Dive into Marine Science with Mote Summer Camps

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 — a great way to gain steam in STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) even when school is out.

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

•    For full information and registration, visit Mote's Summer Camps.

For questions, contact Mote at 941-388-4441, ext. 348, oreducate@mote.org.

 

Summer Camp Details

Mommy & Me

Camp name: Go Blue!  
Age: 2-5 with adult 
Dates and times: 10 a.m. – noon on Tuesday through Thursday: June 16 – 20; June 23 – 27; June 30 – July 3; July 7 – 11
Details: Campers will learn about the importance of protecting ocean animals and habitats through stories, songs, games, role playing, science tool kits, special visits to The Aquarium at Mote and exploration of Sarasota Bay. 

Camp name: Ocean Motion
Age: 2-5 with adult
Dates and times: 10 a.m. – noon. On Tuesdays through Thursdays: July 14 – 16; July 21 – 25; July 28 – Aug. 1; Aug. 4 – 8
Details: Campers will learn about the unique ways ocean animals swim, hide and travel in our oceans for survival through stories, songs, games, role playing, science tool kits, visits to The Aquarium at Mote and explorations of Sarasota Bay. 

Aquakids

Camp name: Flukes, Flippers, Fins & Feet
Age: Students entering grades 1 – 4
Dates and times: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday: June 9 – 13; June 23 – 27; July 7  –11; July 21 – 25; Aug. 4 – 8
Details: What would you do with eight arms? Do sea urchins have feet? What’s the difference between a fin and a flipper? Discover the answers to these intriguing questions through hands-on activities, experiments, games and crafts. AquaKids will snorkel, visit The Aquarium at Mote and enjoy a boat trip around Sarasota Bay. Swimming skills are required.

Camp name: Extreme Survivors
Age: Students entering grades 1-4
Dates and times: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday: June 16 – 20; June 30 – July 3 (Monday – Thursday); July 14 – 18; July 28 – Aug. 1; Aug. 11 – 15
Details: Deadly poison. Killer punches. Looking like a rock and hoping for the best. Discover the beautiful and extreme adaptations of marine life. Based on Mote’s new exhibit, Survivors: Beautiful and Extreme Adaptations. This camp includes special visits to The Aquarium at Mote, snorkeling in seagrass beds and a boat trip to explore Sarasota Bay. Swimming skills are required.

Sea Sleuths

Camp name: Extreme Survivors
Age: Students entering grades 5 – 8
Dates and times: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday: June 9 – 13; June 23 – 27; July 7 – 11; July 21 – 25; Aug. 4 – 8
Details: Deadly poison. Killer punches. Looking like a rock and hoping for the best. Discover the beautiful and extreme adaptations of marine life. Based on Mote’s new exhibit, Survivors: Beautiful and Extreme Adaptations. This camp includes special visits to The Aquarium at Mote, snorkeling in seagrass beds and a boat trip to explore Sarasota Bay. Swimming skills are required.

Camp name: Waves of Wonder
Age: Students entering grades 5 – 8
Dates and times: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday – Friday: June 16 – 20; June 30 – July 3 (Monday through Thursday); July 14 – 18; July 28 – Aug. 1; Aug. 11 – 15
Details: This hands-on science summer program will immerse campers in the world of marine biology and Mote research. Through kayaking, snorkeling and collecting specimens, campers will be inspired to explore their own questions and discover how science really works. Swimming skills are required.

Camp name: Underwater Robotics
Age: Students entering grades 5 – 8
Dates and times**: 1-5 p.m. Monday – Friday: June 16 – 20; June 23 – 27; July 21 – 25 *(SciGirls presents Underwater Robotics); July 28 - Aug. 1
Details: Campers will dive into underwater exploration, learning how to design and build their own underwater robot or remotely operated vehicle. At the end of the week, campers will put their robots to the test and complete a set of underwater missions just like true ocean engineers. Swimming skills are required. 
*The week of July 21 - 25 is scheduled as SciGirls presents Underwater Robotics. This week of camp will include principles and strategies to encourage STEM learning for girls. Registration is not limited to girls, but highly recommended for girls.
**If your camper wishes to stay all day, register for Sea Sleuths 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  and Underwater Robotics from 1 – 5 p.m. Registration in both is recommended but not required. If you also register for Sea Sleuths, there will be a designated lunch time of 12:30 – 1 p.m.

Marine Careers

Ages: Students entering grades 5 – 8
Dates and times*: 1 – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:  July 7 – 11; July 14 – 18; Aug. 4 – 8; Aug. 11 – 15
Details: Come explore some exciting careers in marine science with Mote. Meet Mote scientists, aquarists and trainers, do some hands-on field research and participate in training sessions as we step into the shoes of marine biologists. 
*If your camper wishes to stay all day, register for Sea Sleuths from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Marine Careers at 1 – 5 p.m. Registration in both programs is recommended but not required. Note: Noon – 1 p.m. is designated for camper arrival, lunch and extra work time. Instruction will begin promptly at 1 p.m.

Programs for Older Students in the Florida Keys

Camp name: Discovering the Florida Keys
Age: Students entering grades 7 – 8
Dates and times: Monday morning - Friday evening: June 16 – 20; July 7 – 11; July 28 - Aug. 1
Details: 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 snorkel gear. This is a snorkeling camp only — no SCUBA is available. Swimming skills required.

Camp name: Ecology of the Florida Keys
Age: Students entering grades 9 –12
Dates and times: Monday morning through Friday evening: June 9 – 13; June 23 – 27; July 21 – 25; Aug. 4 –8
Details: Explore the marine life in the Florida Keys! We’ll use Mote’s Tropical Research Laboratory in Summerland Key as a base camp, while we SCUBA dive (if certified) or snorkel throughout the Keys. This 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 and SCUBA/snorkel gear. Swimming skills are required.