The school year is drawing to a close, and summer camps are gearing up for another season of education and excitement.
Throughout the Upper Keys, a myriad of camps offer a little bit of everything for parents seeking to get their kids out of the house for some adventure and lasting memories. From sailing to swimming, there are plenty of activities for children to enjoy in the Upper Keys this summer as parents head off to work.
Camps are beginning to fill up, so don’t wait until the last minute to sign up your child for a summer adventure.
Capt. Slate’s Scuba Adventures’ Kids Summer Camp
Session 1: June 9-13; Session 2: July 7-11; Session 3: Aug. 4-8. This camp, located at Capt. Slate’s Scuba Adventures in Tavernier, features the wonders of the underwater world, including a Friday “Creature Feature,” all while obtaining a certification. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The camp is for kids 11 to 18 years old. Campers must bring a suit and towel. There is a break for lunch each day, so pack your food for the boat and classroom. Camp fee is $550. Call 305-451-3020 to reserve a spot. More information is at captainslate.com.
Florida Keys History & Discovery Center’s Summer Camp
Held June 2-6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada. Students will embark on a fun, hands-on learning adventure. Campers will explore the history, environment and culture of the Florida Keys through interactive exhibits, creative projects and outdoor activities. They will take part in arts, crafts and STEM activities, engage in games and races and receive visits from Mote Marine Laboratory, Crustacean Plantation and other organizations. A limited number of scholarships for children of working parents are available thanks to support from the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. Camp fee is $350. For more information or to sign up, call 305-922-2237 or visit keysdiscovery.com.
Learn to Swim Lessons
June 9-19 (two-week) session. For infants to 4 years old. Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park. $120 per session. Private lessons are available by appointment. Contact Colleen Hammon at 305-393-2513 for more details.
Islamorada Dive Center Eco Sea Camp for Kids
Session 1: June 9-13; Session 2: July 14-18. The Eco Sea Camp offered by Islamorada Dive Center gives kids ages 10-14 the chance to obtain a junior open water scuba, coral restoration, marine debris diver and shark awareness certifications. The camp costs $625. For more information, contact the Islamorada Dive Center at 305-664-3483 or email info@islamoradadivecenter.com.
Islamorada Summer Recreation Camp
Held June 2 through July 25, this camp at Founders Park in Islamorada will include a variety of activities, including games and parties, arts and crafts, sports, contests, movies, special guests and entertainment, swimming at the pool and beach and more. For ages 6-12, the camp runs Monday through Friday (there’s no camp June 30-July 4) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Camp is $150 per week or $125 per sibling. For more information or to sign up, contact the Founders Park office at 305-853-1685.
Junior Tennis Camp
Session 1: June 9-13; Session 2: June 16-20; Session 3: June 23-27; Session 4: July 14-18; Session 5: July 21-25; Session 6: July 28-Aug. 1. For kids age 6 and up, campers will receive tennis instruction while enjoying matches, some swimming at the pool, dodgeball and other activities. Camp is held at Founders Park and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $275 per week or $175 per week for half-day, 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Susie Jannach at 954-290-7502 or Greg Pearson at 517-285-5693.
Florida Keys Summer Sailing Program
Held June 9 through Aug. 8, kids ages 6 to 18 can set sail at the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program. Located at the Upper Keys Sailing Club in Key Largo, the program enjoys direct beach access to Florida Bay at Buttonwood Sound. Offering a small community atmosphere, the program provides marine-focused activities exclusive to the Florida Keys. From sailing to Everglades National Park for a day visit to Nest Key to kayaking and paddleboarding trips to Pelican Island and sailing on child-safe boats, youth sailors will return home appreciating the Florida Keys. The program is led by experienced staff who prioritize safety while nurturing a strong community. Camp cost for full-time Keys residents is $350 per person, per week; a two-week session costs $600. Bring lunch and a snack. Possible scholarships are available. For information or to sign up, call 305-391-8661 or email msyspdirector@gmail.com.
MarineLab Summer Camp
Session 1: June 9-13; Session 2: June 23-27; Session 3: June 30-July 2. Camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids ages 8-14 can join MarineLab in Key Largo for marine exploration, snorkeling and learning. MarineLab’s camp sessions offer hands-on science experiments, up-close encounters with marine life and the chance to explore the incredible ecosystems of the Florida Keys. Campers will also enjoy daily snorkeling trips on MarineLab’s fleet of boats for an adventure on the water. Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with fun in the sun and plenty of excitement. Camp is $475 a week or $450 a week for siblings (camp held June 30-July 2 is $285 per camper or $270 for siblings since there’s no camp on July 3-4). For more information or to sign up, visit marinelab.org/summer-camps or call 305-451-1139 extension 8.
Swim & Dive Combo Camp
Session 1: June 23-27; Session 2: June 30-July 3; Session 3: July 21-25. For kids age 6 and up, campers will learn stroke techniques, starts and turns. They will also engage in water games and dry land activities. The springboard dive clinic includes a basic introduction to springboard diving and dry land training. Camp is held at Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park and runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost for camp is $250 per session. For more information or to sign up, contact Jon Olsen at 305-393-5855 or Kelly Owens at 215-622-6841.
Synchro Splash
Session 1: June 2-6; Session 2: June 16-20; Session 3: July 14-18. Held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., campers will receive introductory synchronized swimming techniques and challenging water games. Participants will custom design a swim suit for their final performance. Participants must be between 6-14 years old and must be able to swim in deep water. Camp is held at the Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park, and cost is $250 per week. Call Isla Crawford at 856-473-4752 for more information.
Upper Keys Baseball Development Foundation’s Steady Bats
A nonprofit organization, the Upper Keys Baseball Development Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the ability of today’s youth baseball players. Steady Bats focuses on the fundamentals of baseball to improve the skill level of players ages 10-18. Practices are held from the middle of July through mid-December at the baseball field at Founders Park. For more information, visit steadybats.org.
Summer Swim Camp
Session 1: June 9-13; Session 2: July 14-18. Held at the Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park, the summer swim only camp will provide an introduction to swim team and summer swim league. There will also be competitive swim technique development, plus water games and play. Fun races will be held on Fridays. The camp is for kids age 6 and up and runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Camp cost is $200 per session. For more information, contact Jon Olsen at 305-393-5855.
Upper Keys Soccer Camp
Sponsored by the Florida Keys Soccer Club, the camp runs from July 28 to Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Founders Park. For kids age 4 and up. For more information or to register, visit uksoccer.com.
