The Invertebrate Biodiversity Program lands this students a
spiny lobster during collection
These two students pull in ashark during the Conservation
Angling Program
A snorkel trip to Sombrero Reef,
included in every trip
included in every trip
Island snorkel for invertebrates
turns up a Giant Hermit Crab
(Invert Biodiversity Program)
Southern stingray dissection comparison (Shark Life History & Dissection Program)
School of blue tang at the reef.
Reef trip included in each trip.
A group just about to snorkel
around the island
Mangrove Kayaking tour
Pigeon Key Foundation
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Education
Nestled in the heart of the Florida Keys, and accessible by ferryboat, The Pigeon Key Foundation operates a Marine Science Center (PKMSC) on its private five-acre island. The center gravitates towards hands-on learning, turning the island and surrounding ecosystem into the classroom. Students are provided with a pivotal, one-of-a-kind experience that will be invaluable to them the rest of their lives. PKMSC only hosts one group at a time, allowing for an individualized experience targeted at your specific curriculum requirements.For nearly 20 years, PKMSC has provided private, customized programs to more than 30,000 participants from more than 1,000 schools throughout the United States. Programs are tailored for all ages—elementary school to post graduate—and are designed and endorsed by some of the most respected marine scientists in the United States.
In addition to school groups, PKMSC also provides programs to boy scouts, girl scouts, 4H, and teacher workshops. On an individual basis, PKMSC offers several weeklong summer camp sessions between June and August (see more information below).
PKMSC offers a variety of marine programs, giving your students a solid and multi-faceted understanding of the marine world around them. Through these hands-on programs, students learn a variety of subjects including marine ecosystems, reef fish identification, invertebrate biodiversity, plankton, shark & squid dissections, conservation angling, seawater chemistry, and many others. These subjects captivate the interest of not only the students but teachers as well, providing everyone with a unique learning experience. Included with each group is a reef snorkel trip aboard a 40-foot catamaran to the third largest barrier reef system in the world.
Through creative programs and activities, all participants experience an environment that works for their individual learning styles, making a stay on Pigeon Key a lifetime memory.
Below, please see additional information for groups and summer camp. If you are interested in booking your group’s stay, please email pigeonkeyed@gmail.com or call 305-509-0345.
Program Brochure
Programs & Pricing Brochure
Boy Scouts
The education staff at Pigeon Key’s Marine Science Center is certified to teach a variety of merit badges. Please see the brochure below for a detailed list. Service projects can also be offered as part of your stay.
Boy Scout Brochure
Summer Camp
The Pigeon Key Foundation & Marine Science Center gravitates towards hands-on learning and interaction within the Florida Keys ecosystem, providing campers with a fun and pivotal, one-of-a-kind experience. PKMSC offers a variety of marine programs, giving your campers a solid and multi-faceted understanding of the marine world around them. Campers are given a brief background on the subject and then immersed in the field, allowing them to utilize their newly acquired knowledge. Programs include Marine Habitats of the Florida Keys, Invertebrate Biodiversity, Reef Fish Identification, Marine Adaptations, Shark Biology & Dissection, Plankton Lab, and many others.
Other activities include a variety of games, marine organism scavenger hunts, an underwater obstacle course, a Sombrero Reef snorkel trip aboard a 40-foot catamaran called the “Spirit,” and many more.
Summer camp is for ages 8-18 for day camp and 10-18 for overnight.
Summer Camp Dates:
July 1st-July 5th (offered as day & overnight camp)
July 8th-July 12th* (offered as day camp only)
July 15th-July 19th (offered as day & overnight camp)
August 5th-August 9th (offered as day & overnight camp)
*No SCUBA certification offered July 8th-12th
SCUBA Certification contingent on a minimum of 4 registered participants
As of May 14th, 2013 we are still accepting camper registrations for all camp weeks. However, spaces are filling fast so send the registration form & deposit in ASAP to reserve your camper's space.
To register, download our 2013 Summer Registration Form.
To join our summer camp mailing list please contact pigeonkeyed@gmail.com. Updates are also available on our Facebook and Twitter pages...like and follow us!
Summer camp is a weeklong (Monday-Friday). Day camp runs 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri. Overnight camp runs 9am Mon-5pm Fri.
July 1-5, July 15-19, & August 5-9 are offered with the option of either day camp or overnight. July 8-12 is offered as day camp only.
Day camp is $350 and overnight is $950.
Price Includes:
-All marine programs & workbook
-Snorkel trip out to Sombrero Reef
-Snorkel gear for the week
-Lunch (breakfast & dinner also provided for Overnight Camp)
-Pigeon Key T-Shirt
-Pigeon Key Waterbottle
-CD with pictures of your camper’s summer camp experience
-Award Certificate
Optional SCUBA:
We also offer PADI SCUBA certification for summer campers. Students must be at least 10 years of age to get certified. Parents may also get certified with their kids! SCUBA is contingent on at least 4 participants per camp. Refresher courses are also available.
Getting Your Camper Here:
Pick up & drop off is at Knights Key in Marathon. Look for the bright red train car. We’ll meet all campers in front of the train car and ferry them across to the island.
The ferry leaves with campers at 9am and returns at 4:45pm.
For more information, contact our Education Director, Ananda Ellis, at pigeonkeyed@gmail.com.
