Sarasota County Youth Summer Camp Aims to Boost Nature Connections, Knowledge

Combining hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, exploration and other outdoor adventures with an array of indoor, hands-on, science-themed activities, the “4-H Exploring Your Environment” camp from UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County aims to help youth connect with and better understand the outdoor world.

“At the heart of our 4-H program, our camp is about engaging youth in outdoor scientific inquiry to build life skills, have fun and make friends,” said Sarah Davis, 4-H Youth Development Agent with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.

Studies have shown a marked decrease in the amount of time children spend in outdoor, natural settings. Having positive experiences in the natural environment, though, has been shown to benefit physical and mental well-being, as well as increase the desire to protect and preserve key ecosystems and settings.

Registration is open through May 15 for the “4-H Exploring Your Environment” camp, providing outdoor opportunities for any youth age 10-14 (as of Sept. 1, 2024). The camp runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 16-20, and then repeats June 23-27.

Camp days start at the Extension office in Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, with daily field trips to locations like Oscar Scherer and Myakka River state parks, Manasota Beach, and Mote Aquaculture Research Park. Following a day of outdoor experiences, campers then return to the Extension complex.

During field trips, planned outdoor adventures will showcase elements of nature, along with scientific methods to study and learn more about the experiences. Arts and crafts activities, food tastings, scavenger hunts and other youth development hands-on activities to further engage campers.

Camp spots are limited, and advance registration is required. The five-day camp costs $200 per participant (limited scholarships available), and includes activities, travel to and from field locations, and snacks during camp hours. For an additional fee, after- and/or before-camp care also is available.

Learn more and register no later than May 15 via tiny.cc/ufsaraext_4hexplorecamp, or get more information by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County 4-H Youth Development at sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/4-h.

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County partners local, state and federal resources to translate research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to 4-H youth development; agriculture; gardening and landscaping; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and sustainability. Learn more at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota.