Rockaway Beach Cleanup Brings Community Together June 6

On Saturday morning, Rockaway Beach will transform into a hub of environmental action as volunteers of all ages come together to clean their beloved shoreline.

Beach.com is hosting the large-scale cleanup event on June 6 at 9 a.m., just two days before World Ocean Day. The initiative partners with the Laru Beya Collective, a nonprofit that teaches Far Rockaway youth about ocean care through surfing and water safety programs.

"World Ocean Day highlights our shared responsibility and commitment to community care," said Aydon Gabourel, founder of Laru Beya Collective. The organization focuses on empowering girls and youth of color through free surf therapy while building confidence and community connection in the water.

For Gabourel, who grew up in Far Rockaway, the cleanup holds personal meaning. "Rockaway Beach is where we teach, heal, and grow together," he explained. Starting the summer surf camp season with a beach cleanup sets an example for the young people who call these shores home.

Beach.com organizes volunteer-led cleanups nationwide each year, inspiring travelers and coastal communities to protect the places they love. The platform connects beachgoers with vacation destinations while promoting environmental responsibility.

Why This Inspires

This cleanup represents more than picking up trash. It shows a community taking ownership of their coastal ecosystem while teaching the next generation about environmental stewardship. The Laru Beya Collective proves that ocean conservation and youth empowerment go hand in hand, creating lasting change through hands-on action.

The event welcomes everyone, with minors accompanied by adults. Volunteers will meet at 66-16 Beach Front Road and receive orientation plus a free cleanup t-shirt.

Organizers recommend bringing reusable water bottles, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, gloves, closed-toe shoes, and trash pickers. Registration is open online through Beach.com's event page.

As summer begins, Far Rockaway shows how communities can unite around shared values: protecting marine life, keeping beaches beautiful, and inspiring young people to become ocean advocates.