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 Ostinger’s Baseball Academy or Bibles & Basketball, 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.
Socialights will give special needs children real world experiences and specialized activities meant to cater to their specific needs.
For dates, prices and registration information on these and more, turn the page and enjoy this special section and have a great summer!
HCC 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.
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 Hosts 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 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 one-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. 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 begin Monday, June 2. Hours are 2-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to register, call 655-6284 or e-mail brandon @mathnasium.com. Visit www.mathnasium.com/brandon.
MOSI Hosts 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 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.
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.
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
The Summer Camp Program at Music n’ Art is a fun and productive way for children to spend their summer break. 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.
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.musicnartlessons .com.
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.
Bibles & Basketball Camp Features Harlem Globetrotters
For the last 11 years, Ed Treimanis of Ameriprise Financial in Brandon has devoted one week a year to the children in the Brandon community. During that week, he shares his three passions: Jesus Christ, the Bible and basketball. He is the founder and one of the coaches for the annual Bible and Basketballs camp and charity basketball game.
The camp will be held Monday, July 7-Friday, July 11 at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Brandon. The charity basketball game will also be at the church on Friday, July 11 at 7:11 p.m. The camp’s hours are 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and includes 15 minutes of Bible study and then 3 hours and 45 minutes of basketball. For the last four years, Treimanis has teamed with the Harlem Globetrotters Legends. One of the Harlem Globetrotter Legends who will be at the camp for the whole week is Larry “Shorty” Coleman.
The camp costs $125 for the week. To become a sponsor , e-mail Treimanis at edtcfp@gmail.com or call 661-6077. For information, visit www.biblesandbasketball.net. The Immanuel Lutheran Church and School is located at 2913 John More Rd. in Brandon.
Socialights Presents Camp Sessions For Special Needs Children
Uniquely therapeutic, Socialights is run by two speech therapists, an occupational therapist and a mother of a 9-year-old daughter with autism. Socialights provides an environment for children with special needs to be challenged with goal-oriented curriculum and loads of fun. Socialights welcomes children of all abilities, including neurotypical peer models, to attend camp sessions. The Socialights Summer Schedule offers three, two-week Therapeutic Summer Camps focusing on social skills, martial arts, art, dance, reading and handwriting while traveling the world on a “Passport to Fun.” Sessions are led by experienced speech and occupational therapists. Siblings are encouraged to attend camp at a discounted rate. Socialights also offers Intensive Therapeutic Reading Camps led by Orton Gillingham trained instructors. These highly individualized sessions have low instructor to camper ratios, maximizing instruction time. A Functional Skills Camp for campers aged 14-22, run by occupational therapists, focuses on life skills such as time and money management, pragmatics, hygiene, social and dining etiquette and self-expression.
Socialites Connection is located at 11146 Winthrop Market St. in Riverview. For more information, e-mail socialight steam@gmail.com or call 220-0971.
