Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime!

Summertime is the season to take some time for oneself, whether coming together for some quality family time after a hectic school year or taking some time to indulge in an activity that peaks your interest. And the perfect place for either, for both the young and the young at heart, is at one of Florida’s 160 state parks. Florida’s parks offer summer activities that are plentiful, fun and even educational -- but don’t tell the kids – let them just think it’s a fun vacation.

The following is a just a small sample of events hosted by Florida State Parks during July and August. To find additional events throughout the year, visit www.floridastateparks.org.

The first Saturday of each month beckons artists and artist ‘wannabes’ to “Art in the Park” hosted by Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. The event caters to all ages and also features demonstrations in the arts of pottery, fabric arts, stained glass, quilting, painting and jewelry making.

A Junior Ranger Academy is offered on the first Saturday of every month at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. Children K-5 especially enjoy the educational games, activities, stories and more related to Florida wildlife. Each month focuses on a different Florida animal.

The first Annual Living Treasures of the Gulf is scheduled for July 6 through July 10 at Henderson Beach State Park near Destin. The event highlights a variety of Gulf species including dolphins, jellyfish and sea turtles and includes a puppet show, life size displays, and arts and crafts.

Surf’s up at the annual Eastern Surfing Association Surf Contest held July 11 and 12 at Sebastian Inlet State Park in Melbourne Beach. Watch and learn as local surfers compete to decide who rules the East Coast waves.

Fishing enthusiasts of all ages are the target audience for the Saltwater Fishing Workshops held throughout July at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park in Palm Coast. Adult workshops are held each Thursday; kids workshops are held each Friday, both from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinics are sponsored by the park’s “Friends” organization and will be a ‘hands-on’ learning experience fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway. Adult classes are open to ages 18 years and older; the kids workshop is open to ages 8-17. Advance registration is required.

Calling all cooks. On July 11, from 11 a.m. to noon, a Colonial Cooking Demonstration and Program, hosted by Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine, will give participants an insight into cooking – without the aid of modern day appliances.

The 2009 Lake Louisa Sprint Triathlon Series will be held at the park in Clermont on July 18 at 7 a.m. and August 20 at 6 p.m. A quarter-mile swim, 7-mile bike ride and 1.5 mile run will challenge participants in the two divisions. On August 4 and 11, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. the park will also host its Summer Cycling Series. The races will be split into two categories ranging between 15-30 miles long and the top three participants in each category will be awarded trophies.

Once upon a time… Golden Stories by the Silver River gives storytellers an opportunity to compete as best storyteller while entertaining park guests. This year’s theme is “Stories about Everyone’s Favorite Creatures: Insects.” The Ocala event is scheduled for July 18 at 7 p.m., and coincidentally, insect repellant is suggested.

Smokey Bear turns 65 in August and Savannas Preserve State Park in Jensen Beach is honoring him with a huge birthday bash. Smokey Bear will be on hand for pictures and autographs along with food, fun and games. A gigantic yard sale will be held concurrently with proceeds benefitting the park’s “Friends” organization. The event is scheduled for August 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other events hosted by Florida’s award-winning state parks are too many to list but include nature rides, kayak, canoe and candlelight tours, birding, gardening workshops, war time reenactments, campfire programs, stargazing ………….

Florida State Parks offer something for everyone. The Department has even created Rediscover Florida – 100 Ways in 100 Days, a list of ways to enjoy Florida’s state parks. For motivational ideas, go to http://www.floridastateparks.org/rediscoverfl.