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3 DAY FIELD
TRIPS
Join us as we
head west along Alligator Alley to Mote Marine Laboratory in
Sarasota.
Explore the
research center and exhibits, as we begin to learn about the
marine environment and take a behind the scenes tour, learning
about this valuable ocean research. Next we’ll make a
stop at the Pelican Bird Man Sanctuary to observe the
rehabilitation facility of many native and exotic birds,
before we depart for Crystal River. Before arriving at the
Marine Science Station, we’ll stop at the dive shop to fit our
wetsuits and snorkel gear for our early morning snorkeling
adventure. Prepared, we arrive at the Marine Science
Station, check in to the bunk bed style dormitory and get
ready for dinner. Evening activities include our Native
American campfire and ever-popular spirit creature game.
It’s early to bed to store our energy for our exciting
underwater encounter with the manatees!
After a hearty
breakfast, we depart for the dive boat. While snorkeling, we
explore the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and the
many springs that provide “winter homes” for the manatees.
 Manatees,
like humans are susceptible to cold and hypothermia and cannot
survive for extended periods when water temperatures fall
below 68 degrees Fahrenheit; the water in the springs is a
constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit providing a warm water escape
from the cold gulf waters. (All participants snorkeling with
manatees will be suited with a complete wetsuit). After our
snorkeling trip we return to Marine Science station where
naturalists share valuable information about the pollutants in
this important spring system. For our next adventure, we
board a boat, grab our snorkel gear and begin our drift
snorkel along the Rainbow River. We explore the local flora
and fauna, discuss river ecology, estuary ecology, bird watch
and manatee watch as we float along reveling in this unique
river experience. After we return, we drive to the local
“Manatee Toy Company” dedicated to protecting the endangered
West Indian Manatee for some manatee souvenir shopping.
Our full day comes to a beautiful close as we visit a
local beach to collect shells and watch the sunset over the
Gulf of Mexico, returning to the Marine Science station for
dinner and a well-deserved rest.
The morning finds us traveling to
Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park which offers a showcase
of native Florida wildlife and endangered species. The park
also serves as a rehabilitation center and refuge for
endangered West Indian manatees that have been orphaned,
injured in the wild and for manatees that have been born in
captivity. The natural spring environment allows them an
opportunity to re-acclimate themselves to a more natural
environment before they are returned to the wild. Here we’ll
enjoy a picnic lunch and then depart for home with a new
appreciation for this gentle and endangered mammal.
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FLORIDA
KEYS AND EVERGLADES ADVENTURE SUMMARY
4th Grade - High School
(3-Day Trip)
Wetland Ecology, Marine Diversity and Mangrove Exploration
 Our journey begins as we set out for the
Everglades, discussing the "River of Grass" along the way. Our
exploration of Florida’s natural wetland treasure takes on
three forms: air-boating in the marsh- the perfect way to view
the Everglades top predator, the alligator, slogging, or
wading through the wetlands, which gives us a real “feet-on”
feel of what the ecosystem is really about, and an
invertebrate lab. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch between
activities. After our Everglades adventure, we’ll depart for
Florida Keys and check into the Key Largo resort or campsite.
Following dinner, some possible evening activities are:
star-gazing, astronomy and marine ecology discussion,
campfire, Native American Spirit Creature Game.
Following breakfast, we’ll depart for the
kayaking launch site. After a brief kayaking lesson, we begin
our journey across the bay into the mangroves, stopping along
the way for our comparative study of the mangrove ecosystem.
Discussions will include the importance of mangroves both to
humans and a diverse array of wildlife, from the fish and
invertebrates we observed to the birds flying overhead. We’ll
continue our ornithology study at the wild bird sanctuary
where we will have the opportunity to observe rehabilitating
native birds. After returning to our campsite or hotel, we can
enjoy an afternoon swim before preparing for dinner. As night
falls, we look to the heavens as we learn the basics of
astronomy before heading back to hotel or campsite to rest up
for our snorkeling adventure.
Following breakfast, we’ll head to John
Pennekamp State Park, fit our snorkel gear and board the dive
boat and begin our coral reef study. Snorkel gear will be
provided. After the swim test, we’ll spend the next 3 hours
discovering the fascinating dynamics of both mangrove and
coral reef ecology. Returning from our snorkeling experience,
we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch, departing Key Largo in the late
afternoon to head home, swapping stories about our Florida
adventure! A last stop at the famed “Robert is Here” tortoise
farm and smoothie stand is a perfect end to our trip.
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Departing early, we board our air-conditioned coach and head
north, stopping for breakfast along the way. As we make our
way across the Florida border to beautiful and historic
Savannah, Georgia, our six-hour journey ends with
spectacular views of the saltwater marsh ecosystem as we
enjoy lunch at the Crab Shack. A local favorite, the
restaurant is poised on stilts and offers us an opportunity
to survey the wildlife of this natural area. After lunch, we
head into town to explore two of Savannah’s many historic
buildings. At our first stop, the Jepson Center for the
Arts, the future meets the past as we explore the arts place
in the world over three floors of interactive exhibits.
After honing our critical thinking skills, we’ll head to the
historic Owens-Thompson House and explore the lavish home
and gardens built by one of Savannah’s first cotton
merchants in 1819. After checking in to the Historic
Savannah Doubletree Hotel, we’ll set out to stroll along the
riverfront where we find an open market with local vendors
to explore. After dinner, we join our guide for a walking
ghost tour of the legendary streets and shadowy squares of
what locals claim is one of the most haunted cities in
America!
After breakfast,
we get acquainted with Savannah’s unique network of streets
and squares on our walking tour of the city. Planned and
built by Ogelthorpe in the 1800s, Savannah was the first
city of it’s kind in this area. Our morning offers us a
chance to explore many of the cities important sites
including the Savannah History Museum and the Roundhouse
Railroad Museum. The Civil Rights Museum explores the
history of Georgia’s oldest African American community and
their settlement in Savannah. We visit the First African
Baptist Church and then move on to discover another early
cultural settlement in the city. Visiting the historic
Mickva synagogue, established in 1735 and housing a 200-year
old torah, we learn of the largest group of early Jewish
colonists who, five months after Savannah was first settled,
administered to the health needs of the city. After lunch,
we discover two historic landmarks, the Juliette Gordon Low
birthplace where we learn the family story of this Girl
Scout founder, and the Davenport House Museum which dates
from the 1820s. Our day’s exploring wraps up with a murder
mystery dinner hosted by the professional actors of the
Savannah Community Theater at the Pirate’s House- a perfect
end to our historic day.
After breakfast,
we head out to Old Fort Jackson, Georgia’s oldest brick
fort, where history comes alive while we watch how Civil War
soldiers fired the forts cannons. For the fort, we head down
the longest live oak driveway in the world to discover the
ruins of Wormsloe, Savannah’s legendary colonial estate.
After a picnic lunch on the grounds, we say goodbye to the
rich history and unique architecture of Savannah, Georgia.
Arriving home after a dinner rest stop, we are full from our
experience discovering one of our nation’s most interesting
cities!
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