Registration for summer camp at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center opens on March 1, 2024. This year's theme is "EPIC Summer Adventure. Where campers will Explore, Play, Investigate, and Create!" Those registering for summer camps should visit the
Camp Cuscowilla program page. Links to register will be available starting March 1, 2024 at 8 a.m.
Day camps will be offered for seven weeks from June 10 to July 26, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Children ages 7 to 12 can register for one week or the whole summer. Each week offers archery, swimming lessons and recreational swimming, outdoor skills, arts and crafts, kayaking and more. Campers will also attend field trips once a week to places in Alachua County, such as the Santa Fe Zoo, the Alachua County Sports Complex, Poe Springs, the Cade Museum and more.
Specialty camps are offered for ages 10 to 14, with themes such as like Fish Camp from June 10 to June 14. There is also an all-new Teen Week from July 29 to August 2. Fish Camp is a Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission-based curriculum for campers to learn proper catch and release techniques while exploring George's Pond at Cuscowilla. The all-new teen camp allows campers to choose a track based on their interest, such as art and music, leadership skills, or outdoor adventure.
"This summer, we're teaming up with some incredible educational partners such as UF IFAS Extension, Micanopy Library, Harn Art Museum, and many more," said Camp Manager Jamie Bass. "Camp provides an increasingly rare opportunity for children to unplug and immerse themselves in the natural world right here in Alachua County."
The weekly rate is $150 for day camps and $175 for specialty camps. Campers will receive breakfast, lunch and a snack. Daily bus transportation to and from Lincoln Middle School (1001 SE 12th St., Gainesville) is included. Campers can also be dropped off and picked up from the camp (210 SE 134th Ave., Micanopy).
Qualifying campers can also receive a scholarship from Alachua County Children's Trust and the Friends of Cuscowilla with completed applications and proof of documents.
