Academy Students Remove 100-Plus Pounds of Trash From Hampton Beach

HAMPTON, NH — Hampton Academy students and staff joined Surfrider Foundation volunteers for a beach cleanup at Hampton Beach on April 17, with the school district saying the event connected community service with classroom learning.

Superintendent Lois Costa and Principal Neal Campbell said the cleanup was organized in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation.

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Officials said 333 students and staff and six Surfrider Foundation volunteers took part in the effort. Participants collected plastic bottles, straws, shopping bags, and other litter from the beach. The school district said the group removed more than 100 pounds of trash from Hampton Beach.

In addition to picking up litter, students worked alongside Surfrider volunteers to weigh the collected trash and analyze the data. The information will be used in classroom lessons in science, environmental studies, and data analysis. The district said the work was designed to reinforce the connection between hands-on service and academic learning.

The initiative reflects a broader commitment to experiential learning and community involvement in the Hampton School District. According to the district, the event gives students a chance to take part in real-world problem-solving while building responsibility, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

"This clean-up is something we deeply value at Hampton School District," Campbell said. "By getting students out of the classroom and into the community, they not only contribute in an impactful way, but also develop a stronger sense of responsibility for the place they call home."

The April cleanup followed what the district described as a similar cleanup held in October 2025. The district said its partnership with the Surfrider Foundation continues to grow and is giving students opportunities to contribute to their community through projects tied to local environmental issues.