This summer marked the fourth year of Sanibel Sea School’s A Week in the Field program, a free, application-based camp designed to give high school students an immersive look at what it means to work in marine and environmental science.

Made possible this year with support from the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, the program lets students step beyond the classroom and experience the questions, challenges, and unexpected discoveries that come with real field science.

“For the first time, we were able to offer two weeks of A Week in the Field, creating an exciting new opportunity for students at different stages of their high school careers,” said Shannon Rivard, Sanibel Sea School Director.

The first week, July 27–31, welcomed a new group of students and focused on building foundational skills and exploring the many ways Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) scientists study and protect Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems.

About half the students traveled from outside Florida, with campers joining us from Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Montana, and even England. Despite coming from different places, they quickly found common ground in their shared curiosity and enthusiasm for the natural world.

Incredible Wildlife Encounters

The week was filled with memorable moments in the field on Sanibel, a sanctuary island known internationally for its successful conservation efforts.

• During a sea turtle inventory, students were thrilled to encounter three live hatchlings that were ready to be released that morning. For nearly everyone, and even a few staff members, it was their first time seeing a sea turtle hatchling in person.
• During a bird population survey along the causeway, the group spotted baby least terns and baby black skimmers, followed by hundreds of comb jellies washing up on the beach.
• A nighttime frog and toad call survey brought a different kind of excitement when an alligator appeared in one of the ponds. With only the glow of its two eyes visible in the darkness, it was a memorable reminder that nature has a way of surprising us.

Inspiring Future Careers

Students also spent time learning about environmental policy and the challenges involved in turning scientific information into meaningful action. They engaged deeply in discussions about the issues surrounding Lake Okeechobee and then had the opportunity to put some of their learning into practice by flying a drone.

Throughout the week, students practiced the skills scientists use every day and spent valuable time with our experts in the field.

The impact of the experience extends far beyond the five days spent in the field. One parent shared through our anonymous feedback survey:

“My son definitely walked away with valuable skills, increased appreciation and awareness for nature, and confidence in his ability to present information and speak up.”

The parent also shared that the experience helped their son gain direction about what he might want to do with his life — a powerful outcome for a 15-year-old just beginning to explore his future.

Help Keep A Week in the Field Free

Every year, Sanibel Sea School works to secure grant funding and community donations to keep this program free for participating students.

If you believe in giving young people the opportunity to discover their place in the world of environmental science, please consider supporting A Week in the Field with a donation to Sanibel Sea School.

Your support helps ensure that the next generation of young scientists has the opportunity to get out in the field, ask questions, and discover where those questions might lead them.

Learn more about this unique and inspiring program for teens at sanibelseaschool.org/a-week-in-the-field/.

Part of SCCF, Sanibel Sea School’s mission is to improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time.