KIDS & FAMILIES
Family Fun & Virtual Activities
Adults and children of all ages will discover the wonders of our coastal environment, engaging in a wide array of educational activities and events offered throughout the year.
Get your hands on resources to help your kids continue their education about Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Content includes worksheets, quizzes, videos and more. Your adventure awaits.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summer Institute for Marine Science (SIMS)
Students with an interest in marine science are invited to participate in a very special opportunity to learn about the coastal environment with Rookery Bay staff and local researchers during the Summer Institute for Marine Science. These half-day programs bring students into the estuary for hands-on experiences relating to ecology, marine biology, sustainability and citizen science.
PAST EVENTS
January - March
Family Campout
Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s Family Campout is the perfect way to get familiar with tent camping while staying safe, local and socially distant! Families can experience the outdoors while also enjoying some fun, socially distant activities! Each family will be assigned their own campsite with a maximum of 8 people per site. This is a non-campfire campout. Participants are required to bring their own camping gear.
Fall 2020
Rookery Bay Road Rally - SOLD OUT
A fun way to social distance, explore the 110,000-acre Rookery Bay Research Reserve and raise funds to protect our coastal environment!
- Follow route directions and answer quiz show-style questions about things you’ll see long the way
- Stop at optional activities or stay in your vehicle the entire way
- An interactive day that engages the whole family
- Giveaways
- Rally ends at an exciting, undisclosed location for prize distribution
Sanctioned by
Sports Car Club of America
Fall 2020
2nd Annual Classic Car Show
Building on success of the inaugural Rookery Bay Classic Car Show featuring 92 classic cars and over 800 attendees, our 2nd annual event was another wonderful affair. Participants viewed 102 antique, classic and muscle cars. Plus food trucks and family-friendly activities were enjoyed by all!
Presenting
Pre-1930s Antiques
’40s & ’50s Classics
’60s & ’70s Muscle Cars
September 19 - 26, 2020
National Estuaries Week
Join us as we virtually journey into Rookery Bay Research Reserve every day during National Estuaries Week. Enjoy online “live streaming” adventures, interviews, videos, crafts and more with our Estuary Heroes including the Rookery Bay Sea Turtle Team, Shark Researchers, Marine Educators, Invasive Species Specialists and Shorebird Biologists.
Currently Unavailable
Home School
Currently Unavailable
Estuary Edventures
School may be out but the estuary is open for exploring! Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve Educators for a day in the field with hands on learning that will leave you with a greater understanding and appreciation of our local estuaries. Students must bring their own lunch/snacks. Water is provided.
Currently Unavailable
Girls in Science Slumber
Discover the nocturnal side of nature while camping with Rookery Bay Research Reserve Educators inside our Environmental Learning Center. This program will emphasize the unique Southwest Florida environments we call home. Participants are required to bring their own sleeping bag/pillow. Pizza and light snacks are included. Drop off at 5pm and Pickup at 8:00am next day.
Saturdays - Year Round
Birthday Parties
Celebrate your next birthday with us! With 5 different birthday party themes to choose from you and 19 other guests can enjoy the exciting activities we offer at the Environmental Learning Center.
Make a Difference
80% of polled 2019 National Estuaries Day attendees rated the educational programming as Excellent and 70% said they learned something that they will apply to a future action.
Support the Reserve’s Education Program
Donate to support amazing programs that educate our future community leaders.