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Dear Sx3 Family,
It somehow feels impossible that we're already at the halfway point of summer camps. The days are long, the water is warm, and if you've stepped outside lately, you've probably noticed that Southwest Florida is fully embracing its summer reputation. While we've been taking plenty of precautions to keep everyone safe in this heat, our campers and staff are still having a blast exploring, discovering, and making unforgettable memories in and around the ocean.
Over the past few weeks alone, our campers have uncovered the fascinating lives of ospreys, manatees, dolphins, grouper, sawfish, roseate spoonbills, blennies, eastern indigo snakes, bull sharks, and lightning whelks, and we're only getting started. Every week brings a new opportunity to fall in love with another piece of our coastal ecosystem. Our teen campers have also enjoyed two successful camping trips to Picnic Island. There's something magical about watching the stars emerge over a quiet island, sharing stories with friends around camp, and waking up surrounded by nature. Those are the moments that stay with you long after summer ends.
June marked the close of our fiscal year at SCCF, and as we looked back, we had so much to celebrate. Between July 2025 and June 2026, Sanibel Sea School welcomed a record-breaking 16,182 participants across all of our programs. Every one of those numbers represents a person who collected their first shell, held their first sea star, asked a curious question, or discovered a new appreciation for nature. We're incredibly grateful for the families, donors, partners, and supporters who make this work possible and continue to grow the Sanibel Sea School community around the world.
And as you're reading this, I'm headed south to the Florida Keys to kick off two incredible weeks with our Coral Reef Week campers. We'll spend our days snorkeling above the reefs, learning about one of the world's most important ecosystems, and, of course, enjoying plenty of camping shenanigans along the way. Wish us luck!
With gratitude and sandy feet,
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Shannon Rivard
Sanibel Sea School Director
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High School Students Explore Careers with Educators
Sanibel Sea School recently welcomed 45 local high school students from FGCU’s Outreach Programs for a day of exploration, beach time, and hands-on marine science.
The visit was part of FGCU’s summer career exploration program, which helps students discover potential career paths while building an understanding of the education, skills, and experiences needed to pursue them
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Lightning Whelk Week at Sanibel Sea School
The last week of June at Sanibel Sea School, campers discovered that sometimes the smallest details can tell the biggest stories. During Spiral & Strike: Lightning Whelk Week, they dove into the fascinating world of one of Sanibel’s most iconic shells and uncovered the incredible science behind shell formation.
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Building Pathways Through Nature: Welcoming Grace Place to Sanibel Sea School
Sanibel Sea School recently welcomed nearly 80 kindergarten and first-grade students from the Naples-based Grace Place for Children & Families for two unforgettable beach field trips. For many of these young learners, it was a new opportunity to explore the Gulf, discover marine life, and experience the joys of the coast.
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Take a Staycation & Support Sanibel Sea School!
A local rental property is donating 15% of its proceeds to support Sanibel Sea School this summer! Learn how you can turn a relaxing staycation into an opportunity for ocean love and unforgettable memories!
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Thank you Friends of Randy!
Through this year's annual Fourth of July Road Rally and Christmas Tree sales - local non-profit, Friends of Randy donated $10k to Sanibel Sea School! Thanks to their generosity, more families will be able to enjoy our immersive program offerings and share our vision of a world where all people value, understand, and care for the ocean.
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Join Us in Sharing Your Memories of Pepper
We have some sad news to share with our Sanibel Sea School family. If you've been part of our community for a while, chances are you've met Pepper — our beloved corn snake and longtime ambassador animal.
She recently reached the end of her life at around 20 years old, which is an impressive age for a captive corn snake and a true testament to the incredible care she received throughout her life.
Sadly, Pepper developed an aggressive tumor, and despite our hopes, she wasn't strong enough to overcome it.
Pepper helped countless children discover that snakes aren't something to fear — they're fascinating, beautiful, and an important part of our local ecosystems. Whether she was wrapped around a curious camper's shoulders, helping teach a lesson about reptiles, or simply being her calm, gentle self, snuggled to staff at their desks, she made a lasting impression on everyone who met her.
She was one very special snake, and we know she touched the hearts of so many campers, families, volunteers, and staff over the years. We will miss her dearly.
If you have a favorite photo, video, or memory with our sweet Pepper, we'd love for you to share it with us as we celebrate the remarkable life of a snake who helped inspire thousands of ocean stewards.
Please email your photos, videos, and/or memories to sanibelseaschool@sccf.org.
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EXPERIENCE OCEAN MAGIC:
Book a Day Course!
Ignite your child's passion for marine life while inspiring a deeper understanding of our oceans with our 3-hour marine science adventures. Dive into over 30 captivating marine topics, from dolphins and seahorses to mangroves, engaging in games, experiments, and shoreline explorations.
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EXPLORE, CONNECT, DISCOVER:
Book a Private Program
Looking for a unique experience this summer? Explore the beauty and complexity of marine ecosystems — by land or by sea! We offer customizable ocean experiences for families, groups, and more.
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BRING MARINE SCIENCE TO LIFE:
Homeschool at Sea
The Homeschool at Sea program offers an experiential, hands-on approach to marine science. Similar to our regular day courses, homeschool sessions include a mix of classroom activities, field excursions, experiments, and art projects. Registration opens Aug. 1!
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SANIBEL SCHOOL PARENTS:
Sign Up for After School
Attention all Sanibel School parents! Registration is open for our After School Program. Join us for the perfect mix of hands-on learning and outdoor exploration!
SIGN UP
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Summer Camp Spots Available!
We have a few spots left in select teen camps (ages 13-17) this summer! See the list below and grab them before they’re gone.
AUGUST
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CIT: Shells without a Twist - Slipper Snail Week; Aug. 3-7 (HOMESTEAD CAMPUS) - 2 spots left
Lee County goes back to school on Aug. 11, but for our traveling or homeschool families, we still have space in the following camps:
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Island Skills: Into the Deep Sea Week; Aug. 10-14 (FLAGSHIP CAMPUS)
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Island Skills: Tuned into Toadfish Week; Aug. 17-21 (FLAGSHIP CAMPUS)
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Island Skills & CITs: Muddy Feet, Happy Hearts - Fiddler Crab Week; Aug. 24-28 (FLAGSHIP CAMPUS)
| Save on SCCF & Sanibel Sea School Merch This Summer | | |
Part of the SCCF Family,
Sanibel Sea School's mission is to improve the ocean's future, one person at a time.
SCCF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 1967 on Sanibel Island, Florida
EIN
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