Polk’s Nature Discovery Center offers summer camps. Participants must be between the ages of 5 and 13.
The Polk County Environmental Lands Program believes that outdoor play and exploration is critical to kids’ growth and development. We seek to foster an appreciation for the natural world around them through hands-on, outdoor, experiential learning. In doing so, we hope to inspire young people of today to become positive stewards of the environment, to spark a lifelong love of learning and to forge a deep and abiding connection with the natural world.
Summer Camp Dates and Times
Dates and registration information for 2024 will be posted here when they are available.
Summer Rec Outdoor Education Program
Free, fun and exciting adventures await your Summer Camp group. Participants will discover nature and wildlife while being educated about caring for our environment.
Explore the natural wonder of Florida’s environmental lands with hands-on exploration, interactive games, field excursions, hikes, crafts and more designed to nurture the love of the great outdoors. Students will learn about our incredible Florida wildlife, natural preserves/reserves, the interdependence of all living things and concepts of conservation crafted especially for the young mind.
Information for 2024 will be posted here when it is available.
Self-Guided Outdoor Education Program
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center and Polk County’s Environmental Land sites are the perfect place for summer camps in Polk County to explore the outdoors and learn about our environment. Exploring connections in nature is the focus of programs and resources available. A variety of programs are designed for all ages to enhance your visit. If you are planning to bring a group of 10 participants or more, you must schedule your visit with our office. All educational programs are always FREE!
Staff, volunteers and facilities are limited, but we will do our best to help you plan your visit. It is strongly recommended that reservations / requests are made well in advance. Regardless of what you plan to do on your next visit, we hope you have a memorable time discovering Polk’s water, wildlife and wilderness.
Self-guided programs are designed to give a teacher or group leader the confidence to inform their students of science content with already made accurate, relevant onsite activities. The teacher or group leader guides their student participants through each activity program. Below are all of the educational options to make a visit informative and engaging.
Outdoor Education Mission
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center will provide hands-on learning experiences in an outdoor setting that engage students in investigating the value of Polk County’s natural preserves/reserves. Through this exploration, students will discover the interconnection of water, wildlife and wilderness, understand their impact on the environment and foster a sense of personal stewardship towards the environment.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE SELF GUIDED! A Circle B Staff member is NOT present to facilitate your program.
Program Options
- Agents of Discovery Mobile App: Game and two-mile hike is a revolutionary, fun, gaming experience, which requires players to walk a two-mile hike to solve challenging questions related to the environment and the plants and animals that live at Circle B Bar Reserve.
- Nature Explore: Outdoor classroom encourages children and educators to connect with nature in meaningful ways and play authentically. This play, in turn, yields rich learning opportunities (for pre-kindergarten through second grade only).
- Nature BINGO: Allows students to go on a leisurely hike and observe nature’s home and make a game out of it. Be the first to find all the items in a row, column or corner to corner.
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: Alternative game to allow students to observe nature’s home while on a leisurely hike.