Compiled by Michelle Colesanti, michelle@ospreyobserver.com
Tennis For Fun Athletes Compete At Special Olympics State Summer Games
Twenty-five special needs athletes from the Tennis For Fun program recently competed at the Special Olympic State Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. The event took place on Friday, May 19 through Sunday, May 21 with athletes hailing from local Tennis For Fun clinics. The athletes competed in either individual tennis skills or singles matches. The singles play consisted of different levels to match their abilities.
Tennis For Fun is a free tennis clinic for athletes with special needs. Athletes of all ages are welcomed, and the program is run entirely by volunteers. For the past 16 years, Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) has donated court time to the Tennis For Fun program.
The clinics will resume in the fall and are free. The Tennis For Fun clinics are held at four locations in Hillsborough County: Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC), FishHawk Trails, Tampa Palms and HCC Tampa Tennis Club. For more information, visit tennisforfun.org or contact Judy Moore at 417-3751.
Brandon’s Chuck E. Cheese Offers Sensory Sensitive Sundays
Chuck E. Cheese’s recently collaborated with CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders) to offer Sensory Sensitive Sundays at the Brandon store located at 1540 W. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon. Sensory Sensitive Sundays occur on the first Sunday of every month from 9-11 a.m., beginning in June.
The sensory-friendly experience provides an opportunity for children to enjoy games, pizza and prizes in a calm and safe environment that includes: smaller crowds and less noise, no Chuck E. mascot or other costumed character and dimmed lighting with no shows or music. Food and games are offered, and parents are permitted to bring snacks for their children due to dietary restrictions. Also, a trained and caring staff will make sure each guest has a fun filled visit. For more information, visit chuckecheese.com.
Adventures Archery Offers Summer Camp
Adventures Archery is offering a summer camp beginning Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The cost is $150 per child and includes range and equipment rental, certified instruction and supervision, multiple archery activities and program material costs. Children under 8 years of age may attend one of the classes and receive approval from our instructors to participate in the summer program. The camp is located at 2210 S. US Hwy 301 Suite 200 in Tampa. For more information or to register, call 664-8700.
Presbyterian Church Of Bloomingdale Presents Maker Fun Factory VBS
From Monday, July 17 through Thursday, July 20, the Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale will host Maker Fun Factory, a VBS where kids will discover that God made them for a purpose. The VBS is for children from age 5 to 15 and will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every evening.
Kids will participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play team-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies and test out Science-Fun Gizmos.
Each day concludes with the Funshop Finale to get everyone involved in living what they have learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in each night for this special time at 8 p.m.
Kids at Maker Fun Factory VBS will participate in a missions effort to fund the digging of clean water wells for remote villages in Peru. For more information, call 654-3699 or secretary.pcob@gmail.com.
