Growing Up in Wild St. Pete

How much did seven-year-old Emily Helalat love summer day camps at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve? So much that she would hide from her mom when it was time for pick-up. She says she wished camp would never end. That’s why she spent as much time there as possible, summer after summer. And, she still hasn’t left.

Today, Emily’s parents are proud and excited, maybe even a little jealous, that she has found a job where she gets to do what she loves; those camp experiences led to a career with the City of St. Petersburg preserve.

When Emily first started going to camp, she already loved animals. She didn’t have pets at home, but she found a connection with animals in nature. Snakes, snails, birds, and the plentiful insects native to Pinellas County were all part of her world. The preserve, back then, also included a petting zoo with goats, chickens, and more, so there was no shortage of critters to hang out with.

Like a lot of kids, Emily didn’t always get along with classmates at school, even experiencing bullying from time to time. But at camp, she found other kids, along with instructors who “got” her. They all loved nature as much as she did. “I used to wish camp could be my school,” she recalls.

She took part in all the different camps that Boyd Hill offered as she rose through the grade levels. She never wanted to stop learning new things. Eventually, she realized she didn’t have to. She initially thought she might want to pursue becoming a veterinarian, but she also imagined teaching. When she realized there was a career path that would allow her to share her love of animals and teach kids she said, “This is it.” Environmental education sounded perfect.

Emily went to college, studying education at St. Petersburg College, while volunteering at Boyd Hill. Then, she landed an internship that put her right back at camp, doing all of her favorite things. She helped out with camps, classes, and the “puddle jumpers” programs for the youngest kids. She remembers helping a child overcome his fear of snakes.

The team at Boyd Hill were as happy with Emily’s hard work great spirit as she was to be there. Serendipitously, a position opened on the park staff just as Emily was about to graduate. That’s how she became a ranger, or as she says, “a forever camper.”

With her adult perspective, she sees that summer camp is not only fun--it’s a lot more. “You learn without realizing it,” she says. “You learn how to make friends, team-building, outdoors skills… we learned how to cook and once we made ice cream.”

Boyd Hill is lucky to have such an enthusiastic ambassador, but Emily considers herself the lucky one. “This is my dream job,” she says with a smile.

Kids can still learn and enjoy Boyd Hill’s summer camps every week of summer vacation, every year. Sign-ups for 2020 begin on March 3. Scholarships are available for kids who are eligible for free and reduced lunches, and applications are accepted through March 30. Any parent, teacher, or other adult can apply on a child’s behalf. Camp information and scholarship applications are available here.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is located at 1101 Country Club Way S. in St. Petersburg. It is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. #keepstpetewild