Parent Information

TYCC and the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network:

The TYCC is the education and outreach hub of the Tenoroc Public Use Area (PUA) in Lakeland. Situated on over 8,000 acres, Tenoroc offers varied outdoor recreational opportunities ranging from hiking and wildlife viewing to fishing and shooting sports. In addition to recreational opportunities for the public, Tenoroc PUA is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for improved restoration and conservation of both upland and freshwater habitats.

TYCC is operated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network. FYCCN has five conservation centers across the state, including TYCC, that operate as year-round education facilities, training centers, and summer camps. FYCCN also has community partners across the state of Florida that utilize FYCCN as a resource for training and equipment to offer recreation and wildlife-based programs. FYCCN’s goal is to spread youth participation in four areas: paddle sports, shooting sports, fishing, and wildlife viewing. FYCCN’s ultimate mission is to “Create the Next Generation that Cares”.

Age: Campers must meet the minimum age requirement for their program before the first day of their scheduled week of camp. Review the minimum age for programs and other program eligibility requirements below.

Outdoor Adventures (Week 1): Ages 8 – 10
Precision Sports (Week 2): Ages 12 – 16
Hooks & Hulls (Week 3): Ages 8 – 10
Hooks & Hulls (Week 4): Ages 11 – 14
Outdoor Adventures (Week 5): Ages 11 – 14
Conservation Careers (Week 6): Ages 11 – 14

Campers will spend the majority of their day doing activities related to their specific week of camp.

Precision Sports: This camp offers kids the unique opportunity to explore various disciplines, including archery, 22-caliber rifles, shotguns, and muzzleloaders. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, participants will improve marksmanship skills and gain valuable insights into responsible firearm handling. Beyond the thrill of hitting targets, the camp emphasizes safety and education, ensuring that each participant has the opportunity to earn their Hunter Safety certification and expand their knowledge of wildlife conservation. This creates an immersive and educational adventure for youth new to shooting sports or looking to improve their skills. It is recommended that attendees weigh at least 90 lbs. due to the use of shotguns.

Hooks & Hulls: While fishing from jon boats, campers learn the art of safely navigating watercraft while respecting natural habitats. Guided by knowledgeable instructors, they develop fishing and boating skills while gaining insight into the importance of conservation of our waterways and their inhabitants. Campers will learn to dissect fish and expand their knowledge of freshwater ecosystems. Through education and recreation, this camp not only fosters a love of boating and angling but also teaches youth how to safely operate these vessels and to follow fishing regulations. Campers who complete Hooks & Hulls Camp will receive their own tackle box and fishing pole. Through supervised independent fishing sessions, campers will be lifelong self-reliant, ethical anglers.

Outdoor Adventure: Explore everything FYCCN has to offer! Mastering the art of archery, navigating the tranquil waters in a kayak, expanding ethical angling skills, and venturing into nature, our campers embark on a journey of exploration. They not only discover the thrill of the catch but also gain a profound understanding of local ecosystems through engaging in wildlife discovery. With every arrow released, every paddle stroke, every hike, and every reel cast, our campers forge a connection with nature, fostering a deep appreciation for the diverse ecosystems that surround them. This camp promises unforgettable experiences that fuel a lifelong passion for outdoor adventure and fish and wildlife conservation.

Conservation Careers: Passion for wildlife and the outdoors can be more than just a hobby; it can become a career! This camp will showcase the many exciting and diverse careers found throughout the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, learning how FWC staff study and manage our state’s beautiful and valuable resources. Campers will learn how biologists restore damaged ecosystems and support endangered species, why hunting and fishing regulations exist, and what goes into a day in the life of an FWC officer – all while experiencing outdoor recreational and educational activities.

TYCC employs three staff year-round. Visit our Staff and Facility page to learn more about our year-round team.

TYCC recruits and hires three seasonal staff for our summer camp operations. Staff must be at least 19 years old to work at TYCC. Employment is contingent on passing a Level 2 background screening. Staff receive three weeks of pre-camp training. All staff are Lifeguard + Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED certified through the American Red Cross.

If you know someone who may be interested in joining our summer camp team, they can visit https://jobs.myflorida.com/ and search for opportunities at TYCC. We start accepting applications for summer camp staff in the spring.

Checking In and Out:

Your compliance with the check-in and check-out times is important and ensures orderly registration and dismissal procedures. After five minutes past the camp check-in/check-out time, staff will call for an estimated time of arrival if the Camp Director has not yet been notified by voicemail, text, or email. Campers must be picked up by 4:00 PM, and if they are not picked up by 4:30 PM, we will follow our policy to get the camper into appropriate care.

To check out your camper, please pull around the circle and wait in your vehicle. Staff will check the identification of anyone listed as approved for pick up before campers are sent out for dismissal. Please follow the procedures above rather than contacting your camper directly. On the last day of camp, please be sure to take any medications home.

Check-In/Check-Out Times:

Check-In
- 8:00 – 8:30 AM (every day)

Check-Out:
- 3:30 – 4:00 PM (Mon-Thurs)
- 2:30 – 3:00 PM (Fri)

Camper Release Info and Transportation:

You (or your designee) are responsible for transportation to and from the facility. If you expect your child to ride home from the camp with a friend or neighbor, please verify that they are listed on the pick-up authorization form during Monday check-in. The authorization form must include the name(s) of the authorizing person(s) signing in the camper, the adult who filled out the registration form, and the person(s) permitted to pick up your camper. Campers will not be released without proper identification, to anyone not on the authorized pick-up list, or to a designee(s) under 16 years of age. If an extenuating circumstance prevents you from complying with the established drop-off and/or dismissal times, please notify the Camp Director as soon as possible. Campers must be picked up by 4:00 PM. If a camper is not picked up by 4:30 PM and attempts made by camp staff to contact those authorized to pick up are unsuccessful, we will follow our policy to get the camper into appropriate care.

Reminder:

For anyone authorized to pick up camper(s) from camp, please remember to bring an I.D. as it will be checked by a staff member each afternoon during pick-up.

Inclement Weather:

In the case of inclement weather (i.e., a shelter-in-place requirement due to lightning in the area) drop off and pick up procedures will differ from our normal requirement that you remain in your vehicle. If we are expecting inclement weather at pick up and/or drop off times, when you arrive at the Tenoroc YCC classroom, you will see an A-frame sign notifying you that we are under a shelter-in-place:

If we are under a shelter-in-place during drop off, please put your car in park, exit your vehicle, and escort your child to the classroom door.

If we are under a shelter-in-place at pick up, please put your car in park, exit your vehicle, and walk up to the classroom door to pick up your camper.

Once you have returned to your vehicle (in both instances), please promptly exit the circle to ensure smooth flow of pick up.

If you are in line to pick up and drop off, please do not park and exit your vehicle until you have made it to the front of the carpool line and to the classroom entrance door.

These procedures ONLY APPLY during a shelter-in-place and will not be permitted at any other time.

TYCC does not provide food service. Please ensure that you pack your camper a lunch and enough snacks and drinks to sustain campers for long days with high-energy activities.

We do not have a microwave or refrigerator available for use. Please pack only food items that do not need to be heated, and ensure their lunch stays at a proper temperature by including ice packs.

The camp will provide water refills, but it is the camper’s responsibility to bring their reusable water bottle each day. We recommend packing only water and electrolyte drinks for camp and avoiding other options that encourage dehydration in campers.

Medical and Health:

The health history information collected during camp registration is diligently reviewed by camp staff to ensure all campers will be successful and cared for while at Tenoroc. If your camper’s medical information changes, or they may benefit from program modification due to a disability, please contact the director as soon as possible so that we can ensure a safe and welcoming experience for your camper.

During check-in, supervisory staff will collect any camper medications and will verify with the parents/guardians that no changes in medical history have occurred. Vitamins and prescription drugs must be in the original containers.

Also, if your child is on medication for ADD/ADHD during the school year, it is recommended that they remain on their medication for the duration of camp.

Don’t Forget:

Please do not forget to bring any medications on the first morning of camp! Arriving without any life-saving medications indicated on your registration, including inhalers and epi-pens, will result in your child returning home with you. If life-saving medications are indicated on the registration but no longer required, an accompanying doctor’s note must be brought to check-in.

Medical Emergencies:

This camp strives in every respect to provide a supervised and safe learning experience. However, it must be realized that a portion of the responsibility for this success also lies with you and your child during camp, outside of camp hours.

Camp staff are First-Aid/CPR/AED and lifeguard certified. Minor injuries and ailments are treated with over-the-counter medications (Children’s Tylenol, Children’s Benadryl, and Triple Antibiotic Ointment) where approved during camper registration.

A registered nurse is on call for any consultations deemed necessary by the Camp Director.

Major medical issues will be handled by calling 9-1-1. Parents/guardians are notified as soon as possible in the event of an emergency.

During camp, the Camp Director will contact you if your child is:

Injured and needs to be taken to the emergency room.
Running a fever of over 100.0 degrees or vomiting.
Having an unusual reaction to an insect bite, food, or allergy not recorded on the health history form.

Emergency Evacuations:

In the event of an emergency evacuation, camp staff will attempt to contact all parents/guardians on the emergency contact list and leave a voicemail with location once at the evacuation site. Additionally, the same information will be provided to our FWC Regional Office in Lakeland and our Headquarters in Tallahassee.

You will also receive notifications through the MyFWCAlert system that you signed up for when you registered your child.

Important Contacts:

TYCC Office: 863-301-0069
Lakeland Regional Office: 863 – 648 – 3200
Tallahassee Headquarters: 850 – 404 – 6089

Recommended Daily:

Hat
Sunglasses
Reusable water bottle
Sunscreen
Insect repellant
Long-sleeved sun shirt
Towel
Extra pair of closed-toe dry shoes
Change of clothes
Deodorant
Neck gaiter/buff
Raincoat

Optional:

Waterproof disposable camera
Bag for wet or dirty clothes/shoes

Do Not Bring:

Fishing gear
Kayaking equipment
Electronics
Anything that could be used for practical jokes (shaving cream, stink bombs, toothpaste, etc.)
Tobacco/Alcohol/Drugs
Weapons
Flammables
Explosives
Flip flops/Slides/Crocs
Body spray/perfume
Food for celebratory occasions (cupcakes, lollipops, etc.)

Clothing should be appropriate for an outdoor environment. Campers will be active (paddling, fishing, bending, running, jumping, etc.). Clothing should fit comfortably and should not inhibit the listed activities. Clothing referencing alcohol, tobacco products, profanity, etc., is inappropriate and is not permitted.

Whether in dry clothes or swimwear, clothing should cover from the shoulder to around mid-thigh. Shirts and shorts/pants are required for all activities in or out of the water. Be sure to send a change of clothes with your camper each day, so they have something dry to wear after any water-based activities.

During activities, campers will get wet, muddy, etc. Please send clothing/items that can get dirty, and leave expensive items at home.

Closed-toed shoes with a closed heel and sides that can be wet and muddy are to be worn at camp. You may wish to send your camper with two pairs of shoes, so they have a dry option to change into after water activities. All shoes should meet the above specifications. Crocs, flip flops, slides, or other non-protective footwear are not permitted.

Label everything – campers will mix up their items, making it much easier to return the item(s) to the owner.

Pack enough lunch and snack foods to sustain campers through long days of high-energy activities.

A reusable water bottle is required for all outdoor activities.

Camper Code of Conduct:

There is a three-strike policy for behavior as outlined in the Camper Code of Conduct (signed during online registration):

Strike one: Camper to discuss issues and solutions with camp director.
Strike two: Discussion with camp director and parent/guardian
Strike three: If problems persist, the parent/guardian will be called to immediately pick up the camper.

If a camper is picked up for disciplinary reasons, the family will not be eligible for a refund. Please note that some offenses do not require three strikes, and the response to each situation is at the discretion of the Camp Director.

Rights and Dignity of Others:

Campers will adhere to respectful communications with and regarding all individuals in terms of ability, culture, gender, race, religion, sexuality, physical characteristics, and language to promote a safe, kind, and welcoming camp environment.

Campers will respect others and their property. Campers will help everyone feel safe and welcome in our camp community.

FYCCN takes the safety of campers in our care seriously. As a result, expulsion from an FYCCN camp for bullying, harassment, or abuse will result in the camper being barred from future attendance at any FYCCN-run camp.

No payment is due at the time of application. You will receive payment information after confirmation that you have received a spot at camp. Payment is due 14 days after you are notified that you have been selected for a spot. If payment is not received by the deadline, your child will be unregistered from the selected camp.

Cancellation policy:

Cancellation of a week of camp requires written notice. Please email any requests to TYCC@MyFWC.com with attention to the Camp Director.
Each camp registration includes a non-refundable $25 deposit.
Refund requests will be declined if the camper was sent home for disciplinary reasons. Please consult the camp director for their refund policies in cases where a child is sent home due to illness during camp.
Cancellation/refund deadlines are as follows:
- Cancellations made on or before May 15th = 100% refund (excluding the $25 deposit)
- Cancellations made after May 15th and between 15 and 30 calendar days BEFORE the start of that camper’s week of camp = 50% refund (excluding the $25 deposit).
- Cancellations made after May 15th and 14 calendar days or LESS before the start of that camper’s week of camp = no refund.

Approved refunds will be issued via check and cannot be refunded to a credit card. Refunds may take up to one month to be processed.

If you are interested in our camps but unable to cover the cost due to financial limitations, we have scholarships available on a limited basis. Please contact TYCC@MyFWC.com for more information.

The Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network has a Flickr account where TYCC posts summer camp pictures. If a camper has filled out the Photo Release Consent Form, parents will receive an email in the fall, AFTER camp has concluded, with a link to access the Flickr album.

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