Everglades National Park - Camping Programs (U.S. National Park Service)

Everglades National Park maintains two education centers that offer 3 day/2 night group camping programs. These programs are available to 5th and 6th grade students of the local community and are offered free of charge to teachers who complete the appropriate workshop.

Each site is equipped with five group tents, a cooking shelter, storm shelter, grills and restrooms. Maximum group size for camps is 26 students and 8 adults. Teachers are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the site. Teachers and chaperones are also responsible for bringing and preparing all meals. Students are responsible for bringing their own bedding and camping supplies. Teachers will work alongside a ranger to plan and lead the group activities.

The Loop Road camp features a Miccosukee Indian chickee as a gathering place for meals and activities.

Loop Road Camping Program
Grades: 5th & 6th
Prerequisite: Loop Road Camping Program Workshop
Maximum Group Size: 26 Students plus teachers and chaperons (not to exceed 34 total)

Loop Road Environmental Education Center is located 12 miles west of Shark Valley on the Old Loop Road, inside Big Cypress National Preserve. This center's facilities consist of an Indian chickee (shelter) with picnic tables and food storage box, five platform tents, barbecue grills, restrooms, campfire circle, and butterfly garden.

Study habitats within walking distance include: pinelands, sawgrass marsh, cypress slough, and hardwood hammock, and freshwater pond.

Activities agreed upon by the teacher and rangers might include: dry/wet hikes, sunrise walks, night walks, campfire programs, Shark Valley tram ride, living history/cultural demonstrations, archeology dig, art/language exercises, and discussion of critical park issues.

One of the possible activities at the Hidden Lake campsite is canoeing on Hidden Lake.

Hidden Lake Camping Program
Grades: 5th & 6th
Prerequisite: Hidden Lake Camping Program Workshop
Maximum Group Size: 26 students plus teachers and chaperons (not to exceed 34 total)

Hidden Lake is located 15 miles from Homestead, 4 miles from the park's main visitor center. The campsite is on the shore of a three-acre freshwater lake. The center's facilities include a shelter with picnic tables and food storage cabinet, five platform tents, barbecue grill, restrooms, and a campfire circle.

Study habitats within walking distance include: freshwater slough, sawgrass marsh, hardwood hammock, borrow pit lake, and pinelands.

Activities agreed upon by the teacher and rangers might include: habitat hikes, canoeing, freshwater lake study, night walks, campfire programs, sunrise walks, art/language exercises, and discussion of park issues.

DATES FOR PROGRAMS DURING THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR ARE FULL. PLEASE CALL THE EDUCATION OFFICE AT 305 242 7753 IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION OR TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITING LIST.