Coral Reef Encounter 2025!
Now in its fifth year, this is a great event for your little ones who aren’t quite old enough to have take up scuba diving…yet.
DWF will be there!
📅 Dates: July 19 & 20, 2025
📍 Location: Jeffers Hill Pool, Columbia, MD
⏰ Session Times: Snorkeling sessions throughout each day—first at 8:30 AM, last beginning at 5 PM. Each session is 90 minutes, with limited slots—register early!
🎟️ Admission: FREE (Ages 6 through adult; life jackets available. “Swim-6-lengths” requirement applies—see site for details.)
Why You Can’t Miss It:
🐠 Experience an immersive snorkel trail inside a pool transformed into a vibrant coral reef, complete with handmade coral and seas of colorful critters.
🎨 Dive into the Coral Critter Artist Competition—craft fantastical underwater art, and get your creations featured poolside! Guidelines and prize categories available now.
🌍 Learn cool coral facts: reefs are biodiversity hotspots, home to 25% of ocean life despite covering just ~0.1% of the sea floor.
🎙️ Engage in fun, family-friendly snorkel practice, guided by trained volunteers (200 volunteers help run the event smoothly!).
Getting Involved:
Register for your snorkeling session early (limited to 125 spots per session).
Submit your Coral Critter Art by May 1 (drop off actual pieces by May 26).
Volunteer to help with setup, ushering, and packing up! Sign‑up links on the event website.
Support the Cause:
While the event is free, donations are appreciated:
Angelfish $25 • Turtle $50 • Starfish $75 • Shark $100 • Reef Connoisseur $250 — reusable funding to create next year’s reef!
For more information head on over to the CoralReefEncounter.org website.
Also check out other Arts events in Columbia, Nonprofit events in Columbia, Contests in Columbia.
