We recently enjoyed the day at Wekiwa Springs State Park with our Homeschool co-op friends.
First, I have to share the difference between Wekiva and Wekiwa, because if you live in FL somebody is going to one of the two parks and for years I didn’t catch there was any difference. I just thought my friends couldn’t pronounce ‘Wekiva’. Like pa-tato poe-tot-toe. We can thank the Native Americans from the area for the similar yet different meanings.
Wekiva: running water
Wekiwa: bubbling water
So we were hanging out in the bubbling water place (which sounds like champagne but there was none).
Wekiwa Springs State Park
I love Florida State Park field trips. They are super educational and beautiful. I usually like them later in the year because it’s still pretty hot in late September. Thankfully there are so many shady spots, this trip was not uncomfortable.
The homeschoolers on our field trip ranged from toddler to 8th grade. There was something for everyone to enjoy!
I really appreciated the detailed guided tour from Ranger Jane. Wekiwa Springs is a 7,000 acre State Park and you could immediately tell she likes where she works. That really does make any field trip better. The ranger respected the fact that each person learns differently and incorporated a bit of hands-on learning, scavenger hunts, visual examples, lecture, and animal encounters. What an amazing natural teacher!
I laugh because if you field trip to any nature center, preserve, or state park in Florida … you can be sure you’ll get an opportunity to pet reptiles. Big ones, small ones, cold blooded ones!
First we all made friends with a box turtle and pooping gofer tortoise. We were taught if you ever find a tortoise never put it in a nearby water. Many people do that, but it’s actually not wise. (one prefers water the other hates it, both poop).
Then we got close & personal with a corn snake. This snake is naturally not aggressive so it’s a better snake to show off to a bunch of students. We were told to touch it’s belly or back not it’s head. The ranger shared the visible differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes.
After our Florida animal lesson the children stripped down to bathing suits and enjoyed swimming in the super cold spring!
The water is amazingly clear, but amazingly frigid. The water is 72*. For a hot day in Central Florida, it was still pretty cold! The spring provides approximately 42 million gallons of water to the Wekiva River each day. Our homeschoolers loved swimming up to the rocks and looking down with their goggles.
Tip: if you’re going to forget something don’t let it be your goggles!
We could have spent much more time nature journaling, bird watching, or even renting a kayak. But we had a ton of fun picnicking beside the spring while our kids shivered. The gators – it’s Florida y’all, there are always gators – do not like the springs. They usually do not come down around the spring, but they are down the river where you can kayak.
It’s pretty cool that Florida State Parks offers a Jr. Ranger Program. You can download activities and passports. There are over 100 state parks!
If you’re looking for something to do with your kids that doesn’t cost much ($6 for parking) head to Wekiwa Springs! Pack towels, goggles, and a lunch.
Heading out on a Nature Field Trip? Be sure to print our Nature Scavenger Hunt!