An enriching seasonal program designed to connect the next generation with the natural beauty of Southwest Florida is officially hitting the calendar. The Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI) has finalized the schedule for its highly anticipated Children’s Education Center summer camp, themed “Rooted In Wonder.”
Staged entirely at the center’s nature-focused campus at 350 Casa Ybel Road on Sanibel, the 2026 camp run operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning June 8 and stretching through July 31. The program is specifically curated for young explorers aged 3 to 7, blending outdoor education, scientific discovery, and classic summer recreation.
Exceptional Features of the Children’s Education Center Summer Camp
The core philosophy of the Children’s Education Center summer camp relies on immersive, weekly themed blocks. Every session introduces fresh environmental concepts, supported by expert guest educators and structured interactive play. Campers will enjoy specialized marine-science visits led by Sanibel Sea School instructors, interactive reading blocks directed by local library staff, unique field trip experiences brought directly onto the campus grounds, and dedicated water-play days every Friday.
While several initial weeks have reached maximum capacity, the center confirms that select sessions for late June and July still maintain limited enrollment openings.
2026 Open Enrollment Schedule
| Camp Dates | Weekly Theme | Primary Curriculum Focus |
| June 29 – July 3 | Nature in Red, White and Blue | An exploration of native American wildlife and regional holiday-themed outdoor crafts. |
| July 6 – July 10 | Feathered Friends | An avian-focused week dedicated to tracking local shorebirds and unique migratory patterns. |
| July 13 – July 17 | Nature Olympics | Field day events, obstacle courses, and cooperative team challenges mirroring animal physics. |
| July 20 – July 24 | Cooking with Nature | A hands-on culinary week showcasing plant life cycles and earth-friendly snack assembly. |
| July 27 – July 31 | Water in Nature: Splash & Discovery | A hydrologic look at the surrounding Gulf ecosystems and structural aquatic life. |
Program Costs for the Children’s Education Center Summer Camp
Tuition for the standard weekly block is set at $250 per camper for the Children’s Education Center summer camp, and families enrolling multiple children can take advantage of an automatic sibling discount. To satisfy daily energy needs, parents must pack a nutritious boxed lunch and supply a durable, reusable water bottle for each child to ensure consistent hydration during outdoor field activities.
Recognizing the scheduling demands placed on full-time working parents, CECI is also offering extended wrap-around care packages. Families requiring a larger window of care can secure early drop-off access from 8 to 9 a.m. and extended afternoon care from 2 to 5 p.m. for an incremental flat rate of $90 per week.
Supporting the Sanibel-Captiva Workforce
A core tenet of CECI’s community integration is its direct financial support framework aimed at keeping high-quality early childhood education accessible. The organization has established a pool of need-based scholarships reserved explicitly for local Sanibel-Captiva families and individuals actively employed within the island’s business workforce. This initiative guarantees that the children of hospitality workers, service personnel, and regional professionals can access top-tier summer programming right where their parents work.
Secure digital registration, safety criteria reviews, and complete scholarship application packets are available directly through the primary parent portal at the Children’s Education Center of the Islands. For personalized enrollment inquiries, specific medical accommodation requests, or to submit registration paperwork, parents can connect directly with Interim Director Wanda McKittrick via email at director@childrenseducationcenter.com.
The highly regarded Children’s Education Center summer camp continues a long-standing island tradition of fostering environmental stewardship from an early age. By integrating the local ecosystem into the daily curriculum, the program ensures that young children develop a lifelong appreciation for coastal preservation, wildlife protection, and the natural resources of the Gulf region.
