DEP CELEBRATES SUMMER WITH YOUTH EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE
~Summer is the perfect time for students to learn about and explore Florida's environment ~
TALLAHASSEE – Friday marked the first official day of summer, but Florida students have been on summer vacation for a couple weeks and chances are they are starting to get restless. During the summer it is important to keep children learning, to keep them active and to keep them entertained.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection offers a variety of youth activities such as the quintessential summer camps where kids can canoe, bike and hike to hands-on science experiments at one of our National Estuarine Research Reserves. Florida's award-winning State Parks and NERRs offer a tremendous opportunity to engage youths with their environments. Further, our District staff conducts educational outreach to teach students the importance of Florida's unique landscape and how to be good stewards of our environment.
Here is a list of activities happening throughout the state:
Programs at Florida State Parks:
June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Summertime Sunday Social at Blue Spring State Park
June 25-26, Library Summer Reading program at Big Lagoon State Park
July 9-10, Library Summer Reading program at Big Lagoon State Park
July 12, 19, 26, Youth Saltwater Fishing Workshop at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
July 14, Birding for Kids, Anastasia State Park
July 15-20, Wildlife Ranger Camp at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
July 15-20, Summer Adventure Camp at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
July 16-17, Library Summer Reading program at Big Lagoon State Park
July 22-26, Nature Day Camp at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Adventures in the Estuary Summer Camps at Guana Tolomato Matanazas NERR: The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve is a living laboratory and coastal recreation area offering a summer camp for science and exploration minded kids! To register please click the specific camp below.
DEP's Office of Environmental Education Activities:
July 15 and 17, Department staff will train campers at the National High Magnetic Field Labratory's SciGirls Camp to conduct water quality tests. Staff will also assist campers in a follow-up water rocket program.
District Events:
June 26, the Northeast District will teach students about macro invertebrates at the St. Johns County Southeast Branch Library
June 27, the Northeast District will teach students about macro invertebrates at the St. Johns County Main Library
June 28 and July 19, the Central District will provide a hands-on demonstration to the Young Naturalist Summer Camp at Mead Botanical Gardens in Winter Park. Staff will teach students about macro invertebrates using the park's stream.
July 17, the South District will provide a hands-on demonstration to the City of Northport Summer Camp about macro invertebrates.
July 19, the South District will host a presentation on minerals, rocks and fossils for the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples Summer Camp.
July 23, the South District will spend a day teaching campers at Lee County Summer Camp about the macro invertebrates and the importance of mangroves.
Aug. 8, the Northeast District will be participating in the Girls Get It: Surf 'n Science Camp. Staff will be teaching the campers about water quality.
Join us for a ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, June, 26 2013 at 9:30 am at Euclid Circle to announce the placement of new recycling kiosks along
Every Fourth Wednesday of the Month in 2013
Tropical Storm Andrea formed and impacted Florida less than one week into the season. Miami Beach residents are reminded that Miami Beach is an evacuation zone and there are important preparations and procedures before and after a hurricane that you need to know. Hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30.
