Summer Camp Information

Are you ready for an amazing summer at EYCC?

We can't wait for summer! This year's Everglades Youth Conservation Camp sleepaway programs will delight, educate, and inspire campers with nine different programs for 3rd-8th graders, all designed to foster awareness of Florida’s wildlife and habitats, conservation, sustainability, and to teach and improve outdoor recreation skills. Along with special program activities, all campers also participate in swimming, archery, fishing, and paddle sports.

Registering female campers? EYCC still has a variety of availability remaining in all programs across all 8 weeks. Please email Dawn.Herron@MyFWC.com for assistance with registering interested female campers.

EYCC is almost at full capacity for male campers for summer camp. We are in the process of reviewing our waitlist and filling vacant spots. For those with flexible schedules regarding week and program dates please email Dawn.Herron@MyFWC.com for current availability.

Everglades Youth Conservation Camp (EYCC) is a residential (sleep away) summer camp. All programs begin each week on Sunday and conclude Friday. Check-in is 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Check-out is 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Campers can register for up to two weeks of camp; however, the weeks of attendance may not be consecutive.

2023 Summer Camp Orientation

Camp Orientations are for families new to the Everglades Camp experience. Orientations take about two hours and include a presentation about the programs and a tour of the facility. Orientations are not required for registration but are strongly recommended. Please email to register for an orientation session: Dawn.Herron@MyFWC.com.

2023 Orientation Dates:

• January 7th | 10AM-12PM
• January 21st | 10AM-12PM

If you are not able to attend our orientation, please visit here.

We strongly recommend all parents and guardians download and review our parent information packet here, as it contains all the information we cover during camp orientation. This packet contains a packing list in addition to information on healthcare, check-in and check-out, behavioral expectations, schedules, housing and showers, photo packages, our refund policy, and more.

2023 Summer Camp Schedule

• Week 1: June 4 – 9
• Week 2: June 11 – 16
• Week 3: June 18 - 23
• Week 4: June 25 – June 30
• Week 5: July 2 – 7
• Week 6: July 9 – 14
• Week 7: July 16 - 21
• Week 8: July 23 - 28

2023 Summer Camp Tuition

Basic camp tuition in 2023 is $375 per child per week. (Sorry, we are not able to offer a discounted rate for multiple children or multiple weeks of attendance.) Tuition includes meals, lodging, program materials, and minor accident insurance (secondary policy only).

These programs have an additional fee:

• Anglers Plus: $50
• Seafarers: $120
• Mariners: $50

Camp tuition and activity fees are written as separate checks. Checks for camp tuition are made to FWC; activity fees are made to FWFF.

2023 Summer Camp Registration

• Online registration opens February 1st, 2023 and is based on grade completed in the Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 academic year.
  Online Registration Portal

  If creating a new account, you will receive two confirmation emails, one from FYCCN and one from our volunteer team. Please only use the one sent by FYCCN to complete your camper’s registration – the volunteer team link is not operational at this time.

After February 1st, once you have registered your child for a specific program and have been “Approved”, a camp staff member will contact you with further information and payment instructions. As always, summer camp is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Please make sure to select week(s) of camp that do not interfere with your vacation plans, flights, or sport events. Drop-off is from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sundays and will not be altered for any reason. Pick up is on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. Parents will be sent a drop-off schedule.
• Children can be registered for one program per week. EYCC does not allow children to be registered for more than 2 weeks and the weeks may not be consecutive.
• You will need to show proof of your child’s grade level by sending in a copy of your child’s last report card or another document from the school indicating your child’s grade level. After completing your online registration, any additional documents can be emailed to Dawn.Herron@MyFWC.com or mailed to Everglades Youth Conservation Camp 12100 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road West Palm Beach, FL 33412.

2023 Summer Camp Programs

Our programs are designed to provide campers with a different outdoor experience throughout their years at EYCC. Campers spend about 3 to 4 hours each day engaged in program activities with the rest of the day allotted to general outdoor skill activities including swimming, paddle sports, fishing, and archery. You will be able to select one program per week for your camper within the online registration portal. Program selection is based on your child’s grade level for the 2022 - 2023 school year.

Sorry, we are unable to accommodate specific cabin requests! To increase the chance of campers being placed together, we encourage registration in the following programs that are most often grouped in the same cabins.

Anglers, Wildlife Adventures and Wetland Wanderers
Explorers and Anglers Plus
Pathfinders and Outdoor Archers
Seafarers and Mariners
*Programs marked with an asterisk require an additional camp fee

Anglers (3rd – 4th grade)

Our Anglers program teaches campers the basics of freshwater fishing including knot tying, tackle types, fish behavior, and the best catch and release practices. Jon boats with electric motors will be used to explore areas of our ponds that are not accessible to shoreline fishing.

Wildlife Adventurers (3rd – 5th grade)

The Wildlife Adventurers program is great for campers with a keen interest in animals; be they scaly, slimy, or fuzzy! This program has loads of activities and outdoor experiences focusing on Florida wildlife. Campers will walk away with an in-depth knowledge of how to respect and protect these species for the enjoyment of future generations.

Wetland Wanderers (3rd – 5th grade)

Campers in our Wetland Wanderers program will explore the wonders of Florida’s wetland ecosystems. Marsh hikes and freshwater snorkeling will be the cornerstones of this program. Campers will also dive deeper into these ecosystems through dip netting and wet labs.

Explorers (5th– 6th grade)

Our Explorers program focuses on camping skills: fire building, pitching tents, campfire cooking, knot tying, trip planning, and more! This program also teaches participants to be responsible campers through emphasizing the Leave No Trace principals. The program will culminate in a one-night camp out in EYCC’s beautiful hardwood hammock campsite.

Anglers Plus (5th – 6th grade) *Additional camp fee of $50

Anglers Plus builds on our basic freshwater fishing program to include more advanced freshwater fishing skills. This program will include lessons in advanced knot tying, cast netting, bow fishing, and fishing techniques. Campers will go on half day excursions to different freshwater fishing sites.

Pathfinders (6th – 8th grade)

Become certified in hunters’ safety! Campers participate in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Hunter Safety Certification program. The program includes learning about outdoor ethics, wildlife conservation, habitats, wild game, and hunting skills. Classes are led by a certified hunter safety instructor in a controlled environment. Pathfinders are instructed and supervised in the use of shotgun, muzzleloaders, .22 rifles, and archery. Successful course completion awards campers the FWC Hunter Safety Certification Card.

Outdoor Archers (6th – 8th grade)

Our Outdoor Archers program gives campers with an interest in archery the opportunity to hone their skills through range games and activities. This program also includes immersive lessons in bowhunting techniques and equipment on EYCC’s 3D archery range.

Seafarers (7th – 8th grade)*Additional camp fee of $120

The Seafarers program is an introduction to the basics of saltwater fishing. This program includes fishing trips to different sites in palm beach county. On the final day of the program, the seafarers go fishing on a charter boat for their capstone experience.

Mariners (7th – 8th grade) *Additional camp fee of $50

The Mariners program is all about marine exploration through snorkeling, kayaking, seine netting, and conservation education. Campers will go on daily excursions to discover the hidden treasures of local marine habitats.

2023 Refund Policy

(Please make sure to select week(s) of camp that do not interfere with your vacation plans, flights, or sport events.)

• All refund requests must be made in writing and must arrive no later than one week prior to your child's first day of camp.
• If the request for refund is received prior to June 1st, a $50 processing fee will be assessed per week your camper was registered.
• All refund requests after June 1st will be subject to an automatic 50% refund only.
• If you request a refund for a medical reason, it must be accompanied by medical documentation.
• Refunds are not made when campers are sent home for disciplinary reasons or if a camper or parent chooses to leave for reasons other than illness.