Camp Spotlight: SAND SCULPTING CAMP

Children weren’t afraid to get a little sandy Wednesday, June 12, during the first session of the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Sand Sculpting Camp, held on Siesta Key Public Beach.

Campers spent the week learning basic and intermediate sand-sculpting techniques, including the skills necessary to build a basic sandcastle and the advanced techniques required to build arches.

“It’s amazing what these kids can create after just a few hours of instruction,” says Bill Knight, a Master Sand Sculptor, who has co-operated the camp for two years. “Once they understand how to correctly pack the sand, they advance pretty quickly.”

By The Numbers
12 total hours of training campers receive

Two people required to sculpt a sand arch

Four Number of days campers spend learning sand-sculpting techniques

Camper Spotlight
Sophia Anderson,
first-time camper

What has been your favorite part about camp, so far?
I love building sandcastles.

Why was this a camp you wanted to sign up for?
Because I’ve always wanted to be a sand sculptor; I love building stuff.

What other kinds of things do you like to build?
I like to build stuff with LEGOs. This is a lot different, because it’s harder. But, it’s fun.

What have you learned so far at camp?
We learned how to make steps, we learned how to sculpt towers with our hands and we learned how to build arches.

What has been the most fun part of camp?
Building the stairs.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from your instructors?
Learning to build the arches. We had to use more than one person for a lot of it, and it’s hard to stack it and make sure it stays stacked.

What advice would you give to other campers?
Listen to your instructor and take your time; there’s no rush.