Exploring Your Environment Camp 2024
An Exploration of Sarasota’s Natural Environment
Exploring Sarasota’s diverse ecosystem is something you will not forgot. From its incredible wildlife to the stunning scenery it has to offer, everyone can appreciate its beauty. Luckily, I got to experience this first hand. Sarasota County offers over 30 summer camps each year, and I had the pleasure of working with the 4-H Exploring Your Environment camp at UF/IFAS Extension. Our goal was to show youth different habitats and ecosystems in and around their community. Kids learn how to make scientific inquiries, and hands-on learning experience in environmental science and travel fun.
This year, the camp ran for one week from June 17-24. In the mornings we took fieldtrips to various natural areas in Sarasota. We visited state and county parks, got a behind the scenes look at the Mote Marine Laboratory, and even went to the beach! In the afternoons we would be back at the Extension office doing different environmental-based activities. Being a 4-H intern, I was able to be very hands-on, and see how our Extension office runs camp. It was an amazing introduction to the natural world of Sarasota.
Day 1: Oscar Sherer State Park
Oscar Sherer State Park is one of two state parks located in Sarasota County. The park, which sees
over 100,00 visitors each year preserves pine and scrubby flatwoods where all kinds of animals inhabit. Gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, and the endemic scrub jay call Oscar Sherer home. For camp, we helped remove invasive species, checked out the nature center, and took a trolley tour around the park. We even got to see some gopher tortoise burrows and an eagle’s nest!
Day 2: Mote Marine Aquaculture Park
Day 2 was spent at Mote Marine Aquaculture Park. We were lucky enough to visit a place that not many people get to see. This facility provides research on sustainable aquaculture techniques, which includes recycling 100% of their saltwater. During camp, we had the opportunity to look at their spawning tanks, and learn about sustainable farming. We even got to taste the salty sea purslane that they grow right there on the farm.
Day 3: Myakka River State Park
Wednesday’s fieldtrip at Myakka River State Park was definitely a fan favorite. We had the chance to visit Myakka River State Park. Fifty-eight square miles of pine forests, scrubby flatwoods, and dry prairies make this place extremely biodiverse and amazing. The campers got a chance to test the river’s water quality, identify the different birds that call this park home, and remove invasive species. Before we left, we enjoyed the canopy walk that takes you right through the trees and up above the tree line with a bird’s eye view of the park.
Day 4: Manasota Beach
We grabbed our swimsuits and flip-flops for day 4, and headed to the beach! Our morning was spent at Manasota Beach located in Englewood. Known for its abundance of shark teeth, many of the campers were on the lookout for them when we got there and were not disappointed as we found many. Amongst the shark teeth hunting, we also learned about the animals that used to live in this area millions of years ago, like the megalodon. Campers learned about the importance of keeping our oceans free of pollution and picked up any trash that we saw before heading into the water.
Day 5: Pinecraft Park
Our final day, was spent at Pine Craft Park nestled on the bank of Phillippi Creek. The 15-acre park made up of mesic hammock habitat is located in the middle of a community with recreational opportunities including a playground, shuffleboard and a beach volleyball court. Our focus for camp was on the plants and animals that live in and near Phillippi Creek. Dip-netting and fishing were two big activities we did while at Pinecraft. While the hot dogs we were using as bait did not attract a large number of fish, the campers got to learn the basics of how to fish and seemed to enjoy it.
Summer camp is always a lot of work, watching over a large number of kids, ensuring their safety and encouraging them to have fun. Luckily for me, the hard work paid off and being a part of Exploring Your Environment camp was definitely worth it. From visiting the scrubby flatwoods at Oscar Sherer to looking for shark teeth at Manasota Beach, I’d have to say my favorite part of the week was watching the campers grow as people. They made new friends, explored new places, and learned how to care for the environment. Learn more about 4-H and the clubs that we offer here in Sarasota. You can contact Sarasota 4-H directly at 4h.scgov.net.
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