BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Looking for something to do this summer? There’s a new program that will have you getting your passport stamps without leaving the country.
Brevard Public Schools is partnering with the Museums of Brevard (M.O.B) and veteran/civic-minded organizations for the Education & Citizenship Armed Forces Coalition of the Space Coast (ECAC) initiative, aiming to enrich student experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
The group launched the Museums of Brevard Passport program encouraging students and their families to explore educational attractions and collect stamps. The Museums of Brevard represents dozens of museums, wildlife conservation areas and historic landmarks across Brevard County, including the Veterans Memorial Center Park and Museum in Merritt Island.
“We have 6,000 square feet of museum space on three floors. We have every period of American conflict history, including the Cold War represented downstairs and lots of special displays like women in the military and the space program. On the top floor, we have a wonderful display of Pearl Harbor and the tower on the third floor that looks out the over 82 acre Veterans Memorial Park,” said Army Veteran and Vice President of the Museum Donn Weaver.
Weaver helps run the museum and is often seen giving tours and explaining the significance of the thousands of wartime artifacts they have there, including wartime letters.
“This is one of our most interesting exhibits. The wartime letters were given by families. They actually received all these letters from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. They didn’t want them to just disappear in some attic, so they donated them to us. And we’ve displayed as many as we could to remind that, before the Internet, how important letters were to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines serving overseas and in some cases, risking their lives and they depended on those letters to bolster their morale,” said Weaver.
Satellite High School senior Gabriella Rivas visited the museum, learning about wartime history.
“I really think the letters are most fascinating for me. All these weapons on display are all very tactical. The letters give the soldiers more humanity,” said Rivas.
Another Brevard County students, 6-year-old Nolan Nguyen visited the museum with his mom wanting to learn more about what his dad does.
“(Dad) works for the United States Air Force, and he is deployed in Guam right now,” said Nguyen. “He’s very important to our country.”
Nolan got to sit in an authentic World War II Jeep built in the 1940s.
Nolan’s mom, Marie, said this visit is helping them to better understand their family that has a history of military service.
“He’s been reading about WWII and asking more questions about his grandfather who served in the Vietnam War. He’s really trying to learn how to not have war happening again,” said Nguyen.
Through the Museums of Brevard Passport program, a select number of museums and landmarks will stamp a special passport for students. If they collect all 17 stamps through the next school year, students will receive a distinctive certificate from the School Board and will be recognized quarterly during school board meetings. Additionally, students who contribute ten or more hours of volunteer service will receive a unique certificate and acknowledgment during school board meetings. Currently, you can find passports at all participating museum locations.
Participating museums include:
- North Brevard Historical Museum
- American Space Museum
- Warbird Air Museum
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum
- Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
- Sand Space History Center
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Historic Prichard House
- Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village
- Field Manor
- Sam’s House at Pine Island Conservation Area
- Veterans Memorial Center Park and Museum
- Vietnam War Exhibit and Educational Center
- Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science
- Lawndale H.S. Williams Home
- Liberty Bell Museum
- Collins Museum
For a full list of all Museums of Brevard and their locations, visit here.
“I think it does drive people to something that they maybe didn’t think about beforehand. The ultimate goal is get out of your house, get out from behind that screen, and go experience something that’s real that’s here in our county that will really just ultimately drive your love for Brevard County because we are such a unique, wonderful place,” said Brevard County School Board Chair Megan Wright.
“What a fantastic opportunity for our kids to learn about their own community. The history, the rich history right here in Brevard County and strongly encourage them to put down the video game controller, get off the couch and get out and see these museums,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell.
Program organizers hope the passport will guide students to visit different locations with the goal of collecting all the stamps. Many museums like the Veterans Memorial Museum are free or offer student discounts. The program runs through the end of the 2024-2025 school year.