The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida State Parks and its partners are celebrating the fourth annual Florida Literacy Month with special events at state parks and libraries statewide. In conjunction with International Literacy Day on September 8th and National Library Card Signup Month, entrance to all of Florida’s state parks will be free* Friday, September 10 through Sunday, September 12 for visitors who bring a library card, library book or who donate a new or gently used family book.

“Florida Literacy Month is a perfect reminder that reading and writing can be enjoyed in many settings, including the outdoors,” said Florida State Parks Director Donald Forgione. “Reading a nature-themed book at a Florida State Park is one example of an exciting way for students and adults alike to learn about the environment while improving literacy skills.”

Partners in the Florida Literacy Month celebration include the Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of State, the Florida Literacy Coalition, the Florida Lottery, Volunteer USA and local libraries, schools and reading programs statewide.

“I applaud the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for providing a unique learning opportunity for all of our families,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “As we focus on returning to the classrooms this year, Literacy Month serves as an excellent reminder to continue sharing our passion for reading to students of all ages.”

In 2009, nearly 8,000 people participated in Literacy Month, donating more than 1,300 books to libraries, schools and literacy organizations. This year, Florida State Parks and the Florida Lottery are distributing 50,000 bookmarks to libraries and state parks throughout Florida.

Literacy activities in Northwest Florida include:

LITERACY DAY: THE GREAT WORD HUNT AND READATHON

Eden Gardens State Park
Point Washington, FL
Wednesday, September 8, 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time
This fun-filled afternoon will include the great word hunt, prizes and children’s reading time with costumed characters in the park. For more information, call (850) 267-8322.

CELEBRATE LITERACY DURING A SNOWY DAY AT MACLAY

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Tallahassee, FL
Wednesday, September 8, 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time
Join park staff for a reading of A Snowy Day at the park picnic pavilion in the Recreation Area. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call (850) 487-4115.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Henderson Beach State Park
Destin, FL
Saturday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Central Time
Join the park rangers in reading Where the Wild Things Are at Pavilion C in the day-use area. For more information, call (850) 837-7550.

CHILDREN’S BOOK READING

Topsail Hill State Park
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Saturday, September 11, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Central Time
Join park rangers in the clubhouse for a reading of Paul Lowery's Do You Know Where Sea Turtles Go? Pictures of this year's turtle tracks and nests will be on display and a ranger will be available to answer any questions you might have. For more information, call (850) 267-8330.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs, FL
Saturday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time
Park guests are invited to join a representative from the Wakulla County Public Library to search through hundreds of titles and take home their favorite books. The library representative will be available to assist in making selections during the event and the books will be available on a self-serve basis through Sunday evening. For more information, call (850) 926-0700.

READ WITH A RANGER PROGRAM

Big Lagoon State Park
Pensacola, FL
Saturday, September 11, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Central Time
Join a park ranger at the amphitheater to read aloud to children in three age groups of two to four, five to eight and nine to 12. For more information, call (850) 492-1595.

READING IN THE PARK

Florida Caverns State Park
Marianna, FL
Saturday, September 11, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Central Time
Join Smokey the Bear for interactive and interpretive programs and other fun activities. For more information, call (850) 573-0390.

THE SALAMANDER ROOM

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Niceville, FL
Saturday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Central Time
Join the park rangers in reading The Salamander Room at the Red Cedar Pavilion in the day-use area. For more information, call (850) 833-9144.

READING ON THE RIVER

Blackwater River State Park
Holt, FL
Saturday, September 11, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Central Time
A special children’s book reading program about the animals that inhabit the park will take place at Pavilion #23 on the boardwalk complex. After the reading, the ranger will lead a short hike around the Juniper Lake Trail. For more information, call (850) 983-5363.

TREASURE HUNT

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs, FL
Saturday, September 11, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time
Small teams will work together to decipher and unscramble the clues which will lead to a reward. Guests should meet in the Lodge lobby to be included on a team and join the rest in preparing with a brief orientation.   For more information, call (850) 926-0700.

STORY TIME AT THE COTTAGE

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Tallahassee, FL
Sunday, September 12, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time
Children will enjoy stories read from various books in the Gardener’s Cottage in the historic Maclay Gardens and enjoy cookies and lemonade. The Leon County Book Mobile will be on site. For more information, call (850) 487-4115.

READ WITH A RANGER AT WAKULLA COUNTY LIBRARY

Ochlockonee River State Park; Wakulla County Library
Sopchoppy, FL
Saturday, September 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time
Read with a ranger at the Wakulla County Library. This school-age children’s program is designed to support the joys and lifelong benefits derived from reading. For more information, call (850) 962-2771.

About Florida State Parks

Created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature, the Florida State Park system has grown from eight to 160 parks in the last 75 years. Today, the Florida Park Service manages more than 700,000 acres of Florida’s natural environment, including 100 miles of beaches, eight National Historic Landmarks and 39 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Florida State Parks has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as the nation’s first and only two-time Gold Medal winner for the nation’s best park service. For more information about Florida’s state parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

*Free admission to all Florida State Parks except Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in St. Petersburg.

< Prev		Next >

You need to login or register to post comments.
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts)