Twenty-five middle school students enrolled in The Immokalee Foundation‘s summer career exploration program recently joined SCCF and Captiva Cruises‘ No Child Left on Shore outreach program for a trip exploring the Gulf and Pine Island Sound.

This experiential learning initiative strives to provide youth who rarely interact with our coastal ecosystems the chance to experience it up close.

Aboard the Playtime, the students and Immokalee Foundation staff were joined by SCCF Environmental Educator Richard Finkel, who opened their eyes to the wonders of shrimp, snails, crab, and fish.

They journeyed to Cayo Costa State Park, where students learned about the behavior and adaptations of mole crabs and coquina clams in the surf zone, discovered sea turtle tracks and learned about the life history of sea turtles, and sifted through macro algae to uncover the various lifeforms it supports.

For many of these students, it was all a first-time experience.

“This field trip is the highlight of the summer for our students,” said Richard Kent, Immokalee Foundation career counselor. “They loved the netting event, and we thank SCCF and Captiva Cruises for all the work they put into our students having a successful outing.”

The Immokalee Foundation was the very first participant of the No Child Left on Shore Program in 2010, and SCCF was thrilled to welcome them back.

Interested in learning more or becoming a sponsor of a No Child Left On Shore field trip? Please contact Richard Finkel at rfinkel@sccf.org. SCCF greatly appreciates the partnership of Captiva Cruises and acknowledges the support of The L.A.T. Foundation, The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Shirley Schlossman, and other donors that help sustain this program for our young Southwest Florida neighbors.