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.
Camp Discovery
Camp Discovery is a free summer camp at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center designed for participants between ages 5 to 13.
Outdoor play and exploration are critical to the growth and development of kids. At Camp Discovery, we seek to foster an appreciation for the natural world around our youth through hands-on outdoor learning. We hope to inspire young people to become positive stewards of our natural resources, to spark a lifelong love of learning and to forge a deep personal connection with the natural world.
Camp participants will be placed in one of three different groups based on their age, with specific activities designed to explore their connections to the natural world. The camp will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each camper is limited to one week of summer camp each year.
Age Groups
- The Discovery Rangers (ages 5 to 7)
- Through crafts, songs, story time, games and other outdoor activities, The Discovery Rangers will find out what it means to be wild and will gain a respect for our natural world through discovery of its unique and intricate processes.
- The Investi-gators (ages 8 to 10)
- Utilizing their powerful brains and their five key senses, The Investi-gators will explore the hidden connections between our natural resources. Through hands-on experiments and research, The Investi-gators will gain a better understanding of how the natural world works and the various cycles that keep life going.
- The Explorers (ages 11 to 13)
- The Explorers are eager to be immersed in nature and aren’t afraid of getting dirty. The Explorers will engage in environmental exploration, master outdoor skills and learn about the flora and fauna in Polk County. Participants will come to a deeper sense of how nature plays an important role in their lives.
Camp Discovery provides a unique experience. Camp activities may include:
- Dip netting
- Kayaking
- Hiking
- Archery (ages 8 to 13)
- Nature crafts
- Invasive plant identification and removal
- Animal adaptation activities
- Water quality testing
- Enviroscape scenarios
- Food web interactive games
- GPS and compass skills
- Camouflage activity games
- Jon boating skills introduction (ages 11 to 13)
Camp Discovery Dates, Times and Location
Week 1: June 10 to June 13
Week 2: June 17 to June 20
Week 3: June 24 to June 27
Week 4: July 8 to July 11
Week 5: July 15 to July 18
Week 6: July 23 to July 25
Camp time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dropoff: 7:30 to 8 a.m.
Pickup: 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Address:
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve
4399 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL, 33803
Camp Discovery 2025 registration is now full.
Registration for Circle B’s Camp Discovery 2025 is now closed as all dates are full. If you have any questions or would like to be placed on our waitlist*, please email the natural resources educator at nreducator@polk-county.net.
To be placed on the waitlist, please include the following information:
- Your name (first and last)
- Phone number
- Name of camper(s) (first and last)
- Age of camper(s)
- Preferred weeks (Please note, campers may only participate in one week per year.)
*Placing yourself on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot in camp, but we will contact you if a spot(s) is available for you in your desired week.
Additional Information for those attending.
- Please prepare a cold, boxed lunch for your child each day. We will eat onsite.
- Dress for the outdoors in clothing appropriate for current weather conditions: closed-toe shoes, long pants, change of socks, layered clothing for cold weather, waterproof gear for inclement weather (please do not bring umbrellas).
- Apply sunscreen and bug spray before coming into the classroom.
- Please consider donating a healthy, pre-packaged snack to share with 25 children (cheese sticks, pre-sliced/packaged fruit, granola bars, etc.). We will be taking a snack break before and after lunch.
- There are also opportunities for your older children to become Junior Volunteers if they are between the ages of 14 and 17. Please contact our Natural Resources Educator for further information.
Contact Person
Natural Resources Educator
Circle B Bar Reserve
Parks and Natural Resources Environmental Lands Program
nreducator@polk-county.net
(863) 668-4673 ext. 204
Summer Rec Outdoor Education Program
Free, fun and exciting adventures await your summer camp group. Participants will discover the natural resources of Polk County while learning about caring for our environment.
Explore the natural wonders of Florida with hands-on exploration, interactive games, field excursions and more designed to nurture the love of the great outdoors.
This summer, participants will learn about our incredible Florida wildlife, how energy flows through our wetland ecosystems, the interdependence of all living things and the water resources we rely on.
Summer Rec Outdoor Education Program
Summer Rec programs will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, from June 10 to July 25.
How to Sign-Up:
- Summer Rec Groups can sign up through Polk’s Nature Discovery Center’s Eventbrite event page.
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.