I spent a lot of time the last several weeks researching summer camps with an environmental focus for Eben. There are many options available here in Florida – especially in South Florida and up the Treasure Coast. I have visited a lot of websites, made countless phone calls inquiring on the different programs offered and even visited the camps that I decided to sign Eben up for. After I wrote about the three summer camps that I chose for Eben, I received a lot of emails asking what the name of the camps that I chose where and what other camps I would recommend. I even had several of you send me links to the Florida summer camps your children will be attending. (Thank you Jenn for pointing me to Pigeon Key’s summer camp – see below) I thought it would be helpful to list all of the summer camps that I considered for Eben. All of these camps have either an environmental focus, great for kids who love the environment.
1. Florida Oceanographic Society
The Florida Oceanographic Society has three different camp options available for children ages 4-14, with half day and full day options available. Their camps include: Salty Species Discovery Camp, Island Explorers Discovery Camp, and Expedition: Florida Camp. The camps are all located on Hutchinson Island, a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. The children will enjoy seining, fishing, swimming, natural trail hikes, field journaling, water quality testing, beach exploration, camp-themed crafts, live animal interactions and field trips to discover other Florida environments and animals. This is hands-down one of Eben’s favorite places in Florida!
+ Florida Oceanographic Society Summer Camp
890 NE Ocean Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996
772.225.4725
+ $140-$215 Weekly
2. Loggerhead Marinelife Center
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is another one of Eben’s favorites! They offer three different Jr. Marine Biologist Camp Sessions for children ages 7-17. The camps include: Turtle Adventures, Explore Florida and Field Experiences. With activities ranging from snorkeling excursions, sea turtle nesting activities, birdwatching, fossil digs, and lab experiments, this would be a great program for a budding scientist! This program is full-day too.
+ Loggerhead Marinelife Center Jr. Marine Biologist Camp
14200 U.S. Highway One, Juno Beach, FL 33408
561.627.8280
+ $180-$245 Weekly
3. Loxahatchee River Center
The Loxahatchee River Center offers a n Aquatic Adventure Camp which is an educational program designed to give children ages 9-13 the opportunity to learn about native marine habitats and animals, human impacts, and how to help maintain these local treasures. Children will participate in preparing food for the animals, feeding and handling animals, collecting animals, tank maintenance, native gardening and they also receive their own fish tank to maintain throughout the program! Eben loves the River Center, it is a monthly stop for us throughout the year. This is a full day camp too.
+ Loxahatchee River Center Aquatic Adventure Camp
2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458
561.747.5700
+ $215
4. Smithsonian Marine Station
The Smithsonian Marine Station offers three different summer camps options for children ages 6-14. The camps include: Ocean Discovery, Ocean Adventure and Ocean Explorer camps. The activities range from hands-on experience with marine life to kayaking, snorkeling and field trips. They also have an amazing array of tanks inside the Marine Station itself.
+ Smithsonian Marine Station Summer Camp
420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949
772.462.6220
+ $75-$145
5. Aloha Surf Camp
Aloha Surf Camp is located at Juno Beach Loggerhead Park for children 6-and Up. Aloha Surf camp teaches children surfing etiquette, fitness, awareness, safety, timing, padding, catching waves and wave selection as well as turning, speeding up, slowing down, duck diving, left and right breaking and other techniques that will make them excellent surfers. The camp also includes a lot of beach activities including; skim-boarding, dodge-ball, paddle ball, and indoboarding. It’s a full day camp, full of tons of fun.
+ Aloha Surf Camp
14200 U.S. Hwy 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408
561.543.7873
+ $175
6. Blueline Skate, Surf and SUP Camp
Blueline is offering a skate, surf and stand up paddleboarding camp for children ages 6-12. It is a half-day program for kids that enjoy skating, surfing and paddling – great for kids with a lot of energy!
+ Blueline Paddle Skate, Surf and SUP Camp
997 North A1A, Jupiter, FL
561.744.7474
+ $160-$200
7. Jupiter Outdoor Center
Jupiter Outdoor Center offers amazing kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, snorkeling and outdoor adventure camps for children ages 6-14. They offer 10 weekly sessions of summer camp – so the fun can last all summer long!
+ Jupiter Outdoor Center Summer Camp
960 N A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477
561.747.0063
+ $50-275
8. The Pigeon Key Foundation + Marine Science Center
The Pigeon Key summer camp offers hands on learning and interaction in the Florida Keys ecosystem. With a variety of marine program, children are immersed in the field learning everything about marine habitats, biodiversity, reef fish identification, shark biology and plankton lab. You child will also enjoy snorkeling, swimming and if you would like Scuba certification. This is a fantastic summer camp that can be enjoyed as a day camp or overnight camp.
+ Pigeon Key Foundation + Marine Science Center Summer Camp
Mile Marker 47
Marathon, FL 33050
561.289.0025
+ $300-$950
Do you have a South Florida summer camp with an environmental theme that you want to add to the list? Drop me a note.
photo via anniewie
