UF Students Serve Children at Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis

University of Florida students in the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management completed field experience requirements at Camp Boggy Creek, a 232-acre facility in Eustis that serves children with serious medical conditions at no cost to families.

The camp, which opened in 1996, has served more than 90,000 children and family members. It relies on more than 1,800 volunteers annually to provide programming for children ages 7 to 16 with conditions including sickle cell disease, cancer and congenital heart defects.

Ishany Martinez guided families through archery, horseback riding, swimming and music activities. Amelia Slayden coordinated with families before arrival and prepared programs. Both 2026 graduates participated in an activity called Tumbleweeds, where campers tie colorful yarn between pom-poms to spread kindness and gratitude.

"You're there to have fun and take the weight off the parents," Martinez said. "Camp does a good job at creating a packed schedule and different activities for different personalities."

UF's tourism and hospitality program requires students to complete 12 credit hours of experiential learning. The curriculum includes tourniquet training and crisis management, which students apply at camps, theme parks and resorts.

Kirstin Cauraugh Youmans, director of program operations at Camp Boggy Creek, said the students brought compassion and professionalism to their field experience while developing interpersonal, leadership and critical-thinking skills.

The camp operates year-round and accepts volunteers through its website.