Forest Friends Summer Camp: A Week-Long Urban Forestry Camp Adventure
The Forest Friends Summer Camp Guide provides experiences for upper elementary and middle school youth to explore the health and community benefits of urban trees. It also emphasizes the importance of nature as part of our cities, and introduces careers in forestry through fun experiences and guest forestry mentors. This youth education and workforce development program was developed and piloted in June 2025, with a week-long, day-camp experience at Cuscawilla Nature Center in Alachua County. The camp had a successful outcome, based on the camper surveys and parent comments.
One parent wrote: “I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredible experience you gave my girls. …planting a tree, building a birdhouse, and counting the rings on a stump to learn a tree’s age—they came home excited each day, full of stories, curiosity, and confidence… They’ve been teaching us all kinds of fun facts ever since!”
Camp Guide
Two urban forestry camps will be held in 2026. First at Cuscawilla Nature Center in Alachua County, June 8–12, 2026. This camp will be followed by a 2nd camp at Nature’s Classroom in Hillsborough County, June 1–4, 2026.
For more information, contact Elise Cassie, Urban Forestry Camp Coordinator, at elise@editype.com. She would be happy to discuss how you can help promote a camp in your area or how your child can attend the Urban Forestry Camp in Alachua or Hillsborough County.
View the Forest Friends Summer Camp Guide at https://fufc.org/kids-korner/
Download the Guide at https://fufc.org/downloads/Urban-Forestry-Camp-Booklet.pdf
Urban Forestry Exploration Camp: Opening Doors for Youth
