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.
Kids can look forward to tons of field trips at Camp Primrose Summer Camp with explorations and fun including a trip to MOSI and more.
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.
At The Pottery Patch, projects and creation are on schedule including clay building, glass fusing, canvas painting and other techniques. Teen camps are also offered.
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 Ostinger’s Baseball Camp, 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.
Summer camp programs can take a field trip to Adventures Archery for a great indoor and outdoor archery lesson and activity to add to any summer curriculum.
Chick-Fil-A’s summer fun flicks offer family friendly movies every Tuesday with proceeds going to a good cause.
Camps at A Child’s Haven are social and intellectual offering a variety sure to spark the interest of most children.
Animal lovers can choose from camps at the Lowry Park Zoo, Red Fox Stables or R&R Ranch including horse riding and giraffe feeding.
For dates, prices and registration information on these and more, turn the page and enjoy this special section and have a great summer!
HCC Offers Kids’ College
This year, Kids’ College will offer chess, mystery monsters, fashion design, fossil hunter, money boss, broadcasting, fit & 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 June 9 through 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 Tampatraining. com/kidscollege.
Kids ‘R’ Kids Offer Nature Camps
Camp Nature Kids is an unforgettable ten-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 utilize their five senses to investigate dirt and mud, insects, plants, and animals.
Digging in the Dirt (weeks 3 and 4) – Campers squish and squelch in the mud, investigating not only what is in dirt, but who as well.
Bugs and Slugs (weeks 5 and 6) – There are so many interesting insects for campers to investigate.
Wild About Wildlife (weeks 7 and 8) – 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.
The Florida Academy of Performing Arts at Music Showcase Summer Camps
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 .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 .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, 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. It 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 Summer Master Series or our Jump Start Series, and daily math game time. Students 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. Campers will receive help choosing the program that works for them. For more information or to register, call 655-6284 or e-mail brandon@math nasium.com. Visit www.mathnasium .com/brandon. Space is limited so enroll today.
Y 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 and provide the opportunity for young people to build self-esteem, develop interpersonal skills and make lasting memories are encouraged. Campo has a variety of summer camps for you to choose for your kids.
Day Camp for ages 5-12 will be held off-site at South Brandon Worship Center, located at 4929 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico.
LIT Camp (Leaders In Training) 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/$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 .Times: 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/$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@tampa ymca.org.
2014 Camp BSAC – Bring it On!
Children ages 3-14 years old can be part of the fun at Camp BSAC. The cost to register is $35 per individual; maximum $70 per family. Registration fee includes a T-Shirt and backpack. Camp weeks begin Monday, June 9 and run through Friday, August 15. This year’s themes include Under The Sea, The Mighty Jungle, Super Heroes and more. The cost per week for full day of camp is $140 and $80 for half day. There is also a $35 per day drop-in fee. Kindergarten (ages 5 and below) is $150 per week.
BSAC also hosts Saladino Baseball Camp for only $115 per week (9 a.m.–2 p.m.), and both Saladino Baseball/BSAC Summer Camp (7 a.m.. – 6:30 p.m.) for $165 per week. Camp BSAC is located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon. For more information, call 689-0908 or visit www.mybsac.org.
SuperKids Summer Camp at a Child’s Haven
Reserve a spot at A Child’s Haven’s SuperKids Summer Camp for ages 1-10. Weekly sessions begin Monday, June 9 and run through Friday, August 15. Choose from Space Adventures Camp, Music Makers Camp, Knights & Princesses Camp and many more. There will be two weekly field trips for ages K5-5th Grade. Some of the trips include Lowry Park Zoo, Gator Land, Clearwater Cruise, MOSI, Florida Aquarium and more. Also enjoy summer reading challenge and spelling bee, jumbo face painting, ice cream social and pizza days, Popsicle snacks, summer camp scrapbooking, arts & crafts, preschool water play, computer lab and more.
Reserve a spot for $125 per week for K5-5th grade (this includes field trips and activity fees).
A Child’s Haven is located at 1520 Brentwood Hills Blvd. in Valrico. For more information, call 684-1622.
MOSI STEAM Summer 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 2 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 MOSI.org or call 813-987-6000.
Ostinger’s Baseball Academy
Ostinger’s Baseball Academy will give children a better understanding of the game of baseball through instruction, drills and games. Having a good time while learning the fundamentals will be the main focus of this camp. There will be daily fundamental drills and activities for throwing, pitching, hitting, fielding, base running and mental game. There will be games at the end of the week to evaluate progress.
Three sessions will be held at the FishHawk Sports Complex: Session One – Monday-Friday, June, 9-13, Session Two – July, 21-25 and Session Three – August, 4-8. Camp is for ages 7-15 years old and will run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. daily. The cost is $175 per camper. Second child is $120 and there are also multi-week discounts.
Jim Osting is a baseball instructor with 10 years of professional baseball playing experience and two years of Major League experience (Padres and Brewers). For more information, call 737-3000 or visit www.OstingBaseball.com.
