Educational Opportunities

Educational Field Trips

Teachers and students frequently use state parks as outdoor classrooms. Florida school groups, including vocational schools, colleges and universities, can visit a state park without paying the day-use entry fee.

Coordinate with your school principal, professor or other appropriate official to write a letter stating that the park visit is related to a specific school curriculum and is for educational purposes.

Organized groups composed primarily of children (younger than 18) must have one adult chaperone for every 10 children or fraction thereof.

Youth Groups, Camping and Volunteer Projects

Organized youth groups, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, frequently camp in state park youth camping areas. Many state parks offer these types of developed facilities or primitive facilities and amenities vary by location. Use of these facilities is popular.

Advance reservations can be made by calling or visiting the park office. On occasion, youths may trade volunteer services at the park instead of paying camping fees. Contact the park manager to make arrangements at the time of the reservation. Youths must be chaperoned by adults, up to 10 youths per each adult.

LIFE Program

The Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) program is a statewide program of the Florida State Parks Foundation that brings middle school students out to public conservation lands for science-based environmental education.

The goals of the LIFE program include increasing student achievement in science, strengthening teacher capacity for inquiry-based instruction, and preparing students for future studies and careers in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.