provided to The Santiva Chronicle
FISH of SANCAP offers financial assistance to families for youth summer camps on and off Sanibel Island.
“Summer should be a time for kids to play, learn, and just be kids—but for working parents, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, it can be stressful,” said FISH Social Services Director Nitza Lopez.
“We’re here to help bridge that gap with scholarships that make camp more affordable and give parents peace of mind knowing their children are in a safe, enriching environment,” said Lopez.
The FISH Youth Summer Scholarship Program is open to families connected to Sanibel or Captiva through residency or employment. The scholarships are need-based and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
FISH also offers Camp Noah this summer, a no-cost weeklong camp for children ages 5 to 12 years. It will run from June 9 to June 13 and is designed for communities impacted by disaster.
Camp Noah uses creative play and resiliency-building activities to help children cope, heal, and thrive after trauma. The 2024 camp was successful, and the FISH team is excited for its return to a generous venue at the Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
Details on Camp Noah’s registration, times, and before/after care will be forthcoming. A special thanks go to the local community members and first responders who helped make Camp Noah unforgettable.
“Last year, the Sanibel Fire Department brought out the fire truck, and the kids had a blast spraying the hose and wearing the gear—it was one of the week’s highlights,” recalls a camp counselor.
“After Hurricane Ian and everything we’ve gone through since, I was so worried about how to give my daughter a normal summer,” says local mom Lynda. “FISH helped with a camp scholarship last year, and we’re looking forward to Camp Noah this year for some fun, healing, and normalcy.”
To learn more about youth scholarships or Camp Noah, contact Lopez at 239-472-4775 or email nitza@fishofsancap.org. For Camp Noah-specific questions, reach out to the FISH team at info@fishofsancap.org.
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