Foster Children Now Receive Complimentary Admission to Portland Aquarium

PORTLAND, Ore., June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Vince and Ammon Covino, brothers and co-owners of Portland Aquarium, decided to welcome foster children to the aquarium at no cost to their accompanying foster parents. As an experienced foster parent himself, Vince Covino is familiar with the needs of foster children, many of whom enter foster care after being removed from stressful living situations. The Covino brothers also know of statistics stating that up to 80% of inmates in the US correctional system have been in foster care—and they want Portland Aquarium to impact that number[1] by stimulating healthy learning interests in at-risk children.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130610/PH28567-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130610/PH28567-b)

Portland Aquarium provides a peaceful, safe place for foster children to go with the families caring for them. Vince Covino's research has shown that spending time viewing fish in an aquarium can have a calming, therapeutic effect on children along with adults[2]; offering foster children complimentary admission at Portland Aquarium is an excellent way to provide that effect. It is Vince and Ammon's hope that foster children will be inspired by their experience at Portland Aquarium, their curiosity kindled, to learn more about sea creatures and marine science. "By giving them a taste of the excitement to be found in learning about all things aquatic, an experience at Portland Aquarium could make a difference in children's lives," said the Covino brothers.

About:
Portland Aquarium is a hands-on aquarium. Visitors may feed Black Tip Reef Sharks, Bat Rays, Southern Stingrays, and Lorikeets. Families can take part in many other activities as well. The Portland Aquarium touch tanks are filled with a variety of Sharks, Stingrays, Anemones, Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, and other amazing fish. The aquarium also hosts an array of fascinating, colorful animals that children and adults alike can experience firsthand. Visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the rain forest exhibit, jungle gym, aviary, and educational programs.

After everyone has gone home and the aquarium has closed its doors for the evening, Portland Aquarium invites families and scout groups to partake in an exhilarating night of exploration. The aquarium offers sleepovers for families, youth groups and adults. "Sleep with the Sharks" is one of our most popular events. Discover Portland Aquarium after hours and sleep beside one of our exhibits (attendees must book in advance).

Contact:
Vince Covino 
Portland Aquarium 
Email
503-303-4721

Sources:
1. The Brightest Star
http://www.thebrighteststar.org/About_Us.html
"According to the US Dept of Justice Report (2005), 80% of the US prison inmate population was in the foster care system."
2. Aquarium Therapy and ADHD
http://www.examiner.com/article/aquarium-therapy-and-adhd

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SOURCE Portland Aquarium