EDUCATIONAL TRIP TO CRYSTAL RIVER

MANATEE ADVENTURE

[TRIP LENGTH: 3 DAYS]

Itinerary can be customized to fit within your time frame or budgetary needs.

On this educational field trip to Crystal River students will experience a unique habitat that provides shelter and a food source for West Indian manatees. Crystal River is a warm water refuge for over 25% of the nation’s threatened Florida manatee population. Students will snorkel in the natural clear spring water as these “gentle giants” swim playfully all around them. Naturalist will teach the students about this unique ecosystem and what can be done to preserve the habitat for these amazing animals. On this school trip to Crystal River students will also learn about the watershed system of Kings Bay by studying the Brooksville Caves. Students will take a guided tour of these amazing caves while studying the four cave zones.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Serve in Dade City Then on to Crystal River

The group will stop at the RCMA center in Dade City, FL. Here the students will have the opportunity to mentor migrant children through an after school program.  Plan on helping with activities such as reading, games, coloring, planting vegetation and light construction. After your group finishes up at the RCMA center you will continue on to Crystal River. There will be an orientation about the program following check in at your accommodations.  Following dinner, students will participate in a night hike looking for nocturnal creatures living in the longleaf pine forest.

Day 2 – Snorkel Three Sisters Spring and Explore Kings Bay

Following breakfast, the group will explore the Kings Bay by boat looking for manatees and other aquatic wildlife and fauna. After being on the boats for a while your group will snorkel at Three Sisters Spring. Here students will learn about natural aquifer ecosystems and enjoy the cool water of one of Florida’s springs. After lunch, the group will explore the Withlacoochee State Forest. The hiking trails in this area are dry to damp, all weather trails that wind through central Florida’s longleaf pine and scrub oak hills, live oak thickets and hardwood hammocks. If the caves are available, students will have a chance to go spelunking and study a variety of cave dwelling insects and vertebrates. This activity is based on availability and weather conditions at the time of the trip. Students will also help with preservation and conservation efforts by conducting a cleanup project in the state forest. This evening your group will participate in a night wade and net pull in the area’s Coastal Marsh ecosystem and will study nocturnal animals found in the marine habitat.

 Day 3 – Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park

After breakfast, your group will explore the Homosassa Wildlife Park. Here students will see a large variety of fresh and saltwater fish, manatee, turtles and more through a floating observation platform called the “FishBowl”. The group will get to see a large majority of the mammals, reptiles and birds that call this area of Florida home or migrate through the area. From here the group will head home after an amazing trip to central Florida.

Add a Day and Take in a Zip Line Adventure or Busch Gardens

Itinerary subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including availability with vendors, weather conditions and flight schedules.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Swim with manatees in Kings Bay
  • Kayak the clear blue waters of Three Sister Springs
  • Explore the dry caverns of the Withlacoochee State Forest
  • Take in the Fish Bowl at Homosassa State Park
  • Night wades and net pulls for species in Kings Bay
  • Night hikes looking for nocturnal species

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Qualified trip leader – Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts from naturalists to regional specialists who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes and local culture. Your guide is with the group 24/7 and also staying with you at the same hotel
Daily reflections lead by your tour leader
Overnight stays are in hotels with private bathrooms rated 4 star or more on Trip Advisor
All Meals are included but please note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
Tour Journal, T-shirt and Luggage tag
Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa.