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Eco Camp

Eco Camp began in 2001 with the idea that children should be able to use nature as a fun and educational backdrop in the summer. It has expanded drastically in the past decade and is suitable for ages 6 - 14 years old.

Eco Camp provides children the opportunity to spend the summer outdoors while learning about Florida wildlife and having unforgettable experiences.

Online Camp Account

Sessions

Camps are offered on a weekly basis for ages 6 - 14. The 2024 camp season will run for 7 weeks beginning June 10 and ending on July 26. Camp hours are from 9 AM - 4 PM.  

No camp Wednesday, June 19 (Juneteenth) or Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day).

Our camp is divided into four age groups:

  • Otters: Ages 6-7
  • Bobcats: Ages 8-9
  • Panthers: Ages 10-11
  • Bears: Ages 12-14

*Age of camper as of May 31, 2024

 

Pick-up/Drop-Off

Pick-up/Drop-Off for Eco Camp is located at the John Golden Pavilion building in lot 100, next to Parking Services. Pick-up begins at 4 PM. After 4:30 PM, a $15 late fee will be charged to your account for every 15 minutes late.

Optional Before and After Care available Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM - 6 PM. Before and After Care is an additional $50 per week to be paid by check, made payable to UNF Eco Camp. Payment is due each Monday of camp attendance.

 

Rates

Camp registration is offered on a weekly basis. Families with multiple children registered together in the same camp and on the same transaction, will receive a 10% discount per week on each additional child registered. Discount will automatically be applied at checkout. 

 

General Public Weekly Rate: $245

 

You have the option to pay in full or to be placed on a payment plan*. A non-refundable convenience fee will apply to all transactions.

*If you choose the payment plan option, payment for the first week the camper is registered will be required at checkout and the following weeks they are registered will be placed on the payment plan. Each Sunday, before the registered week of camp, the payment for that week will be automatically charged. The convenience fee will only be applied to the first week in the payment plan, not the recurring auto-payments.

A $25 fee will be assessed per camper, per week for all cancellations.

 

Discounted Rates

Camp discounts available for parents/guardians that are Active Military, UNF Students, UNF Staff and UNF Alumni. 

To set-up your discounted rate: 

  1. Create your online account
  2. Add all family members to the account
  3. Call the Camp Office to have your customer type changed in order to register at the discounted rate.

Military and UNF discounts cannot be combined. If you do not see your discounted rate during checkout, stop immediately and call the office. Refunds will not be given to those who register at the wrong rate. 

  • Active Military Weekly Rate*: $210
  • UNF Faculty & Staff Weekly Rate: $210
  • UNF Alumni Weekly Rate**: $210
  • UNF Student Weekly Rate: $210
 
* To verify Military status, please plan to visit the office to show proof of Military status.   

**RecWell Camps recognize an Alumni as having graduated from UNF with a 4-year degree. RecWell staff use the university alumni directory to validate this status.

Daily Activities & Weekly Field Trips

Daily Activities

Eco Camp activities include canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Oneida, swimming at the UNF Competition Pool, hiking through the nature trails, arts and crafts using natural materials, education about local flora and fauna, ropes course, zip lining and sky park and weekly field trips to natural areas

Typical daily schedule (excluding Thursday for field trip days):

  • Morning hike and educational activity on trails or zip/challenge course 
  • Lunch at pavilion, sometimes in picnic area  
  • Afternoon activity such as shelter building, lake activities, natural crafts activity, or zip/challenge course 

Summer Camp Pool

Swimming takes place at the Competition Pool Complex, adjacent to the Student Wellness Complex. Water depths vary from 4 feet, 2 inches to 5 feet. Camps swim in their age groups with 45-minute swim times on Fridays (weather permitting). 

Camper Safety

Camper safety is our priority. Certified lifeguards are on duty and camp counselor are actively engaged with campers either on the pool deck or in the water. Swim tests are given by the lifeguards and campers returning from week to week will take the swim test again. The purpose of taking it again is to complete the swimming safety records required for each group, each week of camp. To successfully complete the swim test and swim without a life jacket, campers must swim a distance of 25 yards across the pool demonstrating coordinated arm and leg movement, rhythmic breathing, and without needing assistance or being too fatigued at the end. This swim test provides a safety gauge for lifeguards to determine if a camper can safely swim for the duration of their swim time in a pool with varied depths up to 5 feet. Camp counselors log the swim test and life jacket results each camp week. US Coast Guard life jackets are provided to children who do not pass the swim test. Swim lessons are not available.

Please contact Jeni Ritter, RecWell Senior Pool Coordinator at j.ritter@unf.edu for more information about camp pool safety practice.

Field Trips

Field trips are held every Thursday, 9 AM - 4 PM. We will be unable to accept late drop-offs or early pick-ups on these days. 

Week 1 - Little Talbot Island
Week 2 - Guana Tolomato ​Matanzas Preserve
Week 3 - Huguenot
Week 4 - Campus Play Day - Inflatables and Bounce Houses
Week 5 - Little Talbot Island
Week 6 - Guana Tolomato Matanzas Preserve
Week 7 - Huguenot

Orientation & Open House

This video orientation is great for new and returning families to get practical information from the Camp Director and to learn more about the camp. Families who want to visit the campus and meet camp staff are encouraged to attend Camp Open House. Open House will be Wednesday, June 5 at 5 PM at Eco Adventure. Parking is available in Lot 100. 

Questions

Still have questions? Call The Camp Office at (904) 620-5341.

  • Do you offer payment plans for camp?

    Yes! Parents may choose to pay for all registered weeks in a single payment, or to set up a payment plan for additional weeks registered. Payment plans will automatically withdraw funds from the provided account the Sunday before the camper's week of camp.

    NOTE: an online transaction fee is assessed to the total of the amount paid online which is a minimum of 1 week of camp. This fee goes directly to the online registration provider. Any additional amount scheduled for payment plan is not assessed a transaction fee.

  • How do I switch weeks?

    Requests to switch weeks must be made in advance by calling the Camp Office.

    There is no charge to switch camp weeks within the same camp. Camp weeks cannot be switched once the camp week has begun. Switching weeks between two camps may result in additional fees.

  • How do I get a refund?

    Refund requests are required in advance by calling the Camp Office. Refunds will not be given once the camp week has begun. Exceptions will be made only through the Camp Director.

    Refunds requested after camp has begun will be charged a $25 cancellation fee.

  • If I only attend part of the week can I get my camp fee pro-rated?
    Camp fees will not be prorated for attending only part of each day or only several days each week. There is no daily rate.
  • How can I get a tax receipt?

    You can print your tax receipts from your Online Camp Account

    1. After logging in, go to My Account. 
    2. Select Tax Receipt Option
    3. On the tax receipt screen, change the tax year to desired tax year and select all family members (including parents) from the drop-down
    4. Then click Generate Tax Receipts button
    FEIN: 59-2976169