Summer camp programs help kids beat the heat

The islands are teeming with activities to keep your little ones entertained. So, slather them with sunscreen and send them off to camp, where they’re bound to burn off some energy, make friends and even learn a thing or two.

Cedars Tennis Resort
The camp includes a mix of match play, drill work and strategy sessions.
Ages: 8 to 18
When: June 3 through June 7, or June 24 through June 28; 9 to 11 a.m. for ages 8 to 12; 1 to 3 p.m. for ages 13 to 18
Cost: $125 per week for ages 8 to 12; $155 per week for ages 13 to 18.
Contact: Cedars Pro Shop, 383-6426

Sarasota Yacht Club
The club’s youngest members, ages 5 to 7, will spend their mornings swimming, fishing and making arts and crafts before exploring local waters by sailboat in the afternoon. Older kids, ages 8 to 16, will learn to sail on their own during morning sessions. Afternoon activities include trips to the beach, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and cooking.
Ages: 5 to 16
When: Two-week sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 3 through Aug. 2 (for ages 8 to 16 only)
Cost: $500 for ages 5 to 7; $550 for ages 8 to 16
Contact: [email protected]

Sarasota Sailing Squadron
• Summer Sailing Program
Camps teach the joy of sailing, essential elements of boat handling, seamanship, water-safety skills and racing.
Ages: 5 and up
When: Two-week sessions from June 10 through Aug. 16
Contact: Visit sarasotaysp.com; call David Livingston at 504-4236 or email [email protected].

Longboat Key Club & Resort
• Junior Tennis Camp
This camp helps kids hone tennis fundamentals, with an emphasis on technique, strategy, footwork, conditioning, score keeping and tennis psychology. Key Club pros instruct groups of no more than five.
Ages: 8 to 17
When: June 3 to Aug. 16; full day (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and half-day (8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.)
Cost: $245 to $247 for half-day sessions; $500 to $540 for full-day sessions

• Kids Summer Sports Camp
Children learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship in this camp that includes tennis, golf, soccer, baseball and more. Instructors work with groups no larger than six.
Ages: 6 to 12; Pee Wee half-day camp for ages 4 to 5
When: June 3 through Aug. 16; full day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and half-day (9 a.m. to noon or noon to 3 p.m.); Pee Wee is 9 a.m. to noon
Cost: $180 to $200 for half-day sessions; $330 to $360 for full-day sessions

• Kids Klub
Three themed camps (Spirit Week, Wet and Wild Week and Ocean Explorers Week) are in the works. Daily activities will be determined.
Ages: 5 to 12
When: June 24 through June 29; July 15 through July 20; Aug. 5 through Aug. 10
Cost: $220 per week for members; $260 per week for nonmembers
Contact: Call Briana Harris Francois at 387-1633 or email John Woods, [email protected], for tennis and sports camps information. Contact Danny Moroney, [email protected] or 383.8821, Ext. 1048 for Kids Klub information.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
• AquaKids
Children get acquainted with dolphins, turtles and other marine animals in these weeklong camps.
Ages: Students entering first through fourth grade
When: Weekly sessions from June 3 through Aug. 16
Cost: Members $225; non-members $245

• Digi-Know How Beginner
Students learn the basics of digital media, including camcorders, computers and the iPod Touch.
Ages: Students entering fifth through eighth grade
When: June 10 through June 14; July 8 through July 12
Cost: Members $225; non-members $245

• Digi-Know How Advanced
Students build their technological knowledge and learn behind-the-scenes techniques on digital media and ocean life.
Ages: Students entering fifth through eighth grade.
When: June 17 to 21; July 15 to July 19
Cost: Members $225; non-members $245

• Sea Sleuths
Explore the relationships of local marine life with kayaking, snorkeling, boat trips and field sampling, as well as activities inside the aquarium.
Ages: Students entering fifth through eighth grades
When: Weekly sessions from June 10 through Aug. 16
Cost: Members $225; non-members $245

• Discovering the Florida Keys
Travel to Mote’s Tropical Research Laboratory on Summerland Key for a week of marine exploration that includes snorkeling, kayaking, exploring tidal pools and visits to Marathon’s turtle hospital and Dry Tortugas National Park.
Ages: Students entering seventh and eighth grade
When: June 24 to 28; July 8 to 12; July 22 to 26
Cost: Members $955; non-members $1,005

• Marine Ecology of the Florida Keys
Participants use Mote’s Tropical Research Laboratory in Summerland Key as a base camp, with trips to Sombrero Reef and John Pennekamp State Park. This program also includes tide pool walks, a fishing trip, a kayaking excursion and a visit to the Dolphin Research Center.
Ages: Students entering seventh and eighth grades
When: Weekly sessions from June 10 through Aug. 2
Cost: Members $955; non-members $1,005; (an additional $100 for SCUBA)
Info: mote.org/summercamp