Snorkeling the Coral Reef in Key Largo With Your Grandchild

Program Registration& Orientation: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us in a reserved area to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. We will learn from our knowledgeable Group Leader and series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Travel and transfers will be via passenger van. Everyone who wishes to snorkel must be able to swim. When we go snorkeling, everyone will be provided with a safety vest that must be worn at all times (USCG requirement). We will also provide a mask, snorkel, and fins; or, you may use your own. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

We will ride to a local restaurant.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, stroll along the boardwalk, then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Our days will be filled with fun learning adventures so we do not have scheduled evening activities. This is a great time for “grands” to spend time together, sharing what these experiences mean to each of us, and also to enjoy the resort’s amenities.

We will ride to a local restaurant.

We’ll hop into our van for a visit to the REEF Organization for a fish identification presentation , then we will drive for field trip to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This was America’s very first undersea park, established in 1963 to protect and preserve the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. Together with the adjoining Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the park is about 25 miles long and reaches three miles into the Atlantic Ocean. It includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps with lots of marine life and many shore birds above the water. We’ll go on an expert-led walking field trip through a mangrove habitat to learn about the importance of this dynamic living environment, why mangroves are essential to the reefs, and how the mangrove system is the second most productive bio-zone on the planet.

At the park.

The living, fragile, shallow-water coral reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary are vibrant with color and activity. One of the best ways to experience the reefs is by snorkeling, and we’ll have a supervised snorkeling practice session on the hotel pool. If you’ve already had experience snorkeling, this will be a refresher. Everyone, who wishes to snorkel, regardless of age, must be able to swim.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Talk over the day’s experiences, enjoy what the resort has to offer, or just relax.

At a local restaurant.

We’ll hop into our van for a field trip to the Dolphin Research Center.The Center is a not- for-profit organization that conducts innovative research and education projects. During your visit you will observe the narrated sessions with their animal family, and ask questions during and between these sessions We’ll ride to Curry Park after our field trip.

At Curry Hammock State park.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Our days are full of wonder, learning, and fun. Share experiences with one another and look forward to tomorrow.

At the hotel

We’ll head to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for our first snorkeling field trip. This sanctuary protects the third-largest living coral barrier reef system in the world. With our Group Leader and boat staff supervising, we’ll go snorkeling in the shallow-water coral reefs, vibrant with color and activity, to appreciate more of the biology of corals and their importance and see the fish swimming around. We’ll follow all sanctuary rules and regulations to protect these resources and be good stewards of the environment.

At a local restaurant.

Especially for kids: We’ll then hop aboard a 65-foot glass-bottom catamaran for a look into the undersea world. As we pass through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, we’ll be able to see a number of shallow reefs teeming with wildlife. We’ll return to the hotel after our field trip.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Another set of great memories to add to your collection. Spend time with "grands" and new friends, and get some rest for our last full day of the program tomorrow.

At a local restaurant.

We’ll set out on another snorkeling field trip, returning to the living, shallow-water coral reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to see and learn more. In addition to the colorful corals, fishes, and other “critters,” we’ll see a variety of seagrasses under water as well as birds and other wildlife above the water before returning to the hotel.

On the hotel grounds.

Our last field trip together will take us to Theater of the Sea that began more than 70 years ago — as a rock quarry! The quarry had provided material for an amazing engineering achievement, the Oversea Railroad in the early 1900s. It eventually filled with sea water and fish. An enterprising family of animal lovers saw the possibilities for a facility that would provide a home for marine mammals and other animals. They share them with the public to inspire awareness and sensitivity towards the animals, the environment, and conservation issues. Theater of the Sea now presents shows that exhibit animal behaviors and give people a chance to see them in action. Animals that live here include alligators, bottlenose dolphins, marine invertebrates, parrots, raptors, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, and many kinds of fish. They also rescue and rehabilitate animals that have been injured or can’t be released back into the wild for other reasons. Depending on what’s going on at the park that day, we will have opportunities such as seeing dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows that integrate anatomy, animal husbandry, conservation issues, and natural history.

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during at our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Enjoy our last evening together on the program with “grands” and new friends. Then prepare for check-out and departure after our closing session in the morning.

At a local restaurant.

We’ll have a wrap-up session with our Group Leader to share what was most interesting, exciting, and enjoyable. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!