Dive into Summer: Kids Camps at Lovers Key State Park

October 23, 2024

Summer at Lovers Key State Park is about more than just sandcastles and sunshine—it’s about discovery, adventure, and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. In 2024, the Friends of Lovers Key are thrilled to once again hosted a series of immersive kids summer camps designed to spark curiosity, foster environmental stewardship, and create lasting memories.


This year’s summer camp lineup offers something special for every age group, from young explorers just beginning their environmental journey to teens eager to dive into marine biology. Each camp session is led by passionate educators and environmental experts who bring a wealth of experience to the program. And with the stunning beaches, mangroves, and estuaries of Lovers Key State Park as the backdrop, every day is an opportunity for hands-on learning in one of Florida’s most beautiful coastal environments.

Summer Kids Camp

Why Choose Lovers Key Summer Camps?

When parents think of summer camp, they often imagine hiking, swimming, and arts and crafts. At Lovers Key, campers get all of that and more—with an unforgettable emphasis on science, ecology, and conservation.

  • Outdoor learning at its best: Campers spend full days outside (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), engaging with their environment in ways that classroom walls can’t provide.
  • Expert-led sessions: Each camp is led by highly qualified teachers from Lee County Public Schools, many with advanced degrees in science education and years of hands-on experience in environmental instruction.
  • Exploration and play combined: From kayaking and snorkeling to nature games and art activities, kids learn while having fun.
  • Environmental stewardship: Every session encourages children to develop respect for Florida’s coastal ecosystems and a deeper understanding of the role they can play in protecting them.

These camps don’t just fill the summer calendar—they help shape future marine biologists, conservationists, and nature lovers.

FOLK Summer Camp

What to Bring

To make the most of their experience, campers were to come prepared each day with:

  • A bathing suit and water shoes
  • Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
  • Refillable water bottle and healthy lunch
  • Sense of adventure and curiosity!

With the right gear and attitude, every child was ready to dive into discovery.


Building Tomorrow’s Environmental Stewards

At Lovers Key, summer camp is about more than a week of fun—it’s about building a lifelong relationship with the environment. Campers leave with:

  • A deeper understanding of coastal ecosystems
  • Practical science skills from hands-on exploration
  • Teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving experience
  • Memories of new friendships and unique adventures

By learning to care for the plants, animals, and habitats of Florida’s barrier islands, children become part of the next generation of environmental stewards.

Lovers Key summer camp

Watch For a Late Winter Announcement of the 2026 Camp Sessions

Don’t miss the chance to give your child a summer filled with learning, laughter, and outdoor adventure. Whether your child dreams of being a marine biologist, a naturalist, or simply loves exploring nature, there’s a camp designed just for them.  We will put out an announcement on how to sign up in our FOLK newsletter, Lovers Key State Park Facebook and FOLK website and Facebook.

Lovers Key summer camp
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The Incredible Importance of the Horseshoe Crab: Nature’s Ancient Guardian

By Christy Hennessey, Board Secretary, Friends of Lovers Key • October 28, 2025
If you’ve ever wandered along the shore near Lovers Key State Park and spotted a strange, helmet-shaped shell washed up on the sand, you’ve had a close encounter with one of the ocean’s oldest and most remarkable creatures — the horseshoe crab . Though its name might make you think it’s related to crabs or lobsters, this living fossil is actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions . And while it may look a bit like something from a science fiction movie, the horseshoe crab is one of nature’s greatest success stories — and one of the most important creatures in the sea. A Living Fossil That Has Stood the Test of Time The horseshoe crab has been on Earth for over 450 million years — long before the dinosaurs appeared and hundreds of millions of years before humans walked the planet. That makes it one of the oldest surviving species on Earth. Over all that time, its body design has barely changed. Clearly, evolution got it right the first time. The hard, curved shell protects it from predators, while its long, pointed tail — called a telson — helps it flip over if it gets stuck upside down. Despite their slightly intimidating appearance, horseshoe crabs are completely harmless. They don’t sting, bite, or pinch. Instead, they quietly roam the shallow ocean floor, feeding on clams, worms, and other small organisms. Here in Southwest Florida , they’re a familiar but often overlooked part of our coastal ecosystem. Every spring, these ancient creatures crawl ashore during high tides to spawn and lay eggs , continuing a cycle that has endured for nearly half a billion years.

Sand, Sea—and Careful Timing: Beach Renourishment at Lovers Key State Park

By Christy Hennessey, Board Secretary, Friends of Lovers Key • October 28, 2025
Lovers Key State Park a true coastal treasures: a string of barrier islands, wide white-sand beaches, mangrove-lined estuaries and a rich cast of wildlife.