The school year is drawing to a close, and summer camps are gearing up for another season of education and excitement. From art and siling to watersports, there are plenty of activities for children in the Upper Keys this year.
VILLAGE SUMMER RECREATION CAMPS
Summer camp at Islamorada’s Founders Park. June 7-30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Camp is for children ages 6-10. $95 per week. $75 sibling discount. Activities include games, arts and crafts, sports and contests, movies, swimming at the beach and pool and more. Bring masks, snacks, lunch, water bottle, sneakers, swim suit, towel and sunscreen. Open enrollment begins for all May 15. Islamorada residents priority access available now through May 14. See registration instructions on islamorada.fl.us and click the “Summer Camps” tab. For more information, call 305-853-1685.
JUNIOR SUMMER TENNIS CAMP
Presented by Tiki Tennis, camp dates are June 7-11, June 14-18, June 21-25, July 12-16, July 19-23 and Aug. 2-6 at Founders Park. Full-day camp, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is $225 per week. Half-day camp, 9 a.m. to noon, is $125 per week. Tennis camp is for children ages 6 and up. Activities include matches, free pizza Fridays, swimming, dodgeball and more. Be sure to bring facial covering, racquet, court shoes, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, swimsuit and towel and lunch Monday through Thursday. Pre-registration is required. Contactless registration preferred by visiting islamorada.fl.us and clicking on “Summer Camps” tab. For more information call 305-853-1685 or Susie Jannach at 954-290-7502.
SUMMER SWIM CAMP
Provided by the Florida Keys Swim Club, camps are June 7-11 and July 12-16 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (check-in at 8:45 a.m.) at Founders Park. For ages 6 and up. $175 per session. With instruction by four-time Olympic medalist Jon Olsen, camp includes stroke techniques, starts, turns, racing, water games and dry-land activities. Bring facial covering, goggles, fins, water, towel, snacks and sunscreen. Pre-registration is required. Contactless registration preferred by visiting islamorada.fl.us and clicking on “Summer Camps” tab. For more information, call 305-853-1685 or Olsen at 305-393-5855.
SWIM & DIVE COMBO CAMP
Camp dates are June 21-25, June 28-July 2 and July 5-9 (Monday through Friday) from 9 a.m. to noon (Check-in at 8:45 a.m.) at Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park. For children ages 6 and up. Session fee is $200. Introductory to springboard diving and dryland by coach Kelly Kater. Stroke techniques, starts, turns, dry-land activities and water games by coach Jon Olsen. Bring facial covering, towel, bathing suit, sunscreen, snacks and water. Limited space available. Contactless registration preferred by visiting islamorada.fl.us and clicking on “Summer Camps” tab. For more information call 305-853-1685, Kater at 215-622-6841 or Olsen at 305-393-5855.
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING CAMP
Session one is June 7-11 and session two is July 26-30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Monday through Friday) at Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park. $200 per week. Jump in and learn the basics of synchronized swimming. Bring facial covering, packed lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, cap and goggles, towel, extra swimsuit and two empty gallon jugs. Children must be comfortable and strong enough to swim on their own in deep water for enrollment. Contactless registration preferred by visiting islamorada.fl.us and clicking on “Summer Camps” tab. For more information call coach Isla Crawford at 856-473-4752 or Park Office at 305-853-1685.
ART SUMMER CAMP
Primitive art session June 7-11; ancient civilizations session from June 14-18; Renaissance art session from June 21-25; and modern art session from June 28 to July 2. All sessions go from 9 a.m. to noon at Our Place in Paradise, 88711 Old Road, Tavernier. Cost is $190 per week, per student. All supplies included. Led by instructor Veronica Gutierrez, this program will help to develop a child’s motor skills, concentration, self-esteem and creativity. Space is limited to six students. For more information, call 305-916-5828.
KIDS SUMMER ART CAMP
Camp dates are June 14-18, June 21-25, June 28 to July 2, July 5-9 and July 12-16 (Monday through Friday) from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 80891 Old Highway, Islamorada. For kids ages 6-12. $165 per week. Led by local artist Maxine Trainer, children will explore all mediums from acrylics, oil and pastels to chalk-based pastels, watercolors, pencils and more. All in a structured, safe environment with an emphasis on fun, creativity and play. Bring lunch and a mask. For more information, call 321-652-6363.
OCEAN EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP
Camp dates are June 14-18 for ages 8-10, June 28 to July 2 for ages 11-13, and July 12-16 for ages 8-10. Camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $300 per camper, per week. Price includes state park entry fees, activity and equipment and REEF T-shirt and water bottle. The camp hosted at John Pennekamp State Park is heavily based outdoors. Activities include snorkel to the coral reef, kayak adventures along the mangroves, outdoor games and marine science lessons. For more information, email explorers@REEF.org or call 305-852-0030.
FLORIDA KEYS SAILING SUMMER CAMP
Sailing camp dates are May 31 to June 11, June 14-25, June 28 to July 2, July 12-23 and July 26 to Aug. 6. Largo Conchs camp is for children ages 5-7, Learn to Sail camp for those ages 8-14 and Intro to C420 Sailing for ages 12-18. Prices vary. Sailing camps allow kids and teens to discover a new water sport that connects them to the marine environment. For more information, visit msysp.org or call 305-747-2600.
DOLPHINS KIDS SUMMER CAMP
Dolphin Kids camp dates are July 5-9, July 12-16 and July 19-23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m at Dolphins Plus Bayside in Key Largo. Camp is for those ages 6-10. $350, per student, per week. Upgrade options available for early and late care. Dolphin Kids is our week long marine science summer camp for kids ages 6 -10, hosted at our beautiful bayside facility in the Florida Keys. Campers learn about all sorts of subjects, from local ecosystem ecology to dolphin communication and behavior. Camp water bottles, custom training whistles and snacks are included in each week-long session (lunch is not included Monday through Thursday). Register by calling the reservations department at 1-866-860-7946.
JUNIOR DOLPHIN EXPLORERS CAMP
Camp goes from July 26-30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m at Dolphins Plus Bayside in Key Largo. For children ages 11-14. $350 per student, per week. Optional camp upgrades available for early and late care. Campers will investigate dolphin intelligence, flukes and flippers, majestic manatees, and even learn how to help stranded marine mammals. Camp water bottle, arts and crafts and snacks are among the things included (lunch not included Monday to Thursday). Register by calling the reservations department at 1-866-860-7946.
MARINELAB – SPACES AVAILABLE
Summer camp from June 7-11, June 14-18 and July 26-30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those in 4th through 8th grades. Camp will be held at the MarineLab campus in Key Largo. Each day, campers will be taken on a snorkel excursion guided by local marine biologists. They’ll participate in marine ecology discussions and hands-on labs with live sea critters. Lunch and snacks will be provided. The cost is $250 per camper for the week; additional siblings, $225 each. Single-day enrollment is unavailable. More info at info@marinelab.org or 305-451-1139 ext 201.
MARATHON SUMMER RECREATION CAMPS
The school year is winding down and summer looms on the horizon. From art to sailing to sports, activities are bountiful through August. Here is information to help parents and kids come up with a summer plan.
The sailing camp has instruction for all levels of experience and culminates in a regatta in late July. CONTRIBUTED
BOOT KEY SAILING CAMP
Five sailing sessions for beginners, intermediate and advanced sailors in Marathon. June 7-18, June 21-July 2, July 12-23 and July 26-Aug. 6 for beginners and early intermediate sailors, $200 per student per two-week session, or $350 for two siblings.; July 5-9 for intermediate and advanced sailors, $150 per week per student, or $250 per week for two siblings. A regatta for all youth Keys sailors is scheduled for July 18. Financial scholarships available. For more information or to sign up, visit www.MYCEF.education.
MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK CAMP
One-week sessions starting June 7 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Ages 5-10 • $80/week, $60 for each additional sibling • Tuesday/Thursday field trips • Camp headquarters will be the Marathon Community Park’s main pavilion and activities include arts and crafts, water activities, field trips • Call 305-743-6598 or email villatorog@ci.marathon.fl.us. Applications available at city website at ci.marathon.fl.us
MARINE SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP
At Pigeon Key. July 26-30 and Aug. 2-6 (day camp, ages 8-16), July 12-16 and July 19-23 (overnight camp, ages 10-16). Day camp runs Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., costs $375. Overnight camp runs 9 a.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Friday, costs $975. Campers will learn reef fish identification, invertebrate collection, snorkel at Sombrero Reef and around Pigeon Key, participate in dissections, fish, play field games and relay races, and enjoy their own private island. More information and registration forms at pigeonkey.net, email casey@pigeonkey.net.
BIOLOGIST FOR A DAY
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters. All summer for three consecutive days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for children ages 10 and up • Camps are one-day ($150), two-day ($300) or three-day ($400) and include lunch. Spend the day with a marine biologist learning subjects like corals, or sharks and stingrays, and experience in-water encounters. Requires 4 participants per camp session. Email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com or call 305-407-3262, ext. 2 for information and availability.
AVIATION BASICS CAMP
Florida Keys Flight Academy hosts summer camp for youth ages 16 and up. Dates to be announced, from 10 a.m. to noon in classroom, and 1 to 3 p.m. flight training in afternoon, based out of Marathon airport. Cost is $3,500 and includes 15 hours of flight instruction • For more information, email floridakeysflightacademy@gmail.com or call 1-888-KEYS-AIR.
KEY WEST & LOWER KEYS SUMMER RECREATION CAMPS
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
Registration is still open, but spaces are limited and filling up quickly, for the Key West Boys & Girls Club’s summer camp for kids aged 5 to 17.
The camp includes weekly field trips to the community pool, splash pad and botanical garden and other places. The rest of the time is spent at the club’s new headquarters in Bayview Park, where campers participate in outdoor, field day activities and other programs.
Cost is $95 per week for the first child, and $47.50 per week for siblings. There is also a one-time, $10 membership fee. Call 305-296-2258 or visit bgckeywest.org.
CFK Summer Adventure Camps
Registration is open for the College of the Florida Keys’ Summer Adventure Camps. Designed for 7- to 11-year-old children, the one-week sessions provide opportunities to learn, create, and have fun. CFK Summer Adventure Camps run Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a 45-minute lunch break. Camps will begin June 7 and run each week through July 30. Interested parents can learn more at cfk.edu/summer-camps or by emailing summercamp@cfk.edu.
COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS 2021 Summer Adventure Camps
Art Camp – Discover your artistic capabilities while creating paintings, stories, and sculptures! June 7 – 11, June 21 – June 25, & July 26 – 30 $175
Code Breakers I – Discover the basics of computer programming, coding, and design using a Raspberry Pi.
- June 14 – 18 & July 12 – 16
- $225
Code Breakers II – Discover advanced computer programming, coding, and design using a Raspberry Pi2. Campers must have completed Code Breakers I prior to enrollment. June 28 – July 2 & July 19 – 23 $225
COAST CAMP
Along the COAST Camp is back after a safe and sold-out summer in 2020. Weekly sessions throughout June from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for children ages 6-10 years old. Cost is $250 per child.
The program is set up as a five-day trek around Old Town with a focus on local knowledge, secret spots, native marine and natural environments, plant and wildlife identification, but mostly fun! Each day is a new, immersive adventure “along the coast” with different departure points and destinations each day. Full details, registration, and contact info at www.coastprojects.com/camp
COFFEE MILL DANCE STUDIO
Children’s Summer Dance Classes and Mini Dance Camps enrolling now at the Coffee Mill Dance Studio. Classes start June 1. For boys and girls ages 3 and up. New and returning dancers are welcome and no experience is necessary. Call 305-296-9982 or come by The Annex Studio at 804 White Street from 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays to pre-register and get on the list; spots are limited. Full schedule at coffeemilldance.com.
CAMP BRAVO
Camp Bravo! June 1-25 – Keys Community School of the Arts presents its 13th season of Camp Bravo Summer Musical Theatre Camp for kids at the Williams Hall & the Key West Theater! For grades 3-12, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Time to sing, dance and perfect your drama skills this summer with a performance of “The Wiz Jr.” in the final days of camp! Limited spots available. Camp Bravo offers partial scholarships to families with limited resources. Go to keyscommunityschoolofthearts.org to register or call 305-296-9982 or email bravotheatre@aol.com for more information.
KEY WEST GOLF CLUB
Two age groups limited to 30 kids in each age group, June 7-11 Group 1 ages 6-10, 8:30 -9:30 a.m.; Group 2 ages 11-15, 10 to 11 a.m. Kids learn woods, irons, chipping and putting on a real course, $70 single, $120 family of 2, $155 family of 3, includes membership after completing the course. Sign up at Key West Golf Club Pro Shop or call 305-294-5232
KEY WEST SAILING CAMP
(Full with wait list.) Ten one-week camps, May 31 through Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 5-17. All different skill levels learn sailing and racing on a variety of boats including Opti prams, Hobie Waves, Sunfish, Lasers and 420s, depending on age group. $250/week. Register online at keywestsailingcenter.org. For more information email kwseducation@gmail.com or call/text Ben Hermelin at 314-349-9929
KEY WEST SPORTS ACADEMY –
Nine one-week camps, full day only, June 1-Aug.9. All camps are Monday through Friday with flexible scheduling available.
KWSA Summer Camps are filled with high energy, structured activities for your kids and incorporate open play, organized games, arts, and more. Activities change frequently. Camp themes change weekly and are incorporated into all aspects of the camp: crafts, games, activities, and lessons. For more information, visit keywestsportsacademy.com or call 305-896-2458.
LOST BEACH AT ISLAND FARMGet outside and into nature. FarmCamp is for children ages 7-15 beginning June 7 for 9 weeks through this summer. Registration is open at www.islandfarmhoney.com. It is $50 to register and $315 to enroll a camper for a week. Discounts are applicable for additional siblings and 3-week sessions. Call Natalie about Counselor In Training program for ages 14-16 at 305-600-7823. Enriching and empowering campers through agriculture, farm animals encounters, boating, art, music, wellness, hiking, sports and archery and more. Join our island farm family for an unforgettable and inspirational summer.
