Youngsters: Wade into Spring, Swim into Summer with Mote
This spring and summer, young people can get involved in something fishy: marine science-themed education programs from Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
Kids ages 2-5 and their favorite adults can participate in spring Mommy and Me programs until early May, and registration is now open for 2-year-olds through high schoolers to participate in Mote’s summer camps in June through August.
Mote is an informal science education center dedicated to helping people of all ages become more ocean literate.
Pre-registration is required for all programs. Learn more and register here:www.mote.org/education
Spring Mommy and Me
Bring your little one (age 2-5) to a Mommy and Me program such as “Totally Turtles” or “Snazzy Shark Teeth” during spring sessions, which wrap up with “Swim into Summer” on May 6 and 7. Cost is $18 ($6 for each additional child), or $14 for Mote members ($5 for each additional child).
- Fun in the Classroom and Aquarium: Learn together through games, crafts, songs, stories and role playing, and then enjoy a special guided visit to an exhibit in Mote Aquarium.
- 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays: March 25, April 22, May 6
- 10-11 a.m. Thursdays: March 26; April 2, 16, 23 and 30; May 7
- 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays: March 26; April 2, 16, 23 and 30; May 7
- Exploring the Bay: Wade in the shallows to collect and release marine animals with dip nets. These classes depend on good weather, and participants must wear closed-toed, closed-heel water shoes.
- 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays: March 24 and 31;
- April 7, 14, 21 and 28; May 5
Summer Camps for Age 2 through High School
Summer 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.
Mommy and Me (age 2-5 with adult)
- Camp name: Aquatic Appetite
- 10 a.m.-noon
- Tuesday-Thursday, July 14-16; July 21-23; July 28-30; Aug. 4-6
- Discover how ocean animals have different diets and useful ways of catching food.
- Cost: $145 ($135 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Underwater Tool Time
- 10 a.m.-noon
- Tuesday-Thursday, June 16-18; June 23-25; June 30-July 2; July 7-9
- Learn how ocean animals use different underwater objects for survival in the sea.
- Cost: $145 ($135 for Mote members)
AquaKids (grades 1-4)
- Camp name: Hatchlings, Pups & Fry, Oh My!
- 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Monday-Friday, June 15-19; June 29-July 3; July 13-17; July 27-Aug. 31; Aug. 10-14
- Learn all about undersea families and the many aquatic babies found in our oceans. Camp includes snorkeling and dip netting in the bay, a boat trip and visits to Mote Aquarium. Swimming skills required.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Senses of the Sea
- 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
- Monday-Friday, June 8-12; June 22-26; July 6-10; July 20-24; Aug. 3-7
- Explore how ocean animals see, hear, taste, smell and feel to survive in our oceans. Camp includes snorkeling and dip netting in the bay, a boat trip and visits to Mote Aquarium. Swimming skills required.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
Sea Sleuths (older elementary to middle school – depends on camp)*
- Camp name: Ocean Encounters
- Students entering grades 5-8
- 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m
- Monday-Friday, June 15-19; June 29-July 3; July 13-17; July 27-31; Aug. 10-14
- The ocean is our most unexplored environment — discover what scientists are learning by becoming immersed in marine biology, including Mote research. Camp includes kayaking, snorkeling, and collecting and much more. Swimming skills required.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Mini Me of the Sea
- Students entering grades 5-8
- 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Monday-Friday, June 8-12; June 22-26; July 6-10; July 20-24; Aug. 3-7
- Eggs, larvae, polyps and pups: This week is all about ocean babies! Includes Mote Aquarium visit and boat trip through Sarasota Bay. Swimming skills required.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Creativity with a Sea
- Students entering grades 3-5
- 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday-Friday, June 15-19; June 22-26; July 13-17; July 20-24; Aug. 10-14
- What do science and art have in common? Plenty! From sketching and painting to sculpting and constructing with recycled and natural material, campers will explore the ocean by channeling their inner artists. No art experience necessary.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Aquabots
- Students entering grades 3-5
- 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday-Friday, June 29-July 3; July 6-10; July 27-31; Aug. 3-7
- Using multimedia technology, campers will dive into underwater exploration, learning how to design and build their own aquatic robots and ultimately put their robots to the test and complete a set of underwater missions like true ocean researchers.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Exploring Marine Science Careers
- Age: Students entering grades 6-8
- 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday-Friday, June 29-July 3; July 6-10; July 27-31; Aug. 3-7
- Explore exciting careers in marine science at an internationally known research lab, Mote Marine Laboratory. Meet Mote scientists, aquarium biologists and animal trainers, do hands-on field research in Sarasota Bay, meet and greet resident animals.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Aquatic Robotics
- Age: Students entering grades 6-8
- 1 p.m.-5 p.m
- Monday- Friday, June 15-19; June 22-26; July 13-17; July 20-24; Aug. 10-14
- Using multimedia technology, campers will dive into underwater exploration, learning how to design and build their own aquatic robots, put their robots to the test and complete a set of underwater missions like true ocean researchers.
- Cost: $259 ($239 for Mote members)
*For students enrolled in both morning and afternoon Sea Sleuths camp, noon-1 p.m. is designated for camper arrival, lunch and extra work time. Instruction will begin promptly at 1 p.m.
Overnight Camps in the Florida Keys (grade 7 through high school, depending on camp)
- Camp name: Discovering the Florida Keys
- Students entering grades 7-8
- Monday morning-Friday evening, June 22-26; July 6-10; July 27-31
- Travel to Mote’s research facility 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 safety gear. This is a snorkeling camp only, with no scuba. Swimming skills required.
- Cost: $1,045 ($995 for Mote members)
- Camp name: Ecology of the Florida Keys
- Students entering grades 9-12
- Monday morning-Friday evening, June 15-19, June 29-July 3; July 13-17; Aug. 3-7
- Explore the marine life in the Florida Keys from your home base at Mote’s research facility on Summerland Key. Scuba dive (if certified) or snorkel throughout the Keys, enjoy 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 safety gear. Swimming skills required.
- Cost: $1,045 ($995 for Mote members)
