Parent Guide Summer Camp Guide 2012

Mom and Dad’s Guide to a Sane Summer What to Do When Your Child Hates Their Camp Counselor Florida’s Trail of Turtles A Summer You Won’t Believe

E T A ULTIM UIDE G P M CA Summerl Guide 2012 | www.ParentGuide.com

Tampa Bay’s Super Summer Camp Listings

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A Different Species of Summer Camp.

Camp is a time to make new friends, try new things, come face-to-face with a giraffe and challenge a dive coaster. Well, it is at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island!

We offer camps for animal lovers, coaster enthusiasts, future veterinarians and everything in between.

Day camps are available for students in Kindergarten through high school. For students in 5th grade through college, we offer unique resident camps that include overnight stays at Busch Gardens.

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*Program components, pricing, and availability subject to change. ©2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

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It’s time to

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editor’s NOTE

A GOOD MIXED-UP SUMMER (For the Kids and ME!)

N

o matter how I try, summer always catches me by surprise. Perhaps, it’s that I’ve just finished paying off my Christmas charge debt. Or maybe it’s denial that the hot weather is coming again. Or maybe it’s the everincreasing cost of summer camp—especially when you have two kids. Or maybe it’s a little bit of all of those things. Whatever the reason, come April and May, I find myself in emergency panic mode.

So. What are my children going to do for Summer 2012? It’s tricky, actually, because both boys are old enough to stay home for a little while by themselves (just not all day). And quite frankly, they like having some unscheduled “down” time, which I believe a little over the summer is a good idea. As such, I’ve decided they will have a mixed-bag summer just to keep them a little curious and interested. And I think it just might work.

Beginning of Summer: The beginning of summer always ushers in a feeling of excitement.

After all, it’s new, and kids are eager for a break.

But by week two the inevitable phrase all parents cringe at occurs: “I’m bored.” This year, I’m stifling that phrase with weekly trips to the local library for some good books. On the weeks they’re not in a camp, I’ll be taking advantage of those free or dirt cheap morning movies at the local theater.

Grandparent Fix: I’ve never done it before, but this year, I’m really going to pull in the grandparents over the summer. Usually, summer visits to the grandparents consist of holiday picnics and possibly a weekend outing. But this year, I’m going to give our grandparents the ultimate treat: one-one time with the boys.

Of course, in the interest of preserving their sanity and the opportunity for more than one visit, I’ll only drop one kid at a time with the grandparents.

Camps in Balance: My oldest will be doing a film camp and certainly some other camps. And my youngest will be gravitating to anything baseball related. If I can work it out, I’ll have alternating weeks of camp balanced with at-home/family weeks. Why? Because the kids do need some downtime and some time away from each other. Oh, but don’t worry, I promise to have a few weeks where they’re both busy, so I can take advantage of some seriously needed downtime as well.

Take a look in this summer issue for all sorts of camp info. It doesn’t matter if you’ve already planned the entire summer out for the kids, or if you’re a straggler like me, you’ll certainly find something you can use.

Enjoy your summer!

GeodieBaxterPadgett Executive Editor Geodie@parentguide.com

Parent Guide®

5

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12 Jaws Making a Difference!

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36 Summer Camp:

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38 A Summer Camp You Won’t Believe

129 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 727-797-1186 tel 727-797-8516 fax

40 Florida’s Trail of Turtles

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52 Summer Vacation On A Tankful

For MORE articles and contests log on to parentguide.com

Growing Chlde Skycrest Christian Preschool was created to serve children and their families in Christian early education programs by providing age-appropriate opportunities so that young children will learn to love God and love learning. We want children to approach education with a joyous attitude and truly believe that by first establishing a love for Christ in their lives that the desire to flourish and grow in Him will lead to a life-long love for learning and Christian growth.

129 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 727-797-1186 tel 727-797-8516 fax

SK Y CR ES T

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SUMMER GUIDE

2012

contents DEPARTMENTS

EDITOR’S NOTE MASTHEAD

05 08

SURVIVING THE SUMMER A GUIDE FOR PRESERVING PARENTS’ SANITY

32

WHEN YOUR CHILD HATES THEIR CAMP COUNSELOR

48

SUMMER CAMP GUIDES PAGES 14-25 Parent Guide®

7

Publishing Group SPECTRUM COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA GROUP President JACK HALL Executive Editor GEODIE BAXTER PADGETT Associate Editor CHRISTINE SILVA Creative Director PAPANDE NEWMAN Web Editor ALEX CIVILETTI Mailing/Dist MD@PARENTGUIDE.COM Social Media CRYSTAL@PARENTGUIDE.COM Event Director ANDREA FESKOWETZ Marketing/Partnerships MP@PARENTGUIDE.COM Products/Reviews SAGE@PARENTGUIDE.COM Special Projects SHARE@PARENTGUIDE.COM PARENT GUIDE® 13575 58th St. N. Suite 157 • Clearwater, FL 33760 727-538-4137 info@parentguide.com

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Parent Guide® is published four times a year and is distributed to readers at no charge. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork, designs and editorials printed in Parent Guide® are the sole property of Spectrum Communications Media Group. No portion of this magazine may be duplicated or reproduced without the express written permission of Spectrum Communications Media Group. Parent Guide® and Spectrum Communications Media Group are not responsible for typographical errors, the accuracy of information provided or the actions of our advertisers. Readers should verify advertising information with advertisers. Unless otherwise specified, all advertising specials are only valid until the publication of the next issue. Parent Guide® reserves the right to designate one company per advertisement and to refuse any advertising for any reason. The views expressed in the Parent Guide® are not necessarily those of the publisher. Parent Guide® assumes no responsibility for the outcome arising from the contents of the publication. Copyright 2011 by Spectrum Communications Media Group All rights reserved.

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14 TH

is C elebrating our year with the best contest ever !

Best Summer Camp Give-Away 2012!

14 weeks of Summer Camp to Giveway!!

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Moms & Dads log on to parentguide.com for more info on how your kids can win and how you can too!

TAMPA BAY

By Kurt Goerke It won’t happen the first day, probably not even the first week of summer, but sometime before too long, you will find yourself searching for something to keep your kids occupied and out of your hair for a few precious moments. The answer is JAWS. This is not the terrifying film, JAWS—that will only emotionally scar your child and make them afraid to take a bath. True, it may buy you two hours of time but you’ll pay for it with lost sleep when they run into your room at 2:00 am, and you have to spend the rest of the night with a little knee in the small of your back! The JAWS I’m referring to is an acronym. It stands for Just Add Water, Stupid. For generations, smart moms and dads have employed the sure-fire fix for their children’s summer boredom or blahs.

JAWS. It’s as simple as it sounds.

There are a thousand activities that fit the bill: a day at the pool or beach, a water theme park, canoeing and fishing to name just a few. Because we in Florida have fast access to all of these, we forget that fun water activities can take place at little or no cost right in your back yard. Running through the sprinkler, tossing water balloons or simply playing with the hose are sure to be accompanied by smiling faces!

My boys and I spent the better part of a summer day digging up the grass in a ten foot by five foot area behind our house to plant

a garden. After we had turned the soil over, the boys asked if they could water it. Even though we had not yet planted a single seed, they proceeded to water our newly dug garden—but not just water, they dug tunnels for the water to flow through, made dams, bridges, and cities—you name it. I watched in amazement as the hours passed, and other boys from our neighborhood joined them. They had the time of their life. They still talk about it when we work in the garden. I often get the feeling that I ruined the garden for them when we finally put the seeds in!

Remember JAWS—just add water!

We spent another fun afternoon setting up a water gun shooting gallery in the backyard with a plastic table, squirt guns and waterproof targets gathered from their toy bins. (Yes, it’s a great solution to the problem of what to do with the plethora of plastic fast food toys that keep coming and coming!) The boys created different games like knocking down the Buzz Light Year plastic figure without bumping over Pikachu or Sponge Bob! They also developed a squirt gun relay that involved seeing who could fill a bowl first from five paces with squirt gun water.

Remember JAWS—just add water!

Adding water is not just the summer answer for boys—-it works equally well with girls, too. As a matter of fact, water works so well

with all kids that they will actually do jobs that involve water without complaint. For example, washing the car becomes a blast, something that would never fall into the same category as taking out the trash or raking the yard! Washing dishes morphs from a job into a joy for young kids as long as there’s lots of water and suds to play in. (Supervision is highly recommended here, or you may end up with a kitchen requiring a raft to access.) And watering the yard isn’t a chore; it’s a chance to squirt the neighbor’s annoying cat with the hose.

If you really want to shake them up, one day when it’s raining, and you’re sure there is no lightning, ask them to hurry up and get their bathing suits on. When they ask why tell them, “It’s not going to keep raining forever, Hurry!” Then send them out to play in the rain.

Going out in the rain on purpose is one of the great-untapped treasures in life! It doesn’t get any better for a kid than to be splashing through puddles with a parent cheering you on! If you do this, I’ll make you two guarantees. First, your kids will still be telling the story when school starts and that at least one of your neighbors will feel vindicated for all of the times they said that your family didn’t have the sense to come in out of the rain!

So when the whining starts and the search is on for a fun activity this summer, remember JAWS. And don’t forget to run through the sprinkler every now and then yourself! It works pretty well for grown ups too!

Parent Guide®

13

2012 Summer Camp Guide

Selecting the right camp is a process that can literally take months.

But it’s certainly easier when all the options are right before you. Here, ParentGuide® provides you with a comprehensive listing of camps throughout the Tampa Bay area so you can find the perfect camp for your son or daughter.

Just a scan through the list, and you’ll find camps for nearly anything and everything you can think of—camps that stretch the imagination or

andYear Round Programs get the body moving. There are camps for art, science, sports, recreation, music, acting, singing, dancing and more.

So take a few minutes and review them. Then, pick up the phone or go online and sign your children up for the camp that’s best for them.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Camp Name

Address

City

St

Zip

Phone

Web address

Description

Academy of the Holy Names

3319 Bayshore Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33629

813-839-5371

www.holynamestpa.org

Various

Avalon Riding Academy

18029 Lake Reflections Blvd.

Lutz

FL

33558

813-962-2292

www.avalonstables.com

Equestrian

Bayshore Christian School

3909 S. MacDill Ave.

Tampa

FL

33611

813-839-4297

www.bayshorechristianschool.org

Various

Berkeley Preparatory School

4811 Kelly Road

Tampa

FL

33615

813-885-1673

www.berkeleyprep.org

Various

Big Cat Camp

12802 Easy St.

Tampa

FL

33625

813-323-3265

www.bigcatrescue.org

Educational with animals

Busch Gardens

10001 N. McKinley Dr.

Tampa

FL

33612

877-BGTCAMP

www.swbg-adventurecamps.com

Animals / Adventure

Cambridge Christian School

6101 N. Habana Ave.

Tampa

FL

33614

813-872-6744

www.cambridge-christina.com

Camp Crisina YMCA

9840 Balm River Road

Riverview

FL

33569

813-677-8400

www.tampaymca.org

Various

Camp Frontier

18050 US Hwy 301 South

Wimauma

FL

33598

888-977-2267

www.campfrontier.com

Traditional Summer Camp

Camp IDS

12015 Orange Grove Drive

Tampa

FL

33618

813-961-3087

www.idsyes.com

Various

Carrollwood Cultural Center

4537 Lowell Road

Tampa

FL

33618

813-269-1310 ext. 205

www.carrollwoodcenter.org

Arts & Music

Carrollwood Day School Summer Camp

1515 Bearss Ave.

Tampa

FL

33613

813-920-2288

www.carrollwooddaysschool.org

Various

Cedarkirk Camp

1920 Streetman Drive

Lithia

FL

33547

813-685-4224

www.cedarkirk.com

Christian fun

Center Place Fine Arts

619 Vonderburg Dr.

Brandon

FL

33511

813-685-8888

www.centerplacebrandon.com

Art, Magic, Science, Etiquette, Modeling etc.

Child Life Preschool

13140 Lynn Turner Road

Tampa

FL

33602

813-968-5594

www.childlifepreschool.com

Various

Circle C Ranch Academy and Summer Camp

6204 Interbay Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33611

813-831-8429

www.circlecranchacademy.com

Dude ranch

Color Me Mine

1609 W. Snow Circle

Tampa

FL

33606

813-258-8368

www.colormeminetampa.com

Art

Dawson Dance and Theatre Academy's Summer Dance Camp

12615 Race Track Road

Tampa

FL

33626

813-814-7500

www.dawsondance.com

Dance, Cheer, Princess and Diva Camp

Forest Hills Presbyterian Learning Center

709 W. Linebaugh Ave.

Tampa

FL

33612

813-932-8789

www.foresthillspres.org

Various

Girls Scouts of West Central Florida

Various locations

813-281-4475

www.gswcf.org

Various

Holy Trinity Lutheran School

3712 El Prado Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33629

813-839-0665

www.htls.org

Various Weekly Themes

Independent Day School-Corbett Campus

12015 Orange Grove Drive

Tampa

FL

33618

813-961-3087

www.idsyes.com

Various

Jansen Dance Project

5330 Primrose Lake Circle

Tampa

FL

33647

813-979-2222

www.jansendance.com

Dance

FL

*Remember to check with your city of residence and your Parks & Recreation departments for more camps and activities.

Information has been obtained through various sources and is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the location directly for further information.

14

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Camp is the place to expand the mind, stretch the imagination and allow kids to be kids.

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

PreK3 - 5th grade/High School credited courses

Weekly

Day

$160 per special session and $335 weekly for Camp Jaguar

Summer

Yes

Ages 5 years and above

Weekly

Day

$400 per week

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

3yo through 6th grade

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

Infants - teens

June 1st - July 24th

Day

Varies per program, (Academic Credit Courses available at $2,100)

Summer

Yes

8 - 15 years of age

4 day sessions (various times June 15th - August 6th)

Day

$190 per 4 day session

Spring, Summer, Winter

No

Preschool - 8th grade

Weekly - Spring (April 6th - 10th) Summer

Day

Spring $200 per week; Summer $240 per week

Spring, Summer

Yes (1st - 8th gr)

K3 - High School

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

6 - 15 years of ages

Weekly (June 8th - August 21st)

Day

$130 per week

Spring, Summer

Yes

6 - 14 years of age

Weekly (June 15th - August 7th)

Day and Overnight

Day $275 per week, Overnight $1,600 for 2 weeks

Summer

No

PreK, 3 - 8th grade

June 15th - July 31st

Day

Rates vary for full or half day

Summer

Yes

Toddlers, Kids, Teens

Spring (April 6th - 10th) Summer (June 8th - July 17th)

Day

$180 for members, $200 non members per week

Spring, Summer

Camp Schedules early and late

2nd - 8th grade

Weekly

Day

$185 per week

Summer

1st- 12th grade

June 7th - August 15th

Day and Overnight

Rates vary

Summer, Spring

Ages 4 years and older

Various

Day and Evening

$36 for members; $46 non members

Summer

Up to age 8

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

1 - 15 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - August 10th)

Day and Overnight

$180 per week; $320 overnight

Summer

Yes

All ages

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

Ages 4 years - adult

Weekly and one 9 week early evening session

Day and Evening

Hours and prices vary

Spring, Summer, Winter

No

4 - 10 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - August 21st)

Day

$100 per week

Summer

Yes

1st - 12th grade

3 - 13 days

Overnight

$200 - $500

Summer

5 - 10 years of age

Weekly

Day

$130 per week

Summer

Yes

3 - 14 years of age

Weekly (June 15th - July 31st)

Half day, Full day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

Varies starting June 15th - August 14th

Half day, Full day, Weekly

Varies per program starting at $220 per week

Summer

No

Ages 3 and older

Log on to parentguide.com for more camp listings and updates!

Parent Guide速

No

15

2012 Summer Camp Guide HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Cont’d) Camp Name

Address

City

St Zip

Phone

Web address

Description

Joe Abrahams Summer Sports Camp

6925 N. Florida Ave.

Tampa

FL

33604

813-274-8615

www.tampagov.net/parksandrec

Various

John Robert Powers "On the Set"

5660 W. Cypress St.

Tampa

FL

33607

813-281-8880

www.jrptampa.net

Acting, Production, behind the scenes "on the set"

Junior Tennis Camps

Various locations

Tampa

FL

813-282-2902

www.tampagov.net/parksandrec

Tennis

Karl & DiMarco School of Theatre and Dance 19022 Geraci Road

Lutz

FL

33548

813-909-7346

www.karlanddimarco.com

Dance

Karl & DiMarco School of Theatre and Dance 4053 Henderson Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33629

813-289-3666

www.karlanddimarco.com

Dance

Language Playhouse

4920 Newkirk Dr.

Tampa

FL

33624

813-964-8800

www.languageplayhouse.com

Launguage immersion

Lightning City Gymnastics & Cheerleading

14214 N. Nebraska Ave.

Tampa

FL

33613

813-558-0035

www.lightningcity.com

Gymastics & Cheerleading

Lindamood-Beel Learning Process

701 S. Howard Ave.

Tampa

FL

33606

813-253-0453

www.lindamoodbell.com

Individual Instruction

Lowry Park Zoo

1101 W. Sligh Ave.

Tampa

FL

33604

813-935-8552

www.lowryparkzoo.com

Animals / Adventure

Mangrove Marcus Adventure Camp

locations TBD

813-274-8615

www.tampagov.net/parksandrec

Snorkeling, Fishing, Exploring

Mary Help of Christians

6400 E. Chelsea St.

Tampa

FL

33610

813-626-6191

www.mhctampa.org

Various

Mary Jo's Performing Arts Academy

15906 Maple Dale Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33618

813-969-0240

www.mjpaa.com

Performing Arts, Cheerleading

Museum of Science and Industry

4801 E. Fowler Ave.

Tampa

FL

33617

813-987-6000

www.campfun.org

Science

Odessa Christian School

19521 Michigan Ave.

Odessa

FL

33556

813-792-1825

www.odessachristinaschool.org

Various

Patel Conservatory at The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place

Tampa

FL

33602

813-222-1002

www.patelconservatory.org

Performing Arts

Performance Preparatory Summer Stars Theater Camp

809 W. Horatio St.

Tampa

FL

33606

813-831-5214

www.performprep.com

Performing Arts

Philip Shore Elementary School of the Arts

1908 2nd Avenue

Tampa

FL

33605

813-276-5712

http://shore.mysdhc.org

Performing Arts

Plant City YMCA Summer Camps

1507 YMCA Place

Plant City

FL

33563

813-757-6677

www.tampaymcs.org

Various

Police Athletic League of Tampa, Inc.

1924 W. Diana St.

Tampa

FL

33604

813-876-9363

www.paltampa.org

Various

Pump It Up

12878 Commodity Place

Tampa

FL

33626

813-854-2222

www.pumpitupparty.com

Games, Jumping & Inflatables

St. Francis Children's Daycare Center

912 E. Sligh Ave.

Tampa

FL

33604

813-231-4169

St. Lawrence Catholic School

5223 N. Himes Ave.

Tampa

FL

33614

813-879-5090

www.stlawrencecatholicschool.org

Various

Sylvan

Various locations

800-439-6282

www.sylvanlearning.com

Build Academic Skills

Tampa Bay Karate Kick for Success

4952 E. Busch Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33617

813-270-5592

www.kick4success.org

Karate

Tampa Garden Club's Kids in the Garden

2629 Bayshore Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33629

813-240-5272

www.tampagardenclub.com

Gardening and Nature

Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association Summer Camp

401 E. Seventh Ave.

Tampa

FL

33602

813-223-1524

Tampa JCC and Federation's Camp

13009 Community Campus Dr.

Tampa

FL

33625

813-264-9000

www.jewishtampa.com

Recreational

Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

Various locations

813-224-9622

www.tampaymca.org

Various

Tampa Museum of Art

2306 N. Howard Ave.

Tampa

FL

813-274-7328

www.tampamuseum.org

Art

Tampa Parks & Recreation's Summer in the Parks

Various locations

Tampa

FL

813-274-8615

www.tampagov.net/parksandrec

Various

Tampa Volleyball Camps

3213 W. Tambay Ave.

Tampa

FL

33611

813-323-1093

www.tampavolleyball.com

Volleyball

Tampa Yankees 2009 Summer Baseball Camp

1 Steinbrenner Dr.

Tampa

FL

33614

813-875-7753

www.tybaseball.com

Baseball Camp

Taylor Art Studio's Kids Create! Art Camp

611 W. Indiana Ave.

Tampa

FL

33603

813-274-8615

www.tampagov.net/parksandrec

Art

The Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Dr.

Tampa

FL

33602

813-273-4015

www.flaquarium.org

Aquacamps

FL

FL

FL 33607

Various

Education and Field Trips

*Remember to check with your city of residence and your Parks & Recreation departments for more camps and activities.

Information has been obtained through various sources and is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the location directly for further information.

2012 Summer Camp Guide

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

6 - 12 years of age

Nine 1 week sessions

Day

$85 per week

Summer

Yes

5 - 18 years of age

Weekly (June 15th - mid August)

Day

Approximately $350 per week

Summer

Yes

4 - 16 years of age

Weekly

Day

$125 per week

Summer

No

All ages

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer and classes

No

All ages

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer and classes

No

3 - 18 years of age

Weekly (June 1st - August 14th)

Day

$195 per week

Summer

Yes

2 - 18 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - August 7th)

Day

Rates vary

Summer and classes

No

Ages 5 - Adult

Weekly or multiweek

Day

Cost varies

Summer

Kindergarten - 8th grade

June 8th - August 21st

Day

$165 - $200 per week with discounts for members

Summer

Yes

8 - 12 years of age

Weekly

Day

$75 per session

Summer

Yes

5 - 14 years of age

June 15th - July 24th

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

Ages 3 and older

1 - 5 week sessions (June and July)

Day

$165 and up

Summer

Yes

Ages 2 years - 9th grade

Weekly

Day

Member discount $209 per week

Summer

Yes

Ages PreK - 17 years

One, Two, Three weeks available (June 8th - August 8th)

Half day, Full day

Rates vary

Summer

No

5 - 13 years of age

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer, Spring

No

K - 5th grade

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

Kindergarten - 7th grade

Weekly (June 8th - August 21st)

Day

$106 for members; $149 for non members

Summer

Yes

5 - 15 years of age (must have completed Kindergarten)

June 8th - August 19th

Day

Fees on sliding scale $475 - $1,265 for summer

Summer

No

4 - 10 years of age

Sessions

Day

Rates vary

Summer and weekly classes

No

5 - 12 years of age

Weekly (June 5th - August 21st)

Day

Sliding scale $50 - $100 per week)

Summer

Yes

PreK - 8th grade

Weekly (June 15th - July 31st)

Day

$125 per session

Summer

No

PreK - High School

Daily

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

Ages 5 and older

Weekly (June 5th - August 21st)

Day

$60 per week

Summer

No

1st - 5th grades

June 8th - 12th

Day

$45

Summer

No

Kindergarten - 12th grade

Weekly (June 15th - August)

Day

$60 - $100 per week

Summer

No

Ages 5 - 8th grade

Two 4 week sessions or One 8 week sessions (June 15th - August 7th)

Day

Varies

Summer

Yes

Ages 5 - 14

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

6 - 14 years of age

June 22nd - July 21st

Day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer

No

5 - 17 years of age

June 8th - August 21st

Day

$30 - $70

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

12 - 18 years of age

June 28th - July 1st, July 5th - 8th, & July 13th - 15th

Day and Overnight

$270 - $340

Summer

No

Ages 6-13

June 16h and 17th with Pre-game BBQ on June 18th

Day

$115

Summer

No

8 - 12 years of age

July 6th - 10th

Day

$75

Summer

No

3 - 15 years of age

Weekly and Daily

Half day, Full day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer

Yes

Log on to parentguide.com for more camp listings and updates!

Parent Guide速

17

2012 Summer Camp Guide

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Cont’d) Camp Name

Address

City

St

Zip

Phone

Web address

Description

The Goddard School

13401 Tampa Oaks Blvd.

Tampa

FL

33637

813-978-8100

www.goddardschool.com

Various

The Little Gym

4251 Henderson B lvd.

Tampa

FL

33629

813-282-8547

www.tlgsouthtampafl.com

Various Themes

The New Place Cultural Arts Center's Powerstories Girl Stories Theatre Project

2811 N. 17th St.

Tampa

FL

33605

941-518-5718

www.powerstories.com

Dramatics, Visual Art, Movement

USF Soccer

ATH100 4202 Fowler E. Ave.

Tampa

FL

33620

813-974-3317

www.usfsoccercamps.com

Soccer

West Coast Morgans Horse Camp

17126 Boy Scout Road

Odessa

FL

33556

813-920-9870

www.WestCoastMorgans.com

Equestrian

Discovery Point

Various locations

FL

Corporate 770-622-2112

www.discoverypoint.com

Summer Olympics, water play, arts and crafts, field trips and more

Primrose Schools

Various Locations

FL

800-PRIMROSE

www.primroseschools.com

Academic fun

Kindercare Learning Centers

Various Kindercare locations

FL

877Kindercare

www.mysummeradventures.com

Various

R-Club

Various locations

FL

727-578-5437

www.rclub.net

Various

Camp Cigma Magician's Camp

Various Locations

Sarasota, Tampa

FL

941-377-3971

www.campcigma.com

Magic

PASCO COUNTY Camp Name

Address

City

St

Zip

Phone

Web address

Description

Academy at the Lakes

2331 Collier Parkway

Land O' Lakes

FL

34639

813-948-7600

www.academyatthelakes. org/summer_camp.asp

various

Center Academy

Various locations

727-541-5716

www.centeracademy.com

Learning Disabilities, Academic Improvement

Jungle Bounce

1014 US Highway 19

Holiday

FL

34691

727-938-7600

www.junglebounce.com

Various

Kelly's Dance Academy

8500 Old CR 54

New Port Richey

FL

34655

727-376-7315

www.kellysdanceacademy.net

Dance

Noah's Ark Farm Camp

12971 Tyler Run Ave.

Odessa

FL

33556

727-455-4985

www.noahsarkonwheels.com

Animals & Farm Life

Pasco Arts Council's Art Adventures

5744 Moog Road

Holiday

FL

34690

727-845-7322

www.pascoart.org

Arts

Pasco County Parks & Recreation

36620 SR 52

Dade City

FL

33525

352-521-4182

http://portal.pascocountyfl.net

Various

Pasco County Parks & Recreation

4111 Land O'Lakes Blvd., Suite 202

Land O' Lakes

FL

34639

813-929-2760

http://portal.pascocountyfl.net

Various

Pasco County Parks & Recreation

7750 Congress St.

New Port Richey

FL

34654

727-834-3278

http://portal.pascocountyfl.net

Various

Sports & Field

2029 Arrowgrass Drive

Wesley Chapel FL

33544

813-948-5517

www.sportsandfield.net

Sports

World of Knowledge

1935 Abacus Road

Holiday

34690

727-934-3028

www.flwokmontessori.com

Academic

parentguide.com

FL

FL

*Remember to check with your city of residence and your Parks & Recreation departments for more camps and activities.

Information has been obtained through various sources and is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the location directly for further information.

18

2012 Summer Camp Guide

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

Infant - PreK

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

1 day, 3 day, or weekly

Day

$35 per day

Spring, Summer

No

$20 fee for materials

Summer program commited to monthly rehearsals for 1 yr

No

6th - 8th grade (audition required)

Six week session June - July

Day

8 - 18 years of age

Weekly

Day and Overnight

Rates vary

Spring, Summer

Yes

6 years and older

Half day, Full day, Full week, All summer options (June 8th - August 21st)

Day

Rates vary, discounts for early registrations and bulk weeks registered

Training and Lessons year round

Yes

5 - 12 years of age

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer and Year round

Yes

Infant - 5th grade after school

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

Preschool - Kindergarten

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer, year round

Yes

2 - 14 years of age

Daily & weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

7 - 13 years of age

Sessions (June 8th 26th, June 29th - July 17th)

Day

3 week sessions $600 - $710

Summer

No

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

3 years - 8th grade

Weekly (June 8th - July 31st)

Half day, Full day

Varies per program (est. $100 - $220)

Summer

Yes

Day

Summer

Ages 3 and older

Year round

Day

Rates vary

Year Round

No

Age 2 and older

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer, Winter

No

5 - 12 years of age (teens can apply as helpers)

4 day week (April 27th - 30th) (May 11th - 14th) (June 8th - July 16th - various)

Day

$110 for the 4 day week

Spring, Summer

No

6 - 13 years of age

4 day sessions (June and July)

Day

$150 per session

Summer

5 - 13 years of age

Daily and weekly (June 22nd - July 31st)

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

5 - 13 years of age

Daily and weekly (June 22nd - July 31st)

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

5 - 13 years of age

Daily and weekly (June 22nd - July 31st)

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

18m - middle school

Daily or weekly (June 9th - August 8th)

Day

Rates vary per program

Summer

Yes

Log on to parentguide.com for more camp listings and updates!

Parent Guide速

19

2012 Summer Camp Guide PINELLAS COUNTY Camp Name

Address

City

St

Zip

Phone

Web address

Description

Abba Dabba Summer Theatre Camp at Perkins School fo the Arts

2205 18th Ave. S.

St. Petersburg

FL

33712

727-397-8983

www.abbadabbatheatre.com

Musical & Drama Theater, Dance

All Star Baseball and Softball Summer Camp

3199 46th Ave. N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33714

727-528-3186

www.allstarindoortraining.net

Baseball & Softball

www.americanstate.org

Theater

American Stage

211 Third St. S.

St. Petersburg

FL

33701

727-8231600 x201

Amir Academy of Martial Arts

2700 22nd Street N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33713

727-821-4097

www.amiracademy.com

Martial Arts and other various sports activities

Apollo School of Gymnastics

2140 Range Road, Unit G

Clearwater

FL

33765

727-447-2108

www.apollogymnastics.com

Gymnastics with weekly themes

Bayside Gymnastics & Cheerleading

4400 118th Avenue

Clearwater

FL

33762

727-592-9232

www.baysidegymnastics.com

Gymnastics, Cheerleading, other various

Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf

14088 Icot Blvd.

Clearwater

FL

33760

727-539-7879

www.blossomschool.org

Programs for the deaf Educational with nature

Boyd Hill Nauture Preserve

2900 31st Street South

St. Petersburg

FL

33712

727-893-7326

www.stpete.org/boyd/ daycamps.asp

Bright Beginnings

2811 Belcher Rd.

Dunedin

FL

34698

727-799-5437

www.bbdunedin.com

Various Performing Arts

Broadway Training Institute

453 Broadway

Dunedin

FL

34698

727-712-7240

www.broadwaytraininginstitute.com

Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center

3940 Keystone Rd.

Tarpon Springs

FL

34688

727-453-6800

www.pinellascounty.org

Nature

Calvary Christian High School

110 A. N. McMullen Booth Road

Clearwater

FL

33759

727-449-2247

www.cchs.us

Various

Camp Foodies

2312 4th Street N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33704

727-209-1418

www.foodies.net

Cooking

Camp Outback

2640 Sabal Springs Drive

Clearwater

FL

33761

727-669-1914

www.myclearwater.com

Various

Camp Sonshine at Grace Lutheran Church and School

4301 16th Street North

St. Petersburg

FL

33703

727-526-8212

www.grace-lutheran.com

Christian

Canterbury School of Florida

1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE

St. Petersburg

FL

33704

727-525-1419

www.canterbury-fl.org

Various

Canterbury School of Florida

990 62nd Avenue NE

St. Petersburg

FL

33702

727-525-1419

www.canterbury-fl.org

Various

City of Dunedin

1920 Pinehurst Rd.

Dunedin

FL

34698

727-812-4530

www.dunedingov.com

Various

City of Largo Summer Camps

Various locations

Largo

FL

727-518-3125

www.largocamps.com

Various

City of St. Petersburg Summer Playcamp and Teen Camp

Various locations

St. Petersburg

FL

727-893-7111

www.stpete.org/recreation

Various

Clearwater Community Sailing Center

1001 Gulf Blvd.

Clearwater

FL

33767

727-517-7776

www.clearwatercommunitysailing.org

Sailing

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage

Clearwater

FL

33767

727-441-1790

www.cmaquarium.org

Coastal experiences

Club Z

Various locations

FL

813-620-3764

www.clubztutoring.com

Tutoring

College for Kids

Various locations

FL

727-341-3184

www.spcollege.edu

Educational

Coti Community Christian School

206 23rd Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach

FL

33785

727-517-0775

www.cotischool.org

Various Weekly Themes

Country Day Horse and Adventure Camps

11499 Vonn Rd.

Largo

FL

33774

727-596-1902

www.countrydaylargo.com

Equestrian

Cypress Forest Recreation Center

650 Pine Avenue North

Oldsmar

FL

34677

813-749-1152

www.ci.oldsmar.fl.us

Various

Dance & Circus Arts

1610 N. Hercules Ave.

Clearwater

FL

33765

727-461-0098

www.danceandcircusarts.com

Performing Arts

Dance Evolutions

40349 US Hwy 19 N. #402

Tarpon Springs

FL

34689

727-938-9008

www.danceevolutions.com

Dance

Delphi Academy of Florida

1831 Drew Street

Clearwater

FL

33765

727-447-6385

www.delphifl.org

Academic Fun

Dunedin Academy

1408 County Road 1

Dunedin

FL

34698

727-733-9148

www.dunedinacademy.com

Academic Fun

*Remember to check with your city of residence and your Parks & Recreation departments for more camps and activities.

Information has been obtained through various sources and is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the location directly for further information.

20

parentguide.com

2012Summer Camp Guide

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

5 - 18 years of age

Weekly (June 15th - July 17th)

Day

$140 per week or $270 for two weeks

Summer

No

Ages 6 and older

Weekly (June 15th - August 14th)

Day

$135 per week

Summer

No

5 - 17 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - August 14th)

Day

$150 per week

Summer

Yes

Young Children - Adults

Weekly

Day

$110 per week

Summer, Spring

No

Ages 3 years and above

Half day, full day, weekly (June 3rd - August 14th)

Day

$40 per full day, $23 per half day (discounted $10 per week if enrolled by April 1st)

Summer & year round programs

Yes

Ages 5 and older

Spring (March 30 - April 3) Summer (10 weeks)

Day

$125 per week (half day $85)

Spring, Summer, Thanksgiving, Holiday

Yes

Ages 2 1/2 and older

June 15th - August 7th

day

$100 per week (2 week sessions)

Summer

Yes

5 - 13 years of age

Weekly (various times June 8th - August 21st)

Day

$100 for members; $120 for non-members

Spring, Summer

No

Preschool - 12 years of age

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes No

8 years and older

One session

Day

TBD

Summer and year round programs

7 - 11 years of age

Weekly (July 27th - August 7th)

Day

$125 per week

Summer, Spring

No

Grades 9 - 12

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

8 years and older

Weekly (June, July, August)

Day

$290 per week includes daily entrĂŠe for four to be prepared at home

Summer

No

Kindergarten - 8th grade

Weekly (June 8th - August 21st)

Day

$80 - $120 per week

Summer

No

Ages 3 - 6th grade

Weekly (June 8th - August 7th)

Day

$140 per week

Summer

PreK - 1st grade

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

PreK - Adult

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

Ages 5 - 13

Daily, weekly

Day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

Preschoool - 8th grade

Weekly (June 8th - August 14th)

Half day, Full day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

1st - 9th grade

11 week session

Day

$679 - $724 for 11 week session

Summer

No

8 - 16 years of age

Weekly (June 9th - August 11th)

Day

$250 per week

Summer

No

Kindergarten - 12th grade

Weekly (June 8th - August 21st)

Half day, Full day

For members $165 weekly half day, $330 weekly full day, Non-members $210 weekly half day, $420 weekly full day

Summer

No

PreK - 12

Sessions

Day

Rates vary

Summer and private tutoring

No

Kindergarten - 8th grade

Weekly, 4 week sessions Middle School (June 8th - July 31st)

Day

$85 per week

Summer

Yes

K - 3rd grade

Weekly

Day

$125 per week (discounted $100 per week if signed up for 8 weeks)

Summer

Yes

2 - 12 years of age

Weekly (June 1st - August 14th)

Day

Rates vary

Summer, Spring

Yes

5 - 12 years of age

March 30th - April 3rd

Day

$75 with rec card; $112.50 without card

Spring

No

1 1/2 years to Adults

Various

Day

Hours and prices vary

Summer, Spring

No

4 years and older

Weekly (July 6th - August 14th)

Hours and prices vary

Summer

No

2 - 14 years of age

Minimum 4 week session

Day

Starting at $1,000 for 4 weeks

Summer

No

K - 8th grade

Weekly

Day

Reduced to $89

Spring & Winter

Yes

Log on to parentguide.com for more camp listings and updates!

Parent GuideÂŽ

21

2012 Summer Camp Guide PINELLAS COUNTY (Cont’d) Camp Name

Address

City

St

Zip

Phone

Web address

Description

Dunedin Fine Art Center

1143 Michigan Blvd.

Dunedin

FL

34698

727-298-3322

www.dfac.org

Visual Arts and Musical Theater

Eckerd College Waterfront

4200 54th Avenue South

St. Petersburg

FL

33711

727-864-8288

www.eckerd.edu/waterfront

Watersports

Elite Martial Arts

2710 Alternate 19 South

Palm Harbor

FL

34683

727-944-3836

www.1elitemartialarts.com

Martial Arts

Estuary Adventures

3000 Pinellas Bayway S.

Tierra Verde

FL

33715

727-867-8166

www.tampabaywatch.org

Marine and Environmental Science

Eurotech Soccer Academy

4200 54th Ave. S.

St. Petersburg

FL

33711

800-679-9830

www.eurotechsocceracademy.com Soccer

Future Flipz

1701 Coachman Plaza Drive

Clearwater

FL

33759

727-796-3547

www.futureflipz.com

Gymnastics

GameBreaker Lacrosse Camps

Various FL locations

800-944-7112

www.laxcamps.com

Lacrosse

Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center

1950 Virginia Ave.

Clearwater

FL

33763

www.GMKJC.org

Sports, Art, Drama etc.

Great Explorations

1925 Fourth Street N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33704

727-821-8992

www.greatexplorations.org

Various

Happy Workers Children's Center

920 19th St. S.

St. Petersburg

FL

33712

727-894-5337

www.happyworkers.org

Arts, Diversity, Literacy, Peace, The Environment

Learning Rx

3440 East Lake Rd., Ste. 104

Palm Harbor

FL

34685

727-781-7323

www.learningrx.com

Educational

Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art

600 Klosterman Rd.

Tarpon Springs FL

34689

727-712-5226

www.spcollege.edu/museum

Social & Creative skills

727-895-5595

http://www.madscience.org/ locations/wstampabay/

Science

www.magicbeanvillage.org

Therapeutic programs and services for the disabled

FL

Mad Science

201 37th Ave. N. #123

St. Petersburg

FL

33704

Magic Bean Village

420 Second St. North, Suite C

Safety Harbor

FL

34695

Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall

1111 McMullen Booth Road

Clearwater

FL

33759

727-712-2706

www.hoffmanperformingarts.org

Art Classes, Drama, Dance, Music, Theater

New Horizons Country Day School

2060 Nebraska Ave.

Palm Harbor

FL

34683

727-785-8591

www.newhorizonsprivateschool.com

Various Weekly Themes

NoiseMakers' Rock n' Roll Summer Camp

5900 Central Ave., Suite K

St. Petersburg

FL

33707

727-345-7472

www.noise-makers.org

Basics Instrumental instruction, Music

Northside Christian School

777 62nd Ave. N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33702

727-647-0349

www.nck12.com

Various

Pinellas County Parks & Recreation

631 Chestnut Street

Clearwater

FL

33756

727-464-3347

www.pinellascounty.org

Varous

Pinellas Indoor Soccer

611 Commerce Drive

Largo

FL

33770

727-585-GOAL

www.pinellasindoor.com

Soccer and other sports

Practically Pikasso

1912 4th St. N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33704

727-822-5204

www.practicallypikasso.com

Art

Safety Harbor Parks & Recreation

650 9th Avenue South

Safety Harbor

FL

34695

727-724-1530

www.cityofsafetyharbor.com

Various

Santina Bay Academy

32820 US Hwy 19 North

Palm Harbor

FL

34684

727-216-9738

www.santinabayacedemy.com

Various

Shorecrest Preparatory School

5101 1st Street NE

St. Petersburg

FL

33703

727-456-7511

www.shorecrest.org

Various

Showdown Stage Company

302 Seminole St.

Clearwater

FL

33755

727-447-5347

www.showdownstageco.com

Theater

St. Paul's Discovery Camps

1600 St. Paul's Drive

Clearwater

FL

33764

727-536-2756

www.st.pauls.edu

Various

St. Pete Beach Summer Enrichment Program

7701 Boca Ciega Dr.

St. Pete Beach

FL

33706

727-363-9245

www.stpetebeach.org

Various

St. Pete Christian School

2021 62nd Ave. N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33702

727-522-3000

www.stpetechristian.org

Various

St. Petersburg Country Club

2000 Country Club Way S.

St. Petersburg

FL

727-867-2111

www.stpetecc.com

Golf, Tennis, Fun Camps

St. Petersburg Kidzart Summer Camps

Various locations

FL

727-823-0123

www.stpetekidzart.com

Art

Suncoast Waldorf School

1857 Curlew Rd.

Palm Harbor

FL

34683

727-786-8311

www.suncoastwaldorf.org

Various

Suntan Arts Center "Artzy Kids"

3300 Gulf Blvd.

St. Petersburg

FL

33706

727-367-3818

www.suntanart.org

Arts

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Oldsmar & Clearwater locations

813-854-4010

www.tbsa.com

Ice Skating & Sports

FL

*Remember to check with your city of residence and your Parks & Recreation departments for more camps and activities.

Information has been obtained through various sources and is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the location directly for further information.

22

parentguide.com

2012 Summer Camp Guide

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

Preschool - 14 years of age

Weekly (all camps June 8th - Aug 14th)

Day (half day preschool age)

$75 - $175

Summer Camp, year round after school art classes

Yes

6 - 17 years of age

Weekly morning & afternoon (June 1st - July 31st)

Day

$150 - $180

Summer

Yes

5 - 12 years of age

Weekly (June 3rd - August 21st)

Day

$95 per week

Summer and year round

Yes

6 - 16 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - August 7th)

Half day, Full day

TBD

Summer

9 - 18 years of age

Summer (July 19th - 23rd)

Day

Ranges $450 - 675 per week all inclusive

Summer

Yes

Ages 5 and older

Weekly, daily, hourly

Day

TBD

Summer and year round

Yes

3rd - 12th grade

Weekly

Day and Overnight

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

Kindergarten - 8th grade

June 15th - July 24th

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

1st - 6th grade

Weekly (June & August)

Day

$160 per members

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

6 - 11 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - August 21st)

Day

$50 per week

Summer

Yes No

PreK - high school

Sessions

Day

Rates vary

Summer

6 - 13 years of age

Weekly (July 6th - 17th)

Day

$125 per week

Summer

K - 5th grade

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

Youth and adults

Various

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

3 - 18 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - August 3rd)

Half day, Full day

$105 - $650 per session

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

Entering 1st - 5th grades

Weekly (June 1st - August 7th)

Day

$210 weekly non tuition families; $180 tuition families; $285 3 week school prep

Summer

Yes

5 - 12 years of age

4 weekly sessions (June - August)

Day

$225 per week

Summer

No Yes

6 - 12 years of age

Weekly (June 1st - August 2nd)

Half day, Full day

$85 - $135 per week

Summer

Daily, weekly

Day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer, Winter

No

Ages vary

Daily, weekly

Half day, Full day

Rates vary

Spring, Summer

No

3 - 14 years of age

Weekly

Half day, Full day

$175 weekly for half days, $275 weekly for full days

Summer

Yes

K - 8th

Weekly

Part and Full day

Varies per program

Spring, Summer

No

Grades 6 - 12

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

PreK - 12th Grade

June 8 - July 31

Day

Varies per program

Summer

Yes

11 - 20 years of age

One session July 6th - 26th

Day

$375 with family discount available

Summer

Yes

PreK - 8th grade

Weekly (June 8th - August 7th)

Day

Varies by length

Summer

Yes

1st - 6th grade

June 8th - August 14th)

TBD

Summer

Yes

K - 8th grade

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

No

5 - 18 years of age

Weekly (June - August)

Day

Summer only memberships available $150 per week

Summer

No

PreK - 5th grade

Weekly

Day

Cost varies by location - average cost $100 - $165 per week

Summer

Day

K - 8th grade

Weekly

Day

Rates vary

Summer

Yes

5 - 15 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - 26th)

5 - 12 years of age

Weekly (Various June 8th - August 21st)

$110 weekly for members/$140 non-members Day

$160 per week

Yes Summer and classes

No

Log on to parentguide.com for more camp listings and updates!

Parent Guide速

23

2012 Summer Camp Guide PINELLAS COUNTY (Cont’d) Camp Name

Address

City

St

Zip

Phone

Web address

Description

Tampa Bay Turners

2301 26th St. N.

St. Petersburg

FL

33713

727-328-8500

www.tampabayturners.com

Gym, Swim, Fitness

The Pier Aquarium Summer Marine Adventures

800 2nd Ave. NE

St. Petersburg

FL

33701

727-895-7437

www.pieraquarium.org

Marine Science

Tutoring Club of Palm Harbor

32740 US Highway 19 N.

Palm Harbor

FL

34684

727-781-8886

www.tutoringclub.com

Academic

Victory Gym

805 Stevens Ave.

Oldsmar

FL

34677

813-925-0060

www.victorygtc.net

Gymnastics

Wellington

8000 Starkey Rd.

Seminole

FL

33777

727-528-8717 ext 213

www.wellingtonschool.com

Various Camps and Clubs

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg

Various locations

FL

727-328-9622

www.stpeteymca.org

Various

YMCA of the Suncoast

Various locations

FL

727-467-9622

www.ymcasuncoast.org

Various

OTHER COUNTIES Camp Name

Address

City

St

Zip

Phone

County

Web address

Night Owls

7600 Lyons Road

Coconut Creek

FL

33073

954-571-8709

Broward

www.kidsloveelc.com

Valley View Equestrian Ranch

606 Valley View Rd.

Cloudland

GA

30731

706-862-2231

Chattooga

www.valleyviewranch.com

The Pritikin Family Program

19735 Turnberry Way

Aventura

FL

33160

800-327-4914

Dade

www.pritikin.com

Camp Challenge by Easter Seals of FL, Inc.

31600 Camp Challenge Rd.

Sorrento

FL

32776

352-383-4711

Lake

www.fl.easterseals.com/campchallenge

Camp Thunderbird

909 E. Welch Rd.

Apopka

FL

32712

407-889-8088

Orange

www.questinc.org

Camp Wewa

221 S. Binion Rd.

Apopka

FL

32703

407-886-1240

Orange

www.ymcawewa.org

Digital Media Academy at University of Central Florida

4000 Central Florida Blvd.

Orlando

FL

32816

866-656-3342

Orange

www.digitalmediaacademy.org

Giant Campus at University of Central Florida

4000 Central Florida Blvd.

Orlando

FL

32816

888-904-2267

Orange

www.giantcampus.com

Camp Vanguard

Mailing Address P. O. Box 417, Norwood, NJ 07648

Haines City

FL

33844

800-365-0556

Polk

www.newimagecamp.com

Destination Aviation: Florida Air Museum at Sun n' Fun Campus

4175 Medulla Road

Lakeland

FL

33811

863-904-4073

Polk

www.floridaairmuseum.org

Florida Lions Camp

2819 Tiger Lake Road

Lakes Wales

FL

33898

863-696-1948

Polk

www.lionscampfl.org

G. Wiz at the Science Museum

1001 Boulevard of the Arts

Sarasota

FL

34236

941-3094949 x119

Sarasota

www.gwiz.org

Mote Marine Aquarium

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway

Sarasota

FL

34236

941-3884441 x229

Sarasota

www.mote.org/summerprograms

National Camps for Blind Children/Adults

Various locations in the US and Canada

402-4880981 x222

Various

www.blindcamps.org

Riverview Camp for GIrls

P.O. Box 299

800-882-0722

Dekalb

www.riverviewcamp.com

Mentone

AL

35984

*Remember to check with your city of residence and your Parks & Recreation departments for more camps and activities.

Information has been obtained through various sources and is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the location directly for further information.

2012 Summer Camp Guide

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

4 - 14 years of age

Daily or weekly (June - August)

Day

$27 per day

Summer

Yes

Day

$185 - $250

Summer

Day

Rates vary per program

Summer

No

Spring, Summer, Winter

No

6 - 13 years of age K - 12th

Daily

Ages 4 years and older

Weekly

Day

Half day $25 per day or $115 for 5 days, Full day $35 or $155 for 5 days

5 - 12 years of age

Two week sessions (June 8th - July 31st) Add-on week (August 3rd - 7th)

Day

Pre-K - Kindergarten graduates $334 (Add-on week $167); 1st - 4th grade graduates $353 (Add-on week $177); Summer 5th - 6th grade graduates $405 (Add-on week $202)

Yes

5 and up

Weekly - Spring (March 30th - April 3rd) Summer (June 9th - August 15th)

Day

Rates vary per program

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

5 and up

Weekly - Spring (March 30th - April 3rd) Summer (June 9th - August 15th)

Day

Rates vary per program

Spring, Summer, Winter

Yes

Description

Ages/Grades

Dates (session length)

Type

Cost

Season

Extra Care Available

Diverse camp activities

3 - 8th grade

Three 2 - 4 week sessions (June 8th - July 31st)

Overnight

Rates vary with all three sessions $6,040

Summer

Included

Equestrian for girls

8 - 17 years of age

Four 1 week sessions (June 8th - August 7th)

Overnight

Rates vary per session

Summer

N/A

Health & Fitness

8 - 18 years of age

Kids 8 - 16 years (June 27th - July 10th)

Overnight

Kids $1,500 for one week, $2,500 for two weeks Adults $3,900 for one week, $6,700 for two weeks

Summer and Year Round All inclusive Wellness Program

Special needs

Ages 6 and older with physical or cognitive disabilities

Various 6 - 12 day sessions (June & July)

Overnight

Cost based on length of stay and care needs

Summer

N/A

Self-esteem and socialization for developmentally disabled

5 years and older

6 and 12 day overnight sessions (June - August)

Overnight

$501 - $650 per week

Spring Summer

N/A

Traditional

7 - 15 years of age

2 week sessions (June 7th - August 21st)

Overnight

Rates vary with a sliding scale - refer to website

Spring Summer

Included in overnight

Digital Media & Computer Training

7 - 18 years of age

Weekly (June 22 - July 17th)

Day and Overnight

Rates vary - refer to website

Summer

Included in overnight

Tech, Digital Media & Gaming

10 - 17 years of age

Weekly (June 8th - July 10th)

Overnight

Rates vary - refer to website

Summer

Included in overnight

Weight Loss & Fitness

7 - 18 years of age

2 to 6 week programs

Overnight

Rates start at $2650

Summer

N/A

Aviation

11 - 18 years of age

Weekly

Day and Overnight

$250 per week day camp; $625 residential

Summer

N/A

Traditional activites establishing independence for visual and disabling impairments

Ages 5 and older

Weekly, weekends

Overnight

Starts at $350

Summer, Holiday and year round programs

Included in overnight

Science

PreK - 8th grade

Weekly (June 8th - August 14th)

Day

$180 - $290 with discounts for members

Marine Science

Ages 2 - 12th grade

Half day, full day

Day and Overnight

Starting at $115 to $1,000

Summer

No

Self-esteem, confidence Youth and Adults and physical vigor

Weekly

Overnight

Free camp with $35 processing fee

Summer, Winter

Included in overnight

Diverse camp activities

Short and long term sessions Overnight

Rates vary based on length of stay

Summer, Spring

N/A

Ages 6 - 13

Yes

Log on to parentguide.com for more camp listings and updates!

Parent Guide速

25

Skycrest Christian

Summer Camp May 29 - August 10 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

For students entering 1st - 8th grades Only $135/week Activities include:

Fun Field Trips

Arts & crafts

Daily Bible class

Airheads

Pirate Ship

Outdoor games

Vacation Bible School

Florida Aquarium

Movies

Fun with friends

(additional cost for VBS shirt may apply)

Bowling

Future Flipz

Weekly trips to Morningside Pool

Celebration Station

Lunch out on Wednesdays

And much more!!!

Come all summer or pick your weeks!

For more information, contact us at 727-799-8467 or kgardner@skycrest.us.

Skycrest Christian School 129 North Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL 33765 www.skycrest.us 727-799-8467

BEST SUMMER

SUMMER CAMP LIVE!

CAMPS & MORE

www.parentguide.com

Pack Right for a Great Camp Experience What to

take and what to leave behind

By Kurt Goerke PACKING FOR CAMP ISN’T ROCKET SCIENCE, BUT IT IS MORE than making sure you don’t run out of underwear two days early.

It’s about being able to experience camp in the most involved and enjoyable way, and it’s as much about what you leave behind as what you take.

Most camps will provide a very detailed list of what you should pack for your child. Trust them! Your child may have some special needs that will necessitate variations from the list, but the general rule should be to “follow their directions.” They are the experts here.

In most cases, they started with their best guess as to what kids would need and have, after much experience, refined the list.

Camp Boggy Creek, located north of Orlando, is one of the finest camps in Florida. It is one of the Paul Newman Hole in the Wall Camps. Their weekly summer sessions feature an event called Silly Olympics. It is a camper favorite. In short, it is an orchestrated food fight. Campers don face paint that matches their cabin color; they

22 PARENTGUIDE 2009 CAMP GUIDE

What you leave out of the suitcase may be more What you leave out of the suitcase may be more important than what youwhat leaveyou in. leave in. important than

slip and slide on what looks like last night’s dinner. Because trust that a well run camp will leave them very little time to slip and slide on what looks like last night’s dinner. Because trust that a well run camp will leave them very little time to of this fact, the camp packing list asks parents to “pack an old miss it once they are there. If all else fails, remind them that of this fact, the camp packing list asks parents to “pack an old miss it once they are there. If all else fails, remind them tha T-shirt, an old pair of shoes, and an old pair of shorts that can camp is probably not the most hospitable place for their T-shirt, an old pair of shoes, and an old pair of shorts that can camp probably most hospitable get dirty and messy during our Silly Olympics.” There’s even a expensive gadgets, andisthat campsnot willthe repeatedly not be place for their get dirty and messy during our Silly Olympics. ” There’s even a expensive gadgets, and that camps repeatedly not be warning: “Some of these you may not want returned.” When responsible for lost or stolen items. Hence, they’ll havewill to use warning: “Some of these you may not want returned. ” When responsible for lost or stolen items.

Hence, parents don’t heed this packing advice, and campers show their allowance money to buy a new one when it gets lost or they’ll have to u parents don’t heed thisgopacking andnot campers show up dressed too well, they can either to a safeadvice, zone and broken at camp.their allowance money to buy a new one when it gets lost

well,discardable they can either to a safe zone andOther not things broken camp. (or checking for lest your participate orup aredressed offered too another shirt go by camp to avoidat packing or are another discardable shirt bychild camptry and sneak Other things to avoid packingtobacco (or checking for lest your staff. At Campparticipate Boggy Creek, staffoffered saves the day, but don’t something past you) include: staff.

At Camp Boggy Creek, staff saves the day, but don’t child try and sneak something past count on it at every camp. Follow the packing list. There is a products, alcohol and anything that might constitute you) a include: tobacco count on it at every camp.

Follow the packing list.

There is a products, alcohol and anything that might constitute a reason for everything on it, even if you don’t understand. weapon. Even the traditional camp pocketknife may not reason for everything on it, even if you don’t understand. weapon.

Even the traditional camp pocketknife may not What to leave out of the suitcase may be more important be welcomed. Money is another thing that can become What to leave out of the suitcase may be more important be welcomed.

Money thing that can become than what you put in, especially in the case of electronics. problematic at camp.

Many camps haveisaanother camp store and

than what you(which put in,won’t especially the case of electronics. problematic atbut camp.

Many camps a camp store and A child who brings her iPod be oninthe encourage you to send money usually limit it to ahave certain A child who her through iPod (which won’t be on the amount. Again, follow encourage you toguidelines. send money but usually limit it to a certa packing list) and listens tobrings her music earphones the camp’s packing list) and listens to her music through earphonesThe final tip isamount. follow the pack. camp’s guidelines. instead of paying attention to the archery safety instructions to ignoreAgain, the urge to over Think of it is counterproductive and a potential danger to herself like packing supplies tofinal climbtip a mountain. instead of paying attention to the archery safety instructions The is to ignoreYou thewant urgeenough to over pack. Think of i and others. What’s more, the child isand notafully participating food to make it to the top andsupplies back, but want to be is counterproductive potential danger to herself like packing towould climb not a mountain.

You want enoug in camp. laden down withfood excess weight. the packing and others. What’s more, the child is not fully participating to make it Also, to theremember, top and back, but would not want to Camps routinely start with ice breaker activities designed tends to get bigger as kids leave They will come in camp. laden down withcamp. excess weight.

Also,home remember, the packi to get the kids involved in a sharedstart experience, with T-shirts, craft projects and lots ofasdirty LeaveThey will come hom Camps routinely with ice forming breaker aactivities designed tends to get bigger kidsclothing. leave camp. team and making all aninvolved important of it.

Anything forming a little the front side, and you willlots make it clothing. Leave to getthem the kids in aa part shared experience, a room for this withon T-shirts, craft projects and of dirty that serves asteam a lifeline the usual home activities, like a part of it. Anything much easier for them haul for their belongings back to your andto making them all an important a littletoroom this on the front side, and you will make it playing a hand-held videoasgame or being to disappear car or the camp much bus foreasier the return trip. to haul their belongings back to you that serves a lifeline to theable usual home activities, like for them into the seclusion of an iPod, will foil or at least slow this Of course, when your child returns home, be prepared playing a hand-held video game or being able to disappear car or the camp bus for the return trip. to bonding process.

Your child may not be able to imagine a listen.

He will bring home enough fun camp stories to your be prepared t into the seclusion of an iPod, will foil or at least slow this Of course, when your child returnsfillhome, week withoutbonding their usual technological entertainment and ears for at least a day or two.

And if you packed well, none of stories to fill y process. Your child may not be able to imagine a listen. He will bring home enough fun camp may put up great resistance to leaving it behind.

Once again, the stories will be about running out of underwear! week without their usual technological entertainment and ears for at least a day or two. And if you packed well, none may put up great resistance to leaving it behind. Once again,

the stories will be about running out of underwear!

Akhj =e[ha[ Kurt Goerke is a father of two, writer, humorist and Regional Director for the American Lung Association.

Akhj =e[ha[

Kurt Goerke is a father of two, writer, humorist and Regional Director for the American Lung Association.

PARENTGUIDE.COM

Parent Guide®

23

31

Surviving the Summer

A guide for preserving parents’ sanity

By Ruth Broadwater

To bypass summer meltdowns and other behavior problems, try these tips for creating structure and for instituting family meetings.

Structure over Unstructured Summer

Summertime evokes the images of long, hot, lazy days on the beach or by a pool. Children who have an internalized structure can usually find ways to occupy themselves over the down months; however, those who lack an internal skeleton of self-control and self-direction tend to “go wild” without the routine and structure of school. Before parents resort to the tempting option of taking them to the zoo—not to visit, but to inhabit—try these techniques:

Guidelines to keep your child engaged constructively: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Get them involved in camps, programs and all creative activities that will keep them positively engaged. Art and drama camps are especially recommended for “special needs” children, many of whom have latent talent that is often overridden by their often more overt attention and focusing problems.

Keep to a schedule: get up at a certain time, have meals at designated times, with every hour occupied with some activity including “rest” time.

Put an incentive chart in place to keep the children—especially special needs children—working towards concrete rewards.

Set aside some special time for weekly family outings. These are highly recommended to promote bonding with children and, of course, for family vacations.

Involve the children in family-building activities such as preparing dinner, gardening, home-improvement projects, etc. Give them some tasks where they can contribute. This will also cultivate self-esteem.

Involve the children in community options through religious and local civic organizations to build a social conscience.

Make this summer a time to remember for all family members by acting now to ensure enough activities are in place to keep your children constructively engaged. If you develop a plan early on, you can avoid a migraine later down the road.

Family Meetings

Conducting a family meeting is an excellent preventative strategy or curative measure to address any familial issue. Here are some basic guidelines for carrying out a successful family intervention: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

The parents determine the topics/issues that need to be addressed and facilitate the meeting (at least initially).

The meeting opens with basic rules of participation: (1) everyone gets a chance to offer input or pass; (2) whoever has the “ball” has the floor; (3) when a problem is presented, a solution must also be solicited; (4) no shouting, name-calling or other verbal assaults allowed; (5) time is limited to one hour or less.

Start the meeting with a statement of positive praise for the participants and show confidence that resolution can be attained. If relationships in the family are particularly strained, opening the meeting with everyone having to say something positive about each other sets the tone for a positive outcome as opposed to a gripe session.

Present the topic/issue and elicit feedback from all members.

Come to a semblance of consensus.

Close with a positive statement about participation and future meeting agenda items.

If your family has regular instances of conflict, a family meeting may need to be held more than once a week. Post an agenda in a common area where family members can add to it throughout the week. Remember, children need strong, positive parental leadership that is democratic and not dictatorial.

Ruth Broadwater, M.A. (Marriage and Family Counseling), has taught parenting and worked with adolescents and their families for over ten years. She also works as a Family Coach and yoga instructor. Contact her at 727-641-1966.

32

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2012 COVER SEARCH

Submit your photo for a chance to be chosen for the Cover of Parent Guide速 or Tampa Bay Baby 速 or maybe used in our editorial pages throughout 2012!

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Helping YOU Find JOY!

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MONTESSORI ACADEMIES We provide an environment that encourages active learning through methods that stimulate the child.

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Affordable Tuition Temple Terrace 899-2345, 985-7829

New Tampa 979-4926

Tampa 933-4782

Summer Camp: What It Really Means

By Andrea Mitchell

58 PARENTGUIDE 2009 CAMP GUIDE

36

parentguide.com

As an adult, I understand what the experience of attending summer camp can mean to a kid.

FOR MOST KIDS, THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS ONE OF the happiest days of the year. No more homework, no more tests and no more teachers - hooray! You say “good-bye” to all of your friends and jokingly say, “See you next year.” For me, that particular phrase became especially important. Each year as I said farewell to my school friends, it always reminded me of the friends I made at summer camp.

From the summer I was 8 years old until the time I was 15, I was fortunate enough to attend a few weeks of Sleep-Away Summer Camp at Florida College. It was a time I looked forward to all year, sometimes even more than Christmas! Kids from all over the country attended my camp, and as a young girl, I made friends that returned each summer during those few precious days. I have many happy memories of those times and one

talk and lots and lots of laughter. That is, until that sad day when everyone had to go home. I can close my eyes and still see (through the tears) everyone getting on the buses to head back to their home state. Everyone would be hugging everybody and saying, “See you next year,” and we meant it.

As an adult, I understand what the experience of attending summer camp can mean to a child. You learn new things, make new friends and even learn how important it is to say “goodbye.” Those lessons can be very challenging but are important parts of growing up. Surprisingly, summer camp can impact your life in ways you might never expect. My best friend now lives in Alabama with her family, and her memories of our days as campers made her realize what those early years can mean to a child. It gave her a desire to get involved with teaching

important friendship I made has lasted a lifetime.

I met my best friend of 30-plus years at camp and am grateful each day that I have her in my life. She lived in Tallahassee while we were growing up, so I only saw her in the summer when we were roommates at camp. As the years went by and our friendship grew, we wrote letters, sent packages, and eventually visited each other even after camp was over. I’ve kept in “distant” touch with people I knew in school, but I find that my camp friends are the ones that became more dear. Maybe it’s because you only have that short time during the summer where you don’t experience the ups and downs of a regular school year? I’m not really sure, but I know that my life would have been very different if my parents hadn’t sent me to camp. Thanks, Mom and Dad! We had so much fun. Games, running, swimming, girl

kids and helping give them positive experiences they will never forget. She is now a director of a summer camp which is a sister site to the one we attended as young girls. Our daughters have plans to attend camp together, and although they live in different states, I hope their friendship will evolve and grow just like their mothers’.

A last interesting note about camp and the effect on my life; my friend’s co-director is her loving husband of 16 years.

They are currently in town visiting with us for a few days while they attend a director‘s seminar. We went out to dinner the other night, and joining us were a group of directors from camps around country. Just as often as it happens with any married couple, my friend and her husband were asked how they met. The three of us looked at each other, smiled and answered, “We all met at summer camp when were kids.”

7dZh[W C_jY^[bb Andrea Mitchell is ParentGuide’s® Event Coordinator. She is also a mother with a secret love of writing!

PARENTGUIDE.COM

Parent Guide®

37

59

A Summer You Won’t Believe Global Citizen’s Network trip to Xilo, Mexico.

Global Citizens Network

By Jessica Brady It’s almost summertime, and the kids are restless and ready for that exciting summer vacation. Maybe it will be a trip to Disney or a week at the beach, and if they’re lucky, they can bring a friend. But what if the kids were shocked to hear they won’t get to see Mickey this summer. Instead, they will visit the vast plains of Kenya or the mountains of Mexico.

They won’t be able to bring a friend, but they will definitely make new ones.

Kara Wiren, a single mom, along with her 13-year-old son, Hunter, from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. have traveled with GCN to Chicueyaco, Mexico and Maili Tatu, Kenya. In both countries, they helped the villagers build health clinics. Wiren, who has gone on many volunteer trips, enjoys traveling with Global Citizens Network because they allow children and immerse the travelers culturally.

share the same feelings, emotions, hopes and dreams. And to see the vast and colorful tapestry of culture and individuality that make us unique.”

“You are not just going and doing volunteer work,” she said. “You are getting to spend ten days with these people, every day working alongside of them. And that’s really what I’ve found so amazing about these trips with GCN.”

Global Citizens Network offers unique and diverse trips almost every month of the year.

Volunteers and families can travel anywhere from Ecuador to Thailand to Arizona and many places in between. Trips range from $750 to $2,050 and include in-country travel, lodging, meals, emergency medical and evacuation insurance as well as a donation to the village project. Airfare is separate and the responsibility of the volunteer.

A non-profit organization based out of St. Paul, Minn., Global Citizens Network (GCN) takes families and volunteers on trips throughout the world and across the United States.

Families will not only visit these countries, but will be immersed in the culture and daily lives of the villagers and communities. These trips are not only educational, but will instill value, culture and integrity to those who volunteer.

To travel and watch her son has been a memorable experience in itself she said. She was happy he realized that not everyone has an iPod or a computer and that these are things we take for granted. Although he brought his iPod and GAME BOY with him on their first trip, Wiren was amazed to find that he never turned them on once the entire time.

“It’s definitely worth it,” Wiren said. “It is very well organized and basically 95 percent of the money you raise for the trip goes to that village. There is no overhead or fluff. They (GCN) really have a good heart, and their intent really is to help those people as well as for Americans to be able to experience this type of thing.”

“GCN was started to provide individuals the opportunity to interact locally and internationally with people of diverse cultures who share common global values in order to develop creative and effective local solutions to global problems,” Executive Director Linda Stuart said.

“In our trip to Mexico, I loved just watching my son play with the other children,” she said.

“They had no way of communicating. They don’t even speak Spanish there. But to see him and watch him go off and play with the animals and children and see that it doesn’t matter that there is a language barrier or that they live a completely different lifestyle.”

Although many volunteers have the intent to help and make life easier for those they visit, Stuart explains that that is not all that is necessarily happening.

GCN really does their best to make familyoriented trips and views them as a valuable tool to bring families closer together.

“When you volunteer together as a family in a community of families, the youth see parents leading by example,” Stuart said. “Everyone is literally spending time together with no other distractions. The world becomes the classroom, and parents and children alike share values of love, peace, cross-cultural understanding and acceptance, plus listening.”

38

For others, like Rebecca Oberton, who has worked as an interim program assistant for GCN since 2004, traveling to places such as Africa and native communities in Washington State has changed her perspective on people and life in general.

“The organization has helped me to see not only how much the world’s people have in common,” she said. “People, no matter how seemingly removed they are from one another

parentguide.com

“We are being welcomed into the homes of individuals that often have a lot more to teach us than we have to teach them,” she said. “We collaborate on community-based development initiatives. We don’t help…we go to learn and come back changed and passionate about creating more change at home. Communities are empowered because someone cared enough about them to take two weeks out of their lives to come and share their time.”

For more information on Global Citizens Network, visit their Web site at www.globalcitizens.org.

Covert Ops Camp

By Jessica Brady

Dads, ditch the briefcases and take off the ties! It’s time to don your fatigues for an experience like no other: a Covert Ops mission in Tucson, Arizona. The heat is on and it’s time for quick thinking like James Bond and Jack Bauer while completing your “mission impossible.”

Incredible Adventures in Sarasota offers two or three-day Covert Ops programs. This fantasy camp is not for the weak-hearted.

The first two days will be spent learning counter-terrorist evasive driving, combat pistol techniques, self-defense, and countersurveillance and espionage techniques. Then, on the third day, everyone will participate in a live-fire hostage rescue operation with paintball guns.

“Basically, you learn everything you would need to know if you were on a S.W.A.T team,” Jane Reifert, president of Incredible Adventures said. “And the last day someone is kidnapped and it’s up to you to find the person and plan their rescue. It’s great. It becomes total chaos.”

All participants must have a valid drivers license and will be taught how to crash through barricades, run other vehicles off the road and “execute precision high-speed bootlegger turns.”

Trainees will be taught by Gordon Edwards who has over 24 years of experience in racecars, performance vehicles and evasive driving.

“The driving tends to be the most popular, because everybody drives and has seen car chases in movies,” Reifert said. “It’s like living out your own action-adventure fantasy in a movie.”

Self-defense will be taught to protect one’s self against one-onone enemy attacks. Students will be taught by Dennis Hebler, a retired 20-year veteran in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Hebler is a 7th Degree Black Belt who spent four years specializing in Euroterrorism in West Berlin.

“At the risk of sounding boring, all were tremendous experiences,” Martin Fox, who attended with his wife said. “Valuable as well, because a lot of skills learned could have everyday applications at home.”

Although Covert Ops sounds like the typical male fantasy, it‘s not strictly for men. Women and children ages 16 and over are welcome.

“Everyone absolutely loves it and has a great time,” Reifert said.

“Typically it’s men that come, but we did have a family of five come and they loved every minute of it.”

The family that attended the Covert Ops mission left with a tight family bond and memories to savor.

Lorraine Thirion, a Mom who attended with her family, says, “It’s a great family adventure.”

The next mission will be held the this fall around September, although exact dates have not yet been confirmed for the fall adventure. There are also Group programs are also available year-round.

For more information and Covert Ops dates visit www.covertops.com.

Parent Guide®

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Florida’s Trail of s e l t Tur

-----------------------------------------------By Geodie Baxter Padgett -----“Over ninety percent of all sea turtle nesting in the western hemisphere takes place in Florida,” says David Godfrey, Executive Director of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Sea Turtle Survival League. This, of course, makes Florida a prime location for conservationists as well as an area of concern, because sea turtles remain on the threatened and endangered lists.

Florida is home to five varieties of sea turtles, three of which actually nest on our beaches. Loggerheads, named for their unmistakable heads and mighty jaws, comprise the most prolific nesters, with many here in the Tampa Bay area. On any given year, between 50,000 to 70,000 Loggerhead nests dot the shoreline on both the east and west coasts. However, the high volume of nests doesn’t correlate to the actual number of Loggerhead females laying the eggs. In fact, reproductive-age Loggerhead females nest approximately five to six times during a particular season.

Green turtles, once savored around the world as a culinary delicacy and nearly wiped out of existence because of their divine taste, make up the second-most prominent species of sea turtle nesting in Florida. According to Godfrey, “There’s

a great deal of fluctuation in green turtle nesting.” This is because an individual female, for some unknown reason, won’t come back the following year to nest again in the same area.

Interestingly enough, what happens is a large drop off in the numbers of nests during those alternating years. “For some reason,” says Godfrey, “there’s a very distinct high year and a low year.”

The Leatherback turtle also nests in Florida, although primarily on the east coast. This unique sea turtle lacks the hard outer shell of its counterparts and instead has a fleshy material covering its back. But despite their soft shell, these creatures are the largest turtles on earth and can grow to the size of a VW Bug, “just not as high,” quips Godfrey. Satellite telemetry has tracked these animals migrating thousands of miles away from their nesting beaches. “We’re talking about an animal that leaves the beach in southern Panama, crosses the Caribbean, goes by Haiti, up the east coast of the United States to Canada, across the north Atlantic to Europe, down to Africa along the western coast of Africa and gradually back into the Caribbean,” says Godfrey. “That’s a two-year process. But we’re talking about 5,000 to 6,000 miles.”

Track a Turtle This educational program offered by the Caribbean Conservation Corporation lets classrooms and individuals around the country track the sea turtles’ travels. The organization uses satellite telemetry to monitor the migrations of many turtles after they’re released back into the wild. They’ve also developed classroom resources to complement the turtle-tracking project, and according to David Godfrey, Executive Director of the nonprofit, turtle tracking touches on a wide range of educational topics beyond turtles.

Leatherback with a Satellite Transmitter Harness, Panama

“Students also learn about scientific research, satellite telemetry and how satellites work as well latitude, longitude and plotting on maps.” Because the animals travel so far, teachers can also incorporate geography into their lesson plans as well mathematics such as calculating how far or how fast the sea turtles are traveling. Says Godfrey, “It’s kind of this cross-curriculum program based on the tracking of sea turtles.” Visit www.cccturtle.org to learn more.

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Photo ® Caribbean Conservation Corporation / www.cccturtle.org

--

Always the Turtle Lady

By Geodie Baxter Padgett

---Foraging in and about the Florida waters are two other species of sea turtles: the Hawksbill and the Kemp’s ridley. Coveted for their shells, Hawksbill turtles were nearly harvested to extinction in order to make combs or hairpieces out of what we commonly refer to as “tortoise shell.” Hawksbills eat primarily corals and sponges, hence the reason they’re found in Florida waters.

The Kemp’s ridley turtle, also found in and around Florida waters, nests almost exclusively at one beach in Mexico, Rancho Nuevo. Godfrey says that these turtles are critically endangered and were nearly wiped out by shrimp trawlers. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and other environmental and nonprofit groups lobbied for laws requiring shrimp trawlers to have nets with turtle excluder devices. Essentially, these contraptions allow the turtles to escape should they be caught in the net. Godfrey says that, while the turtle excluder device helped protect all species of sea turtles, it was especially beneficial to the Kemp’s ridley turtle.

Through the years, sea turtles have faced a growing number of threats in the Florida waters. One of them, Red Tide, acts as a neurotoxin in the turtle’s body and causes the animal to become “listless, lethargic, and non responsive,” says Susan Coy, a veterinarian technician at Tampa’s Florida Aquarium.

“The whole body shuts down.” Sometimes, the animals are so sick from Red Tide that the only way the aquarium staff can tell whether or not the animal is alive is to check its blink response. If the animal blinks, at least it’s alive.

When asked how she nurses a Red Tide turtle back to health, Coy answers, “with lots of TLC.” Basically, the Red Tide has to “flush” out of the animal’s system, and that can take a year or more.

According to Coy, any of the turtles that come to the aquarium for rehabilitation purposes are given a battery of tests upon their arrival. These test parallel the kinds of tests any doctor would give a human patient when he or she was trying to determine the cause of the patient’s illness. Blood is drawn to check the white blood cell count as well as other levels, and X-rays are taken to rule out any possible foreign body obstructions (i.e. fishing hooks or lines, etc.). Once the cause of the turtle’s illness is uncovered, the animal is placed in a rehabilitation tank, given the appropriate medications and Continued on page 42

She answered the call day and night, rushed to the ocean with hope and prayers and spent countless hours nurturing the sick and wounded. She’s a Turtle Lady on the Isle of Palms, a title bestowed upon a coterie of wise, loving women who dedicate themselves to saving sea Mary Alice Monroe, turtles. And while she the Turtle Lady prides herself on being part of the turtle team and deeply relishes the work she does with sea turtles, it may be surprising to read that this isn’t what she’s known for. Off the Isle Palms, the rest of the world knows her as Mary Alice Monroe, the New York Times best selling author.

Monroe recently released a new novel, Swimming Lessons, the sequel to her best selling book The Beach House. The story rejoins Toy, the primary character in the book, and follows her on a journey of healing and empowerment. Interestingly enough, Toy’s emotional revival parallels the physical rehabilitation of a sickly Loggerhead turtle that Toy rescues at the beginning of the book. Throughout the story, as Toy tends to “Big Girl” (the turtle), the readers feel each growing and gaining strength.

“I wanted her (Toy’s) recovery to parallel this particular turtle’s, so that at the end of the story, when she had gone through the journey, she finally laid to rest all the scars of her youth and was able to move on fearlessly,” says Monroe.

Of course, the turtle’s experiences at the turtle hospital coincide with Monroe’s real-life memories of nursing sick turtles. “Every turtle story (in the book) is true,” she says fondly. When asked about her favorite turtles, Monroe laughs and recalls the tale of Hamlin, the “Dive Belt” turtle. According to Monroe, Hamlin suffered from gas, a potentially deadly condition for sea turtles because they’re unable to dive to the bottom and feed.

To remedy the problem, the staff at the turtle hospital strapped a four-pound dive belt onto Hamlin. Soon after, he dove and ate his way back to health. “But it was just so funny to see a turtle swimming around in a tank with a dive belt,” says Monroe.

Continued on page 42

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Continued from page 41

Continued from page 41

Big Girl, her other favorite turtle, holds a special place in Monroe’s heart. Not only is Big Girl’s rehabilitation closely chronicled in Swimming Lessons, but Monroe had the amazing opportunity to help release Big Girl back into the ocean after she was healed.

nursed back to health. And, after rehabilitation, those that are healthy enough to survive in the wild are released “usually in the same vicinity where they were caught,” says Coy.

“She (Big Girl) went out to sea and dove under and said ‘goodbye.’ It was so beautiful… I was so euphoric, I was crying. I looked behind me, and everyone on the beach was cheering and crying, too. It was a beautiful moment-that sort of rare moment when you know you’re making a difference.”

Monroe’s desire to make a difference as well as her passion for sea turtles and nature moved her to try something unique in the publishing world. Along with the release of Swimming Lessons, she published a companion piece-a children’s book called Turtle Summer.

“I enjoyed writing that,” she says of her first children’s book, a journal-like story that shares the bittersweet tale of the turtles’ nesting habits. Monroe teamed with her pal and renowned nature photographer, Barbara Bergwerf, to capture the Loggerhead turtle’s cycle of nesting and laying eggs and the emergence of the hatchlings (baby turtles). Along with fluid story and gorgeous photos, Monroe weaves in pictures and anecdotal information from the turtles she grew to know and love at the turtle hospital. There is even a picture of Big Girl.

Monroe will likely write more children’s stories in addition to her novels because, as a self-proclaimed “grandmother in training” (she’s waiting for the day her eldest daughter gets pregnant), she genuinely believes in teaching her grandchildren about nature and the world. “I have all these things stored up that I’m dying to teach my grandchild, and that’s one of the reasons I’m writing children’s books….I feel it’s my duty to teach my grandchildren.”

But no matter how many children’s or adult’s books she writes or the acclaim she receives for her writing, when you ask her about work on the turtle team, she perks up and says, “I’m always a Turtle Lady–always, forever.”

For additional information on Mary Alice Monroe or conservation issues, including sea turtles, visit www. maryalicemonroe.com.

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Other threats turtles currently must face include problems from oil drilling, pollution, runoff from chemicals and fertilizers and entanglements in fishing lines.

Both Godfrey and Coy contend there are many things individuals can do to help protect sea turtles. For those living on the coast, one of the most important measures to take is to keep the beach dark during nesting season. “Light on the beaches disorients the animals,” says Coy. So, instead of running to the water, the hatchlings (baby turtles) run to the light.

According to Godfrey, keeping the beach dark doesn’t mean residents have to go without outdoor lighting. “You have to manage your light. You don’t want things shining on the beach.” This means beach dwellers can even have external lights as long as they are shielded and pointed in a direction away from the beach. There are also a variety of very user-friendly types of lighting that have been manufactured specifically to help protect sea turtles.

When it’s all said and done, it really doesn’t take much for human beings to have a huge impact on the population of sea turtles. The goal is to make it a positive one.

Saving Florida’s Sea Turtles Here are some surefire ways to help save sea turtles.

1. Buy a turtle license tag: Unlike many of Florida’s specialty license tags, the turtle tag was designed in conjunction with a grant to bring money directly back into communities’ efforts to help save sea turtles.

2. Join NESTS: It stands for Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival, and it’s all about getting coastal residents in Florida to become good stewards for sea turtles. The program rewards individuals and communities vested in protecting the sea turtle.

Visit www.nests-certified.org.

3. Adopt a turtle Adopt a turtle through the Caribbean Conservation Corporation or the Florida Aquarium. All donations are tax deductible and the money helps fund the work of these worthwhile organizations. Visit www.cccturtle.org or www.flaquarium.org for more information.

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2012 Suncoast Gymnastics

Summer Camps

Enjoy a summer of safe and physical fun! Our Summer Camps are for both girls and boys. The camps are for preschool children (3-4 years old) who can participate in the “Summer Sault” Camps. All camps have a theme and are filled with creative activities and hours of fun! This age group will use their imagination and go on daily adventures.

Our Day Camp has always been successful for children 5 years and older. The camp emphasizes the importance of movement for children. You will find a long day at the gym still is not enough for them, they never want to leave! Many games are played, exercise activities and arts and crafts keep the children interested all week long.

Suncoast Gymnastics Trinity 2510 Merchant Ave. Odessa • FL, 33556

Phone: 727-372-2211 PRESCHOOL SCHEDULE (ages 3-4)

RECREATIONAL SCHEDULE (ages 5-12)

Parent Guide®

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Be a part of what many Tampa Bay Families are already talking about!

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47

When Your Child Hates Their

Camp Counselor What do you do when your usually smiling and happy-faced daughter gets off the camp bus at the end of the day and tells you she hates her counselor? “She yells all the time, and she doesn’t talk to us!” Or when your son announces, “I wish I was in Evan’s group.

His counselor is much better than mine; he plays with the kids and is nice to them.”

After hearing similar comments for a couple of days, you decide that it’s time to do something—but what should you do?

First, you need to get as much specific information as possible from your child about what he or she dislikes about the counselor. This will be important information to have when you call camp to discuss your concerns. In some cases, you will find that this process will help you discover that the problem isn’t with the counselor at all, but rather that your child is having trouble in some other arena—perhaps social, or maybe adjusting to the camp environment—which is quite different from school or home and that disliking the counselor is a mask for this. This may still require a call to camp, but for a different reason than you anticipated.

If the conversation confirms that your child really is having a negative experience with the counselor, a call to camp is immediately warranted. Camps do their best to screen counselors, but since counselors are typically high school or college-age youngsters with a wide range of experience working with children, it’s possible that your child’s counselor doesn’t have all the skills to do the job well. In addition, sometimes counselors allow their own socializing with other counselors to take priority over focusing on the kids. This doesn’t mean they are bad counselors, but they may require greater supervision or help redirecting their focus.

Your first call to camp should not be to assume the counselor is at fault. It is best to speak to the counselor’s direct supervi-

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By Dr. Susan Bartell

sor rather than the counselor or the director of the camp.

Explain your concerns, using the concrete examples you’ve gleaned from your child. Be clear that you are calling to begin an investigation, NOT to make an accusation. Ask the supervisor what the next step will be. Within a day or two, the supervisor should get back to you after having observed the counselor’s interaction with the group and with your child. Since camp is only a few weeks in duration, it is fair to expect quick intervention and results, including positive feedback from your child and from the supervisor. If you don’t find the supervisor to be responsive, you should then call the camp director and lodge your complaint more forcefully at the next level. Unlike school, you are paying money for your child to have a positive, short-term, entertaining experience. You should expect to get your money’s worth. If it seems that the counselor does not improve, it is reasonable to expect that the camp will switch counselors or switch your child’s group.

Of course, it is possible that your initial call to camp will result in feedback that your child is misbehaving, not cooperating or otherwise requiring the counselor to act as a disciplinarian—which your child is interpreting as “mean” or “not nice.” Some children find the transition from school to the less structured environment of camp to be a challenge, evoking less than desirable behavior. In addition, since counselors are usually younger and less strict than teachers, kids may take advantage and misbehave.

If this seems to be the case, you will need to stop blaming the counselor and encourage appropriate behavior at camp so that your child can have a better summer experience.

Dr. Susan Bartell is a nationally recognized psychologist and author specializing in the issues of children, teens and parents. Dr. Susan can be reached at www.girlsonlyweightloss.com.

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE! Children in grades K-5 will have a BLAST with our engaging themed programs each week. Call today for more information!

Camp Dates: June 11 - August 17

Camp Registrar Contact Info:

Kate Griffin 727.821.8992 ext 211 kgriffin@greatex.org

1925 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33704 www.greatex.org

ON A

SUMMER VACATION

BY KYLA STEINKRAUS

TRADEWINDS ISLAND GRAND RESORT, ST. PETE Located on the pure white sand of St. Pete Beach, Tradewinds Resort offers a fine mix of relaxing luxury for the grown-ups and endless water activities for the kids. Explore the meandering waterway by paddle boat¸ spin some tall tales with Redbeard the Pirate,

WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS, SPRING HILL An original roadside attraction from the 1940s, the mermaids of Weeki Wachee remain a rich part of Florida’s heritage, and a fun day trip to boot. Watch the mermaids perform the aquatic version of “The Little Mermaid” from the 400-seat underwater-viewing theater. Cruise down the river on a narrated tour or take in an animal encounter show featuring snakes and alligators. Bring your swimsuit for Buccaneer Bay, which includes flume rides, tubing down a lazy river and a water-play area for the little ones. Admission including Buccaneer Bay, for adults: $26. Kids 6-12: $12. Five and under: free.

sample some salty fare at the unique Flying Bridge— actually a floating Florida cracker cottage—or get back out to the beach and whoosh down the three-story inflatable slide. In April 2012, the resort debuted Splash Island, a 15,750 square-foot floating inflatable water park boasting such features as a giant trampoline, 10-person rocking seesaw, slides, climbers, and of course, plenty of lounging rafts. www.tradewindsresort. com. Summer rates from $149.

TANKFUL OF GAS?...YOU BET!

One of the perks of living in Tampa is the close proximity to world-class theme parks and natural attractions that other folks have to travel thousands of miles (and drop some heavy cash) in order to enjoy. We have several vacation destinations in our own backyard—some well known, some a little more off the beaten track. Airline prices going up? No sweat. Gas prices sky rocketing? Not a problem. We can help you plan a summer packed with great memories at places close enough to visit and get back to your own sweet abode on a tank of gas or less.

GAYLORD PALMS HOTEL, ORLANDO Reminiscent of a stately mansion, the Gaylord Palms Hotel combines old Florida charm with topnotch service and amenities while still maintaining a kid-friendly environment. Take a leisurely stroll through the four acres of lush, tropical gardens enclosed in three distinct, Florida-inspired atriums: the steamy Everglades, fun and funky Key West and Spanish-infused St. Augustine. At Clearwater Cove, the zero-entry pool is perfect for the tiniest guests, while toddlers on up will love the Octopus water slide, marine life climbing structures, pop-up fountains, sand play area and waterfall.

Or try your hand at bocce ball, croquet, a nine-hole golf putting course or sand volleyball. http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms. Summer rates from $149 plus 4th night free.

NICKELODEON SUITES RESORT, ORLANDO This hotel is a theme park unto itself, boasting a zero-depth entry pool and a four-story tower that includes water flumes, slides, jets, climbing nets and of course the 400-gallon bucket that drops massive amounts of green slime all over you. High energy staff provides kid-friendly, Nickelodeon-themed entertainment both poolside and with nightly game shows in the state-of-the-art theater. Kids love being surrounded by favorite

DINOSAUR WORLD, PLANT CITY

Nickelodeon celebrities, whether they’re nodding off in the themed Kidsuites or noshing on waffles and pausing for hugs

Let aspiring paleontologists roam among the 150

and photos with Dora and Diego at a character breakfast.

life-size dinosaurs crouched among the trees and na-

www.nickhotel.com. Florida residents receive 20% off family suites.

tive vegetation at Dinosaur World in Plant City. The

Rates from $119 plus $25 resort fee per night.

dinosaurs, carefully crafted from fiberglass, steel and concrete, reach up to 80 feet in length. After dinosaur hunting, kids can explore the Prehistoric Museum, brush up on their dino-knowledge in the Movie Cave or sift through sand in search of real fossils at the Fossil Dig. Kids can keep up to three fossils, which may be shark’s teeth, dinosaur bone fragments or petrified sea urchins. A new playground, museum and several brand new dinosaurs will be unveiled in the fall of 2012. www.dinosaurworld.com. Adults: $12.75, Children 3-12: $9.75.

SEA WORLD, ORLANDO Explore an undersea universe at Sea World, a 200-acre park dedicated to the creatures of the deep. Feel like a giant ray as you skim, glide and soar head-first and face-down on Manta, Seaworld’s newest coaster.

Get soaked in the splash zone during the “Blue Horizons” or brand new “One Ocean” shows, where dolphins and orcas leap, dive, spin and splash. Feed and pet the dolphins at Dolphin Cove. Visit with penguins, seals and sea lions, otters, manatees, sea turtles and stingrays, walruses, and of course, Shamu the killer whale. When hunger strikes, dine with the sharks at Shark’s Underwater Grill, where you can enjoy filet mignon while a nurse shark drifts by in the massive aquarium next to you. www.seaworldorlando.com. Adults and kids’ tickets $71.99 when purchased online.

BUSCH GARDENS, TAMPA BAY Can’t decide whether you feel like visiting the zoo or an amusement park? Knock both items off your list at Busch Gardens, which not only boasts eight roller coasters but houses lush, sprawling habitats for tigers, lions, zebras, elephants, rhinos and more. Busch’s newest coaster, Cheetah Hunt, mimics the feel of a cheetah sprinting over the Serengeti plains as it launches guests down into subterranean trenches, around a canyon gushing with whitewater rapids and through a heartpounding roll inversion at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Also part of the new mega-attraction is Cheetah Run, an 11,000 square foot habitat for 14 cheetahs. Daily sprinting exercises allow guests to witness the fastest land animals on earth do what they are so famous for--run. www.buschgardens. com/BGT. Adults $77.99. Kids 3-9 $69.99.

ADVENTURE ISLAND, TAMPA BAY When the pavement is burning, it’s time to get drenched.

The 30-acre park’s newest ride, Riptide, is a four-lane matt slide that lets you race against your friends as you twist through a hairpin turn and then drop into a splash pool. Or try Key West Rapids, which plunges riders down six stories of twisting slide. Spend some time frolicking amongst the five-foot waves in the wave pool, chill out on the mile Rambling Bayou lazy river or spike it out on the sand volleyball courts. The little ones can climb and splash to their heart’s content on the water jungle gym at Fabian’s Fun Port. Don’t miss Island Nights every Thursday through Saturday night June 9th through August 15th. From 5-9 p.m., the park transforms into a Caribbean island, complete with live bands, tropical treats, and Polynesian dancers.

Adults $41.95, kids 3-9 $37.95.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS AND ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE, ORLANDO Spend a day or two exploring the sister parks. Both parks combine movies, TV shows, and pop culture with thrilling rides and coasters. You can soar above skyscrapers with Spiderman, battle aliens with the Men in Black or whirl through the pages of The Cat in the Hat. Islands of Adventure’s newest attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, creates a fully immersive experience in the wonder and magic of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.

Make it a mini-vacation with a night or two at the Royal Pacific Resort, which transports guests to the South Seas with lush, tropical surroundings and a luau featuring hula and fire dancers. www.universalorlando.com. One park: Adults: $82.00 Kids 3-9: $74.00.

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