Sanibel Sea School’s Coral Reef Week 1 was filled with sunshine, incredible wildlife encounters, and plenty of personal growth as 15 campers, ages 13-14, explored one of the world’s most unique marine ecosystems.

SCCF Youth Education Director Shannon Rivard shared leadership of the annual expedition with Marine Science Educators Emily Pipkin and Stevie Hyle on the much-anticipated overnight camp in the Keys.

The adventure began with a stop in Everglades National Park, where park rangers led campers on a slough slog or wet walk. Alongside Matt DePaolis, SCCF’s Policy Director, campers learned how the Everglades, Florida Bay, and the coral reefs of the Keys are all connected through water.

 Understanding this relationship helped set the stage for the rest of the week, showing how the health of one ecosystem depends on the others.

Camping at Pennekamp

From there, we settled into our group campsite at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, our home for the week. Each morning, campers boarded the park boats and headed offshore to snorkel on the third largest reef tract in the world.

For many, this was a milestone experience; most of the group had never snorkeled on a coral reef before.

The reefs certainly didn’t disappoint. Campers encountered a remarkable variety of marine life, including sharks, a giant southern stingray, multiple species of colorful parrotfish, smooth trunkfish, spiny lobsters, sea stars, lettuce sea slugs, flamingo tongue snails, Christmas tree worms, and more.

On one of the boat rides, the group was even treated to the sight of a sea turtle swimming nearby.

Braving the Open Water

One camper’s journey stood out as a powerful reminder that some of the biggest discoveries happen within ourselves. Having never been in open water before, she was understandably nervous to leave the safety of the boat to swim over the open reef.

With encouragement from staff and support from her fellow campers, her confidence grew each day. By the final snorkel of the week, she made the swim out to the reef, taking in the colorful underwater world she had been working toward all week.

Afterward, she shared how proud she was for facing her fears and experiencing something she never thought she could do.

Snorkeling, Seagrass Monitoring

Afternoons were spent snorkeling closer to shore in seagrass meadows, where campers completed two hands-on labs. One focused on the fascinating upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea), exploring its unique life cycle and symbiotic relationship with algae.

The second introduced campers to seagrass monitoring techniques while highlighting the critical role healthy seagrass beds play in supporting coral reefs and countless marine species.

Treat Day: Freshwater & Ice Cream

Thursday brought one of the week’s favorite traditions: our treat day. After another successful morning on the reef, campers cooled off with a refreshing swim in a freshwater pool before celebrating the week’s adventures with ice cream and souvenir shopping.

Campfire & Reflections

Back at camp each evening, the learning continued around the campfire with “Species of the Day” discoveries, discussions about coral biology and conservation, and plenty of laughter during our always-competitive Tent Cup games. Between the silly challenges and friendly competition, campers quickly formed friendships that made the week even more memorable.

Many campers also shared meaningful reflections during the week.

• Spending several days camping helped them recognize everyday comforts they often take for granted, from cold drinking water and air conditioning to a comfortable bed at the end of the day.
• Others reflected on how much their parents and guardians do for them at home, expressing a new appreciation for the care and support they receive every day.

With beautiful weather, crystal-clear water, and a week full of unforgettable firsts, our Keys expedition was all about building confidence, developing gratitude, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Read more about our teen Coral Reef Weeks 1 & 2 in mid-July each year. Part of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), Sanibel Sea School’s mission is to improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time.