July 11, 2008 -McKee Botanical Garden and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary have completed a second successful week of summer camp.
"The joy on these kids faces each day says a million words" says Executive Director Christine Hobart. "And the parents are equally as delighted! I've had several tell me their child can't stop talking about the camp. It has been an extremely rewarding experience for all involved, especially knowing that these children are leaving with a newfound appreciation for McKee Botanical Garden and an awareness of their precious natural surroundings."
As a community outreach effort, McKee Botanical Garden provided scholarships to family-related non-profits throughout Indian River County. Children representing Hibiscus Children's Center, Boys & Girls Club, Childcare Resources, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Indian River Habitat for Humanity were given the opportunity to participate in the camp. For many of them, it has been an experience of a lifetime.
The camp curriculum offers many creative ways to explore nature and wildlife with nature walks, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts. Experiences all week are documented in a colorful scrapbook which the campers get to take home as a keepsake.
Afternoons are spent interacting with live animals from the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. Campers are delighted by daily educational presentations with animals including a baby alligator, Crested Caracara, skunk, rabbit, possum, a great horned owl and many others.
The McKee Botanical Garden Camp offers special and meaningful experiences, giving campers a sense of sharing and developing their social skills. They bring home with them a scrapbook of memories, newfound friendships, a cool tee-shirt, and a better understanding of what it means to be good stewards of the Earth.
Limited space is available for the week of August 4 th. The cost is $250 per week.Scholarship positions are available. For information call McKee Botanical Garden at 772.794.0601. McKee Botanical Garden, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach. The Garden is open from 10am - 5pm Tuesday through Saturday, and Noon - 5pm Sundays. Closed on Monday and major holidays. Admission is $6 adults, $5 seniors, and $3.50 for students ages 5-12. Members admitted Free.