JUPITER OUTDOOR CENTER SUMMER ADVENTURE YOUTH CAMPA PLEASURE FOCUSED ON NATURE
–Aimed at young adventurers in the making, the camp's outdoor programming reveres the great outdoors and instills respect for nature.–
JUPITER, FL — Those who dream of becoming the next Bear Grylls need look no further than the Summer Adventure Youth Camp at Jupiter Outdoor Center whose teaching-focused programs have been cultivating essential skills such as curiosity, collaboration and emotion management since 1998.
From Monday, June 3 to Friday, August 2 and with the July holiday week, children aged 6 to 14 will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of immersive outdoor adventures that take place between two distinct locations: Riverbend Park and Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (JILONA).
At Riverbend Park, campers will spend three days participating in land and water activities like canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing and archery. For the rest of the week, they will head to JILONA where more fun awaits them including snorkeling, paddleboarding, water trampolining, visiting the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and its surrounding properties, and an onboard cruise of the “Love Boat” on the Indian River with a licensed captain.
Camp activities include:
Archery
Children will learn the prehistoric art of shooting an arrow at Camp Riverbend Park Outpost. This includes learning bow basics, proper form, and archery safety. In addition to honing self-control, sport offers additional benefits such as developing mental acuity.
Cycling and hiking
With nearly 10 miles of interconnected trails, including a 2-mile segment of the Ocean to Lake Trail, hiking through the 665-acre Riverbend Park provides a taste of the old Florida that the state's first settlers enjoyed would have witnessed the wild landscape. As they pedal through open meadows, pine forests, and oak hammocks, campers will get glimpses of hundreds of species of native flora and fauna, including deer, bobcats, osprey, and large heron. At the 120-acre Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, one of three Outstanding Natural Areas in the country, trails lead to a picturesque mangrove lagoon and the Indian River with postcard views on the Jupiter Lighthouse.
Canoe, kayak and paddleboard
Canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are peaceful yet exhilarating ways to access the freshwater habitats nestled around Riverbend Park. While gliding in a canoe or kayak along inland waterways or on the Loxahatchee River, one of only two National Wild and Scenic Rivers in Florida, children will observe abundant wildlife ranging from gopher tortoises to alligators that enjoy sunbathing on the banks of the river. Another great setting for observing marine life is the Jupiter Inlet and Indian River, which serve as refuges for sea turtles, reef fish and manatees.
Fishing and landing net
Traditional fishing is an exciting pastime, regardless of skill level. With the abundance of aquatic life in South Florida, kids will have myriad opportunities to cast their rollers. They will also learn the ancient art of dip-netting, or catching fish with nets, which can be practiced at rest areas while hiking or biking around Riverbend Park.
Snorkeling
Summer is the perfect time for young people to explore the underwater world of Palm Beach with a mask. Depending on the day, campers will visit Cato's Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Florida, and float along the banks of the mangroves. As they swim in the calm, crystal clear waters, beginner and intermediate divers will be delighted to watch blue angels, butterflyfish and spotted eagle rays drift by.
Have fun at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Kids will have another opportunity to step back in time by visiting the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. After reaching the lighthouse, which offers stunning views of Palm Beach County's azure coastline, they will embark on a guided walk around the 120-acre property and explore the Tindall Pioneer Property, the lighthouse keeper's workshop and other historic waterfront exhibits. In addition to snorkeling and paddleboarding, new this year is an inflatable water trampoline that kids can use for hours of fun.
All aboard the Love Boat
Each child will have the opportunity to sail a segment of the 156-mile Indian River Lagoon on the “Love Boat.” During the 30-minute sightseeing trip, which departs from JILONA, Captain Renee will delight her little passengers with history and fun facts about the Indian River, the most biodiverse estuarine environment in North America.
