Lighthouse Museum Education Program grateful for community support of summer camp

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – With summer camp coming to an end at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, the non-profit organization gives thanks to the many individual community donors, business sponsors, and non-profit partners who have and continue to help fund educational experiences for children. Having children return for in-person camp made this year’s Summer Camp particularly special. Scholarships to the Summer Camp are provided through donations and assist local underprivileged children who may not otherwise attend. These scholarships are made possible by the generous contributions of the following businesses and civic groups: 

We would also like to thank the Board Members of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. 

Additionally, many individual donors and community members contributed to the scholarships. “It is because of the kindness of the community that we are able to provide the scholarship program,” said Tanya Rhodes, Development & Major Gifts Director at the Museum. 

More than 1,095 children have benefitted from the summer camp over the past ten years. Of those, 365 lived in the St. Augustine community and attended through scholarships. Museum educators coordinate with the St. Johns County School District, Betty Griffin House, and the Homeless Coalition to ensure children in need receive scholarships. 

“We are so glad to have camp started again,” said Kathy Fleming, Executive Director of the Museum. “It’s a service to parents and children alike. The camp keeps them engaged to stop “summer slide” by offering new ways to tell stories about our connections to the sea. Most of all, thank you to our local and business donors for the scholarships and food they provide for campers.”

Maintaining children’s engagement during the summer months helps them retain knowledge from the previous year and transition more successfully into school the following year. The camp focuses on arts and humanities through hands-on learning with guided STEAM lessons.

In addition to providing camps during school breaks, the Education Program at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum shares maritime stories of the region. Nation’s Oldest Port® School Group and Day Camp programs introduce K-12 students to the science of light, archaeology of shipwrecks, 500 years of Florida maritime heritage, and the significant role of lighthouses to the economy and coastal defense. Programs for scouts and other groups are also available.

For more details about educational opportunities at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, please visit https://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/explore-learn/education/ or contact Education & Program Manager Jill Titcomb at jtitcomb@staugustinelighthouse.org or 904-829-0745 extension 223.

About the St. Augustine & Maritime Museum
A unique landmark of St. Augustine for over 145 years, the St. Augustine Light Station is host to centuries of the Nation’s Oldest Port® history and educational programs. Through interactive exhibits, guided tours, and maritime research, the 501(c)(3), non-profit St. Augustine Lighthouse &

Maritime Museum is on a mission to discover, preserve, present, and keep alive the stories of the Nation’s Oldest Port® as symbolized by our working lighthouse. Today, the Museum keeps the light shining as a private aid-to-navigation. We are the parent organization to the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP), and together our two non-profits are an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. (www.StAugustineLighthouse.org). 

About the American Alliance of Museums
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. (www.aam-us.org)