New South Plantation High School Magnet Students to Attend Camp Everglades 2012

Freshmen new to the Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration Magnet Program at South Plantation High will get their first taste of high school life August 9 at Camp Everglades 2012. South Plantation is located at 1300 SW 54th Avenue in Plantation.

During the orientation program, 175 students will meet their classmates who come from 25 different District middle schools and private schools throughout Broward County. More than 425 students applied for the 175 magnet slots; admission was by random selection.

Teachers will be on hand to prepare the newcomers for the academic rigors of high school. Twenty-four upperclassmen will serve as camp counselors and will work with the freshmen during the camp and instructor Matt Zealy will serve as camp director. Coaches, cheerleaders and band members will encourage the freshmen to become involved in extracurricular activities.

During the day-long camp, students will become oriented with school procedures and the actual layout of the building through a scavenger hunt (11:30 a.m.). After lunch, the teachers will work in the Dr. Alyce Culpepper Environmental Research Center as the freshmen conduct their first magnet water testing labs, analyzing the water in the nearby canal (12:45 p.m.) Later, the freshmen will participate in team building activities using the low ropes program (3 p.m.). At the end of the day, they will set academic goals for their first year of high school. Parents will join the camp at 6:30 p.m. for a dessert reception so they can also meet the teachers.

Camp Everglades is one of the reasons the Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration program was named a 2012 Merit School of Excellence by the Magnet Schools of America organization. The school's students are also reining five-time champions of the Fairchild Challenge.

For more information contact Magnet Coordinator Pam Krauss at 754-323-1982.