Get Wild About Wildlife At Virtual Summer Camp
Manatee Lagoon Kicks Off Summer at the Lagoon Programs
Embark on free, exciting summer adventures with Manatee Lagoon, featuring an award-winning virtual camp, Manatee Tales: Adventures with Mia and Friends and Lectures at the Lagoon
Dive into a season of discovery, adventure and free family fun during Summer at the Lagoon at Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center. Get Wild About Wildlife in our award-winning virtual camp; experience stories come splashing to life during Manatee Tales: Adventures with Mia and Friends; and bring learning and excitement together during our educational Lectures at the Lagoon.
Now in its seventh year, the Wild About Wildlife Virtual Summer Camp program will include week-long virtual camp experiences with half-day afternoon schedules filled with animal observations, experiments, games, crafts and educational lessons hosted by educators including Mote Marine Laboratory and other leading environmental organizations. Camp sessions will feature a mix of live, pre-recorded and do-at-your-own-pace content. Although lessons are geared towards children ages 6 to 9, other ages are welcome to register and participate. The first week will run June 15 – 19 and the second week will be available July 20 – 24.
“Children from all communities can greatly benefit from this unique virtual camp experience,” said Rachel Shanker, Manatee Lagoon’s Conservation & Education Manager. "Through the incredible support of our partnering organizations, we're able to meet kids where they are, sparking curiosity, building a love for nature and showing the next generation why protecting Florida's wildlife matters. This summer, we're making conservation accessible, engaging and unforgettable for every child who participates."
The virtual summer camp is free for families and individuals with a voluntary donation option to support the environmental and educational missions of the organizations that help make this program possible. Summer camp organizations can also register to access the content for $50 per week, which includes login access for one device.
Another FREE program offered at Manatee Lagoon is Manatee Tales: Adventures with Mia and Friends. Every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., a Manatee Master will guide attendees on a short, kid-friendly tour of Manatee Lagoon, followed by an engaging reading session in our immersive classroom. Children will hear captivating stories about marine life from a selection of educational books. After the story, kids will have the exciting opportunity to create and take home a fun craft inspired by the day's book.
The program is available for children ages 3 and up. Advance registration is required.
For more information about Summer at the Lagoon and to register for the available programs, check out VisitManateeLagoon.com.
About Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center®
Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center® is a free Palm Beach County educational attraction with a dedicated area to view manatees up close. The 16,000-square-foot center features engaging, hands-on exhibits for visitors to learn all about the unique creatures as well as the natural wonders of the surrounding Lake Worth Lagoon. During the colder winter months, the facility’s observation deck is the ideal spot to view manatees basking in the clean, warm-water outflows from Florida Power & Light Company’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center. Manatee Lagoon also offers digital resources and educational virtual content for manatee fans near and far on its website: VisitManateeLagoon.com.
The center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for major holidays. During manatee season, which runs from Nov. 15 through March 31, Manatee Lagoon is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.