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w INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA MEMORANDUM TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator THROUGH: Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resource Department Director FROM: Alexis Peralta, Stormwater Educator SUBJECT: Request for Stormwater Summer Camp 2025 DATE: February 25, 2025 DESCRIPTION The County has been offering Stormwater Summer Camp for the past 9 years and, if approved by the Board, this year will be the 10th. This Stormwater Summer Camp allows middle school students the opportunity to enhance their STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) while reconnecting with nature and learning how they can help protect our Lagoon. Providing this camp helps the County meet our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit outreach and education requirements. Building on the success of Indian River County's (IRC) 2 -week long Stormwater Summer Camp hosted in 2023 and 2024 at the Audubon House on Oslo Rd., the Stormwater Division is requesting the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approval to host another 2 -week Summer Camp this year to be held at the Audubon House once again. Last year, staff changed the name of the camp to "Summer Camp for the Lagoon!" an IRC Stormwater Camp and it was a success. The 10 -day camp will remain focused on the same stormwater issues as in the past with activities including water quality testing, lessons on preventing pollution, litter cleanups, kayaking, and more! As in previous years, campers will be selected by Audubon staff. Audubon will charge an estimated $200 per camper to help cover costs of the van, snacks, and activities. Stormwater staff will provide 20 days of staff time total, with a schedule of 10 consecutive weekdays for the County's 2 -week "Summer Camp for the Lagoon" that focuses on stormwater education and includes anticipated trips to IRC Stormwater Parks, the IRC Landfill, the Sebastian Inlet, and the Indian River Lagoon. In addition, staff will provide 10 non-consecutive weekdays of assistance to help co -lead the Audubon camps in response to the Audubon's educator assisting in the IRC Summer Camp. IRC Stormwater staff participation in these camps is separate from other regularly scheduled stormwater presentations and lessons provided at other camps such as those hosted by the Environmental Learning Center (ELC), the Learning Alliance's Moonshot Summer Program, and other Audubon events. 82