2018 Weather Camps in Naples

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "2018 Weather Camps in Naples"

Irma Ford
5 years ago
Views:

2018 Weather Camps in Naples July 8 13 (middle school) July 15 20 (high school) For the past several years, we ve offered two Naples, FL-based commuting weather camp programs during July.

1 2018 Weather Camps in Naples July 8 13 (middle school) July (high school) For the past several years, we ve offered two Naples, FL-based commuting weather camp programs during July. This year is no exception. We will be conducting these camps as noted above. Each of the five-day camps will run from 9:00am to 4:00pm daily. Camps will meet at 5644 Tavilla Circle #201, Naples, FL These highly successful programs, from which many camp graduates have gone on to college, either in meteorology or a related field, will feature hands-on experiential learning about weather. The emphasis will be on the Florida sea breeze, with linkages to math, science and geography, interdisciplinary applications, team-building, useful web links, communication, and PowerPoint presentations. To accomplish this, middle school campers will build tissue paper hot air balloons and launch these on the last day of camp, analyze weather maps, and melt glaciers. High school students will delve into forecasting, climate change, planetary sustainability issues, and the use of the latest technology (e.g., Doppler radar and GOES-16 satellite imagery). Optional camp visits (family is invited) to the National Weather Service and the experimental Wall of Wind facility (both near Miami, FL) are also being considered for high school students only on the Monday after their camp week.

2 Cost for each camp is $349 and includes morning and afternoon snacks and bottled water (10% discount per child when two or more campers from the same family register). Students should plan to bring their own lunch. Early registration is encouraged, since each camp will be limited to 12 participants. Please complete and submit the attached camp application, medical permission form, and payment as early as possible. All youth are welcome, but preference will be given to students with a strong science interest! To ensure that the camps run smoothly, we ask that all students arrive by 8:45am and be picked up shortly after 4:30pm. All youth must be picked up by 5:00pm. Certified Consulting Meteorologist H. Michael Mogil (of How the Weatherworks) and other experts will be leading the camp program. Campers are encouraged to bring their laptop or tablet. There will be some computers available on site. Cameras or cell phone cameras for weather photography are highly recommended. Comfortable attire is the rule (after all, this is camp) - light colored clothing, closed/toed shoes (tennis/sneaker), hat, sunscreen, and bug spray are among the necessary items. For more information, on these weather camps and other programs that will be offered this summer, please visit -- and

3 Additional parent information / FAQs for summer weather camps We are moving ahead and getting everything in place for the weather camps (MS - week of 7/9 and HS - week of 7/16). Here is the latest information and some FAQs to facilitate your planning. If we ve left something out, don t hesitate; give us a call at (cell) or drop us an (wxcamps@weatherworks.com). Let s begin with climate information. Typically, Southwest Florida mornings will be rain-free or have a few lighter rain showers that march onshore with the onset of daily sea breeze. By afternoon, thunderstorms will likely be lined up somewhere near the I-75 corridor, unless there s a stronger sea breeze. In this case, storms will tend to move further inland or possibly as far east as Fort Lauderdale and Miami. If the sea breeze remains in the I-75 vicinity, then inland thunderstorms tend to migrate back to the west coast around sunset, as the sea breeze relaxes. Southwest Florida will be well into the summer rainy season in July. This means a thunderstorm can easily deposit one to two inches of rain very quickly (while nearby, the sun remains shining brilliantly). Since lightning isn t constrained by the area of the storm itself, please remember that if you can hear thunder, then you could be in danger of being struck by lightning.

4 While storms are obviously dangerous, so, too, is the sun. Dermatologists recommend using common sense sun safety rules (e.g., frequently applying SPF 30 or higher, wearing a hat and avoiding long periods of sun during the midday hours). Florida skies are photogenic. Sunsets and cloudscapes are often spectacular. We recommend ALWAYS carrying a camera and/or cell phone and being at the ready to capture these scenes. For each camp, we are planning a kick-off meeting at Lowdermilk Beach Park (see map at end of this document) on Sunday evening at the start of camp (7pm until sunset). If you come to Naples, you MUST see the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico! It would also be a chance for the kids to meet, parents to connect, and all of us to go over last minute camp details. Lowdermilk Beach does have parking (but you'll have to pay a small fee to the meters). It also has a covered area, just in case lingering rain showers are around. We are planning a Friday afternoon get-together to bring closure to each camp. We are not yet sure of the timing on this, but it will most likely occur in the 3pm - 4pm window (end of the camp day). What I do need from you now (in addition to paperwork mentioned in the cover letter) is camper tee shirt sizing information. We will be getting tee shirts printed for the camps and I want to be sure we have the correct sizing. Shirts will likely be pre-shrunk cotton. So, please factor in any shrinkage sizing issues when you order. For high school campers, I have been in contact with folks at the Wall of Wind (wind engineering facility) and the National Weather Service (NWS) in Miami. Right now, it looks as though the best time to visit will be on the Monday after camp ends (July 23). If any family from the high school camp is staying in the area that long, and wants to visit these Miami area sites, please let me know. I'll work with the sites to try and schedule a family visit. Note that the Wall of Wind and the NWS Tampa office will be offering a virtual tour during one or both camps.

5 Finally, if campers have any questions that they want answered during camp...or any weather topics they want to be sure are covered, please let us know in advance. While our camps do have a general schedule, we are opportunists and will capitalize on almost anything that will capture the campers attention, imagination, and learning. Matt Bolton and I are looking forward to the camps and to providing all of our campers with an unparalleled weather experience. Sunshine, Mike CONTACT: H. Michael Mogil ( cell) Barbara Levine ( cell) wxcamps@weatherworks.com Weather camps - Other programs - Camp locator map

The Marriott on U.S. Highway 41 is one of many hotels that offer suite accommodations. It is about equidistant between Lowdermilk Beach and the Weather Camp location.

6 The Marriott on U.S. Highway 41 is one of many hotels that offer suite accommodations. It is about equidistant between Lowdermilk Beach and the Weather Camp location. The Coastland Mall is located about 4 miles south of the Marriott on Highway 41. There are two movie theaters and an upscale (but smaller) mall located about 4 miles north of the Marriott. Various attractions in the area include the Naples Zoo, the Naples Botanical Garden, the Ford-Edison House (Fort Myers), numerous hiking trails, several nature preserves and parks, kayaking, miniature golf, and more.

Tropical Update. 1 PM EDT Monday, May 21, 2018 Caribbean Disturbance (20%)

Tropical Update. 1 PM EDT Monday, May 21, 2018 Caribbean Disturbance (20%) Tropical Update 1 PM EDT Monday, May 21, 2018 Caribbean Disturbance (20%) This update is intended for government and emergency response officials, and is provided for informational and situational awareness