Marine Science Station

Eligible high school campers are those who will complete 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Interested students should complete the application packet (link below) and return it to the Marine Science Station at the address or email address printed on the top of the application. Application review will begin April 12th and notification of acceptance letters will be mailed out no later than April 18th.

We will be hosting one High School summer day camp experience: Times of camp are 8:00am-4:30pm for 4 days.

Monday, June 17, 2024 - Thursday, June 20, 2024

The Marine Science Station facilities are located on a fifteen-acre marsh hammock that fronts the Salt River to the north with the remaining sides facing the tidal marsh. Improvements to the site include dining hall, student classroom/wet laboratory with aquaria, a fifty-foot observation tower, waterfront gazebos, and recreational areas that are all available for student use.

The experience that students have during a visit to the Marine Science Station is enhanced by the fact that they are under the supervision of Citrus County School District certified teachers and an administrator each day. The station setting is an isolated community having continuous and consistent leadership.

During camp, the students will participate in various activities while exploring the unique coastal habitats of West Central Florida. Daily excursions will take students on exciting explorations of the fresh water spring systems of the area, the estuary system as well as into the Gulf of Mexico, where they spend time snorkeling and swimming in order to experience these unique areas first hand. The station has boats capable of carrying up to 15 passengers and 1 boat operator for field studies and excursions. All boats meet U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements for recreational vessels and are operated by the MSS Staff. All costs of operating the boats during Coastal Camp Citrus are funded through a grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and donations from the Kings Bay Rotary Club.

Coastal Camp Citrus 2024 - High School Application Packet

Coastal Camp Citrus Includes:

*Daily boat trips/field experiences to various sites along the Nature Coast including Crystal River, Kings Bay, Salt River, Estuaries, and Gulf of Mexico
*All necessary field gear including mask & snorkels, nets, etc.
*Lunch only
*Four days of camp from 8:00am - 4:30pm

Registration Fee:

*$225.00 per participant (this covers the costs associated with materials, serving meals, and educational activities for the week. The costs of operating the boats during Coastal Camp Citrus are funded through a grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and donations from the Kings Bay Rotary Club)
*Partial and/or full financial aid scholarships may be available to those who qualify