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Florida Keys: Marine & Wildlife Conservation 16 Days
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!
The perfect balance of experiential education, meaningful service projects and unforgettable adventures.
A certificate of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the trip.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Travel in passenger vans driven by our staff.
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
Everybody participates together in each project. Specific projects are confirmed in late spring and are similar to those described.
Hotels.
Up to 24 participants.
Includes breakfast and dinner daily.
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
Become a Citizen Scientist by taking part in the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, an effective and powerful ocean program that allows scientists and resource managers to use the data to better understand and protect ocean ecosystems worldwide. Learn to identify and recognize the marine fish species, including their behaviors from reproduction and feeding to camouflage and communication. Practice these Fish ID skills while snorkeling in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Learn about the threats invasive marine fish pose to their non-native environments and what is being done to combat one of the most infamous invasive fish species: the lionfish. Gain background on the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research, collecting and handling techniques, and much more. Explore South Florida's diverse tropical ecosystems, understand their importance, and discover how individuals can make a difference in conservation while kayaking through John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
About the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)
Founded in 1990, REEF is an international marine conservation organization that implements hands-on programs to involve local communities in conservation-focused activities. Its mission is to protect biodiversity and ocean life by actively engaging and inspiring the public through citizen science, education, and partnerships with the scientific community.
The responsibilities handled by volunteers represent vital aspects of Dolphins Plus: Marine Mammal Responder operations. Volunteers may find themselves helping with facility maintenance such as canal clean up, seaweed removal, fence cleaning, painting and landscaping. Participants will gain an understanding of the causes, functions, development of evolution and how it relates to animals while going into depth on the importance of Zoos and Aquariums. In a Marine Mammal Rescue course, students will explore policies and best practices in regards to marine mammal strandings, response, rehabilitation, and release.
About Dolphins Plus: Marine Mammal Responder
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (DPMMR) is committed to the conservation and protection of marine mammals, worldwide, through our active involvement in conservation, research, extensive education, and outreach programs. DPMMR leads and operates the only whale and dolphin stranding organization covering 10,000 square miles of marine habitat in the Florida Keys. DPMMR promotes a greater understanding of marine ecosystem science, marine mammal conservation, and environmental stewardship via powerful daily interactions with the general public.
Get up-close experience with scientific fieldwork and coral reef restoration. Learn about why coral reefs are in decline and why restoration is being done to combat this decline. Snorkel for a unique “birds-eye” view of coral nurseries and active restoration sites on nearby reefs. Discuss coral tree and nursery advantages and disadvantages while exploring various aspects of maintenance & materials. Delve into outplanting techniques and methodology, invertebrate field guides, coral identification & biology.
About the Coral Restoration Foundation ™ (CRF)
CRF is the world's largest non-profit marine-conservation organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs to a healthy state, in Florida and globally. Their mission is to restore coral reefs, to educate others on the importance of our oceans, and to use science to further coral research and coral reef monitoring techniques. CRF works to support the reefs’ natural recovery processes through the large-scale cultivation, outplanting, and monitoring of genetically diverse, reef-building corals.
Our groups will help cleanup the canals in the Big Pine community.
About the Conch Republic Marine Army (CRMA)
The CRMA's mission is habitat restoration, and to clean up and protect the coasts, mangroves, and waterways of the Florida Keys. CRMA uses passive restoration techniques to reduce or eliminate the sources of degradation and permit enough recovery time to allow the site to naturally regenerate.
Choose to paddleboard or kayak while you explore mangrove tunnels and glide over seagrass meadows. Spend time in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park snorkeling & kayaking. Test your teamwork skills at an escape room - discovering clues, solving puzzles, and accomplishing tasks together! Get up close and personal with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in a deep and shallow in-water experience. Interact with this awe-inspiring mammal through back rubs, belly rubs, handshakes or even a dorsal tow, belly ride, or foot push!
Go behind the scenes at the Turtle Hospital and sea turtle rehabilitation area… perhaps even get a chance to feed the permanent residents! Relax on the beautiful beaches of Bahia Honda State Park. Feed the school of more than 100 tarpon at Robbie's. Witness tarpon actually rise up from the water in a powerful flash of silver and green to meet the fish as it leaves your hand.
Hop in and ride down to Key West, and explore the famous sunset celebration in Mallory Square and stroll down Duval Street. Take a selfie at the Southernmost Point and the lowest latitude land in the continental U.S.
Hold on tight as you race through the vibrant waters of Miami on a speedboat, taking in the stunning skyline and enjoying heart-pounding twists and turns along the way. Reminisce about your time together and all you’ve learned about the ecological health of the stunning Florida Keys while you explore South Beach and the famous Art Deco District on Ocean Drive.
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.
Flight to Miami, Florida
For participants on this program, we help you coordinate your flight times and greet you upon arrival in Miami.
Return Flight Home from Miami, Florida
For your return flight from Miami, our leaders help you to check-in and remain at the airport until flights at designated times have departed. Depending on the number of students from the New York area, we may offer a chaperoned flight home.
Where We Stay
We carefully select clean and comfortable accommodations with the needs of our students in mind. While our volunteer programs do not stay at luxury resorts, we do know that a good night’s rest, in your own bed, is key to performing your service hours well and having enough energy to enjoy the day’s activities. For this reason, and also to maintain the close group bond and to uphold the quality of this program, we do not offer any homestays.
Meals
We are proud of the fact that year after year we are complimented for our quality and quantity of food and variety of options. On this program in the Keys, breakfasts are at restaurants or prepared by our staff, and lunches and dinners are at restaurants.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. You will have the opportunity to do laundry at your convenience by dropping off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, lunches, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
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.
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.
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:
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