Skip to main content

Times of the Islands Magazine

3 Sanibel Summer Camps to Check Out in 2018

Apr 18, 2018 06:48AM ● By Kevin
It's officially Spring, and as a parent, that means summer will be here before you know it! Planning ahead if you have kiddos waiting for you at home is always a good plan, especially if you have little ones that will be on their breaks. 

The Sanibel area has plenty of fun and exciting summer camps perfect for your little ones to attend. We've compiled a list below for your consideration.

Summer Camp at Sanibel Sea School

There are tons of summer camp programs at Sanibel Sea School, ranging from ages 4 to 18. For kids 12 and under, camp registration costs $320 per week. Teens 13-18 will register at $210 per week. Camps begin on June 4 and the last camp ends Aug. 24.

Little ones, ages 4 to 6, will experience pea-sized puffers and/or hatchlings. Kids ages 6 to 13 have a variety of options, including hammerheads, nudibranchs, osprey, submarine snail, tarpon, and more. Teens can opt for paddleboarding, a girls-only camp, wilderness exploration, coral reef, canoeing, and more.

All wait list requests will be collected via the Active Network registration system this year. If the week you would like to register for is full after the second week of registration, you will be given the option to join the wait list at no cost.  You should receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of completing your camp registration. If you do not receive a confirmation email within this time period, please contact the school. 

Camp inquiries can be made via phone at 239-472-8585 or by email, at [email protected]. Sanibel Sea School is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

For more details and a full list of camps, click here.

Summer Arts Camp at BIG ARTS Sanibel

BIG ARTS Summer Arts Camp offers a fun, unique, and well-rounded program of visual and performing arts for first through fifth graders. Each week begins a new session with a new theme. Throughout the week, campers create art projects that correspond with that week’s theme, as well as participate in music and theater classes.

Each weekly session concludes with a short program which includes a display of our campers’ artwork and a performance of what they’ve learned in their music and theater classes. Camps begin June 11 and run through July 27.

There's also an apprentice program for sixth through 12th graders. During the first half of the summer camp program (June 11-29), middle and high school apprentices have the opportunity to earn community services hours by assisting our campers in their classes. Apprentices may volunteer for the full camp day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or choose to volunteer during the morning or afternoon only. During the second half of the summer camp program (July 9-27), middle and high school apprentices can take classes, in addition to the opportunity to earn community service hours. Apprentices may choose to do both volunteering and classes, volunteer only, or participate in class only.

Click here to register.

'Ding' Darling Wildlife Society Summer Classes

Although there are no summer camps this year, there are still day classes for kids to enjoy.

A primary mission of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society involves education. Although the society supports conservation education for all visitors, it strives most diligently to reach children to get them outdoors and create environmental stewards of the future.

Every day you can encourage your tech-savvy kids to engage with nature at the refuge with a free download of its Discover Ding game app.  

They also support free seasonal programs at the refuge that are designed for families and individuals. 

Locally, DDWS furthers conservation education through Teacher Conservation Grants, Student Conservation Scholarships, and the "Ding" Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest.

Stop by the front desk at the Refuge Visitor & Education Center to earn your Junior Ranger Badge or to pick up free coloring booklets. Click here for more information.