It’s Time To Register For Summer Camp

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Friends of Lovers Key has launched a new summer day camp for kids (6-17). Give your child a summer experience like no other–an opportunity to learn about Florida’s coastal ecology through the beautiful natural setting of Lovers Key State Park.

Instructors have developed programs that will expand campers’ intellectual and artistic horizons while enjoying the trails, mangroves and beaches of the park’s four coastal islands. Our camp will give your child a chance to discover the real Florida.

What Is Eco-Arts? Eco-Arts integrates the sciences of ecology and biology with the creative arts. Campers use their observation and analysis skills through scientific inquiry and artistic expression, while acquiring a life-long appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship. Some of the programs’ core concepts include conservation, restoration, sustainability, bio-diversity, habitat, and ‘Leave No Trace’. Lovers Key Eco-Arts Camp advances the Florida State Parks’ mission to “provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources”.

What Is a Typical Day Like? Campers’ days begin and end at the park’s new Welcome and Discovery Center, which houses state-of-the-art learning facilities. Campers take daily field trips within the park to explore and understand protected habitats while walking nature trails, wading in the estuary, and kayaking the mangroves (for older campers). Park rangers provide interpretive presentations during the outings, while instructors engage campers in scientific research and artistic expression. During inclement weather, activities will take place inside the air-conditioned Welcome and Discovery Center. Bathrooms, showers, and kitchen facilities ensure comfort and hygiene.

All sessions are limited to 15 participants due to COVID restrictions. Materials supplied by parents: labeled water bottle, knapsack, sunscreen, insect repellant, white t-shirt, and lunch. All other materials and supplies are included in camp tuition.

Schedule Overview:
June 14 – June 18: Painting in Nature
Ages 7-13
10 am -noon
$100 one week, 1 session offered.
Children will enjoy painting and drawing while learning about the coastal plants, animals and habitats of our beautiful park. Participants will create eco-art through a variety of media with the 2021 Lovers Key Artist-in-Residence, Jenny Licht.

June 21 – June 25 and June 28 – July 2: Beach Exploration and Discovery
Ages 6-12
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
$300, one week each, two sessions offered.
Children will explore Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico from top to bottom using microscopes, seine nets, plankton trawls, and fishing poles. Learn about the shores and aquatic life of beautiful Lovers Key State Park through hands on experiments and creative expression with Susie Hassett, M.A., Science Education, Resource Teacher, Environmental Education, Lee County Public Schools.

July 5 –July 9 and July 12 – July 16: Marine Science
Ages 13-17
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
$300 one week each, 2 sessions offered.
Teens will experience what it’s like to be marine biologist. Participants will learn about aquatic and shore life through scientific research featuring oceanography, conservation, and estuarine ecology with Gary Rullo, International Baccalaureate Biology Teacher, Dunbar High School. Nature journaling and photography will be featured. Topics featured include Barrier Islands, Coastal Ecosystems, Marine Invertebrates, plants, Fish, Reptiles & Birds, and Mammals.

July 19 – July 23 and July 26 – July 30; Eco-Arts
Ages 7-8
8:30 am – 1:00 pm
$200, one week each, 2 sessions offered.
Children will enjoy learning about coastal ecology through a variety of creative activities and field trips in the park. Painting, drawing, crafts, and story-telling will develop participants’ appreciation for nature and artistic expression. Daily talks by experts as well as filming of explorations to be re-visited after art projects are finished. The week will culminate in a sharing of discoveries with family members, an awards ceremony, and pizza party. Taught by Deborah Kay Dunlap, M.S. Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development Facilitator.

For Registration and inquires, contact Louise Kowitch, Education Coordinator, Friends of Lovers Key, lkowitch@aol.com