CROW summer campers enjoy Scooters Pizza for lunch. PHOTO PROVIDED

From learning how to do surgical sutures on a silicone mat to exploring the anatomy of sharks, frogs and other animals, students are diving into hands-on wildlife science this summer during the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife’s Conservation Summer Camp.

With various camps designed for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, CROW’s annual camp combines wildlife conservation, veterinary medicine and outdoor discovery through engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities that bring science to life. Campers tour the wildlife hospital, meet medical team members and animal ambassadors, use microscopes, build habitats, and participate in veterinary skills labs inspired by the work performed every day at CROW.

The final sessions of camp are sponsored by the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club. They include the middle school “Crows” camp July 20-23 and the high school “Osprey” camp Aug. 3-6. Scholarships are available for eligible participants. The deadlines are July 16 and July 27, respectively.

One of the biggest highlights for older campers is the opportunity to step into the role of a wildlife veterinarian.

Middle school campers in grades 5-8 learn basic surgical suturing techniques on a silicone mat and are guided through dissections of a laboratory rat and bullfrog, giving them a close-up look at anatomy and physiology.

Brittnay Laster, CROW's Education and Outreach Coordinator, huddles with summer campers. PHOTO PROVIDED

High school students take their veterinary skills a step further with a suture lab kit followed by a dogfish shark dissection. On an island surrounded by Gulf waters, studying a shark offers a unique opportunity to better understand one of the ocean’s most recognizable animals while comparing its anatomy to other vertebrates.

“These labs give students a chance to experience real veterinary and biological science in a way that’s exciting, memorable and age appropriate,” said Brittnay Laster, CROW’s Education and Outreach Coordinator. “Whether they dream of becoming a veterinarian or simply love learning about wildlife, campers leave with a new appreciation for the animals that share our world.”

The veterinary activities are just one part of the four-day experience. Campers also learn about wildlife conservation, sea turtles, rescue and rehabilitation, and the connection between healthy ecosystems, wildlife and people through CROW’s “One World, One Health” curriculum.

Founded in 1968, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the sick, injured, and orphaned native and migratory wildlife of Southwest Florida. In 2025, the clinic saw more than 5,000 patients.

CROW’s Conservation Summer Camp is designed to inspire curiosity while helping students understand Florida’s incredible wildlife and the importance of protecting it.

2026 CROW Summer Conservation Campers (Crows, Grades 5th-8th) take part in a rat dissection. PHOTO PROVIDED

None of the animals used for dissections are CROW patients. Specimens are obtained from licensed educational suppliers that comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations and are used solely for educational purposes.

For more information or to register, visit CROWClinic.org. More questions? Contact Education and Outreach Coordinator Brittnay Laster at blaster@crowclinic.org or 239-322-5074.

If you find a wild animal in need of help, call (239) 472-3644 ext. 222 or visit https://crowclinic.org/found-animal.