16-Day Florida Keys: Marine & Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Program for Teens

Course Description: 16-Day Florida Keys: Marine & Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Program for Teens

Florida Keys Youth Service & Environmental Adventure 🌴�*

Transform your teen’s summer with a meaningful service-learning experience in one of the most ecologically diverse regions of the United States. This Florida Keys program blends hands-on marine conservation, environmental education, and unforgettable coastal adventures. Students work alongside conservation professionals while exploring coral reefs, mangroves, and tropical ecosystems—building leadership skills, empathy, and lifelong friendships along the way.

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What It’s Like ✨

A powerful combination of experiential education, community service, and adventure. Teens engage in real-world conservation work while enjoying exciting activities in a supportive, close-knit group environment.

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Program Overview �*

Service Hours

30 service hours with a certificate of completion detailing projects and participation.

Group Size

Up to 24 participants for a highly personalized experience.

Transportation

Travel in passenger vans driven by trained program staff.

Accommodations

Comfortable hotel stays throughout the program.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner provided daily.

Dietary Needs

Most dietary preferences and allergies can be accommodated.

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Program Highlights �*

• Snorkel around coral nurseries and active restoration sites while practicing fish identification skills 🐠

• Relax on Florida Keys beaches and explore John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ☀️

• Kayak and paddleboard through mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reef ecosystems 🛶

• Experience Miami from above at an aerial adventure park and from below on an Everglades airboat 🐊

• Feed massive tarpon as they surge from the water in a flash of silver and green 🐟

• Support shark conservation through an up-close underwater volunteer experience 🦈

• Enjoy the iconic Mallory Square Sunset Celebration in Key West 🌅

• Go behind the scenes at the Turtle Hospital to learn about sea turtle rehabilitation 🐢

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Daily Experience & Locations 🗺️

Upper Keys – Key Largo

Paddleboard or kayak through winding mangrove tunnels and glide over seagrass meadows. Snorkel and kayak in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and strengthen teamwork skills during a group escape room challenge.

Lower Keys – Marathon & Big Pine

Visit the Turtle Hospital for an exclusive look at sea turtle rehabilitation—possibly even feeding the permanent residents. Relax on Sombrero Beach and experience the thrilling tarpon feeding at Robbie’s Marina.

Key West

Explore Mallory Square during the famous sunset celebration, stroll down Duval Street, and snap photos at the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S.

Miami

Climb, swing, and zip through the forest canopy at South Florida’s only aerial adventure park. Ride an airboat through the Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park and reflect on your journey while enjoying final evenings together in South Beach.

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Service Projects �*

Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)

Participants become citizen scientists through the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, learning to identify marine fish species and record data used by scientists worldwide. Activities include snorkeling surveys in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, studying invasive lionfish impacts, and exploring South Florida ecosystems by kayak. Students also meet with professionals to discuss careers in marine biology, ecology, and environmental education.

MarineLab

Students study marine invertebrate adaptations, conduct short snorkeling-based experiments, and learn about the importance of seagrass ecosystems. Data collected is analyzed and entered into MarineLab’s database. Participants also observe shark researchers in action alongside experienced shark biologists.

Conch Republic Marine Army

Hands-on canal cleanups in the Big Pine community support habitat restoration and the protection of mangroves and coastal waterways using passive restoration techniques.

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Accommodations �*

Key Largo (Upper Keys)

Holiday Inn – Waterfront property with an outdoor pool, fitness center, and outdoor dining areas.

Marathon (Lower Keys)

Fairfield Inn – Comfortable rooms, pool, and fitness center for relaxing after active days.

Miami

SpringHill Suites Miami Airport – Convenient location for the final nights of the program.

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Meals 🍽️

Breakfast and dinner are provided daily at restaurants or prepared by staff. Lunches are enjoyed at local restaurants. A wide variety of food options are available, and most dietary needs can be accommodated.

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Laundry �*

Weekly visits to local laundromats. Detergent and dryer sheets are provided, along with guidance for first-timers.

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Program Specifics ✈️

Flight to Miami

Staff assist with flight coordination and greet participants upon arrival. A chaperoned flight from the New York area may be available depending on enrollment.

Return Flight Home from Miami

Leaders assist with airport check-in and remain until all designated flights have departed. A chaperoned return flight may be offered.

Certificate of Completion �*

Participants receive a certificate of completion confirming 30 service hours and outlining the service projects completed.

Staying in Touch �*

What if I need to contact my teen during the program?

Participants may bring their cell phones so parents can call or message them directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers, which serve as the official link between parents and programs on the road. Our team is staffed every day throughout the summer, with someone on call 24/7 to assist in the event of an after-hours emergency.

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Our Staff �*

Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?

Our staff come from diverse and experienced backgrounds, including educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, and seasoned world travelers. Many of our leaders are former participants themselves who loved the experience and returned to mentor the next generation.

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Roommates & Grouping �*

How are roommates assigned?

Creating opportunities for everyone to make new friends is key to building a warm, inclusive, and welcoming group environment.

To support this, many programs follow a rooming rotation:

• Rooms are assigned for the first and second stops

• During the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers, and friends who enroll together may room together

• For the second stop, all participants are assigned a different roommate

• After the first two stops, participants may choose their own roommates

This approach helps foster strong group connections while still allowing flexibility later in the program.

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What’s Included ✔️

• All lodging

• Breakfast and dinner daily

• All listed activities and service projects

• Airport transfers at designated times

• Gratuities and taxes

Not included: transportation to/from the program, lunches, snacks, spending money, laundry, application fee, optional travel insurance.