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Florida Keys Volunteer Program for Teens
This string of tropical islands stretches off the southern tip of Florida, and is home to some of the most incredible marine and wildlife in the U.S. On this student community service and environmental stewardship program in the Florida Keys, teens have the opportunity to make a difference by helping restore coral nurseries, preserving the marine environment, learning about proper dolphin care, and much more! You’ll also learn how to protect biodiversity and ocean life through partnerships with the scientific community. This Florida Keys student experience uses a service-learning framework where our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program. Beautiful beaches and laid-back island vibes are just a bonus on this community service program. By the time of your final evening together, you will be a close-knit group, wishing you could prolong your stay to help even more!
About This Program
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What It’s Like
The perfect balance of experiential education, meaningful service projects and unforgettable adventures.
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30 Service Hours
A certificate of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the trip.
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Activities
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
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Transportation
Travel in passenger vans driven by our staff.
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Recognition
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
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Service Projects
Everybody participates together in each project. Specific projects are confirmed in late spring and are similar to those described.
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Accommodations
Hotels.
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Group Size
Up to 24 participants.
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Meals
Includes breakfast and dinner daily.
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Dietary Options
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
Program Highlights
- • Snorkel around coral nurseries and active restoration sites while practicing your fish ID skills.
- • Soak up the sun on gorgeous Florida Keys beaches & Bahia Honda State Park.
- • Kayak and stand up paddleboard through diverse tropical ecosystems like mangrove, sea grass, and coral reef.
- • Get up close and personal with dolphins on an in-water splash & swim experience.
- • Feed the tarpon rising up from the water in a powerful flash of silver and green.
- • Help keep the Dolphins Plus: Marine Mammal Responder facility running smoothly.
- • Bask in the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration watching the glowing pink and red sun sink into the horizon.
- • Go behind the scenes at the Turtle Hospital for sick and injured sea turtles.
Service Projects
Activities
Accommodations
Upper Keys, Florida
The Holiday Inn is a beautiful water front property! It features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and outdoor dining areas.
Lower Keys, Florida
Stay at either the Fairfield Inn or Hampton Inn and enjoy comfortable rooms, a fitness center, and pool to relax in after busy days of volunteering and fun.
Miami, Florida
For one last evening in the Sunshine State, stay at the conveniently located Springhill Suites Miami Airport for some final laughs with all your new friends.
More Details
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
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Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
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How are roommates assigned?
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and the warmest and most welcoming social environments in our industry!
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs, rooming rotation is as follows:
To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the Program Director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences, rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together.Important notes:
- Roommates are assigned based on gender identity. We welcome all genders, inclusive of those anywhere on the gender spectrum.
- On a few programs where we spend an extended period of time at the first stop, participants have the opportunity to rotate after the first two nights.