Free September 12 workshop gives elementary students a hands-on look at hermit crabs, oysters and the importance of protecting Florida's coastal ecosystems
LITHIA, FL — August 29, 2026 — What happens when a hermit crab loses its shell? Why are oysters so important to clean water? And what can kids do to help protect Florida's coastal environment?
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 33521 is bringing those questions to life through two Silver Award conservation projects — Daffy's Adventure to a Healthy Habitat and Oyster Oasis — with a free, hands-on Ocean Conservation Workshop for elementary-aged children on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at Ibis Park in Lithia.
The workshop is open to the public and will feature four interactive stations designed to make environmental education fun, memorable and accessible for young children.
1. Meet Daffy the Hermit Crab
Children can meet Daffy, the real-life hermit crab who inspired one of the troop's Silver Award projects, and learn why shells are essential to hermit crab survival. The project's central message is simple:
"A shell on the beach is a home, not a souvenir."
Beachgoers often collect shells without realizing that hermit crabs rely on abandoned snail shells for protection. When shells are removed from beaches, crabs may be forced to use unsafe items such as bottle caps or plastic debris.
2. Vertical Oyster Garden (VOG) Building Challenge
Kids will work in teams to build their own Vertical Oyster Gardens in a fun, timed challenge. The activity introduces children to oysters and their important role in Florida's waterways. Oysters naturally filter water, improve water quality and create habitat for hundreds of marine species.
3. Story Time
Children can settle in for an environmental story, with a choice between The Oyster Garden by Mike Roberts or A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle.
4. Conservation Activity Sheets
Participants can color and complete educational activity pages created specifically for the two Silver Award projects: Oyster Oasis and Daffy's Adventure to a Healthy Habitat.
Children will also receive a commemorative patch, with stickers, sea-life charms and other small prizes available throughout the event. The troop may also offer ice pops as a special treat.
The hermit crab project was created by Troop 33521 member Anabelle, whose interactive exhibit, Daffy's Great Adventure to a Healthy Habitat, recently earned second place at the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida STEMapalooza competition.
The project teaches children and families about hermit crab habitats, diets, life cycles, shell exchanges and the role hermit crabs play in healthy coastal ecosystems.
Daffy — Anabelle's pet hermit crab — quickly became the star of the exhibit, attracting children and adults who wanted to learn more.
Although public speaking initially pushed Anabelle outside her comfort zone, her passion for the subject quickly took over. By the end of STEMapalooza, children were gathering around her exhibit, asking questions and continuing conversations long after the competition had ended.
Her Silver Award project is continuing beyond the competition. Anabelle plans to develop educational outreach encouraging beach visitors to leave shells on the beach, pursue partnerships with local organizations, provide shell-conservation and beach-cleanup education, and create educational boxes containing books and hands-on activities for elementary schools and libraries.
The educational boxes are planned for Bevis, FishHawk Creek, Lithia Springs, Pinecrest and Stowers elementary schools, as well as local public libraries.
"Watching Anabelle grow has been incredible," said troop leader Melissa Sharma. "She arrived at STEMapalooza nervous about speaking to strangers, but by the end of the day she was confidently sharing her knowledge with anyone who stopped by. Seeing children stay after the event just to keep talking with her showed how much her passion inspired others."
Anabelle's hermit crab conservation project is one of two Silver Award initiatives being developed by Troop 33521.
The troop's second project, Oyster Oasis, focuses on the ecological importance of oysters and the role they play in maintaining healthy waterways.
Through Oyster Oasis, the Girl Scouts are developing Vertical Oyster Garden educational kits containing activity books, puzzles, instructional materials and hands-on supplies. The goal is to give students an engaging introduction to oyster restoration, water quality and environmental stewardship.
By bringing the two projects together for the September workshop, the Girl Scouts hope children will discover that conservation doesn't have to be complicated — and that even small actions can make a difference.
"We want kids to leave knowing that they can be part of protecting our environment," said Sharma. "Whether that means leaving a shell on the beach for a hermit crab, learning why oysters matter or simply asking questions about the world around them, curiosity is where conservation starts."
What: Ocean Conservation Workshop
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Where: Ibis Park, Ibis Park Drive, Lithia, FL 33547
Who: Elementary-aged children, K–5th grade
Cost: Free
Open to: The public
Registration: RSVP requested
RSVP: Ocean Conservation Workshop Registration
The workshop is hosted by Girl Scout Cadette Troop 33521 as part of its Silver Award conservation initiatives.
For more information about the troop's environmental education projects or opportunities to support their work, community members are encouraged to connect with Girl Scout Troop 33521.
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