The Seminole Tribe’s Education Department hosted a series of “Summer Carnival” events throughout the reservations as part of its ongoing initiative to connect with the tribe’s communities.

The purpose was to have fun, eat food, win prizes, and engage with students, parents and the tribal community about the programs and services the Education Department has to offer.

On the Hollywood Reservation, the event was held June 7 in the Classic Gym. Dozens of students played carnival-style games with Education staff and employees from other tribal departments, like Climate Resiliency, Culture and Language and the Children’s Center for Diagnostics and Therapy, among others.

On the Immokalee Reservation, a host of departments came together to celebrate a job well done and mark the onset of summer. Tribal Council sponsored a few bounce houses and an ice cream truck, while the fire department kept kids busy and engaged at an interactive booth where kids put out a virtual fire with a fire extinguisher. The Culture Department offered a fry bread bar where customers could add sweet toppings to the bread.

“This is fun,” said Jadayah Amari, 9. “It’s better than being in school.”

More information is at seminoleeducation.com.