Photo byBen WicksonUnsplash

The state of Florida is better known as the "Sunshine State", but for a special group of kids, it's the "Ninja State". Nestled among the towering palm trees and surrounded by vast stretches of sunny beaches, these young ninjas are not your ordinary kids. They don't spend their days building sandcastles or splashing in the waves. Instead, they are mastering the art of being real-life ninjas. Meet their fearless leader, Captain Sunshine, a retired pelican with an eye-patch and a passion for ninja training. Yes, a pelican! And don't you dare question his abilities or you'll end up with a face full of feathers. He swoops, he dives, he performs daring mid-air flips; he's the most nimble bird you ever did see. Under his expert guidance, these kids are learning how to nimbly leap from branch to branch, perform daring somersaults, and even master the art of invisibility (they're still working on this one, though). They may be pint-sized, but these Florida ninjas are big on courage and even bigger on hilarity. When they're not practicing their ninja moves, they can be found engaging in epic water balloon fights or trying to convince Captain Sunshine to eat something other than fish. The coolest part? They're just regular kids out to have a good time. They're the Florida ninjas: a quirky, funny, and fearless bunch of kids who are living proof that even in the land of sunshine and sandy beaches, the ninja spirit is alive and kicking. And guess what? Captain Sunshine is always on the lookout for new recruits. Will you be the next Florida ninja?