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Gulf Islands National SeashoreWhile wading in the water, a ranger and a junior ranger hold a seine net to collect marine samples.
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Gulf Islands National Seashore
For Kids
School groups explore the seashore.
nps photo
Visitors learn about sea life at
a Junior Ranger Camp, Florida
District.
 

The Seashore has many programs for children including Junior Rangers (ages 6-11) and Sea Stars (ages 3-5). Children can complete Junior Ranger, Sea Star, and Seashore Patch booklets while they are visiting Gulf Islands National Seashore. If a group of 11 or more children completes the Seashore Patch Handbook, the group receives a 20% discount on the purchase of a Gulf Islands patch or pin for each participant. School groups are welcome.

Curriculum-based programs are available October-November, March-April. In Florida call 850-934-2600 for more information. For students going to the Davis Bayou Area in Mississippi, a self-guided educational program called Motion, Adaptation, Resources, Similarities and Habitat (M.A.R.S.H) is available. For information on Mississippi programs call 228-875-9057.

The long roots of the sea oats help hold the dunes together.  

Did You Know?
The stunning sugar white beaches of Gulf Islands National Seashore are composed of fine quartz eroded from granite in the Appalachian Mountains. The sand is carried seaward by rivers and creeks and deposited by currents along the shore.

Last Updated: April 02, 2008 at 09:39 EST