GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Students will have an opportunity to uncover centuries of history about America’s first European settlement as well as the land and environments protected by the National Park Service during Florida Museum of Natural History spring break camps March 21-25.

Developed for students enrolled in grades K-5 for the 2015-2016 school year, the camps provide natural history exploration through museum exhibits and hands-on activities.

“Museum camp is a superfun way to explore the world without leaving Gainesville,” said Florida Museum public programs coordinator Catherine Carey.

Registration is now open for museum members and will open Jan. 18 for non-members. Pre-registration is required for all camps and is available online at www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/springbreakcamps.

In the morning, students will use archaeology to explore the museum’s current featured exhibit “First Colony: Our Spanish Origins” and learn about the people who lived in the nation’s first European settlement — St. Augustine, established in 1565. In the afternoon, students will discover the significance of preserving federal lands and find out more about the National Park Service, which celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2016.

Camps are offered as full- or half-day programs. For non-members, the full-day program is $245 per student and the half-day cost is $125. For museum members, the full-day price is $220 and the half-day cost is $115.

For full-day camps, drop-off is between 8-8:30 a.m. and pickup is 4:30-5 p.m. The half-day camps can either be for the morning, with pickup from noon to 12:30 p.m. or for the afternoon, with drop-off from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

For more information, call 352-273-2061.

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Writer: Maria Espinoza, PRintern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Catherine Carey, 352-273-2061, ccarey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu