Since 2010, Friends of Weedon Island has awarded 20 scholarships to Pinellas County elementary students to attend one of Weedon Island’s two week-long summer camps. Led by George Heinrich, a noted Florida field biologist and environmental educator specializing in Florida reptiles, the camps offer youngsters an outstanding, hands-on opportunity to learn and experience natural Florida. Offered in July, one camp focuses on Herpetology and the other on Wildlife Ecology and the scholarship students choose which camp they want to attend.
For many of the students, all of whom attend schools that qualify for federal assistance through the US Title 1 program, its’a life-changing opportunity. Thanks to George’s passion, knowledge, and skills as an educator, the camps create and reinforce a passion for science, the natural environment, and conservation.
For the past several years, 5 of the scholarships were made to Bay Point Elementary School’s Science Fair award winners. In addition to receiving the opportunity to attend summer camp, its award winners continue on to compete at a regional level with students from throughout the area.
In addition to sponsoring the scholarships, the Friends provide the recipients with camp tee-shirts and snacks, thereby assuring that their camp experience is fulfilling in every way. Friends is proud of its role as sponsor to these excited and energized students and the opportunity it affords them to experience Weedon Island and its natural Florida habitat and critters.
