FAQ Page
Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions below.
We don't offer discounts for our programs. However, we will never turn anyone away due to financial barriers and have a scholarship program that is funded throughout the year by generous donors.
We don't have a formal application process, but rather, we just ask that you pay what you can, and we're happy to cover the rest. Anything you do contribute will go directly towards helping us share the ocean with more students in the future. Please email us at sanibelseaschool@sccf.org if you are interested in a scholarship to cover a portion of the tuition or a full scholarship.
Our course calendar is released online approximately one month in advance. Summer camps are typically announced in January, while winter camps are announced in October.
Yes, we are approved for the FES - UA and PEP scholarships. Current service offerings include homeschool programs, Day Courses, and Sea Squirts classes.
We register you in our system with a balance. Next, reserve the funds in your Step Up account. To find us in the marketplace, search for “Sanibel Sea School.” After the class, we take care of the rest and clear the balance on our end. If you are joining us for the first time, you need to call us to register over the phone. After you’re in our registration, you can simply send us an email with the students' names, the courses you’d like to register for, and indicate that you plan to reserve Step Up funds.
You will be prompted to create an account when you register for a program with Sanibel Sea School. If we register you over the phone, you will receive an email from Active Network afterward to finish setting up your account. It is a time-sensitive email so the link will expire. We can always resend the link if needed just give us a call. Do not forget your username and password because you will use the same account to register for future programs, including week-long camps. If you need to create an account before registering for a program you can do so here. If you use Active Network for other events separate from Sanibel Sea School, it will automatically link your accounts under the same email.
As of Summer 2026, we no longer offer priority registration for summer camp. We have found other creative ways to honor our returning camp families as we grow.
We consider exceptions to our age range upon request. Please email us at sanibelseaschool@sccf.org to request an exception.
However, exceptions are not made for programs like summer and winter camps due to limited availability. We reserve spots for eligible children within specific age ranges.
If your child doesn't meet these criteria, please contact us for private options at (239) 472-8585.
Please arrive dressed in a swimsuit and cover-up and slathered with sunscreen. If you are staying a full day, please bring extra sunscreen so we can re-apply mid-day. We ask that you do not bring sunblock in a spray bottle - it gets in your eyes, can ruin equipment and clothing, and isn't great for the environment.
Water shoes are strongly recommended. Due to Hurricane Ian, there is an increased risk of debris buried in the sand and the water. Flip-flops are unsuitable for walking in the water and will not work as water shoes. We suggest old sneakers, water shoes with stiff soles, wetsuit booties, or sporty sandals like Teva's and Chaco's.
Our campus does not allow disposable drink bottles. Please help us protect our oceans and do not bring them! Instead, please bring a reusable water bottle. If you don't have one, you're welcome to borrow ours, but please don't bring a disposable plastic bottle.
A towel, change of clothes, and hat are also suggested if desired.
Electronics do not mix well with the ocean. No cell phones, iPods, laptops, or other games. We know this may be hard, but our staff will have their phones in case of emergency. We want our students to be away from screens and enjoy the company of others and nature.
Everything brought to programs—especially clothing—should be considered for its potential to get dirty. Our classes and camps are all about exploration and creativity, which means messy activities and art projects are part of the fun! While we do our best to prevent stains, sometimes they are unavoidable. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to send your child in clothes that you don’t mind getting a little messy. Thank you for your support as we make lasting memories around the ocean.
We allow parent shadowing in our classes as long as the parents allow the children to fully engage in the class without interruption. We may require you to follow us in your vehicle to our field location as our buses have limited space.
We tend to see a lot of shy students at first for our classes, but once we begin teaching, it often fades away pretty quickly. You are welcome to begin the class with us and sort of "drift off" once your child is comfortable.
Please don't hesitate to call us at (239) 472-8585 if you would like to discuss further or have any other questions.
We do not offer either service. Check out these amazing groups:
At our nature-based camp, we prioritize outdoor experiences but always put safety first. We will not cancel activities due to rain; however, in the event of thunderstorms or lightning within a 10-mile radius, we will seek shelter to ensure everyone’s safety.
Rest assured, we are well-prepared for all weather conditions! If we need to stay indoors, we have various engaging alternate activities ready to go. Our goal is to keep the fun and learning going, rain or shine.
In the case of forecasted severe weather, we will proactively reach out via email to inform you about any potential cancellations or changes to the schedule. Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities!
Yes, all full time staff are certified in Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid, and AED by the American Red Cross.
We closely monitor red tide conditions and pay attention to the algae counts. If the counts rise to moderate or high concentrations, our staff conducts in-person field checks before taking participants to the beach. If we observe dead fish or other animals with obvious impacts from the red tide or experience any respiratory irritation, we will select an alternate location that is not impacted by the red tide. In cases where no safe beach is available, we adjust our programs to explore inland areas such as trails and nature preserves. The safety of our participants is our top priority, so we will not go in the water or swim if the water quality is deemed unsafe.
Here are more maps and other helpful information about water quality concerns and red tide:
We focus on prevention — conducting field checks before classes, keeping groups in shallow, calm water, ensuring sun and heat protection, maintaining staff-to-student ratios, and encouraging strong communication between staff, students, and families.
Yes. All staff members complete child abuse prevention, recognition, and reporting training during onboarding, in accordance with American Camp Association standards. Full-time educators review this training twice per year, and seasonal staff complete it at onboarding.
All staff undergo Level II federal background checks, fingerprinting, interviews, and multiple reference checks before hire.
Educator bios on our website list additional certifications, training, and academic specialties.
Sanibel Sea School has a fleet of passenger vans that we use to take field trips from our campus to explore habitats on Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers.
Our Marine Science Educators will inform you at check-in if they plan to drive students during the program. The vans are most commonly used for day courses and week-long camps.
We don’t organize transportation for large group field trips, but with advanced notice, we’re happy to make a plan together. We can either utilize our fleet or help fundraise to secure buses.
We do not provide food for programming. Students staying a whole day need to pack a lunch that does need to be heated or refrigerated.
During week-long camps, campers and CITs get cookies, milk, or chocolate milk on Friday afternoons during our Milk & Cookies Slideshow. Parents bring in the food and drinks, and we make sure to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
During our programs, we always have icy cold water ready to refill water bottles.
For week-long camps, we provide Gatorade at lunchtime and Lemonade on Fridays.