On this student community service and environmental stewardship program in the Florida Keys, teens have the opportunity to make a difference by helping restore coral nurseries, preserving the marine environment, learning about proper dolphin care, and much more! You’ll also learn how to protect biodiversity and ocean life through partnerships with the scientific community.
This Florida Keys student experience uses a service-learning framework where our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program. Beautiful beaches and laid-back island vibes are just a bonus on this community service program. By the time of your final banquet dinner, you will be a close-knit group, wishing you could prolong your stay to help even more!
Program Highlights:
- Snorkel around either coral nurseries and active restoration sites or John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park practicing your Fish ID skills.
- Soak up the sun on gorgeous Florida Keys beaches & Bahia Honda State Park.
- Kayak through diverse tropical ecosystems; mangrove, sea grass, and coral reef.
- Get up close and personal with dolphins on an in-water splash & swim experience.
- Spy fierce reptiles on an airboat in Everglades National Park.
- Bask in the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration watching the glowing pink and red sun sink into the horizon.
- Go behind the scenes at the Turtle Hospital for sick and injured sea turtles.
My son travelled from the UK to join the Florida Keys program this summer and had the most amazing time. He found the leaders welcoming, friendly and enjoyed their positive energy throughout the trip. The trip affirmed his passion for marine biology and he thoroughly enjoyed all the learning experiences and talking with the experts. He has made new friendships and lifelong memories to cherish. The trip exceeded our expectations and I can't recommend WestCoast connections highly enough. As a parent I appreciated all the trip updates from daily Instagram reels and photo galleries. My son returned home more confident, mature and the trip helped fuel the passion in him to continue striving to reach his academic goals. He continues to keep in contact with his new friends made from the USA, Canada and Brazil and literally beams when he talks about the experiences he had. Thank you West Coast Connections for having such a positive impact on my child.