Registration for Summer 2025 will open March 1, 2025.
Manatee Lagoon offers summer camps the opportunity to reserve a visit that will offer their campers a fun and engaging introduction to “all things manatee” and the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem. Our 90-minute summer program will be tailored to various age levels and may include an exhibit gallery tour, observation deck viewing and marine science-focused activities. Although most manatees are up north during summer months, there is almost always interesting marine life to see in the waters that surround our center.
During the program, Manatee Masters (our educational docents) will touch on manatee biology and ecology, share details about the lagoon’s estuarine habitat and suggest ways campers can help to protect their local environment. They will also explain the special role that Florida Power & Light Company’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center plays in ensuring that manatees stay warm during the cooler winter months.
Visiting groups will rotate through three stations which may include presentations or activities in our exhibit gallery, classroom and observation decks depending on the weather and other factors.
Important information for all group visits:
All group visits are by reservation only.
Registration closes 14 days in advance of each camp group, which provides us with enough time to ensure proper staffing.
Group size
Minimum of 10 and maximum of 60 students (no exceptions due to physical space limitations), plus up to 10 chaperones, but no more than 70 students and chaperones combined. Large groups will be split into smaller sub-groups to rotate through the stations.
Available days/times
Tuesday through Friday, June 4 through August 9th, 2024 starting at 10 a.m. or 12 p.m.
Cost
$8 per camper; $80 minimum; chaperones are complimentary; free parking. A deposit of $80 will be due within 10 days of registering. Please register for the maximum potential number of campers you anticipate to ensure we plan our staffing accordingly. Your number of campers may be adjusted down and your remaining balance updated accordingly. The remaining balance will be due on the date of the scheduled visit and can be paid with a credit card or check. Cash payments are not accepted for summer camp group visits.
Chaperones
At least one teacher or chaperone per ten students is required. Please note that due to space limitations, not all chaperones may be able to attend one of the three stations in the program rotation.
Picnicking
Picnic tables are available on the Manatee Lagoon grounds on a first-come basis. Manatee Lagoon is not able to store lunches or coolers for visiting groups, and for security purposes, large coolers are not permitted in the building and may not be left unattended on site.
Personal items
It is recommended that personal belongings (e.g. backpacks, water bottles) remain in the group’s vehicles to allow the children’s hands to be free and to minimize the potential of items being left behind.
Please arrive on time. We reserve the right to shorten or cancel the program if a group arrives more than 10 minutes later than scheduled.
Manatee Lagoon reserves the right to cancel or end a program if participants do not abide by center or program rules.
Cancellation Policy
Groups who cancel 45 days or more prior to the scheduled visit will receive a full refund. Any requests for cancellations within 45 days of the scheduled visit will not receive a refund. However, groups can request to reschedule for a different date and transfer the deposit to that reservation. The rescheduled date must be within the same summer and is based on Manatee Lagoon’s availability. If there are no available summer camp group visit sessions for the remainder of the summer, the group will not receive a refund. In the event that the scheduled visit is cancelled by Manatee Lagoon staff, a full refund will be issued within seven to ten business days unless the cancellation occurs more than 120 days after registration, in which case refund processing may take up to 45 days. To cancel or request a change in your reservation, use the confirmation email you received to modify your visit information as soon as possible. If you cannot find your confirmation email, please email us at info@visitmanateelagoon.com. Your confirmation email will come from scheduling@squarespacescheduling.com.
Self-guiding group visits – Groups with 10 or more people not registering for a tour or program.
Camp groups looking to visit Manatee Lagoon during summer 2025 are welcome to self-guide without a tour or program reservation, but are asked to provide at least two week’s advance notice of their plans (e.g. preferred date and time, number of visitors and mode of transportation). We may ask groups to adjust their plans to help manage visitation and parking levels to provide everyone with the best visitor experience. To coordinate a group visit outside of a tour or program, please contact us.
Please click here to review the guidelines before your visit and share the information, as appropriate, with others who will be attending.
