Campers learn to build sandcastles like a pro

The technique of hand-stacking, or stacking different pancake-like layers of sand, can be used to create towers on a sand castle. 

Photo by Ian Swaby

However, the uses go much further, even toward creating sculptures like a shark or a sea turtle. 

It's among the techniques kids learn at Sarasota County's Sand Sculpture Camp, which wrapped up on June 25 with a series of detailed sculptures encircling a spot on Siesta Key Beach.

"In their mind, they can start already thinking, oh, cool, there's just this one technique. I can make all these different things," said camp leader and professional sculptor Mitch Guerrero.

After learning how sculptors use forms, kids also learn how to use tools to add features like windows, doors, rocks, bricks and more.