Camps key to helping kids beat the heat

The heat is on. School is almost out for summer, and that means it’s time to plan for summer camp. Campers have lots of options on Longboat and its surrounding keys to stay cool or work up a sweat. Here’s a look at local options that kids can look forward to during their final days of school.

Cedars Tennis Resort
Cedars Tennis Resort will offer Junior Competitive Tennis programs throughout the summer. The camp is open to players ages 7 to 18 who want to maximize their tennis abilities. Tennis-only programs from Monday through Friday and overnight programs Sunday through Saturday are available from Sunday, June 6 through Saturday, Aug. 14. Weekly cost is $1,175 for overnight programs and $825 for tennis only. Contact John Eagleton at 864-906-5139.

Longboat Key Club and Resort
The Longboat Key Club and Resort will offer its fourth annual summer kids programs. For ages 4 to 12, the Key Club is offering Summer Sports Camp to introduce children to the basics of tennis, golf, soccer, basketball and more. Juniors Tennis Camp is open for half- and full-day sessions for ages 8 to 16 who want to improve their tennis abilities. Week-long sessions run from June 7 through Aug. 13 with a break week from July 5 through July 9. Camps are open to members and non-members. Contact Briana Harris at 387-1633.

Mote Marine Laboratory
Children ages 2 to 5 can participate, with an adult, in “Mommy & Me at Mote: Ocean Motion and Go Blue!” in which they will enjoy animal interactions and a chance to get wet. Sessions begin Tuesday, June 15. Cost per three-day session is $115 for members, $125 for non-members.

Students entering grades one through four who can swim can attend “Aquakids: Flukes, Flippers, Fins and Feet” to learn how animals travel throughout the sea. Activities will include snorkeling, a boat trip and aquarium visits. The five-day programs run from Monday, June 7 through Friday, Aug. 13. Cost is $210 for members, $230 for non-members.

For students entering grades five through eight, Mote will offer five-day “Sea Sleuths: Waves of Wonder” during which campers will become marine scientists as they kayak, snorkel and collect critters in Sarasota Bay while learning how scientists work. Sessions run Monday, June 14 through Friday, Aug. 13. Students entering grades five through eight can also participate in “Digi Know How?” marine-science, digital-media camp June 14 through June 18, June 28 through July 2, and Aug. 2 through Aug. 6. A session for students entering grades six through nine will take place from July 12 through July 16. Cost is $210 for members, $230 for non-members.

PADI/National Geographic Open Water Certification Scuba Diving Camp is available to students entering grades nine through 12 from June 14 through June 18, June 28 through July 2, and July 12 through July 16. Campers who pass a written exam and demonstrate their scuba skills will receive certification. Cost is $415 for members and $435 for non-members. Experienced divers entering grades nine through 12 can participate in Advanced Scuba Diving Camp from Monday, July 26 through Wednesday, July 28, to earn their PADI Advanced Open Water Certification. Cost is $555 for members, $575 for non-members.
For information about Mote’s summer camps, call 388-4441, Ext. 229 or e-mail [email protected].

Sarasota Yacht Club
At Sarasota Yacht Club, children ages 5 to 11 can attend Summer Sailing Camp, which will feature sessions from June 21 through July 2, July 19 through July 30, and Aug. 2 through Aug. 13. The camp will feature snorkeling, fishing and cooking classes, along with marine-science exploration, kayaking, arts-and-crafts, science activities and more. Cost is $550 per two-week session. Members can register one guest for each session. Grandchildren are considered family members instead of guests. Call 365-4191.

Sarasota Sailing Squadron
Sarasota Youth Sailing Program will hold summer camps at Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Five two-week sessions will take place from Monday, June 7 through Friday, Aug. 13.

Morning sessions take place from 9 a.m. to noon, and afternoon sessions are from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Camps run Monday, June 7, through Friday, Aug. 13.

All sailors are required to pass a swim test on the first day of class. For information, call 504-4236 or e-mail [email protected].

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].