Posted on 9 May 2010

Park Ranger Kate Smithson leads the Get REAL!, which stands for Recreational and Environmental Adventures in Learning, focuses on using Florida State Parks as "classrooms without walls." The initiative builds on the parks' broad multicultural, educational and recreational programs to enrich learning and integrate the use of state parks with local community programs. This is the fourth year that Hillsborough River State Park and the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Dept. have partnered together to provide the Get REAL program for school-aged children, to boost interest and participation in outdoor recreation. (Fishing, Camping, Hiking and Canoeing.) 

This three day program offered a variety of education activities to 26 youths that haven't had the exposure to an outdoor camping experience.