What do you have planned this summer?
For kids, summer spells time to sleep in, no homework and maybe an upcoming family vacation. But, these days, it can also mean learning a new skill, trying something adventurous, learning to swim, a new language or travelling afar.
The staff at the Osprey Observer have collected the top recommendations for local summer camps and created this special pull out section. Did we miss one? Let us know by emailing Subject line “Summer” to michelle@ospreyobserver.com and we will be sure to add to upcoming editions and to our full listing online!
Whether kids want to take a trip back to basics with Kids ‘R’ Kids Nature Kids Summer camp, or maybe learn to swim at the iconic Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center, home to Olympic swimmers and divers, or learn to cook at the gourmet Viking demonstration kitchen with award-winning chefs at Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, there is plenty to do.
Maybe the scientists will want to take a MOSI Summer Science Camp and learn through hands-on experiments and technology and maybe even design a video game.
At Music Showcase, music, theatre and possible starring roles in popular musicals and more will be offered for children ages 5 and up and beginning musicians in guitar, violin, singing and song writing are welcome.
Music n’ Art also offers a variety of artistic camps to keep students brains sharp during the summer months.
At HCC, children can go to college at Kids’ College. Children ages 7-12 years old have a chance to spend time on campus learning in the college environment. Computers, Games & Apps, Healthcare, STEM, Culinary, Photography and Fashion Design are a few of the classes offered.
Athletes will enjoy summer sports camps throughout the community like FishHawk Martial Arts Academy and Coach P, and math enthusiasts will love Mathnasium’s Power Math Workout, a recommended choice between our Summer Master Series or our Jump Start Series, with daily math game time.
Chick-Fil-A’s summer fun flicks offer family friendly movies every Tuesday with proceeds going to a good cause.
Animal lovers can choose from camps at the Lowry Park Zoo and have fun exploring nature, feeding animals and learning how to care for them.
Socialights will give special needs children real world experiences and specialized activities meant to cater to their specific needs.
At Morning Glory summer camp kids can enjoy themed weeks and weekly field trips, and Harvest Time Christian School offers a God-centerd camp.
For dates, prices and registration information on these and more, turn the page and enjoy this special section and have a great summer! HCC Institute for Corporate and Continuing Education Summer Camps
This year, Kids’ College will offer chess, mystery monsters, fashion design, fossil hunter, money boss, broadcasting, fit and fun, good eats, computer wizard, STEM, tech camp, photo fun, interior design and medical exploration.
Camp is for ages 7-12 years old and will take place Monday-Thursday from Monday, June 9 through Friday, August 15. The times are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with early drop-off at 7:30 a.m. and late pick-up through 5:30 p.m. at no additional cost.
Camp will be held at four HCC locations (Collaboration Studio in Ybor City; Plant City Campus; SouthShore Campus in Ruskin and The Regent in Brandon).
For more information, contact Ronkel Williams at 259-6549; rwilliams92@hccfl.edu or Jeff Benjamin at 259-6528; rbenjamin8@hccfl.edu or visit www.Tampatraining.com/kidscollege.
Kids R Kids Offers Nature Camps
Camp Nature Kids is an unforgettable 10-week odyssey that transforms campers from Kindergarten-12 years old into miniature scientists, explorers and adventurers as they investigate the wide and wonderful world beyond their back door.
Nature Rocks – During these first two weeks, campers are introduced to many of the topics covered in more detail in later weeks. They utilize their five senses to investigate dirt and mud, insects, plants and animals.
Digging in the Dirt (weeks 3 and 4) – It’s all about playing in the dirt. Campers squish and squelch in the mud, investigating not only what is in dirt, but who as well. Wallowing pigs and wiggly worms are just the beginning of what campers find while digging in the dirt.
Bugs and Slugs (weeks 5 and 6) – Chirp like a cricket? Hop like a grasshopper? Flitter and flutter like butterflies?
There are so many interesting insects for campers to investigate.
Wild About Wildlife (weeks 7 and 8) – Animals have many characteristics that make them perfectly suited to their habitats. By slithering like snakes, hopping like rabbits and flying like owls, campers investigate reptiles, mammals and birds representing unique habitats.
Off the Beaten Path (weeks 9 and 10) – Camping and hiking are adventures full of fun and exciting activities; pitching a tent and sleeping under the stars, using a compass and cooking over a campfire. As campers travel, other amazing habitats are explored.
The rate of $140 (with ad coupon) includes all meals and field trips. Kids R Kids has two locations: 4321 Lynx Paw Tr. in Valrico and 5815 Kids Crossing Dr. in Lithia. For more information, call the Valrico location at 657-6200 or the Lithia location at 526-7000 or visit www.krkvalrico.com.
Have a Zoo-nique Zoo Experience at Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo offers exciting and enriching summer camps for kids of all ages. The expert staff provides the most fun and safe environment for animal adventures with friends that children will always remember.
This summer, the Zoo School at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is headquarters for more than 100 week-long camps for students who have completed Kindergarten-8th grades. Kids and teens can learn about nature, science and the animal kingdom while hiking through the zoo, exploring behind-the-scenes and cooling off in the zoo’s water play areas. Adventure camps include animal encounters, keeper talks, educational shows, games, crafts and more.
A typical day at summer camp includes: zoo hikes, classroom lessons with pictures and artifacts, daily animal encounter or animal enrichment, activities based on the weekly camp theme, arts and crafts projects, animal shows, animal feedings, keeper talks and educational videos.
Camps begin promptly at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop off before 8:55 a.m. or pick up after 4 p.m., is available when signed up for extended care.
General summer camps cost $180 for zoo pass holders and $200 for non-zoo pass holders. The four day camp from Monday, June 30-Thursday, July 3 will cost $145 for a pass holder and $165 for a non-pass holder.
Shutterbug Camps are $200 for pass holders and $220 for non-pass holders.
Animal Handling/Animal Trainer Camps are $215 for pass holders and $235 for non-pass holders.
Morning extended care (7-9 a.m.) costs $25 per week and afternoon extended care (4-6 p.m.) is also $25 per week.
Lowry Park Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave. in Tampa. Visit www.lowryparkzoo.com/education/register.html to register for camps or call 935-8552 ext. 268 for more information.
The Florida Academy of Performing Arts Hosts Summer Camps at Music Showcase
Summer Scene 2014 Musical Theater for ages 5-9. Rehearsals take place for Disney’s The AristoCats Kids from Monday-Friday, July 7-July 18 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. The performances will take place on Friday-Sunday, July 18-20.
Rehearsals take place for Dinosaurs Before Dark Kids from Monday-Friday, August 4-15 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. Performances will take place on Friday-Sunday, August 15-17. The cost for each two week camp is $175. Stay for the Music & More afternoon camp for an additional $75 per week. Daily drop-in fee is $25 per day. Free early drop off at 8 a.m. and late pick-up until 6 p.m.
Jr. Showcase Players – Summer Scene 2014 Musical Theater for ages 9-12. Rehearsals for Seussical the Musical will take place Monday to Friday from June 16-27 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. The performances will take place Friday-Sunday, June 27-29. Rehearsals for Hairspray will take place from Monday-Friday, July 21 – August 1 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. The performances will take place Friday-Sunday, August 1-3.
The cost for each two week camp is $175. Stay for the Music & More afternoon camp for an additional $75 per week. Daily drop-in fee is $25 per day. Free early drop off at 8 a.m. and late pick-up until 6 p.m.
Music & More Summer Camp takes place all day Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn about music and instruments, play guitar, violin, drums, take singing and acting classes, games, crafts, activities, drawing, chess and more. The cost is $175 per week with $25 one-time registration fee. There is free early drop-off at 8 a.m. and late pick-up until 6 p.m.
Rising Stars! Performance Boot Camp is for ages 9 and up and takes place from Monday, June 9-Friday, June 13 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with a performance on Friday, June 13. Included is songwriting, acting methods, music history, agents and casting calls, auditioning tips, monologues, public speaking, singing, performance critique and stage presence. The cost is $200 per student.
There is a $25 on-time registration fee for all camps. Classes are held at Music Showcase located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon. For more information or to register, call 490-2787 or visit www.faopa.org.
Make it a Mathnasium Summer and Avoid the Summer Slide
At Mathnasium, summer programs are all about preventing summer learning loss and helping students prepare for what lies ahead in a fun environment. For some students, that means a solid review of previous material. Others benefit from previewing upcoming concepts. Most students will get some of both.
Mathnasium has programs available for students from first grade through 12th grade for one and a half hour sessions that will include a Power Math Workout, a recommended choice between the Summer Master Series or the Jump Start Series, and daily math game time. Campers are welcome to choose from 12 or 18 session packages or regular year-round programs. Mathnasium is located at 1048 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.
Summer programs will begin Monday, June 2. Hours are 2-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parents will receive help choosing the program that works for campers.
For more information or to register, call 655-6284 or e-mail brandon@mathnasium .com. Visit www.mathnasium .com/brandon. Space is limited so enroll today.
MOSI Hosts STEAM Summer Science Camps
MOSI’s Summer Science Camps bring science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) alive through hands-on experiments and building projects. From finding rocks to launching rockets to making rock music, MOSI creates the experiences that expand campers’ interests and make dreams a reality. Designing video games, creating art with lasers, searching for fossils, using DNA to solve crimes and cooking up edible slime are just some of the thousands of Summer Science Camp experiences waiting for campers. MOSI offers an extensive range of camp topics for ages two through high school with options for day camps, residential or travel camps and STEAM career camps. For more information or to reserve a camp experience today, visit www.MOSI.org or call 987-6000.
Rolling Pin Is Cooking Up Summer Fun
Kids can have fun while learning to cook. Summer cooking camps for kids (ages 6-9) and tweens (ages 10-14) will take place at the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium located at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon.
Kid’s camps will take place Tuesday-Friday, June 17-20, July 15-18 and Tuesday-Friday, July 29-August 1. Tween’s camp will take place Tuesday-Friday, June 24-27, July 22-25, August 5-8 and August 12-15.
Space is limited. For more information, call 653-2418 (ext. 204) or visit www.rollingpinonline.com.
YMCA Camps for Summer
Campo YMCA’s summer camps focus on nurturing the potential of children and helping them grow in spirit, mind and body. Fun and friendship provide the opportunity for young people to build self-esteem, develop interpersonal skills and make lasting memories. Campo has a variety of summer camps for kids to choose from.
Day camp for ages 5-12 and Leaders In Training (LIT) Camp for ages 11-15 will be held off-site at South Brandon Worship Center located at 4929 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico.
Sports Camp for ages 8-13 will be held at Campo Family YMCA located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico. Day, LIT and Sports Camp sessions begin Monday, June 9 and end Friday, August 15 and will all run from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (drop off from 7-9 a.m., pick up from 4-6 p.m.) The cost is $140 facility and $195 program.
Half Day Specialty Camps
Various specialty camps range from basketball, triathlon, princess adventure, dance, volleyball, science and much more.
Weekly sessions begin Monday, June 9 and end Friday, August 15.
Half day camps are from either 8 a.m.-12 Noon or 12 Noon-4 p.m. depending on the camp. The cost is $115 facility and $150 program.
Specialty camps range in variety of age from 4-15 depending on the camp and curriculum, some week long specialty camps to choose from are: Basketball Camp, Volleyball Camp, Fairytale Adventure Camp, Dance Camp, Triathlon Camp, Drama Camp, Mad Science Camp and Magical Princess Camp.
For more information, call 684-1371 or contact Senior Program Director Dan Ribas at Dan.Ribas@tampaymca.org.
Music N Art Summer Camp Program Fosters Creativity
The Summer Camp Program at Music n’ Art is a fun and productive way for children to spend their summer break. Many parents recognize that children not only lose touch with study patterns developed over the school year, during the summer they get bored without the structured environment of school. At Music n’ Art children are provided a balanced curriculum of study time, creative time and play time.
Classwork is provided for children, followed by music, art and dance lessons. Kids also have a snack break, lunch break and free time each day.
Kids have something to look forward to every morning of the summer 
because of the great friendships they form at Music n’ Art.
Music n’ Art kids will be more than prepared for the new school year as they are provided and assisted with assignments that adhere to state level criteria for their grade level. Parents can take comfort in the fact that their children are using their time productively and having fun while they are at work.
Music n’ Art is located at 10732 Ketchum Valley Dr. in Riverview. For more information, call 672-7629 or visit www. musicnart lessons .com.
FishHawk Martial Arts Academy Summer Camp
Fishhawk Martial Arts Academy will hold summer camp weekly field trips for ages 5-12. Camp hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with early and late pickup available (7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.) The schedule is: June 9-13 – Archery/ Martial Arts Boot camp; June 16- 20 and July 7-11 Martial Arts Boot Camp; July 14-18 Robotics/Martial Arts Book Camp;July 21-25 Archery/Martial Arts Boot Camp; July 28-August 1 Martial Arts Boot Camp; August 4-8 Robotics/Martial Arts Boot Camp; August 11-15 Archery/Martial Arts Boot Camp. Spaces are limited so register early. FishHawk Martial Arts Academy is located at 15272 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. For more information, call 315-9494 or visit www.fhmaa.com.
Coach P’s Summer Sports
Coach P Offers Active Camp In this fun, fast-moving program, kids enjoy a wide variety of sports and athletic games. Campers play basketball, flag football, soccer, track, dodge ball and many other high-energy activities. This program is directed by Lowell Patterson (AKA “Coach “P”) and is appropriate for boys and girls of all skill and experience levels. There are two sessions this year running through July 14-18 and July 21-25. Both sessions are from 9 a.m. – 12 Noon and cost $150 per week per camper.
For more information about camp, visit http://megasports inc.com or call 309-2246.
Welcome to Kids Club Summer Camp at Morning Glory 
Morning Glory has great age appropriate activities for all students beginning with toddlers up to fifth graders. Our themed weeks are busy with arts and crafts, games, cooking, exploring, music, computers, movies, academic fun and much more. Students will also focus on manners, friendship and community awareness.
Each week junior campers, K5 through 5th grade, will go on two exciting field trips to include Yankee Stadium Tour, Clearwater Cruise, Glazer Museum, Gator Land, bowling and many others, all for the great price of $100 per week. All activities are included in the weekly tuition.
Our experienced camp counselors will keep children happy while also keeping them safe.
Come by for a visit and register today.
There are only a few spaces left for great adventures.
Kids Club is open from 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Morning Glory is located at 6001 Christy Ln. directly off Bloomingdale a few blocks east of 301. Call with questions at 628-0541.
Kids Will Experience High Energy Fun at Harvest Time Summer Camp
Harvest Time Christian School and Early Childhood Development Center Summer Camp 2014 will be a fun, high energy experience for every child. Harvest Time has been taking care of children in a loving, Christian environment since 1976. It puts all of that experience into making sure kids have the best time. The staff is trained and creative and programs are designed with children in mind.
This summer, camp will include water days, skating, bowling, vacation Bible school as well as music and tutoring. It’s going to be a great summer at Harvest Time.
For more information, e-mail Childcare@htfwc.com or call 626-4600.
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