If you have already registered above, please find the forms needed for your camp week. Please fill them out and email to [email protected]. These forms above are fillable but feel free to print them out and bring them on the first day. Please fill out the Boat Waiver and read over the safety behavior protocols. Camps are week long but multiple weeks can be chosen if space is available.
Lets go outside!
Wesley's Island Eco Camp
Presented by Stella's Eco Stars with support from St. Lucie County ERD and the Oxbow Eco-Center
Wesley’s Island Eco Camp is an immersive learning program in which youth are engaged in environmental studies, restoration and stewardship of the Indian River Lagoon. Our goals are to increase environmental knowledge, awareness of issues, and choices that can be made to reduce impacts on natural resources.
Wesley’s Island Eco Camp is an immersive learning program in which youth are engaged in environmental studies, restoration and stewardship of the Indian River Lagoon. Our goals are to increase environmental knowledge, awareness of issues, and choices that can be made to reduce impacts on natural resources.
Students will learn about how they are a part of the environment and not separate from it. They will understand how nature is important for our physical and mental health, and how important it is for our very survival. Campers will gain an appreciation for the Lagoon’s intrinsic value, respect for all living things, and a sense of responsibility and stewardship. Our Eco Camp includes unique and potential first time experiences like kayaking, paddle boarding and pontoon boat trips to Wesley’s Island as well as visits to local nature centers surrounding the Indian River Lagoon. Scientists, educators and resource managers assist in a variety of activities that help camp attendees gain greater awareness of native and non-native marine vertebrates and crustaceans, oyster reefs, aquatic vegetation, terrestrial flora and fauna,
invasive and native plants, water chemistry, hydrology, and ecosystem services.
Why THIS island?
Wesley’s Island (27º27’ 54” N, 80º 18’ 58”W) is part of the Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Plan, and aligns St. Lucie County habitat restoration and water quality improvement goals. It is also part of the Department of Environmental Protection, Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves (IRLAP) program and enhancement goals. The aquatic and terrestrial regions surrounding this Island will also be utilized.
invasive and native plants, water chemistry, hydrology, and ecosystem services.
Why THIS island?
Wesley’s Island (27º27’ 54” N, 80º 18’ 58”W) is part of the Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Plan, and aligns St. Lucie County habitat restoration and water quality improvement goals. It is also part of the Department of Environmental Protection, Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves (IRLAP) program and enhancement goals. The aquatic and terrestrial regions surrounding this Island will also be utilized.
Summer camp was awesome, check it out in the video above! We hope to see you this summer.
Did someone say this camp is on an island? YES, Wesley’s Island is the camp location! Discover marine environments with a hands on approach while seine netting, oyster examinations, marine fish dissections and explorations, marine biology labs, citizen science projects and much more. Learn to paddleboard, and ride in a motorized kayak to get up close with wildlife like never before! While in camp you will learn some necessary wildlife survival skills and how to become a better steward of our shared environment.
Wesley’s Island Eco Camp
2024 Event info:
Cost: $315/child Camp is 1 week long *multiple week attendance is permitted and even encouraged. Spots are limited to 13 children per week so register early! June 10-14 Ages 8-12 Girls in Science week** June 17-21 Ages 12-16 July 8-12 Ages 8-12 July 15-19 Ages 12-16 8:45am-3:00pm @Museum Pointe Park's Summerland Dock 414 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34949 & Wesley’s Island we will also meet at Stan Blum Boat Ramp + Fort Pierce State Park according to the weekly schedule give prior to camp. |
Eco Stars Itinerary
Weeks 1 & 2 : June 10-14 Ages 8-12 Girls in Science week** June 17-21 Ages 12-16 Weeks 3 & 4: July 8-12 Ages 8-12 July 15-19 Ages 12-16 Camp registration is per week, if you would like multiple weeks please specify which weeks on your forms. If you would like your children in the same camp week, we can certainly accommodate and be flexible with ages.
**Girls in Science week: This weeks is dedicated to girls who have an excitement for marine science and technology. Throughout history some of the greatest advancements in technology came from women. IN STEM fields where women are under-represented, we want to inspire young women to follow their science dreams and explore the coastal outdoors with curiosity and courage. |
Schedule: general Overview
*Changes are made with week selection
Monday
9:00 a.m. Gather at the Barn @ Museum Pointe Park, "what you know" test 10:15 a.m. Arrive on Wesley’s Island 10:30a.m. animal importance - (In)Vertebrates! 12:00 p.m. Bagged lunch on Island 12:45 p.m. Finish lunch 1:00 p.m. Mangrove, nursery habitats, biology of estuaries. Fishing introduction, explorations on island. 2:30 p.m. Depart Wesley’s Island 3:00 p.m. Arrive back under pavilion at Museum Point Park |
Tuesday
9:00 a.m. Gather at the Barn @ Museum Pointe Park 9:30-10 a.m depart for Oyster Lab 12:00 p.m. Explore mangrove habitats 12:15 p.m. Bagged lunch on Island 12:45 p.m. Finish lunch 1:00 p.m. Sustainable Marine Education Activity 3:00 p.m. Arrive back to Museum Point Park |
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. Gather @ Fort Pierce State Park, Dynamite Point 905 Shorewinds, Fort Pierce, FL 34949 9:30 a.m. Epic Day! Natives lab 12:00 p.m. Bagged lunch 12:45 p.m. Marine education/Beach Ecology Lab 3:00 p.m. Arrive back under pavilion at Dynamite Point |
Thursday
9:00 a.m. Gather at the Barn 10:00 a.m. Arrive on Wesley’s Island 10:15a.m. Oyster/Bird LNT activity with DEP/ IRLAP +/- seagrass lab 12:00 p.m. Bagged lunch 12:45 p.m. Finish lunch 1:00 p.m. Environment/survival science activities +/- Seine netting 3:00 p.m. Arrive back under pavilion at Museum Point Park |
Friday
9:00 a.m. Gather Under pavilion at Stan Blum Boat ramp
10:15 a.m. Motorized Kayaking
12:00 p.m. Bagged lunch while out
12:45 p.m. Finish lunch
1:00 p.m. Manatee Lab +/- Horseshoe crab lab
2:00 p.m. Arrive back under pavilion at Stan Blum, “What you Learned” test and end of camp party
3:00 p.m. Camp week has ended!
9:00 a.m. Gather Under pavilion at Stan Blum Boat ramp
10:15 a.m. Motorized Kayaking
12:00 p.m. Bagged lunch while out
12:45 p.m. Finish lunch
1:00 p.m. Manatee Lab +/- Horseshoe crab lab
2:00 p.m. Arrive back under pavilion at Stan Blum, “What you Learned” test and end of camp party
3:00 p.m. Camp week has ended!
Eco Camp Lab explorations:
Water quality, microplastics, fishing and conservation, underwater submersible construction, shark tooth hunting, invertebrate and vertebrate dissections, motorized kayaking, pollution mitigation and management, wildlife skills, seagrass investigation, bivalves, seamanship and safety, macro and microfauna of the Indian River Lagoon, sea turtles and hatchling orientation indexing, surfing and waves dynamics, beach ecology, seine netting and stewardship.
Water quality, microplastics, fishing and conservation, underwater submersible construction, shark tooth hunting, invertebrate and vertebrate dissections, motorized kayaking, pollution mitigation and management, wildlife skills, seagrass investigation, bivalves, seamanship and safety, macro and microfauna of the Indian River Lagoon, sea turtles and hatchling orientation indexing, surfing and waves dynamics, beach ecology, seine netting and stewardship.
Must be able to swim 50 yards unassisted and tread water.**
**Exceptions can be discussed on a case by case basis.
**Exceptions can be discussed on a case by case basis.
Rain Plans:
Smithsonian exhibit -St. Lucie County Aquarium 420 Seaway Dr. Fort Pierce, FL 34949 Phone: (772) 465-3271 Navy Seal Museum 3300 N. Hwy A1A, Fort Pierce, FL 34949 Manatee Education Center 480 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950 St. Lucie County Regional History Center 420 Seaway Dr. Fort Pierce, FL 34949 Phone: (772) 462-1795 |
Camp dates will have rain day activities listed, therefore camp days are not to be canceled or refunded.
What to bring:
Sunscreen, Hat, Water shoes, reusable water bottle, bug spray, a bag lunch, drink, snacks, insect repellant, back pack, towel, a change of clothes and pocket change for any treats we may discover on our travels! ** Please be mindful we are outside and would like reusable materials packed in lunches if possible. What to wear:
swim suit, rashguard, water shoes, hat and sunglasses with a leash, sunglasses and sunscreen. Other fun stuff to bring: waterproof camera and binoculars! |