Contributed by Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is hosting the Wonders of the Wetlands Summer Camp in June 2021. Campers will learn about wetlands and how to protect them through in-person activities.
This year, children will enjoy a one-day summer camp where they will learn about wetlands and everything that calls it home. Unlike previous years, camp will not be divided by age; rather, each day will be a different social pod which could be a family group, school cohort, or Girl Scout or Boy Scout group with a max of 10 campers per day between the ages of 6-12 years old.
Activities will run as follows: From 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in June, the camper group will come to Barataria Preserve and participate in a one-day camp. Then on the Friday of that week, they will return to be fully immersed in the swamp via a canoe trip. (If the child is less than 9-years old, a parent or guardian will need to accompany them.) This year’s camp will be free.
All plans are subject to change.
At 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, registration begins online at https://www.nps.gov/jela/summer-camps.htm. One parent or guardian registers all of the social pod. You cannot bring applications to the visitor center this year.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continue to be paramount. At Jean Lafitte NHP&P, the operational approach continues to be centered on examining each facility’s function and service to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and are regularly monitored. NHP&P continues to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and workspaces are safe and clean.
A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park websites and social media accounts for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face-covering when social distance cannot be maintained.
