Middle and high school youngsters wild about nature can still sign up for summer camp spaces at Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs. Three environmental-friendly camps are designed with older children in mind and are focused on investigation and exploration in the 8,300-acre preserve.

• For students entering 6th or 7th grades in August, the Wildlands Investigators camp offers recreation on the wild side with hiking, canoeing and wading through the preserve. Young investigators will sample for insects in the creek, watch swamp wildlife and examine the effects of wildfire. Three weeklong sessions are scheduled to begin June 5, July 10 and July 24. Daily times are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sign up for one or all three sessions to examine nature at its wildest.
• For students entering 8th through 10th grades, the Wild About Art camp will entertain those who enjoy art and music in a new setting - the great outdoors. Campers will see the natural connection through a variety of artistic activities from sculpture to photography and music. This weeklong session begins June 12 and runs from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. daily.
• For high school students, Watershed Explorers will discover and learn about the Brooker Creek Watershed by hiking, canoeing and kayaking its headwaters and lakes all the way to Tampa Bay. Campers will meet many environmental professionals and work with citizens who are concerned about the watershed's health and future. Young explorers will discuss and put into action ideas to deal with local conservation concerns. This weeklong session starts at July 17 and runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.

For all camps, each weeklong session costs $125. Before-camp care beginning at 7:30 a.m. is available for the Wildlands Investigators camp for an additional $35 weekly. The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve is sponsoring scholarships for qualified students. Recipients will be selected based on economic need. Brooker Creek Preserve is located at 3940 Keystone Road in northeast Pinellas County in Tarpon Springs.

For more information about the camps or scholarships, call the preserve's Environmental Education Center at (727) 453-6800. Details about Pinellas County's wildest place can be found at www.pinellascounty.org/environment. For information about other Pinellas County Parks and Recreation events, check out www.pinellascounty.org/events.htm. For information about other Pinellas County parks, go to www.pinellascounty.org/park.

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