Bay Explorers Summer Experience

We are delighted to introduce our new Bay Explorers Summer Experience!

During this immersive week of education and exploration, program participants will travel across the Sarasota Bay watershed, from the coast to the uplands, to learn, observe, and actively engage with our region’s built and natural environment. Participating youth will learn about past, present, and future issues facing Sarasota Bay and how land use, human activity, and water quality affect environmental health, the economy, and our quality of life. They’ll also learn new outdoor recreational skills such as kayaking, fishing, and snorkeling, allowing them to engage with the world beneath the waves in new ways. As we dive into the ecological, political, and economic factors influencing bay water quality, we hope to empower youth to be active agents of positive change within their communities. Partner organizations will also speak with participants to share their important work and mission related to Sarasota Bay and demonstrate our area’s diverse environmental career opportunities.

All participants will be provided transportation (via 13-passenger van), lunch and snacks each day, all supplies and equipment for daily activities, a pair of water shoes to keep, and a $100 stipend per person (distributed upon program completion as a Visa gift card) to cover other costs related to participation.

SESSION DETAILS

Two identical, one-week (M-F), all-inclusive field trip experiences for up to 10 participants per week will be offered. Participants must be available and commit to attending all five days of the session they are applying for:

Session 1: Monday, June 9 through Friday, June 13
Session 2: Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20

Daily pick-up and drop-off will occur at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex (1845 John Rivers St, Sarasota, FL 34234). Participants may arrive between 7:00 am and 7:50 am. The van will leave promptly at 8:00 am and return at 4:00 pm each day. Participants must be picked up or arrange their travel home by 5:00 pm.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

This program is for historically underserved youth ages 14 to 18. It was specifically designed to be accessible to youth in the North Sarasota and Newtown neighborhoods; however, any youth ages 14 to 18 residing in Sarasota or Manatee counties with need are eligible to apply.

Full eligibility requirements are below:

Participants must be 14 to 18 years old.
Participants must reside in Sarasota or Manatee County.
A parent or legal guardian must complete a participant registration form and sign a liability waiver and photo release if their child is selected.
Participants must complete a pre- and post-session questionnaire and engage in a recorded post-trip discussion at the end of each field trip day.
Participants must attend all five days of their session.
Participants must be comfortable entering the water and will be required to wear a personal flotation device during all water activities.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications for the Bay Explorers Summer Experience will close at 11:59 pm on April 20, 2025 and applicants will be notified about their selection status shortly thereafter. If you are not selected to participate but would like to join a stand-by list, that option will be available.

APPLY TODAY

The Bay Explorers Summer Experience is presented by Big Waters Land Trust, funded by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program through a Bay Partners Grant, and made possible with the support of the following community partners:

Manatee County Government, Natural Resources Department
Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Sarasota County Government, Parks, Natural Areas, and Trails Department and Public Works Department
Sarasota Audubon Society
City of Sarasota, Parks and Recreation Department and Robert L. Taylor Community Complex
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Historic Spanish Point Campus
Florida State Parks Service, Oscar Scherer State Park
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
Sarasota Housing Authority
The Multicultural Health Institute
Skyway Team Bird Rescue Inc.