With the last day of school in Lee County fast approaching on June 4, many families are facing the annual challenge of summer childcare. In today’s economic climate—with rising costs on everything from groceries to rent—that challenge is even greater. FISH OF SANCAP is stepping up once again this year with its Youth Summer Scholarship Program, providing financial assistance to help families send their children to enriching summer camps both on and off 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 a stressful time,” says Nitza Lopez, FISH Social Services Director. “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.”
FISH scholarships are available for families with a connection to Sanibel and Captiva through either residency or employment. The scholarships are need-based and evaluated case-by-case, offering partial support based on income, expenses, and camp costs. Options include trusted programs like Sanibel Rec Center, Sanibel Sea School, CECI, and several off-island camps as well.
This year, FISH is also excited to announce the return of Camp Noah, a no-cost weeklong camp for children ages 5–12, held June 9–13. 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 a huge success, and FISH is excited to bring it back with generous venue support from Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
Details on Camp Noah registration, times and before/after care are forthcoming.
Special thanks go out 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 highlights of the week,” 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 Lynda, a local mom. “FISH helped with a camp scholarship last year, and this year we’re looking forward to Camp Noah for some fun, some healing, and normalcy.”
Another parent shared, “With hours at work being cut and costs going up, there’s just no way we could afford full-time summer care without help. FISH truly made a difference for our family.”
To learn more about youth scholarships or Camp Noah, contact Nitza Lopez at 239-472-4775 or email [email protected]. For Camp Noah-specific questions, reach out to the FISH team at [email protected].
To learn more about the programs of FISH or to support their mission, please contact Maria Espinoza, Executive Director.
