By Kim Scotto
GAINESVILLE, Fla. –Is your child getting more ‘screen time’ than ‘green time’ this summer? Camp Kids in the Woods, a joint initiative between the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation and the USDA Forest Service, offers an opportunity for rising 7th to 9th grade students to unplug and head outdoors.
“Kids today spend twice as much time indoors as their parents did. Our camp lets them interact with nature in a hands-on way – catching bugs, exploring wetlands, climbing trees, and even getting to camp out in the beautiful UF/IFAS Austin Cary Forest,” said Molly Disabb, Kids in the Woods camp director.
All camp excursions are led by scientists and natural resource professional from a range of fields, including forestry, wildlife, water resources and entomology.
“I could tell the camp was educational, but it wasn’t boring because every time we started a new topic, we got to go out and actually see or do what we just learned,” said Dane, 13, who attended a session in June. “I learned how to use GPS and how to track all kinds of stuff. I can now identify different trees and bugs. It was awesome, and I definitely want to go back next year!”
The next session takes place July 16 to 20 and costs $195. Thanks to generous donors, a limited number of scholarships are available. If you are interested in requesting a scholarship, please send an email with the request and a brief letter from your potential camper explaining why they would like to come to camp to: Molly Disabb, kidsinwoods2@gmail.com.
For more information, visit: http://www.campkidsinthewoods.org/
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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS.
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