River Center - Loxahatchee River District

River Center
805 North US Hwy One
Jupiter, Florida 33477
March 13th, 2012
Attn: Camp Director
RE: River Center Field Trip Program – A Program of the Loxahatchee River District
Dear Camp Director:
Please find enclosed information about this year’s camp field trip programs offered by the River
Center, an environmental education facility developed by the Loxahatchee River District.
The River Center features 9 state of the art aquariums representing the different habitats of the
Loxahatchee River and 7 interactive exhibits, including a fully stocked touch tank.
We have new innovative programs and are able to offer a variety of activities for you to choose. Our
programs include an interactive tour of our facility, a touch tank demonstration, and an environmental
activity. We strive to help students learn about the Loxahatchee River and its surrounding natural
areas while having fun. This one of a kind experience is available for only $4.00 per camper (tax not
applicable).
Our facility and programs are appropriate for all ages. We are offering both morning and afternoon
programs. One of our education specialists can help you select and customize a program that is
suitable for your group. Please note that group sizes are limited to 50 campers at one time.
Groups will be booked on a first come, first served basis and space is limited. Please call to plan your
camp’s River Center experience today!
Sincerely,
Callie Sharkey
Environmental Educator
River Center
561-743-7123
Callie.Sharkey@loxahatcheeriver.org
2012 Summer FUN Trip
Camp Program
Join the River Center this summer for tons of fun
with an educational twist!
All programs include:
 Tour of the River Center
 Animal Encounters
 Environmental Activity
Want to know more or schedule your Summer FUN Trip?
Contact:
Callie Sharkey
education@loxahatcheeriver.org
PH# 561-743-7123
Camp tours are scheduled on a first come/first served basis. Each program costs
$4/camper and tax does not apply. Payment is due the day of your program. A $25
“No Show” fee applies to missed programs. Additional activity options are available
for 6th - 12th grade upon request.
2012 Summer FUN Trip
Elementary School (K - 5th grade) Activities:
Each program includes a tour of the River Center, a Touch Tank demonstration, and ONE of
the following activities. Please choose one for your field trip, or ask River Center staff to
use our experience to choose the best option for your campers!
Nature Scavenger Hunt Race (Outdoor Activity):
Discover the island through nature. Campers learn about seeds, plants,
crabs, snails, etc. that naturally occur in Burt Reynolds Park. Groups are
then split into teams to look for each of the items.
Shark Bites (Part Indoor/Part Outdoor):
Campers learn about special shark adaptations and participate in activities to better understand how keen shark
senses are. Campers may get wet during this activity. Note: the River Center does not have sharks on exhibit; this
is a fun activity to learn about sharks.
Recycle Relay & Balloon Game (Outdoor):
Teams race to get all the recyclable items in the proper bin. This is a fun and active way to get kids recycling!
Next, the kids play a version of “hot potato” with water balloons to test their nature knowledge! Campers may get
wet during this activity!
Nature Rainbow Art (Indoor):
Campers create their own unique works of art using materials gathered from nature! They learn about different
leaves, flowers, and other interesting items found in our local environment.
Sea Urchin Lab (Indoor):
Campers find their inner scientist as they conduct basic behavioral
experiments with LIVE sea urchins!
Mangrove Tug of War (Outdoor):
Campers explore the mangroves, the creatures that live there, and
learn to identify the three different types of mangroves using multiple
senses. Afterwards campers participate in multiple games of tug of
war to show what happens when changes in the mangrove habitat
occur.
Seine/Dip Netting ($1.00/camper additional fee.) Outdoor
Kids wade up to waist deep in coastal waters utilizing scientific
collection techniques to gather live aquatic animals. Subject to tides.
Please speak to a River Center Educator before scheduling this
activity.
2012 Summer FUN Trip
Preschool Activities
Each program includes a tour of the River Center, a Touch Tank
demonstration, and ONE of the following activities. Please choose one
for your field trip, or ask River Center staff to help you choose the best
option for your campers!
Goin’ on a Crab Hunt (Outdoor):
Inspired by the popular children’s book Going on a Bear Hunt, campers
explore outside as a group. They will find and follow clues leading them to
live crabs!
Nature Rainbow Art (Indoor):
Campers create their own unique works of art using materials gathered from nature! They learn about
different leaves, flowers, and other interesting items found in our local environment.
“Nature Says” & Balloon Game (Part Indoor/Part Outdoor):
Nature Says: Campers learn about animal sounds and movements, as well as other naturally occurring
activities through our version of “Simon Says.”
Balloon Game: Campers pass water balloons while coming up with animal sounds, nature words, and
more, until the balloon pops. This is always a camp favorite! Note: kids may get wet during this activity.
Turtle Tots (Indoor):
Learn more about the turtles living at the River Center while making a fun turtle-y take home craft! Find
out the differences in turtles that live in the Loxahatchee River! Note: This is not a sea turtle program.
Programs and activities may be customized to accommodate your
campers’ needs. Please contact the River Center at
education@loxahatcheeriver.org or 561-743-7123 to schedule a
program and create a memorable “River Experience” for your group.
A Program of Loxahatchee River District
River Center
RETURN TO:
805 North U.S. Highway One
Jupiter, Florida 33477
561-743-6314 (Fax)
education@loxahatcheeriver.org
Summer FUN Trip Program
REGISTRATION FORM
PLEASE FILL OUT ONE FORM FOR EACH DAY YOU WISH TO ATTEND
CONTACT INFORMATION:
COORDINATOR NAME:
DATE:
CAMP:
ADDRESS:
ZIP:
PHONE:
BEST TIME TO REACH YOU:
ALT PHONE:
BEST TIME TO REACH YOU:
EMAIL:
FAX:
PROGRAM INFORMATION:
NUMBER OF STUDENTS:
AGE GROUP:
1ST CHOICE DATE(S)
NUMBER OF COUNSELORS:
2ND CHOICE DATE(S)
PREFERRED TIME FOR PROGRAM START:
ACTIVITY SELECTION:
SPECIAL NOTES:
(Do any of your campers have any physical limitations or disabilities?)
Tours are booked on a first come, first served basis. You will receive a confirmation form once your program has been scheduled. You
will also receive a list of items that students should bring or wear. The cost is $4 per camper for your program, and tax does not apply.
Counselors will be admitted free of charge. Please give a courtesy call if your group is running late for the program or 24 hours for notice
of cancellation. A $25 program fee will apply to any missed programs.
Program & Scheduling contact information:
CALLIE SHARKEY
JOCELYN O’NEILL
Environmental Educator
Environmental Education Coordinator
Loxahatchee River Center
Loxahatchee River Center
561-743-7123
561-743-7123
Callie.Sharkey@loxahatcheeriver.org
Confirmed Date:
Jocelyn.ONeill@loxahatcheeriver.org
Deposit Paid (if applicable):
Loxahatchee River District
Things to Bring On Your Summer FUN Trip
Comfortable clothing appropriate for the season. (Students may spend part of their time at the center
outdoors, weather permitting. Please have students dress accordingly.)
• Hats and Sunscreen are suggested
• Water bottle
There are picnic tables and pavilions located inside Burt Reynolds near the River Center. If they are available,
your group is welcome to use them for lunch or snack time. The Chiki Hut next to the River Center can also be
utilized if available. We recommend a 1:6 ratio of counselors/chaperones to campers for younger groups
(ages 5-9), and 1:10 for older groups (ages: 10+).
Directions
From I-95 or the Turnpike: Exit at Jupiter East / Indiantown Road. Follow Indiantown Road east until you reach
US Hwy. 1, make a left. You will go through one stoplight, then make the next right into Burt Reynolds Park (at
the flashing yellow light). The River Center is the light blue building with the metal roof. We are located next
to the fire station. Please call 561-743-7123 if you need further assistance finding the River Center. Please call
if you think your group will be more than 15 minutes late for your program.
Gift Shop
There is a gift shop at the River Center if your campers would like to have the opportunity to shop. We ask
that all children be accompanied by a chaperone. Please limit the number of campers to 5 at a time to avoid
crowding. To help keep your group on time, we suggest that only the campers that have money to spend
enter the gift shop. Thank you for shopping at the River Center and supporting our programs!
**Please note that a $25 program fee applies for any missed programs.