Summer Camp 2020

Youth Education, Events, environmental education

Summer camp is our favorite time of year! Every year, our summer camp sessions are designed to inspire and educate our youth about the importance of the Indian River Lagoon. We offer a variety of hands-on activities that allow campers to discover the connection between science and nature in the world around them.

For information on next summer’s camps, please contact Allison McGinley, MRC’s Environmental Educator. Or check back in Spring 2021 for next summer’s camp!

Here’s What MRC Offered at Our 2020 Summer Camps!

MRC’s summer camp sessions are designed to inspire and educate our youth about the importance of the Indian River Lagoon. We offer a variety of hands-on activities that allow campers to discover the connection between science and nature in the world around them. Check out the Exploration Schedule below!

Session 1: Monday, July 6–Friday, July 10
• 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Session 2: Monday, July 13–Friday, July 17
• 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Session 3: Monday, July 27–Friday, July 31
• 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Campers should come wearing closed-toed shoes, a thick layer of sunscreen, and clothes/ to get dirty/wet in.

Please pack an additional change of clothes for them in their backpack.

Please have your camper bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle.

Check out the descriptions below for more information! Each day will either have an outdoor activity, science experiment, or arts/crafts project.

Session 1 — Animals in Our Lagoon

Monday, July 6: Wild Water

To set the stage for this week, our camp will begin with an introduction to the amazing Indian River Lagoon! Get ready to learn why the lagoon is the way it is, how to perform scientific water quality tests, and why we should care about what’s in our water. We will also explore our shoreline, try our hand at field testing water samples, and go seining for local animals. We will then finish the day with a fun water color art project!

Tuesday, July 7: Mighty Microplankton and Sensational Shellfish

We will start the day off by investigating some mighty minis, also known as microplankton! Campers will then build their own microplankton model and test its ability to survive in its environment. Next up, we will explore the wide variety of sensational shellfish from crustaceans to mollusks by comparing living specimens and conducting a squid dissection!

Wednesday, July 8: Reptile Reppin’

This day we will be learn about different reptiles and their cousins found in Florida’s land, water, and air! But wait, what reptiles are found in the sky? Birds! How can they be considered reptiles too? We will investigate these relationships and then explore our property to see what reptiles make this area their home. Later, the campers will be able to meet some amazing animal ambassadors from Florida Wildlife Hospital!

Thursday, July 9: Marine Macro Mania!

They’re lovable, they’re large — they are our charismatic megafauna that can be found in Florida! The day will begin with learning about the critically endanger North Atlantic Right Whale. Campers will learn how to identify individual right whales and what we can do to help save this species! Next up on our list we’ll “meet” a manatee expert who will introduce us to these marvelous marine mammals! Lastly, we’ll learn about the sea turtles in our waters and the challenges hungry baby sea turtles face with microplastics.

Friday, July 10: Spoil Island Adventure

To wrap up our week, we will embark on an adventure to the Spoil Islands! We will do field water quality testing, clean up the beach, plant mangroves, and use a seine net along the shoreline for animal investigations! Then we will play games and go on a shoreline scavenger hunt before the close of a successful, educational, and fun week!

Session 2: Connections in Our Ecosystems

Monday, July 13: Geology Rocks!

We will start this week off by starting at the base by learning why geology rocks! Rocks may look simple, but they are complex components of our ecosystems! Campers will learn about the geology of Florida, examine rocks, pull sediment cores around the Lagoon House, and munch through tectonic plates. Later that day, campers be introduced to one of the main driving factors of our oceans, currents! Ocean currents are incredibly important to marine life and carry things throughout the world, just ask Dory! Campers will find out what causes these movements and make predictions about our own current experiments.

Tuesday, July 14: Wicked Weather

On average every year, at least one hurricane will make landfall on Florida! Campers will learn about the dangers of hurricanes, how Florida endures these storms, and how these storms have changed! Next up, campers will build their own waterbottle twister and learn about the tornados Florida takes on each year! Lastly, Florida’s natural environment evolved with forest fires, but due to human influence many habitats no longer receive the fires they need to be healthy. Campers will learn about the importance of prescribed burning, and what you can do to help prevent unwanted fires!

Wednesday, July 15: Plants and Pollinators

We all know that we rely on plants, but did you know that pollinators are just as important? This day we will be exploring the native plants around our property and investigating butterflies, bugs, and bees! At the end of the day, campers will even be able to make their own Air Bee-N-Bee!

Thursday, July 16: Florida Feasts

Did you know that the Indian River Lagoon is home to over 2,000 different species of animals?! These animals interact with each other in a delicately balanced system. Campers will be introduced to some of the different animals in the lagoon, how their relationships, their adaptations, and the affects that disrupt these relationships. Then get ready to meet powerful predators from the Florida Wildlife Hospital (FWH) and learn about the relationships between owls and their pitiful prey!

Friday, July 17: Spoil Island Adventure

Session 3 — Shifts in Our World

Monday, July 27: Ais Spy

To start this week off, we will learn about the Ais People who once made Brevard County their home and survived on the bounty of the Indian River for life. Campers will be introduced to the life history of the Ais, then build their own model canoe and race against other campers! Later that day, we will tie-dye shirts to build our camper community.

Tuesday, July 28: Human Havoc

As humans we have the ability to create and destroy—and we are talented in both! This day will focus on some of the havoc we have caused to our natural habitats and what we can do to help save the Lagoon! Campers will investigate stormwater runoff, plastics pollution, and sea level rise then put their skills to the test become Lagoon advocates.

Wednesday, July 29: Invasive Invaders

Invasive species are incredible invaders, sneaking into almost every environment on earth! These species terrorize the natural residents that live in the area and cause untold impacts. Campers will be introduced to the invasive species in Florida found both on land and in the water, and what they can do to join the battle!

Thursday, July 30: Remarkable Restoration

This day we will focus on the remarkable restoration efforts being made to repair habitats that were degraded either through human impacts or natural disasters. Campers will learn why mangroves matter, how to ID Florida species, and work in our mangrove nursery that houses over 500 mangroves! Next up, campers will learn about the outstanding oyster and why it is needed in the Lagoon! Later, campers will learn about living shorelines and explore our restoration efforts along our shoreline.

Friday, July 31: Spoil Island Adventure

Upon completion of registration, a waiver and photo release form will be emailed to you for completion and return prior to the first day of camp. If you have more than one camper, you will need to complete this registration form for each camper.