The Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve will once again help with the cost of camp at the Slough by offering scholarships this summer. Interested campers must submit a minimum 300-word essay about why they want to go to camp at the Slough and fill out an application.

The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve provides two different summer camp opportunities for kids aged 10-16 years old. Summer Naturalists camp is geared towards 10-12-year-olds who want to learn more about nature and the environment. This camp runs from June 27 – July 1 and July 5 – 8 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Wilderness Explorers Camp is designed to challenge older kids aged 12-16 in a variety of wilderness and survival skills. This camp runs from July 18 – 22 and July 25 – 29 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The same information is covered in each subsequent week of camp. The cost is $65 per week or $58.50 if you register online.

Parents may enroll their campers online at www.leeparks.org or by phone at (239) 533-7440. If their child wins, they will be reimbursed. Or parents have the option to wait until they know if their camper has been awarded a scholarship and then Slough staff will enroll their child. The deadline for essay submission is May 15, 2011. Winners will be notified in the beginning of June.

For application and more details, visit www.sloughpreserve.org or contact Heather Gienapp at (239) 533-7556. Applications are also available at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Interpretive Center.