Summer Institute for Marine Science

$50 per day – Offered Individually (Choose any daily session or come to all)

Registration Required:  https://rookerybay.org/events/kids-families/

June 29 or July 13 – Upland Adventure into Rookery Bay's Outback Hiking based trip - introduction to plant identification and community data collection efforts through upland habitats and conserved spaces within the Reserve.

June 30 or July 14 – Estuary Essence of the Sea Boat-based trip - See and experience the dynamic transition from the mangrove coast and fresh water of rivers and creeks to the gateway into the Gulf of Mexico.

July 1 or July 5– What's the Fresh Catch? Join a Boat-based trip - Learn about the different monitoring programs for fish, birds and animals at Rookery Bay as well as the data collection methods utilized to understand them better.

Summer Institute for Marine Science (SIMS) is the ideal summer camp for rising 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade students with an interest in Marine Sciences and marine biology. Participants will explore estuarine and coastal ecology of Southwest Florida through excursions within the 110,000 acres of the Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Each half-day program will include an in-depth look at the mission and conservation efforts of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, time in the field, exposure to research & monitoring of local wildlife, and virtual connections to partner agencies. Activities are subject to modification due COVID-19 uncertainty.