LABELLE- Working to navigate the various challenges over the past year, the Hendry-Glades Collaborative, Inc., a local non-profit organization, has taken the popular summer program known as LaBelle Fossil Camp under its wing.

LaBelle Fossil Camp is a day camp, for kids ages 8-14, where children learn about the fossils that can be found along the Caloosahatchee River. Through field fossil hunting and fossil identification, campers are immersed in a fun and unique hands-on learning experience.

The popular, summer camp has been running for over 20 years, but was cancelled last year, due to the pandemic. This year it wasn’t just dealing with COVID-19, but also take precautions due to algal blooms along the Caloosahatchee River which caused a two week delay.

Algal blooms may happen when there is a combination of high temperatures,  abundant sunlight, and excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. Ot the 28 species of cyanobacteria documented by the U.S. Geological Survey to be part of the Lake Okeechobee Waterway ecosystem, about 25% are capable of producing toxins. The toxins that may be  produced  by harmful algal blooms (HABs) can cause rashes, skin and eye irritation, and effects such as nausea, stomach aches, and tingling in fingers and toes.   Up until last week, algal blooms were visible along the river. FDEP advises the public to stay away from any visible algal blooms. It is impossible to tell whether are not toxins are present without tests. (Even the species of cyanobacteria capable of producing toxins do not always do so.)

“The main priority is to keep everyone safe,” Perry explained. “The pandemic isn’t over, so we have to make our camp a little smaller, and luckily Tropical Storm Elsa helped push the blue-green algae further down the river.”

The camp’s founder and director, Scott Perry, has teamed up with the local non-profit and together they have been able to launch a modified version of the adventure-based science and arts program.

This year, the camp has schedule daily excursions, Monday through Friday with much smaller groups than usual, only taking on up to ten campers per day.

“I found a ton of fossils on my first day!” one of the campers exclaimed. “Big pieces of fossil ivory, a mammoth tooth, garfish scales, ancient turtle and tortoise scutes, an extinct tiger shark tooth, and a pufferfish moth plate!”

The camp’s sailboat departs from the LaBelle City Dock at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday throughout the month of July. The boat returns to the dock at 2:00p.m.

“Come prepared for bugs, rain, heat, sun , and a once in a lifetime adventure,” says Perry. “Reserve a spot on the boat either one day or multiple days.”

The cost for a one day trip is $45 per person or $80 for two. If a camper wanted to sign up for all four days, it is just $120. Ages 8 and up are welcome. “Adults are welcome and have really enjoyed their time on the boat,” Perry added.

You can find out more or make a reservation by texting 863- 417-9333 or by email: LaBelleFossilCamp@gmail.com