On-island summer programming for youths accepting registrations
For families looking for something for their children to do over the summer, the city of Sanibel and island organizations and churches are taking registrations for a variety of programs and camps.
BIG ARTS, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, the Sanibel Recreation Center and Sanibel Sea School have offerings for all ages and interests from June through August. In addition, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and the Sanibel Community Church are hosting Vacation Bible School programs.
BIG ARTS
The summer youth classes will take place in June and July in the classrooms. They will offer youths a creative chance to express their inner artist through visual arts experiences in a variety of mediums.
The following programs are scheduled:
– June 17: Gelli Art from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 2-3)
– June 18: Gelli Art from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 4-5)
– June 19: Gelli Art from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 6-8)
– June 20: Gelli Art from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 9-12)
In this mono-printing class led by instructor Erica Sharp, participants will use a Gelli plate — a flexible printing plate made of silicone — which is a fun and creative way to explore mixed-media art. They may also incorporate additional elements, such as collage materials or drawings to further enhance their compositions. The cost is $36 for donors and $45 for non-donors.
– July 8-12: Mosaics and More from 10 a.m. to noon (ages 10-14)
Participants will have fun learning the art of fused glass, creating projects like wind chimes, dishes, jewelry, wall hangings and more. As projects are finished, instructor Petra Kaiser will take them home to fire in the kiln. The cost is $81 for donors and $105 for non-donors; supply fee of $35 per student.
– July 15: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 2-3)
– July 16: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 4-5)
– July 17: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 6-8)
– July 18: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 9-12)
In this sculpture class led by instructor Erica Sharp, participants will use air dry clay — a soft, easily moldable clay — which is a fun and creative way to explore using the hand building method. They will have the opportunity to design and bring to life their own dragon. The cost is $36 for donors and $45 for non-donors.
To register or for more information, visit BIGARTS.org/youth-classes/ or call 239-395-0900.
BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
CROW’s Wildlife Care Summer Camp will entail four-day weeks in June on its campus. Each will combine critical thinking skills learned in a classroom with real-world applications in the STEM field.
Participants will spend time with medical staff, students and volunteers learning about Southwest Florida’s wildlife and observing demonstrations of medical procedures repairing and treating various injuries and illnesses. Afterward, they will engage in the opportunity to replicate similar procedures during their own dissection labs.
The following camps are scheduled:
– June 10-13: Royal Terns from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (grades 2-5)
Participants will play games, practice bandaging patients (stuffed animals), create paper dissections, design enclosures and more. The cost is $300.
– June 17-20: Crows from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (grades 6-8)
Participants will attend rehabilitation classes and dissection labs, create a patient spotlight poster board and more. The cost is $350.
– June 24-27: Ospreys from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (grades 9-12)
Participants will attend rehabilitation classes and detailed dissection labs, learn about common problems wildlife present at the clinic and rehabilitative and veterinary techniques, create a patient board and more. The cost is $350.
The curriculum meets Florida’s Next Generation Science Standards. All participants will be provided with and be required to wear standard personal protection equipment (PPE) throughout the day.
Volunteers are sought to assist with the camps.
To register or for more information, visit https://crowclinic.org/education/special-programs/camps/.
CROW is at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
F.I.S.H. OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
For the first time this year, F.I.S.H. is partnering with Camp Noah and Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church to offer a youth summer program for grades K-5 from June 3-7 at the church.
Camp Noah is a nationally-acclaimed program where youths impacted by disaster can experience the power of hope and healing through a resiliency curriculum that includes creative activities and play.
Participants will begin the day with a group gathering full of songs, skits and fun. Mornings will be spent in groups for discussion, art projects, journaling, recreation and snacks. After lunch, participants will spend the afternoon hearing stories, playing games, watching puppet shows, and doing arts and crafts. The day will end with more songs, skits and fun during a group closing.
There is no cost and lunch will be provided. In addition, Camp Noah will supply the curriculum, supplies, a camp T-shirt, preparedness backpack, blanket and more.
Volunteers are sought to assist with the camp.
F.I.S.H. will announce a participant registration link in the coming weeks.
For more information or to volunteer, contact F.I.S.H. Disaster Administrative Director Manuela Martinez at 239-472-4775 or manuela@fishofsancap.org.
Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
SANIBEL RECREATION CENTER
The city’s rec center will hold its Summer Camp — a nine-week traditional camp — from June 10 through Aug. 9. It will be held on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with no camp on July 4 due to the holiday.
Participants will get in the groove with weekly musical themes like jazz, pop and rock. There will be costume days, karaoke and musical guests, plus field trips, inflatables, crafts, swim time and more.
Enrollment is available to children entering kindergarten through eighth grade.
The weekly cost is $135 for members and $170 for non-members. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided through the School District of Lee County’s Summer Feeding Program.
To register or for more information, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/government/recreation2 or call 239-472-0345.
The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL
As of last week, most of the Sanibel Sea School’s Summer Camps were full — but waitlists are available at no cost. The programs will again operate out of the Bailey Homestead Preserve.
The following camps still had openings:
– June 17-21: Wahine Toa from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ages 13-17)
Wahine Toa is a Polynesian phrase that roughly translates to fierce ocean woman warrior. Participants will become warriors in the all female-led, girls-only camp. They will learn paddleboarding and life skills and gain confidence. Participants will complete in paddling challenges, practice practical urban skills and camp overnight on an uninhabited island. It will also include first aid/CPR certification. The cost is $470.
– July 8-12: Keys Coral Reef — Week 1 (ages 13-14)
n July 15-19: Keys Coral Reef — Week 2 (ages 13-14)
Participants will camp in tents for a week at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. They will head out on a snorkel boat each morning to study the reef. The afternoons will be spent conducting experiments and exploring snorkel spots from shore. The cost is $650.
– Aug. 12-16: Island Skills, Squished Fish — Flounder Week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ages 6-13)
Participants will dive into the world of flatfish — a catch-all name for over 700 species of strongly compressed fish with both eyes on the same side of their head — which are perfectly designed for life on the bottom. Seine nets, dip nets and snorkels will be used to search the seas for local species. Participants will play games where the flattest one wins and create art inspired by the peacock flounder. The cost is $375.
To register or for more information, visit https://sanibelseaschool.org/summer-camp-homestead/.
The Bailey Homestead Preserve is at 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Saint Michael and All Angels will present “VBS Day Camp 2024: Start the Party!” from July 15-19 from 9 a.m. to noon, hosted again by the staff at the Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Valrico.
The free program is open to children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
Each day participants will celebrate: Jesus is a good reason to have a party; everyone is invited to the party; celebrate the good news; Jesus is the life of the party; and you can be a party starter.
To register or for more information, visit https://vbspro.events/p/events/sanibelvbs.
The Sanibel Community Church will host “VBS: The Great Jungle Journey, An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation” from June 10-14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
To register or for more information, visit https://sanibel.churchcenter.com/registrations.
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F.I.S.H. OFFERS SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva offers scholarships to send youths to summer camps throughout the county. The Summer Youth Scholarship Program offers limited financial assistance for families who cannot afford the rising cost of childcare and camps. F.I.S.H. is in contact with area camp directors on and off island. An island connection through residency or employment is required, and scholarship assistance is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The F.I.S.H. Social Services Department determines eligibility for need-based financial assistance through a review of a family’s income and expense documentation. Scholarship amounts vary depending upon the length and cost of the program and family’s financial status. Available funding is limited, and scholarships may cover only a portion of the cost. For more information, call Social Services Director Nitza Lopez at 239-472-4775.