Sarasota County offers a robust selection of summer programs for 2026, ranging from elite athletic training on the water to high-tech engineering in the lab. Below is the comprehensive guide to the top programs, including updated pricing, current availability, and registration details.
Sarasota Youth Sailing (SYS)
Pricing: Typically ranges from $350 to $450 per week, depending on the program level (Beginner vs. Race Team).
Availability: As of April 2026, many core “Learn to Sail” weeks are reaching capacity. A waitlist usually opens on June 1st for any remaining summer slots.
How to Register: * Registration is handled primarily via email to ensure the correct skill-level placement.
Email sailingforall@gmail.com with the subject: “[Parent Name] – [Child Name] Registration Request.”
Include the child’s age and the specific weeks/sessions you are interested in.
Pricing: Offers a “Starter Trial” (often free or low-cost) to evaluate the child’s fit before committing to the full summer program. The weekly summer rate generally falls between $200 and $275.
Availability: They maintain smaller class sizes to ensure personalized attention; however, they often have flexible rolling enrollment.
How to Register: * Visit karatesarasota.com and use their online web form to secure a spot.
Expect a follow-up call to schedule an initial orientation and uniform fitting.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Pricing: * $145 – $1,155 (Pricing varies wildly depending on whether it is a half-day “Mommy & Me” style session or a full-week high school overnight program).
Mote Members receive a significant discount (approx. 10–15% off).
Availability: The new Mote SEA STEM Camp at the UTC location is the highest in demand for 2026.
How to Register: * Register online at mote.org/summercamp.
For specific inquiries, call 941-388-4441 ext. 325.
Sarasota County Parks & Recreation
Pricing: * $75 – $200 per week. This remains the most budget-friendly option in the county.
Fees often include breakfast, lunch, and the cost of field trips.
Availability: Registration opened in early March. Popular sites like Arlington Park and Colonial Oaks often have waitlists by mid-April.
How to Register: * Online: Via the eTrak system at scgov.net/parks.
In-Person: You can register at the front desk of the specific community center (e.g., 2650 Waldemere Street for Arlington Park).
The Circus Arts Conservatory
Pricing:$450 per one-week session.
Note: There are no sibling or multi-session discounts offered for the 2026 season.
Before Care ($75/week) and After Care ($120/week) are available.
Availability: Open sessions remain for July, but June sessions are nearly full.
How to Register: * Register via the MindBody online portal.
You must create a profile for the child (not the parent) to secure the enrollment.
Art Center Sarasota
Pricing: * $275/week for Family Membership holders.
$350/week for Non-Members.
Availability: Weekly themes like “Clay Days” and “Mad Art Scientists” tend to sell out first.
How to Register: * Visit artsarasota.org/summercamp26.
Scholarship applications are available by emailing youtheducation@artsarasota.org.
Suncoast Science Center / Faulhaber Fab Lab
1. STEAM Summer Camps (Rising 2nd–8th Grade)
These week-long sessions are designed to blend creative arts with technical engineering. A unique feature of the Fab Lab is its near-peer mentoring model, where camps are often co-led by high school student leaders.
Popular Themes for 2026:
Wizarding STEM Academy: Exploring the “magic” of chemistry and engineering.
LEGO Robotics: Using SPIKE kits to build and code with Python or block-based logic.
Space Mania: Focused on galactic exploration and moon phases.
Little Builders & Chemists: Introductory engineering and high-energy chemical reactions.
Pricing:$300 – $325 per week. (Includes a custom camp T-shirt and all project materials).
Schedule: * Morning Sessions: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Afternoon Sessions: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Availability: Registration is currently open. Because many sessions are capped at small cohorts to ensure machine access, July dates typically have more remaining availability than June.
2. Skill Lab: Trade Series (Rising 9th–12th Grade)
New for 2026, this program targets high schoolers looking for “real-world” fabrication and trade skills.
Focus Areas: Woodworking, Metalworking, Electronics, and Leatherworking.
Pricing:$175 per session (3-day intensive).
Schedule: Weekend-focused blocks (Friday/Saturday 2–6 PM; Sunday 1–5 PM) to accommodate students with summer jobs.
The Fab Lab accepts Step Up For Students (Education Market Assistant/EMA) scholarships. If using these funds, you must use the coupon code STEPUP during the online checkout process and reserve your funds in the EMA portal within 12 hours of registration to secure the spot.
Would you like to see a sample weekly itinerary for any of these programs to help decide which fits your child’s energy levels best?
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