Sarasota Summer Camps Guide [2026]

Summer in Sarasota is more than sunshine and sandy beaches — it’s a season packed with discovery, creativity, outdoor adventure, and unforgettable friendships. From marine science explorations to circus arts, sailing, STEM labs, and sports camps, Sarasota offers families an incredible variety of programs designed to keep kids active, learning, and inspired all summer long.

Whether your child dreams of flying on a trapeze, coding robots, catching fish in Sarasota Bay, or mastering the pickleball court, there’s a camp experience waiting to become the highlight of their summer.

Sarasota County Parks & Recreation offers one of the area’s most diverse and affordable summer camp programs, blending outdoor play, creative arts, sports, science activities, reading enrichment, and exciting field trips into a well-rounded experience for kids of all ages. Campers enjoy themed weeks that keep every day fresh and engaging while building confidence, friendships, and independence in a safe and energetic environment.

Address: Multiple Sarasota County park locations
Website: SarasotaCountyParks.com
Camp Dates: 10 weeks throughout summer 2026
Age Range: Grades 1–8, plus Counselor-in-Training programs for high school students
Camp Types: Day Camp, Adventure Camp, Specialty Camp, C.I.T. Program
Activities Include: Field trips, arts & crafts, STEM, sports, reading challenges, outdoor recreation
Cost: Varies by program and location
Class Sizes: Small group formats with supervised staff ratios

Parents especially love the flexibility of weekly registration options and the wide variety of themed camps available throughout Sarasota County.

For kids who love the water, Sarasota Fishing Camp delivers a hands-on Gulf Coast adventure unlike any other. Young anglers spend their days learning fishing techniques, boating safety, knot tying, bait selection, conservation practices, and the thrill of catching fish in beautiful Sarasota Bay. The camp combines education with unforgettable outdoor excitement that keeps campers engaged from sunrise to dock time.

Address: 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: (941) 256-4119
Email: Sarasotafishingcamp@gmail.com
Website: www.SarasotaFishingCamp.com
Age Range: Elementary through middle school
Camp Focus: Fishing, marine education, boating safety
Schedule: Weekly summer sessions available
Activities Include: Bay fishing, cast netting, fish handling, conservation education
Class Sizes: Small instructor-led groups for individualized instruction

This camp is ideal for adventurous kids who prefer salty air and open water over indoor classrooms.

Step right into Sarasota’s legendary circus heritage with a one-of-a-kind summer experience that turns campers into performers. Kids build confidence while learning trapeze, aerial silks, juggling, balancing acts, clowning, trampoline skills, and acrobatics in a high-energy environment filled with creativity and encouragement. Every day feels like joining a real circus troupe.

Address: 2075 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL
Website: Available through Sarasota Circus Arts programs
Camp Sessions: 9 summer sessions
Age Range: Ages 6–15
Activities Include: Flying trapeze, aerial arts, clowning, wire walking, juggling
Skill Level: Beginner to advanced
Class Sizes: Small group instruction for safety and personalized coaching
Cost: Varies by session length and specialty training

Campers leave with stronger coordination, confidence, teamwork skills, and incredible memories.

Young ocean explorers can dive into marine science through hands-on educational adventures at Mote Marine Laboratory. Campers interact with marine life, participate in science experiments, explore coastal ecosystems, and learn from real marine researchers in one of Florida’s premier science institutions.

Address: 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
Website: Mote.org
Age Range: Elementary through high school students
Camp Themes: Marine biology, ocean conservation, animal science, environmental education
Schedule: Weekly themed sessions throughout summer
Activities Include: Lab experiments, aquarium exploration, wildlife encounters, STEM learning
Cost: Typically starts around $350+ per session

Perfect for curious kids fascinated by sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, and ocean ecosystems.

Future engineers, programmers, and digital creators will love the technology-focused environment at SCF Coding Academy STEM Camps. Campers develop real-world skills through coding challenges, robotics, game design, and creative STEM projects designed to make learning exciting and interactive.

Address: 5840 26th Street W, Bradenton, FL 34207
Phone: (941) 752-5160
Email: coding@scf.edu
Website: Coding.SCF.edu
Age Range: Elementary through high school students
Focus Areas: Coding, robotics, engineering, technology
Camp Length: Weekly sessions
Class Sizes: Small instructor-guided groups
Skill Levels: Beginner to advanced learners

This camp is an excellent fit for tech-loving students eager to build future-ready skills while having fun.

There’s nothing quite like spending summer learning to sail along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Sarasota Youth Sailing Camp teaches kids water safety, sailing techniques, teamwork, and confidence while enjoying the beautiful Sarasota waterfront. Campers gain independence and problem-solving skills while building a lifelong appreciation for the water.

Location: Sarasota waterfront sailing facilities
Email: sailingforall@gmail.com
Age Range: Youth and teens
Camp Cost: Approximately $400 per session
Activities Include: Sailing instruction, water safety, teamwork exercises
Skill Level: Beginner to experienced sailors
Class Sizes: Small groups for on-water instruction and safety

For active kids who thrive outdoors, this camp creates unforgettable summer adventures on the bay.

Pickleball continues to explode in popularity, and Sarasota kids can sharpen their skills while staying active at The Pickleball Club Summer Camps. The camp combines skill development, fitness, teamwork, and friendly competition in a fast-paced and social atmosphere.

Address: 1195 Sarasota Center Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34240
Phone: (941) 271-4444
Email: lwrinfo@thepickleballclub.com
Website: www.ThePickleballClub.us
Age Range: Elementary through teen players
Camp Focus: Pickleball fundamentals, drills, gameplay, sportsmanship
Schedule: Summer weekly sessions
Class Sizes: Small training groups for individualized coaching

A fantastic option for sporty kids looking to stay active while learning one of America’s fastest-growing sports.

The YMCA summer camp experience blends classic camp fun with leadership development, social growth, and physical activity. Campers enjoy themed weeks, games, arts & crafts, STEM activities, swimming, and team-building exercises in a supportive environment families have trusted for generations.

Locations: Sarasota City YMCA & Palmer Ranch YMCA
Website: YMCAofSWFL.org
Camp Dates: Summer 2026
Age Range: School-age children and teens
Activities Include: Sports, swimming, crafts, leadership, field trips
Schedule: Full-day and extended care options available
Cost: Varies by membership status and program

The YMCA remains a dependable choice for families seeking a balanced and community-focused summer experience.

When selecting a summer camp, parents should consider their child’s interests, personality, and learning style. Sarasota’s camp options range from highly active outdoor adventures to arts-based enrichment and academic STEM programs. Here are a few helpful questions to ask before registering:

• Does my child prefer structured activities or flexible exploration?
• Is the camp indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both?
• What is the camper-to-staff ratio?
• Are snacks, meals, or transportation included?
• What safety certifications do staff members hold?
• Are there sibling discounts or scholarship opportunities available?

Early registration is strongly recommended for Sarasota summer camps, as many popular programs fill quickly.

Sarasota’s summer camps offer far more than childcare — they create experiences that shape confidence, spark creativity, and build lifelong memories. Whether your child wants to explore marine science, perform under the big top, compete in sports, sail the bay, or code their next invention, Sarasota’s 2026 summer camp lineup has something extraordinary waiting for them.

Families are encouraged to contact camps directly for the most current pricing, schedules, and availability, as details may change throughout the season.