The Sancturary Golf Club Foundation Scholarship Fund
At The Children’s Education Center of the Islands we believe all students should have access to a nature based education.
The school values nature as the best classroom, where children can explore, build confidence, and challenge themselves in ways that they otherwise could not in a traditional classroom setting. Even in Florida where we are surrounded by some of the most unique ecosystems in the country, children in early education often spend only twenty to forty minutes outdoors each day while at school. That is not the case at our school where children spend more than half of their day outdoors on our nearly 5 acres of land, walking on nature trails, learning in our outdoor classroom, or exploring our large playground area.
Since the school was founded in 1974 it has always been a priority to provide access to the school to all members of the Sanibel community, from residents to the island’s workforce. For many years almost all fundraising efforts by the school were used for this purpose of funding scholarships to continue our mission of nature access for all children. Starting in 2020, a partnership between The Children’s Education Center of the Islands and The Sanctuary Golf Club began. This partnership was born out of a mutual love and respect for the natural resources of our amazing sanctuary island.
Through this connection The Sanctuary Golf Club has supported over 13 families in receiving access to nature based early childhood education by allowing them to attend The Children’s Education Center of the Islands. Offering annual scholarships allows many families access to a resource their child would otherwise not have attending a preschool elsewhere in Lee County. Not only does this scholarship fund allow families within our community the option of nature based early education, but it allows the Board of Directors to focus their fundraising efforts on the restoration and improvement of the school following Hurricane Ian.
The Children’s Education Center of the Islands staff, Board of Directors, and families are truly grateful to the Sanctuary Golf Club for their unwavering support of our school prior to and since Hurricane Ian.
How to Apply
The Sanctuary Golf Foundation Scholarship Funds are available annually for any students who need financial assistance to attend The Children’s Education Center of the Islands. New applications are open to families between in March each year. Families who wish to apply for scholarship funds should fill out the below form and send it to Executive Director, Michelle Keltner, via email at cecidirector@gmail.com.
Once submitted applications will be reviewed by a scholarship committee who do not know the identifies of the applicants. Once scholarships are awarded only the school’s executive director will know the identities of those students receieving scholarship funds.
Family Testimonials
“Wednesday September 28th 2022 was a date that all of us will never forget. Our homes, jobs andchildren’s schools were damaged. Dealing with all the emotional trauma I could not even begin to thinkhow I was going to be able to afford child care while trying to get back on my feet. The Sanctuary Board Members provided so much comfort during that time by honoring the scholarship for off island tuition. Although CECI might physically look different from past years the education, amazing teachers and love for nature is still the same. And because of the Sanctuary Scholarship my youngest as well as the other past and new students are able to experience that.”
- Scholarship program graduate & current 2 year old parent
“I want to take this opportunity to express our appreciation of the Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation, and its members, for their generous support of our family through the scholarship program. After all of the challenges presented following Hurricane Ian, we didn’t know if the recovery efforts would also delay our child’s social and educational development. Thanks to this funding, we were able to start on time and select a childcare center whose mission and values match those of our own.”
- Parent of a two year old scholarship student
“My daughter is a recipient of a generous scholarship from The Sanctuary that allows her to attend our island's nature preschool, CECI. As a Sanibel worker of 12 years, and my husband a Sanibel worker of over 20 years, our hearts live here on the island… We know she is in the best hands, learning amazing things, and at the end of the day we are no more than 5 minutes away from her. Our daughter is so happy each and every day that she gets to go to CECI. It is her favorite place. She lists off every one of her friends and now talks more than ever. Her socialization skills have improved beyond belief. We couldn't build our lives without CECI, let alone devote ourselves to Sanibel Island and serving the community the way we are able to do now, because of your amazing support. We thank you, members of The Sanctuary.”
-Parent of a three year old scholarship student
“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the values and principles that the Sanctuary Scholarship embodies. Your commitment to promong education and investing in the future of students like mine is truly commendable.”
- Parent of past scholarship graduate and current 2 year old scholarship student