STUDENT INSTITUTE FOR MARINE SCIENCE

Summer Institute for Marine Science at Rookery Bay | National Estuarine Research Reserve

Half-Day Marine Science Summer Camp

$75 | Grades 7-10 | Half-day Camp
Student Institute for Marine Science (SIMS) is the ideal half-day camp for rising 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade students with an interest in Marine Sciences. 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 and exposure to research & monitoring of local wildlife.

Join us for all six themes!

Individual Registration Required

Estuary Essence

Lab program – Estuaries are dynamic environments. Explore behind the scenes at the Reserve, see where our research takes place and learn about the work that is being done to monitor our estuary. Take a deep dive into water quality and shark monitoring at the Reserve!
Available dates: June 4 and 18

Upland Edventure

Bike and Hike program – Get an introduction to plant identification and community data collection efforts through upland habitats and conserved spaces within the Reserve.
Available dates: June 5 and 19

A Day on the Bay

Kayak program – Adventure into some of the most quiet and tranquil parts of the Rookery Bay Research Reserve with our exclusive eco-tour provider, Rising Tide Explorers, and one of their Biologist Guides! Students will be paired together and work as a team, paddling for ~2hrs.
Available dates: June 6 and 20

Fantastic Feathers

Field program – Bird is the word at Rookery Bay! Join Reserve staff for birding basics in the field. See our local feathered friends, learn about how these birds utilize the estuary and what we do to protect them!
Available dates: June 11 and 25

Exciting Invertebrates: Squid Dissection & Plankton Lab

Lab program – Invertebrates are just one of the interesting groups of animals that call Rookery Bay Research Reserve home. Join staff in the lab for an exciting squid dissection to learn about their amazing adaptations. Students will use microscopes to take an in-depth look at some of our smallest estuary inhabitants: plankton!
Available dates: June 12 and 26

Finding Fish

Beach-based program – Use the ancient collection method of seining to survey the fish found in the waters surrounding Rookery Bay. You may be surprised at the diversity that the estuary supports! Compare a mudflat, a lagoon and barrier island habitat.
Available dates: June 13 and 27

Even more fun at Rookery Bay!

A visit to Rookery Bay has so much fun in store for Kids & Families. Visit our Environmental Learning Center, Explore Rookery Bay with Nature Tours by Boat & Kayak, or take in a lecture.

Student Institute for Marine Science

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Information

SIMS offers students an in depth look at the mission and efforts of the Reserve, visits to surrounding areas of the Western Everglades and exposure to research and monitoring of local wildlife.

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Materials

Bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks/lunch are encouraged but optional. Proper field clothes and close-toed shoes required. All equipment will be provided. Additional details will be emailed with agenda ONE WEEK prior to the start of camp.

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Time

Drop Off – 8:30am – 9:00am
Field/Lab Work – 9:00am – 12:30 pm
Pickup/Lunch – 12:30pm – 1:00pm

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Pickup and Drop Off

Rookery Bay Field Station on Shell Island Road, Naples FL 34113

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Thank You!

This program was made possible with funding support from the Friends of Rookery Bay!

Explore with Us!

Guided Boat Tours

Discover Rookery Bay’s extraordinary wildlife on one of our naturalist guided kayak tours. Two-hour guided kayak tours let you explore backwater bays and mangrove forests and provide opportunities to see wildlife such as wading birds, osprey, fish and dolphins.