Join us for Mote Day Camps all year long!

Each session combines our groundbreaking research with fun, hands-on, and age-appropriate, inquiry-based activities. Campers can discover the wonders of marine animals and environments studied by Mote scientists—a great way to gain steam in STEM education even when school is out. Camp Policies

Questions about Day Camps? Email camps@mote.org or call (941) 388-4441 ext. 325.

Winter Break Day Camps at Mote SEA

  • Who: Campers ages 6 through 10 years old
  • When: December 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 29th, 30th, 31st and January 2nd
  • Where: Mote’s Science Education Aquarium, 225 University Town Center Dr.
    Sarasota Fl 34243
Registration for Winter Break Day Camps opens December 1, 2025. 

Register for Winter Break Day Camps

Yearly Traditions

Every family has their own traditions; from the food they cook, to the places they go. Well some marine friends do too! Whether it is moving to where the food goes or where the warm waters/weather are, some animals travel thousands of miles each year! Come to Mote this winter break to discover the massive movements of some for the world’s most amazing marine life. Come for one, two, or all the days to ‘sea’ different animals’ epic migration patterns and have a lot of fun while you’re at it.  

Monday, December 22nd: Following the Sun

The world’s biggest animals make some of the world’s longest migrations each year! Pacific-based Blue Whales find themselves following the sun throughout the year; moving from Alaskan waters in the summer, to Costa Rican waters in the winters. Come enjoy a whale of a time exploring the aquarium, running experiments, and tracking blue whales movements.

Tuesday, December 23rd: Big Moves for Slow Movers

Brrrr! This water is too cold for Florida’s largest marine mammal, so they’ll move to where the warm freshwater springs are in the winter months. Mote’s resident manatees, Lou and Buffet, are great animal ambassadors to show off one of Florida’s most followed migrations. Come to Mote for a day of manatee celebration, group activities, and STEM based experiments.

Wednesday, December 24th: Coastal Cruisers

Dive into the exciting world of blacktip sharks and their amazing migration! Every year, thousands of these sleek, fast swimmers travel along the East Coast of the United States, moving to warmer waters as the seasons change. Scientists think they migrate to find food and stay in comfortable ocean temperatures. During their journey, they can often be seen near the shore in large groups, their black-tipped fins cutting through the waves. Campers will learn how scientists track their movements, why sharks are important for healthy oceans, and how scientists can help protect them and their habitats!

Friday, December 26th: Ray Roamers

The wild counterparts to some of Mote’s favorite touch encounter animals, cownose rays have yearly migrations along the east coast of North and South America. They travel in mass schools with numbers up to 10,000! Join Mote to learn about these ray roamers through charting, team activities, and aquarium exploration. 

Monday, December 29th:The Longest Migration in the World!

What’s that in the sky? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? No, it’s the Arctic Tern! Get ready to be amazed by one of the greatest travelers on Earth. These small but mighty birds make the longest migration of any animal, flying all the way from the Arctic (where they nest in summer) to the Antarctic (where they spend the winter) — and back again each year. That’s over 25,000 miles of flying! Along the way, they glide over oceans, dodge storms, and follow the sun for endless daylight. Campers will explore how these incredible birds navigate such long journeys, what they eat along the way, and why their travels help keep our planet’s ecosystems connected.

Tuesday, December 30th: School Behavior

Ever wonder what it’s like to swim with millions of tiny fish across the open ocean? Campers will explore the great underwater journey of the sardines — one of the coolest animal migrations on Earth! Get ready to explore the aquarium and discover ocean secrets with real science fun. It’s a day full of action, teamwork, and discovery — just like life in a sardine school. Grab your friends and curiosity… the ocean is calling! 

Wednesday, December 31st: Pod Power!

Ever dream of swimming beside a mighty orca as it glides through the ocean? Come follow these incredible black-and-white giants on their epic migration journey! Campers will learn tracking techniques used by scientists around the world, create their own methods, and have a lot of fun while they’re at it!

Friday, January 2nd: Penguin Patrol

Waddle into adventure at Penguin Patrol Day Camp! Campers will journey to the icy world of the Antarctic to explore the incredible migration of penguins as they trek, slide, and swim through frozen landscapes. Through hands-on science activities, creative art activities, fun games, and interactive stories, campers will discover how penguins survive the cold, care for their chicks, and work together as a team. It’s a day packed with exploration, laughter, and frosty fun — where every camper becomes part of the penguin colony!