Camp WET is off to a great start!

We learned about several important dune plants at a local beach.

Ou next stop after a wavy, windy cool-off in the Atlantic was the Indian River Lagoon, where we seined the grassflats.

Did you know that a sea hare can release ink if threatened? The ink is harmless; it's meant to scare predators away!

June 18, 2013

Camp WET explored the Anastasia Limestone formations near the House of Refuge today. We also seined, castnetted and fished on the dock of the Indian River Lagoon.

 We also had a chance to tour the Environmental Studies Center and meet many of the resident animals.

Sandy, the loggerhaead sea turtle, is scheduled for release on August 10, 2013.

At the Anastasia Limestone formations we discovered that limestone is actually a "soft" rock, and it has been eroding by the ocean waters of the Atlantic for over 300,000 years.

 Some creatures, like these chitons and snails, live on the intertidal zone, where during low tide, they wait for high tide waters to return by sealing themselves up tightly to preserve moisture.

We also found small tide pools where anemones live.

The House of Refuge is open to the public and makes a great family day outing. Learn more about it here.

When we returned from our trip, we had WET Buck Mania!

Camp W.E.T. in the News

Camp W.E.T. 
paddled and raced dragonboats today!

Enjoy these photos from 
Deborah Silver of the Stuart News.
(note: other local camps are also in this photo gallery, not all are from Camp W.E.T.)

Click here for the photos on tcpalm.com

Would you and your family or other group like to race the Dragonboats at your own event?
click here to find out how

Welcome to Camp WET 2013

We enjoyed the Atlantic Ocean . . . 

 We found some really cool things, like this sea hare! More information about them by clicking here.

 Bits of sand dollars were quite popular today. These are actually the skeleton of an invertebrate. You can learn about these interesting creatures by clicking here.

 These gumbo limbo trees have naturally peeling bark that reminds us of sunburnt tourists, so they're also known as the tourist tree. These trees are an important part of Florida's natural environment. Learn more about them by clicking here.

 In the afternoon, we seined a few of the grassflats of the Indian River Lagoon.

 See this juvenile Florida spiny lobster? The Indian River Lagoon is an important nursery for many species of ocean dwelling fish and invertebrates.

Camp WET explored the Bathtub Reef and Beach today.

Session Two created four fantastic sand sculptures today!

Sarah's Team created Shelly the seahorse.

 Sandy the sea turtle was created by Delaney's Team with help from counselor Alex.

Dustin himself was his team's mermaid, Neptune!

Reid's Team sculpted a sea dragon.

If you ask a Camp WET kid what our south Florida beach sand is made of, they'll tell you SHELL HASH!

Shell hash is made of bits and bits of broken shell.

What a great day!

Camp WET Session One is in full swing!

We've been getting WET everyday while we explore Martin County's shores.

We have been seining in the Indian River Lagoon and filled our class tank with species to observe. We investigated the near-shore reef known as Bathtub Reef and found a variety of juvenile fish that call it home. We've checked out a variety of brown, green and red algae as well as learned the names of several snails while we find their shells along the shore.

Camp WET has learned that Loggerhead sea turtles are the most common sea turtle to come and nest on Martin County beaches and why it's important to protect our Atlantic beaches and keep them clean.

Our Camp WET workbook reinforces all of what we experience outside and reminds us of all the knowledge we've gained!

Families & parents - ask your camper about the pictures above and have them tell you about something that they learned at Camp WET!