St. Augustine, FL | Oldcity.com

2025 GTM Adventures in the Estuary Summer Camp
2025-06-13 08:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-16 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-17 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-18 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-19 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-20 08:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-23 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-24 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) and 8 more dates | GTM Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach,, FL, 32082, United States
2025 GTM Adventures in the Estuary Summer Camp

Designed for young adventurers/explorers, GTM’s Summer Camp is a hands-on experience at Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) National Estuarine Research Reserve. Campers will explore the wonders of estuarine habitats, learn about marine life and water conservation, and discover the crucial role estuaries play in our environment.
Estuary Summer Camp Times:
Monday-Thursday — 8:00am-4:00pm | Arrive between 8:00am-9:00am and be picked-up between 3:00pm-4:00pm
Fridays — 8:00am-2:00pm | Camp will end early — campers should be picked-up between 1:00pm-2:00pm
*Please note – a $50.00 late fee will apply for any camper picked up late.
Summer Camp Schedule:
June 2-6, 2025 — Ages 6-8 & 9-12
June 9-13, 2025 — Ages 6-8 & 9-12
June 16-20, 2025 — Ages 6-8 & 9-12
June 23-27, 2025 — Ages 6-8 & 9-12
STEAM Camp — July 21-25, 2025 — Ages 12-15
Click the event website link to reserve your spot and for complete details, including cost.

Family Seining
2025-06-14 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Guana Dam, 505 Guana River Rd, Ponte Vedra, FL, 32082, United States
Join GTM Research Reserve staff and/or volunteers on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 9:00am-11:00am for a guided Family Seining activity. Please meet at the Guana Dam Recreational Area 15 minutes prior.
Visitors will get the chance to pull a seine net through Guana Lake collecting species of fish, crabs and other marine life. You’ll learn about the animals and their roles in Guana Lake.
All necessary gear including waders and boots will be provided.
Be sure to bring your insect repellent, sunscreen, water (including reusable water bottle) and hat … and wear appropriate clothing for outdoors. You might want to bring your binoculars and/or camera as well.
Space is limited! Reserve a spot online by clicking on the event website link.
The event is free; however, there is a $3 per vehicle parking fee.

GTM Beach Exploration
2025-06-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-19 09:00 - 11:00 | GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32082, United States
Join GTM Research Reserve docents from 9:00am-11:00am on the 3rd Saturday of the month for a Beach Exploration walk. Learn about the animals that call the beach home while collecting seashells and sharks teeth. This is a “Beaches 101” experience the entire family will enjoy.
The hike begins at the GTM Visitor Center where you will learn about the different habitats on GTM’s beautiful seashore. The group will then walk across the street to the beach for this salty adventure!
After the walk, you can come back to the GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center, enjoy our many miles of trails, or spend the day on the beach!
The event is free. However, be sure to click on the event website link to reserve your spot! Registration is required.
No fee for parking in front of the Visitor Center.
Please Note: There is no Beach Exploration in September. Instead we are participating in the International Coastal Cleanup.

Who's On the Beach Walk/Talk
2025-06-25 09:00 - 10:00 | Anastasia State Park, 300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, United States
Join a Park Ranger at Anastasia State Park for the Who’s On the Beach Walk/Talk. It’s nesting season and there’s lots of activity on the beach! Learn what animals are nesting right now and what precautions we take to keep them safe.
When: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 — 9:00am-10:00am
Meet at the Hilltop Picnic area.
Suggested items to bring are binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, drinking water, bug spray, and sunscreen.
This event is weather permitting and subject to cancellation.
Park Entrance Fee Applies:
$8.00 per vehicle — limit 2-8 people per vehicle
$4.00 per single-occupant vehicle
$2.00 per pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
For more information, please contact the park at 904-461-2033 or click the event website link.
Image used is from Friends of Anastasia Facebook

GTM Beach Cleanup
2025-06-28 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-26 09:00 - 11:00 | GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32082, United States
On the fourth Saturday of the month, help remove marine debris and microplastics off the beach during GTM Beach Cleanup — 9:00am-11:00am. Enjoy the beautiful view and being out in nature while helping clean up the beach!
Meet at the Visitor Center for a brief orientation and instructions. That’s where you’ll pick up gloves and trash bags that are provided. If you have your own, please bring them. Then you’ll be directed to a specific beach for cleanup.
No need to sign up ahead of time. Open to the public. Just show up to lend a hand.
Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, and reusable water bottle!
Questions? Call 904-380-8600
Image used is from GTM event.
Please Note: There is no September cleanup. Instead we are participating in the International Coastal Cleanup on September 20.

GTM Guided Exploration Hike
2025-07-05 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Guana Trailhead, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32082, United States
Join us at the Guana Trailhead on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00am-11:00am for a GTM Guided Exploration Hike.
Learn about the cultural history of the Guana Peninsula as well as the natural biodiversity of the reserve. Find out about the peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history, including how native peoples used estuarine resources. What was European plantation life like? What are the current efforts to learn about and save these resources?
Meet at the GTM Research Reserve’s Trailhead Pavilion located West of the Guana Dam around 8:45am; hike begins at 9:00am.
Wear clothing appropriate for the season as well as comfortable, closed toe shoes. Don’t forget your bug spray, sunscreen, and your reusable water bottle (can be filled onsite). And, of course, your binoculars and/or camera.
The event is free, but there is a $3.00 per vehicle parking fee. Cash only.
Please RSVP by clicking on the event website link to register.

Nature Journaling at GTM
2025-07-10 09:50 - 12:00 | GTM Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach,, FL, 32082, United States
Join nature journaling instructor Elaine Bergstrom for ‘Nature Journaling at GTM Research Reserve’. Usually held on the first Thursday of the month (except for January and July) from 9:50am-12:00pm.
Explore the wonders at the reserve! Each month will focus on a different topic using words, pictures, and numbers to learn more about what we observe.
Meet at the Visitor Center lobby for the location.
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. A hat, insect repellent, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and binoculars are recommended.
Free – however, please click the event website link to register … and for all additional information.
There is a $3.00 fee if you park at the Guana Dam.

Specialty Summer Camp - Exploration Camp
2025-08-04 07:30 - 17:30, 2025-08-05 07:30 - 17:30, 2025-08-06 07:30 - 17:30, 2025-08-07 07:30 - 17:30 | The Ketterlinus Gym, 60 Orange Street, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
Specialty Summer Camp – Exploration Camp – Grades 3rd – 5th

St. Johns County Parks & Rec Specialty Summer Camps – Exploration Camp is an engaging week of outdoor exploration. Kids will join a SJC Park Naturalist to explore outdoors, attend field trips every day, and participate in kayaking, fishing, beach cleanups, and more.
Camp Information
Grades 3rd – 5th (based on most recent grade completed by start of camp)
August 4-8, 2025 — 7:30am-5:30pm
Activities take place from 9:00am-4:30pm
Cost: $150.00
Click the event website link to register and for all additional info.
