United Way of Greater Niagara Partners with Aquarium of Niagara to Provide Accessible Educational Opportunities
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.; July 17, 2026 — Niagara County students can experience the Aquarium of Niagara’s immersive, science-based summer camps for free, thanks to generous funding from United Way of Greater Niagara.
The Aquarium is hosting six-weeks of immersive, weeklong camps for children entering grades 1-6. The camps combine marine science education, youth conservation initiatives, and career exploration through hands-on learning, animal meet-and-greets, and STEM-based activities. Campers enjoy behind-the-scenes access and opportunities to interact with the experts that take care of their favorite aquarium animals.
United Way of Greater Niagara has provided nearly $80,000 since 2024 in support of the Aquarium’s informal educational programming, which includes both on-site presentations and demonstrations, as well as offsite outreach programs. This year, the Aquarium planned to re-launch an ambitious summer camp program after a several-year hiatus and approached United Way of Greater Niagara for support in making the immersive camp experiences accessible for students in Niagara County. The $20,000 grant funds 30 scholarships and supports seasonal staff members to help facilitate the camps.
“At United Way of Greater Niagara, we believe every child deserves access to enriching opportunities that help them learn and grow, which is why we are proud to partner with Aquarium of Niagara and support its summer camp program,” said Andrea Gray, president & CEO, United Way of Greater Niagara.
“We are so grateful to United Way of Greater Niagara for supporting the Aquarium’s commitment to providing accessible educational opportunities to our community,” said Chad Fifer, president & CEO, Aquarium of Niagara. “We are passionate about developing the next generation of scientists and conservationists, and often, the spark that ignites a lifelong interest happens during these memorable learning experiences. This partnership helps us eliminate barriers to access for children who are curious about the wonders of the aquatic world.”
Aquarium summer camps are in progress and run through Aug. 28. Niagara county residents who are interested the scholarship opportunity should complete this online registration form. Visit the Aquarium’s website to explore available camp weeks and themes.
Media Contacts:
- Christine Stephans, Aquarium of Niagara, 716-390-9020, cstephans@aquariumofniagara.org
- Kevin Krisnosky, United Way of Greater Niagara, 716-731-4580, kevin@uwgn.org
About the Aquarium of Niagara
The Aquarium of Niagara is a nonprofit organization and public aquarium located in Niagara Falls, NY. As the only aquatic museum in the region, the Aquarium of Niagara serves the community as a nexus for explorative learning by celebrating natural wonders and inspiring people to make a difference for aquatic life. Its campus is comprised of two distinct buildings housing 180 different species, including several that were rescued and deemed unable to return to the wild. The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the International Marine Mammal Trainer’s Association. For more information visit aquariumofniagara.org.
About United Way of Greater Niagara
United Way of Greater Niagara believes Greater Niagara is a vibrant region where our youth can achieve their full potential through programs and services that address their most critical needs. Our mission is to invest in youth programs that positively impact social, emotional, and mental development to support our community today and strengthen it for tomorrow. To learn more, visit www.uwgn.org.
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