BISCAYNE BAY AQUATIC PRESERVES “BAYOLOGIST” CAMP GROWS IN POPULARITY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 20, 2015

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

BISCAYNE BAY AQUATIC PRESERVES' 
“BAYOLOGIST” CAMP GROWS IN POPULARITY

~Enroll now for spring break session in March~

Bayologist Camp

Children's day camp in Miami wraps up with record enrollment.

MIAMI – Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves’ “Bayologist” camp program has grown to an annual enrollment of 32 kids. At the week-long camp, students learn about the importance of the bay’s plants and animals via classroom activities and on-the-water experiences. The next "Bayologist" camp will be offered during the spring school break in March.

“Children are the next generation to protect Biscayne Bay, so hands-on experiences inside and around the bay are critical to their learning,” said Michelle Metcalf, Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves’ ecotourism coordinator. “The 'Bayologist' program provides a fun and educational alternative activity during school breaks.”

Outdoor activities include using a seine net to view aquatic species, identifying bird species at a nearby rookery, canoeing around a bay island and conducting an island species scavenger hunt. Classroom activities and lessons are focused around animal migrations. Campers will learn why both manatees and birds travel south in the winter, how sea turtles search for a beach to nest on, and why fish rely on tidal movements for migrations.

“'Bayologist' camp provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for kids in our community to have direct access to Biscayne Bay in an interactive environment,” said Eric Buck, Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves' manager.

The “Bayologist” camp program is a series of three camps that take place during the year. Offered in March, June and December, each camp's curriculum builds on the previous camp’s lessons. Children are not required to attend the camps consecutively; however, only children completing the three camps consecutively will be eligible for the “Junior Bayologist” degree. Email Biscayne.Bay@dep.state.fl.us for more information or to enroll in the next camp.