June 29

Camp WET travelled to the Bathtub Reef in Martin County today to explore the habitat created by marine worms known as Phragmatapoma caudata.

Campers donned masks and got into the cracks and crevices of the reef to discover the creatures that call it home.

We learned that even a small patch of algae supports life, as seen by the tiny crab hiding in the seaweed below.

Hermit crabs are always a hit...

and this sea hare really earned itself many oooohs and aaaaahs.

June 28

Welcome to Camp WET!

This morning we met our counselors, discovered new friends in our teams, and took off to Stuart Beach for a COOL OFF!

Stuart Beach had some great chest-high waves today in the Atlantic and we sure did enjoy them!

We also found a few different types of algae that drifted by Camp WET.

We discovered that dune plants are important to the beaches. They work hard to keep the sand in place and protect Florida's mainland.

These sea oats are so vital to the dune ecosystem that you may be heavily fined if you disturb them in any way.

We then traveled to the Indian River Lagoon for some seining in the grassflats. 

Our finds included pinfish, seahorses, mojarra, barracuda, shrimp and pipefish.

June 17

Camp WET enjoyed a full day at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The Loxahatchee River winds its way through and out of the park to the Atlantic. On the way we noted how red mangroves flourish in the brackish water closer to the Jupiter Inlet.

Osprey nests towered over the mangroves.

These nests may be up to six feet wide!

As we travel up the river, the water becomes increasingly fresh. A tell-tale sign of this is the cypress trees and their flared bases, or "buttresses".

The captain of the Loxahatchee Queen brought us close to the cypress trees to touch their feathery branches.

We reached the Trapper Nelson Zoo Jungle Gardens. The zoo belonged to a eccentric man who lived here in the 1960's. We toured the area which is now maintained by the Florida Park Service.

We also "climbed" Hobe Mountain and viewed the Florida mainland, the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain (really, a hill!) is 86 feet above sea level.

June 15

Bathtub Reef was our focus today. We discovered many species that depend on this reef for habitat. The reef itself is created by thousand upon thousands of worms scientifically known as Phragmatapoma caudata.

These worms collect sand and shell particles to create tubes in which they live. Colonies of the worms live side by side and create "boulders" where many species of fish and invertebrates live.

June 14

WELCOME to Camp WET!

Today we learned how important dune plants are to our beaches in south Florida. They survive harsh conditions and use their roots to hold the beach together. Campers enjoy a canopy of seagrape trees on their way to cool off at Stuart Beach. Learn more about sea grape trees HERE. They make a great addition to any south Florida landscape.

GUMBO LIMBO trees (above) are also known as "tourist trees" because of their peeling skin or bark.

 Sea oats line the walkway to the beach. These grasses are such a valuable resource that it is against the law to pick or step on them! Their roots hold the beach together.