National Park Week - August 22-30

Celebrate National Park Week with us August 22–30! Throughout the week, the Playalinda and Seminole Rest districts will host Junior Ranger Day activities on August 22 and August 30, offering fun, learning opportunities for young explorers to connect with nature. You can also make a difference by joining our Seashore Cleanup at Apollo Beach on Saturday, August 22. We hope you'll come celebrate, learn, and help protect this special place!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 at PLAYALINDA

9 AM to 12 PM - JUNIOR RANGER DAY AT PLAYALINDA - Join us for a special Junior Ranger Day at Playalinda! Participate in learning and discovering the wildlife and habitats that make Canaveral National Seashore such a special place. Junior Rangers can complete activities books, attend programs, and earn their Junior Ranger badge. All activities are free, entrance fee still applies. Program locations are subject to change and/or cancellation. (3 hours) All Talks and Stations will be set up at Eddy Creek.

Here is the schedule of events:

• Manatee Mania Station – Learn about Florida's gentle giants through hands-on activities and displays. Discover manatee adaptations, habitat, and conservation efforts.

• Manatee Talk – 9:30 AM – Join us for a closer look at the life and challenges of the Florida manatee. Program lasts approximately 20 minutes.

• Discover Your Seashore & Cleanup Station – Explore the diverse habitats of Canaveral National Seashore while helping protect them through a stewardship and cleanup activity.

• Shark Talk – 10:30 AM – Join us for a closer look at the fascinating world of sharks. Program lasts approximately 20 minutes.

• Turtle Tidbits Station– Learn about sea turtle nesting, hatchlings, and conservation through exhibits.

• Sea Turtles of the Seashore Talk – 11:30 AM – Explore the incredible journey of a sea turtle from nest to ocean and learn how visitors can help protect these remarkable animals. Program lasts approximately 20 minutes.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 at APOLLO BEACH



9:00 AM – NATIONAL PARK WEEK - SEASHORE CLEANUP - Help keep our seashore trash free. Pick up supplies at the visitor center and explore the park while volunteering. Learn about park safe cleanup procedures. Sign up to volunteer! End your cleanup when you see fit.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25



FEE FREE DAY! 110th Birthday of the National Park Service

Visitors to the park enjoy complimentary admittance for the day.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 at SEMINOLE REST

9 AM to 12 PM - JUNIOR RANGER DAY AT SEMINOLE REST- Join us for a special Junior Ranger Day at Seminole Rest! Explore the natural and cultural history of the site through guided programs, hands-on activities, and a fishing clinic. Junior Rangers can earn badges while learning about this special place. All activities are free. (3 hours) Program locations are subject to change and/or cancellation.

Below are the locations for each program:

• Historic House Open – 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM – Stop by the historic house to pick up a Junior Ranger book, explore exhibits, and learn about the history of Seminole Rest. Junior Ranger books, badges, certificates, and Junior Angler materials are available throughout the day.

• Clean-up – 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM- Join park staff and help keep the park trash free. Bring gloves, water, and sunscreen. Meet on the porch of the main house any time between 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM to get supplies. (3 hours)

• Nature Walk & Scavenger Hunt – 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM – Explore the Seminole Rest Trail and search for native plants, wildlife, and signs of the area’s natural history while completing a fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt. Meet in the parking lot at Seminole Rest. (45 minutes)

• Seminole Rest Walk 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM – Explore the history and nature of Seminole Rest on a walk with park staff through the historic site. Meet in the parking lot at Seminole Rest. (45 minutes)

• Special Talk – 11:00 AM – Join a park ranger or volunteer for a casual, in-the-moment discussion on a featured topic tied to the seashore. Meet inside the main house for this talk. (10 minutes)

• Fishing Clinic – 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM – Learn the basics of fishing, responsible angling practices, and local fish species found in the Mosquito Lagoon. Participants may earn Junior Angler recognition. Must be 8 years or older. Meet at the Seminole Rest Dock. (2 hours)

• Mosquito Lagoon Talk – 11:30 AM – Discover the Mosquito Lagoon ecosystem and learn about the wildlife, habitats, and natural resources that make this estuary one of the most productive in North America. Meet inside the main house for this talk. (20 minutes)