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This summer, kids can get  involved in something fishy: ocean-themed summer camps from Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Mote is a world-class marine research facility offering informal science education that goes beyond the textbook and into the Bay.

Registration is now open for pre-K through high school camps starting in June at Mote’s main Lab on City Island, Sarasota and in the Florida Keys.

Campers can discover the wonders of marine animals and environments studied by Mote scientists. Learn what makes a shark’s skin rough, why corals buddy up with special algae to survive, how male seahorses get pregnant and other fascinating facts. Did you know that most commercial and sport fish in Florida spend at least part of their lives in estuaries — the type of habitat in our own Sarasota Bay?

By learning about marine life in our own blue backyard, campers can gain steam in STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) even when school is out.

Mote camps in Sarasota include: Mommy and Me, which allows kids age 2-5 (including those entering kindergarten) and their favorite adult to enjoy marine-themed games, crafts and other classroom activities and wade in the shallows; AquaKids, which allows students entering grades 1-4 to learn about ocean animals and their habitats through hands-on activities, snorkeling, a boat trip in the Bay and more; Sea Sleuths, in which 5^th- through 8^th-graders can delve into marine science topics by kayaking, snorkeling, field sampling or fishing and enjoying a boat trip; and Digi Know How?, which allows 5^th- through 8^th-graders to learn the basics of digital media. All camps include special visits to The Aquarium at Mote — home to more than 100 marine species and exhibits that bring Mote research to life.

Students entering grades 7 and 8 can travel with Mote to the Florida Keys for the camp Discovering the Florida Keys, which features snorkeling on a coral reef, kayaking in mangrove tunnels, visiting a sea turtle rehabilitation facility and taking a boat trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park. Students entering grades 9-12 can participate in Marine Ecology of the Florida Keys, a camp featuring scuba diving (for certified participants), snorkeling, tide pool walks, fishing, kayaking and visiting a dolphin research facility. Both camps are based at Mote’s Tropical Research Lab on Summerland Key.

Campers must pre-register by 5 p.m. Wednesday of the week before their camp program begins. (Mote Members receive a discount on most programs. Learn how to become a Member at www.mote.org/join.)

• For full information and registration for all camps, visit: www.mote.org/summercamp
• For questions about summer camps, contact Mote at 941-388-4441, ext. 348, or educate@mote.org
• Scroll down for camp details and dates.
  

Thanks to support from our community, Mote offers a limited number of scholarships for underserved students. An application will be available by April on Mote's summer camp page.

Mommy & Me

• Program name: Mommy & Me: Sea Shapes
  Age: Children ages 2-5 (including those entering kindergarten) and accompanying adult
  Description: Campers and their favorite adult will learn about different shapes under the sea through stories, songs, games, role playing, crafts and special visits to The Aquarium at Mote and Sarasota Bay.
  When: 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday-Thursday, June 11-13; June 18-20; June 25-27; July 2-4           

• Program name: Mommy and Me: I Spy
  Age: Children ages 2-5 (including those entering kindergarten) and accompanying adult
  Description: Campers and their favorite adult will observe characteristics of sea life through hands-on stories, songs, games, role playing, crafts and special visits to The Aquarium at Mote and Sarasota Bay.
  When: 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday-Thursday, July 9-11; July 16-18; July 23-25; July 30-Aug. 1

AquaKids

• Program name: AquaKids: One Big Home
  Grade level: Students entering grades 1-4
  Description: Explore the habitats of your favorite ocean animals through hands on activities, investigations, crafts and games. Your fun-filled five-day adventure includes a boat trip around Sarasota Bay, snorkeling in coastal waters, and visits to The Aquarium at Mote. Swimming skills are required.
  When: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday, June 3-7; June 17-21; July 1-5; July 15-19; July 29-Aug. 2; Aug. 12-16

• Program name: AquaKids: Diverse Universe
  Grade level: Students entering grades 1-4
  Description: Dolphins, jellies and turtles — oh my! Join Mote to learn about different marine animals, the diversity of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico and why each and every species is important to the marine environment. This camp includes special visits to The Aquarium at Mote, snorkeling in sea grass beds and a boat trip on Sarasota Bay. Swimming skills are required.
  When: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday, June 10-14; June 24-28; July 8-12; July 22-26; Aug. 5-9

Sea Sleuths

• Program name: Sea Sleuths: Duos of the Deep
  Grade level: Students entering grades 5-8
  Description: Summer campers will explore the relationships of local marine life in The Aquarium at Mote and in Sarasota Bay and discover how these living things depend on each other for survival. Campers will experience the Bay through kayaking, snorkeling, field sampling and a boat trip with the Sarasota Bay Explorers.
  Swimming skills are required.
  When: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 10-14*; June 24-28; July 8-12*; July 22-26; Aug. 5-9
  (*Stay all day: Register for Mote's digital learning camp Digi-Know How from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.)

• Program name: Sea Sleuths: Bay Bonanza
  Grade level: Students entering grades 5-8
  Description: Campers will immerse themselves in all that is Sarasota Bay using science to discover what lives beneath the surface. Campers will enjoy The Aquarium at Mote along with kayaking, fishing, snorkeling and a boat trip with the Sarasota Bay Explorers. Swimming skills are required.
  When: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday, June 17-21*; July 1-5; July 15-19*; July 29-Aug. 2; Aug. 12-16
  (*Stay all day: Register for Mote’s digital learning camp Digi-Know How from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.)

Digi-Know How?

• Program name: Digi-Know How? Beginner
  Grade level: Students entering grades 5-8
  Description: Become an undersea superstar! Learn the basics of digital media with our easy to use software. No experience required. Laptop and iPod Touch provided, but bring your own imagination. (Note: If you also register for Sea Sleuths, there will be a designated lunch time of 12:30-1 p.m.)
  When:
• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday June 10-14*
• 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 8-12
• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 8-12*
  (*Stay all day: Register for Sea Sleuths from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

• Program name: Digi-Know How? Advanced
  Grade level: Students entering grades 5-8
  Description: Another blockbuster opportunity: Build on your skills and learn more behind-the-scenes techniques and knowledge about digital media and ocean life. Previous session of Digi-Know strongly recommended. Laptop and iPod Touch provided, but bring your own imagination. (Note: If you also register for Sea Sleuths, there will be a designated lunch time of 12:30-1 p.m.)
  When:
• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Monday-Friday, June 17-21*
• 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday, July 15-19
• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Monday-Friday, July 15-19*
  (*Stay all day! Register for Sea Sleuths from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Residential Florida Keys Experiences

• Program name: Discovering the Florida Keys
  Grade level: Students entering grades 7-8
  Description: Travel to Mote’s Tropical Research Laboratory on Summerland Key for an incredible week of marine exploration. Snorkel at Looe Key Reef, kayak through mangrove tunnels, explore tide pools at Bahia Honda State Park and visit Marathon’s Turtle Hospital. The highlight of the week is an all-day boat excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park. Mote provides round trip ground transportation from Sarasota, field trip transportation in the Keys, lodging, food and all excursions. Swimming skills are required.
  When: Monday morning-Friday evening, June 24-28; July 8-12; July 22-26

• Program name: Marine Ecology of the Florida Keys
  Grade level: Students entering grades 9-12
  Description: Using Mote’s Tropical Research Laboratory in Summerland Key as a base camp, participants will scuba dive (if certified) or snorkel on Looe Key, Sombrero Reef and at John Pennekamp State Park. Program also includes tide pool walks, a fishing trip, a kayaking excursion and a visit to the Dolphin Research Center. Mote provides round trip ground transportation from  Sarasota, field trip transportation in the Keys, lodging, food, all field excursions and scuba gear. Swimming skills are required.
  When: Monday morning-Friday evening, June 10-14; June 17-21; July 1-5; July 15-19; July 29-Aug. 2

• For full information and registration for all camps, visit: www.mote.org/summercamp
• For questions about summer camps, contact Mote at 941-388-4441, ext. 348, or educate@mote.org