. The group convened at Baldwin EMC's training room for lunch, followed by presentations from experts including Alabama's Cooperative Extension System/Auburn University's Agriculture Agent and Park Rangers from The City of Foley at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.
The Gateway Initiative is excited to add Foley High School to this program by utilizing a grant received through the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation. If you are interested in learning more or have students that would be interested in this program for the 2024-2025 school year, please contact Tyler Morgan.
Ryan Caver from Graham Creek Nature Preserve shows the students a young bee hive.
Ken Kelly from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System/Auburn University has an interactive and fun presentation with the students called "Are You Smarter Than A Farmer?"
Vicki Kyser from the Gulf State Park and Valor Hospitality shows the students meeting spaces and bunk houses on the Learning Campus in the state park.
Travis Langen, Director of the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability presents on their current programming and upcoming plans for final groundbreaking, a 14 year sustainability project slated to open in Spring of 2025.
Chandra Wright, Director of Environmental & Educational Outreach is for the Lodge and Learning Campus at Gulf State Park, presents to the students on the history of the Gulf State Park Lodge and how it became one of the world most notable sustainability projects.