From artistic explorations to adventures in oceanography, surfing and fishing, make this a summer to remember
This summer, take vacation plans to the next level with summer camps for kids in Martin County, Florida. This easy-to-get-to-area, encompassing the communities of Port Salerno, Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound and Hutchinson Island, offers beautiful beaches and 75+ parks–not to mention the most bio-diverse lagoon ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere–all within two hours or less driving time of four international airports: Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando. Explore these ideas and start planning your camp-cation, where children are engaged in surfing, fishing, and unique educational adventures while mom and dad relax seaside in a town known for its beaches, shopping and culinary offerings.
Environmental camps
If you have a nature bug on your hands, the Hobe Sound Nature Center Summer Camp is a natural choice. The camp is designed to enlighten little ones about the natural world around them. Kids will participate in a variety of activities including nature crafts, games and wildlife presentations. Registration opens April 20. The camp is designed for children ages 6-12 and the registration fee is $90 per student ($85 for additional siblings). For more information on Hobe Sound Nature Center Summer Camp: HobeSoundNatureCenter.com/event_calendar/summer_camp
Enlighten little ones about the natural world around them through summer camp offerings in Martin County, Florida. Credit: Florida Oceanographic Society
Bring kids to a camp at the Environmental Studies Center where learning is hands-on and engaging. A variety of topics are covered throughout the June and July sessions which include activities like boat trips, snorkeling, fishing, arts and crafts and special Friday activities. For more information: www.ESCMC.org
Martin County’s Florida Oceanographic Society offers many choices for aquatic camps. At the Coastal Discovery Summer Camp kids learn about the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems while conducting relevant science experiments and interacting with the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center’s wide array of live marine animals. Programs run throughout the months of June and August for ages 5-16. During the Salty Shorelines week little ones will learn about the plants and animals of the sea and are able to get up-close and personal with each animal group. During the Eco Explorers week kids have hands-on interactions with many different sea creatures and explore the ocean floor. To learn more about the Coastal Discovery Summer Camp visit: www.FloridaOcean.org/uploads/docs/blocks/222/2016-coastal-disc-registration-packet.pdf.
The Specialty Immersions Summer program takes place on Hutchinson Island located between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. This camp is offered to ages 12-16 during July and August. Activities include exciting exploration of the fascinating Florida ecosystems. Little ones are able to explore and learn more about the plants and animals that live under the sea. If you have an expert junior-fisher on your hands they can hone their skills with the Saltwater Fishing 101 instruction class; here, kids learn about fishing tackle, methods and techniques. A Snorkeling and Reef ID 101 class is also offered; children are taught the basics of snorkeling, identifying local species and conducting REEF fish surveys. To learn more about the camps offered by the Florida Oceanographic Society, visit:
www.FloridaOcean.org/uploads/docs/blocks/222/2016-spec-imm-registration-packet.pdf
Surf’s up
Surf’s up in Martin County! There are several surf camps taking place this summer in Martin County at beautiful Jensen and Stuart beaches. Martin County offers the first consistent surf as you travel north along Florida’s coast. Plan a trip here during the summer, sign the kids up for camp and relax seaside while your children are engaged in a memory-making activity, learning about the ocean and beach safety while surfing the summer away.
Below are a few of the surf camps taking place in Martin County: most accept ages 5-17 and operate May-August:
Ohana Surf Shop, www.OhanaSurfShop.com/surfcamp.html
Surf Central, Stuart.MacaroniKid.com/article/271901/surf-camp-with-surf-central
Aloha Surfing School, www.AlohaSurfingSchool.com/site/camp.php?camp=surf
Cowabunga Surf and Sport Camp, www.CowabungaSurfandSport.com/camp
Something for everyone
Looking for an all-around camp for your boys or girls? Try YMCA Camp Expedition, running weekly from May until August for ages 5 and older. There are a variety of different weekly field trips ranging from laser bowling, ice-skating, Palm Beach zoo, cookouts, swimming and dance clinics. For information: www.YMCATreasureCoast.org
Set sail
The US Sailing Center Sailing Camp is a great fit for sea-loving children. The US Sailing Center of Martin County is one of only three Community Sailing Centers in the United States sanctioned by the US SAILING Association–the national governing body of the sport of sailing. A variety of programs each week range from beginner to advanced skill lessons and training on sailing. The camp is available to children ages 5-17. To register your little skipper go to www.USSCMC.org/content/summer-camp-program-details where you can find more information about the camp.
Calling all future anglers
Fishing camps in Martin County offer young fishermen and fisher-women the opportunity to learn all about fishing, conservation and proper techniques to help them cast-a-line. All equipment is provided but anglers may also bring their own equipment. Numerous prizes are awarded and it is a good time for all fishing enthusiasts ages 6-17.
StuartAngler.com
Sign up for Summer Fishing Camp with Capt. Giles Murphy, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, June 13-15, July 11-13 or July 25-27. Cost is $150 and the camp is for children ages 6-13. Bring a lunch or pay $5, daily, for lunch. The camp includes a variety of activities like learning fishing knots, rigging lessons, learning about local fish species and their habitats, fly fishing lessons (casting fly rods and making flies), throwing cast nets, looking at charts of local fishing spots, learning about tides and seasonal changes and catching lots of fish. Bring a fishing pole or one will be provided at no cost. Call 772-288-1219 to register.
Dive in
For ages 10-15, dive into scuba camp with Kirk’s Dive and Surf where kids are educated on diving skills during three one-week sessions offered throughout the summer. The camp includes mask, snorkel, fins and complete PADI Open Water certification for each participant. Camp hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily during the week-long sessions. www.KirksJensenBeach.com
Get artistic
Dance, Arts and Science – Oh My!
Dance Academy of Stuart Dance Camps focus on ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, pointe and lyrical, and feature qualified and experienced instructors with low student-teacher ratios. www.DanceAcademyofStuart.com
StarStruck’s All Star Summer Camp
These camps are packed with singing, dancing and acting. With introductions to dance styles like jazz, tap, and hip-hop, group voice class, acting class and improv games, All Stars Camp gives students fantastic exposure to the many different disciplines in the performing arts while boosting confidence and encouraging creativity. Don’t miss this chance to “hone triple threat skills” while having fun in StarStruck’s air-conditioned, state-of-the-art facility.
www.StarStruckFL.com/summer.html
Crafty Camp!
Get creative with hands-on activities such as sculpting, painting, papier-mâché, tie dye, mosaics and sock puppets during a variety of camps offered June through August. www.StuartCeramicsStudio.com
Elliott Museum Summer Camps
These camps, offered through June and July for ages 6-14, focus on creativity and ingenuity, with options for acrylic, ceramics and photography-focused sessions. Camps include a real working studio, quality materials and professional guidance from working career artists and art instructors. www.ElliottMuseum.org
Lyric’s Awesome!
Summer campers are in for an exciting, fun-filled summer. L.A.S.C. is a camp for all kinds of kids and, although this is a theater camp, options are available for children who don’t want to be in the spotlight. There are plenty of behind the scenes roles. Everyone is welcome and important. www.LyricTheatre.com/summer-arts-camp
Camp Invention
For the young scientist, Discover: Science enrichment camp offers five modules, hands-on exploration, creative thinking and problem solving. www.CampInvention.org
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast offers a fun-filled camp experience that encourages creativity, fosters critical thinking and engages students through hands-on learning. www.ChildrensMuseumTC.org/p/23/camp
Have a Picasso on your hands? Little ones will love the Kids Need More Art summer series. Choose from express days (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) or full days (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.). This summer series is open to children ages 5-9. Artists will create three of their own master pieces and two minor ones using different media approaches. www.KidsNeedMoreArt.com/stuart/
Calling all horse lovers
When it comes to equestrian camps, Martin County isn’t horsin’ around. Below are a few of the many equestrian camp options for young riders:
Choyce Party Ponies
8 a.m.-5 p.m., June -August 2
Ages Kindergarten-10th grade
ChoycePonies.com
Horseback Riding Camp
Learn to groom, tack and ride horses. Campers will enjoy crafts, water games and other activities. Learn responsibility while having fun. Offered on select dates in June. Ages 5 and older. PalmCityEquestrians.com
Marasco Ranch
Family-oriented camp offering horseback riding, caring for baby farm animals, swimming, canoeing, archery, roping, arts and crafts and more. One counselor per six children. www.MarascoRanch.com
Sunny Time Stables
Learn horseback riding on safe, well-trained horses.
SunnyTimeStables.com
Get outdoors
The Martin County Parks and Recreation Department also offers two full-service summer camps in June and August with an indoor/outdoor menu of recreational and educational activities including field trips, arts and crafts, wacky water days and more. These camps are open to children ages 5 (completed kindergarten) to 12 years old. This year there will also be a new, full-service tot-camp at the Jensen location, open to all potty-trained 3 to 5 year olds. Registration for all summer camps opens March 7. For additional details, including registration, visit EConnect.martin.fl.us/econnect/Start/Start.asp or call 772-221-1430.
Did you know?
Set the scene for memory-making in Martin County where building restrictions have limited structures to four stories, preserving breathtaking views throughout the county, yielding Old Florida charm accented with Key West style. Stuart, the county seat, was recently rated one of the Happiest Seaside Towns by Coastal Living,ranked #3 in the 2015 Annual Best Small Towns to Visit Guide by Smithsonian Magazine, Only in Your State ranked Stuart as one of the “8 Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns In Florida” and the area was also ranked #9 by House Beautiful on “The 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America” list.