UPPER KEYS SUMMER CAMPS OFFER DIVING, SAILING, MUSIC & MORE

a group of people on a boat posing for a picture
Campers enjoy a day of diving and exploration with Islamorada Dive Center’s Eco Sea Camp last year. CONTRIBUTED

The school year is drawing to a close, and summer camps are gearing up for another season of education and excitement. From sailing to swimming, there are plenty of activities for children to enjoy in the Upper Keys this year. 

CAPT. SLATE’S KIDS SCUBA CAMP

Session 1: June 10-14; Session 2: July 8-12; Session 3; July 29 to Aug. 2. Campers attending this camp, located at Capt. Slate’s Scuba Adventures in Tavernier, can enjoy the wonders of our beautiful underwater world, including a Friday “Creature Feature,” all while obtaining a certification. Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 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 $650. Visit captainslate.com to sign up or for more information. 

ECO SEA CAMP

Organized by Islamorada Dive Center, camp sessions run from June 10-14 and July 15-19. Camp participants who are between the ages of 10 and 14 will have the ability to enjoy five days of diving and obtain junior open water scuba, coral restoration, marine debris diver and shark awareness certifications. Cost is $485 per camper. Call 305-664-3483 or email info@islamoradadivecenter.com for more information. 

FLORIDA KEYS SUMMER SAILING CAMP

Nine sessions are scheduled between June 10 and Aug. 9 at the Upper Keys Sailing Club, MM 100, Key Largo. Programs for campers include an introduction to sailing, island excursions and adventure sailing. Camps are for kids ages 8 to 18 and go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch and snacks are not provided. Costs vary for full-time and non-Keys residents and single-week or two-week sessions. Visit msysp.org or call 786-505-0075 for more information. 

ISLAND MUSIC SCHOOL 

Camps run June 10-14 and July 8-12. Sessions the week of June 10-14 include guitar/bass camp, drum camp and recording studio camp. Sessions the week of July 8-12 include Taylor Swift Eras Tour camp, ’90s alternative punk/grunge camp and recording studio camp. The cost is $295 per session. Camp is for kids 9 to 18 years of age. Visit islandmusicschool.org or call 305-339-6086 for more information. 

JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP

Tennis camp sessions at Founders Park tennis courts run June 3-7; June 10-14; June 17-21; July 8-12 and July 15-19. For kids 6 and up, the camp will provide tennis instruction, matches, dodgeball, sports and swimming at the pool. Campers will also enjoy pizza on Fridays. Camps run Monday through Friday. The cost is $275 per week for those attending camp for the full day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and $175 per week for those attending for half the day, 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call Susie Jannach at 954-290-7502 or Greg Pearson at 517-285-5693.  

LEARN TO SWIM LESSONS

Sessions run June 10-20 (two-week session) at Founders Park. For infants to kids age 4. The cost is $120 per session. Call Colleen Hammon at 305-393-2513 for more details. 

MARINELAB SUMMER CAMP

Sessions available for July 1-5 (four-day week) and July 22-26. Campers attending this week-long camp at MarineLab, located at 51 Shoreland Dr., Key Largo, will receive snorkeling instruction and daily trips on the boat, hands-on labs and engaging ecology discussions. Campers will have a safe, outdoor learning environment with small group sizes for individualized instruction. Camp is for students 8-14 years old and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $450 per camper and $425 for siblings. Visit marinelab.org for more information.

STEADY BATS
Baseball players between 10 and 18 years of age can hone their skills with summer sessions through Steady Bats. For more information on training, visit steadybats.org. 

SUMMER RECREATION CAMP

Organized by Islamorada Parks and Recreation, summer camp sessions at Founders Park run June 3 through July 26. No camp will be held July 1-5. For kids ages 6-12, summer camp activities include swimming at the pool and beach, games and parties, arts and crafts, contests, movies and special guests. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $150 per week and $125 per sibling. Islamorada residents have priority access for registration through Tuesday, April 30. Enrollment for everyone will begin Wednesday, May 1. Contact the park office at 305-853-1685. 

SUMMER SWIM CAMP 

Sessions run June 3-7 and July 8-12 at Founders Park. For kids 6 and up, the camp includes an introduction to swim team and summer swim league, competitive swim technique development, plus water games and fun races. Camp runs from Monday to Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. The cost is $200 per session. Call Jon Olsen at 305-393-5855 for more information. 

SWIM & DIVE COMBO CAMP 

Sessions run June 10-14; June 24-28; and July 1-5 at Founders Park. For ages 6 and up, the swim clinic provides stroke technique, starts, turns, water games and dry-land activities. The springboard dive clinic includes basic introduction to springboard diving and dry land training. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Camp costs are $250 per session. Contact coaches Jon Olsen at 305-393-5855 or Kelly Owens at 215-622-6841. 

SYNCHRO SPLASH

Sessions run June 17-21; June 24-28; and July 15-19 at Founders Park. For kids ages 6 to 14, campers will receive an introduction to synchronized swimming techniques and challenging water games. Participants will custom-design a swimsuit for their final performance. Participants must be able to swim in deep water. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Isla Crawford at 856-473-4752.  

UPPER KEYS SOCCER CAMP

Sessions run June 24-28 and July 28-Aug. 2. Camps are available for kids ages 4-6, 7-10 and 11-14. The week-long camp programs have various session types, including half-day (morning or evening) and full-day. Varying with each group, the curriculum can include International Day, small-sided games and a World Cup competition. Each child also receives a dry-fit shirt and an evaluation. Visit floridakeyssoccer.com for more information. 

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.