Manatee Lagoon Virtual Summer Camp Connects Children to Wildlife from Home

JUPITER, FL – June 1, 2021 – For those not quite ready for in-person summer camp and those needing an alternative to fill a gap in summer experiences, there is an exciting virtual offering this summer, and it’s open to families and camp organizations. Manatee Lagoon, Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium have partnered to offer a Wild About Wildlife Virtual Summer Camp program for children 6 to 9 years of age. The weekly virtual summer camp sessions will feature half-day morning schedules filled with animal observations, experiments, games, crafts and educational lessons hosted by educators from each organization. In addition to daily live lessons, the camp will include a variety of prerecorded and supplemental at-home activities and printables.

“We are thrilled to offer the community this unique, virtual camp experience once again,” said Sarah Marmion, manager of Manatee Lagoon. “Manatee Lagoon is part of Florida Power & Light Company’s commitment to make our communities a better place to live and raise a family and be responsible stewards of the environment. Our hope is that this virtual program provides families and camp organizations a flexible and fun way to keep curious minds engaged and connected to the environment throughout the summer months.”

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 helped make this program possible. New this year, summer camp organizations can also register to access the camp’s content for $50 per week for login access for one device.

"We are incredibly excited to partner with LMC and Manatee Lagoon to bring marine science education to youth," said Aly Busse, associate vice president for education at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. "This is an exciting model that builds on Mote's extensive, award-winning virtual learning programs to provide highly engaging interactive and educational experiences throughout the summer, especially to children who may not otherwise have access."

“We’re lucky here at LMC to live, work and play near the ocean,” said Hannah Campbell, director of education at LMC. “That’s why we jumped at the chance to share these unique and engaging marine life experiences with kids this summer, virtually. Summer camp is about fun and forming connections. The Wild About Wildlife Virtual Summer Camp fosters both, with lots of learning guaranteed.”

WHEN:          

Week-long morning summer camp sessions begin on June 21, 2021, and run through August 6, 2021.

To register for camp, please visit VisitManateeLagoon.com/virtual-summer-camp. Space is limited. Connect with each organization on social media by following:

Manatee Lagoon: @manateelagoon (Facebook, Instagram), @insideFPL #ManateeLagoon (Twitter)

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: @motemarinelab (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: @loggerheadmarinelifecenter (Facebook, Instagram), @loggerheadMC (Twitter)

CONTACT: (Media only) Ayanna Coard, 202-270-4300, Ayanna.Coard@rbbcommunications.com

About Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center®

Manatee Lagoon is dedicated to educating the public about manatees and Lake Worth Lagoon, and inspiring communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations. On cold winter days, the facility’s observation deck is the ideal spot to view manatee herds basking in the warm-water outflows from Florida Power & Light Company’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center. The center offers two levels of exhibit and event space, an observation deck to observe manatees in the lagoon, a picnic area, solar pavilions and gift shop. Due to COVID-19, Manatee Lagoon is currently closed to the public. For more information and to access the center’s virtual learning resources, please visit www.visitmanateelagoon.com.

About Loggerhead Marinelife Center:

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a nonprofit sea turtle hospital that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The center features an on-site campus hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 350,000 guests each year. For more information, please visit www.marinelife.org.

About Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium:

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, based in Sarasota, Florida, has conducted marine research since its founding as a small, one-room laboratory in 1955. Since then, Mote has grown to encompass more than 20 research and conservation programs that span the spectrum of marine science: sustainable aquaculture systems designed to alleviate growing pressures on wild fish populations; red tide research that works to inform the public and mitigate the adverse effects of red tide with innovative technologies; marine animal science, conservation and rehabilitation programs dedicated to the protection of animals such as sea turtles, manatees and dolphins; and much more. Mote Aquarium, accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is open 365 days per year. Learn more at www.mote.org.