Registration for summer camp at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center is open. 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.
Day camps are 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, 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 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.
These weeks have spaces available:
Week 2: June 17 – 21 is for the sports enthusiast in your family. Campers will play throughout the week and learn some new games, too. The field trip location this week is the Alachua County Sports Complex. There will be no camp on Wednesday, June 19.
Week 3: June 24 – 28 UF IFAS Alachua County Extension will join us for some incredible programming and field trips. Campers will take a look at their areas of expertise, such as Entomology, Vet Science, Livestock, and Wilderness Survival. This is sure to be a week you don't want to miss.
Week 4: July 1 – 3 is our half week of camp celebrating the 4th of July. Campers will enjoy all that Cuscowilla has to offer and wrap up the week with a Cookout and Carnival.
Week 8: July 29 – August 2 is newly added for ages 7-9. Campers will enjoy a traditional week at day camp during the same week as our all-new Teen Week.
Teen Week: July 29 – August 2 is new for ages 10-14. Campers will choose a tract based on their interest and take a field trip to the Cade Museum.
Art and Music – for those campers who want to learn new ways to create art or work on their skills. Local teachers and musicians will join us this week to help perfect their craft.
Leadership — This is designed for campers to learn the attributes of a great leader. Campers will learn from local leaders and put their skills to practice working as a team.
Outdoor Adventure – campers will experience all that Cuscowilla has to offer and work on their outdoor skills.
"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.
