April 2022

APRIL 2022

MEET TAMPA BAY'S BEE QUEEN: Elisha Bixler of @howsyourdayhoney Check it out on page 8

10 WAYS TO

CELEBRATE

EARTH DAY

EVERY DAY

THE PIER 60 SUGAR SAND FESTIVAL IS BACK: See what to expect in 2022

+ MORE APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com 1 YOUR GUIDE TO TAMPA BAY AREA SUMMER CAMPS

NEW LOCATION IN BLOOMINGDALE!

Closer to home .

Closer to care .

Now Accepting

Newborns and New Patients

NEW

Bloomingdale Office 901 E Bloomingdale Ave. Suite 501 Brandon, FL 33511 813.699.3995

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US HERE:

Citrus Park 813.471.4445

Trinity 727.376.4040

Riverview 813.689.7571

www.pediatricassociates.com 2

TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

Back-to-School and Sports Physicals

Get your kids ready for school, knowing that we’ve taken steps in our clinics to help keep you safe: n Prescreening patients based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines n Minimizing and/or eliminating time spent in waiting rooms n Requiring all doctors, team members, patients and visitors to wear masks n Cleaning lobbies/waiting rooms, exam rooms and all public spaces throughout the day with EPA-approved, medical-grade cleaning and disinfecting agents

With more than 200 pediatricians, pediatric specialists and family medicine physicians in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties, care for your family is always nearby. n Now accepting new patients. n Most major insurance plans are accepted.

22-2031950-0222

n Offering telehealth appointments when appropriate

Find a pediatrician and make an appointment online: BMGKids.org

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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APRIL 2022 CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER Laura Byrne ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anu Varma Panchal Brie Gorecki EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sarah Rigby

ARTICLES: 8 // COVER STORY: Meet Elisha Bixler of @howsyourdayhoney

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura Byrne Brie Gorecki Anu Varma Panchal Heidi Colom Julie Tingley Tara Payor, PhD Laura Cross Courtney Cairns Pastor Kalen Graham Ellen McVay Maggie Rodriguez Terry Kober, PA

11 // HOW TO PLANT A POLLINATOR GARDEN: Easy ways to bring bees, butterflies and more to your garden

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ralf Gonzalez

21 // THE WONDER OF THE TWEEN YEARS: Local parents share their top tips to get through life with tweens

LAYOUT & DESIGN Sarah Rigby CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Elisha Bixler Nikki McIntosh Ashley Draper Sanchez Sunny Collabs Brie Gorecki BOOKKEEPING James Anderson TAMPA BAY PARENTING MAGAZINE 320 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 220 Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone 813-949-4400 Fax 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com BECOME A FAN tampabayparentingmagazine @tampabayparenting @TBParenting

12 // LIBRARY HELP TO SAVE THE EARTH: Ways kids can save the earth with help from your local librarians 14 // EARTH DAY 2022: 10 ways to celebrate every day

22 // THE PIER 60 SUGAR SAND FESTIVAL IS BACK: What to know before you go 25 // FRESH AIR AND FRESH EATS: NEW restaurants in Tampa Bay that are perfect with the kids and for date night 26 // HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: How our local district is working to build Tampa’s tomorrow 33 // CAMP ADVICE: Design a perfect summer with half-day camps 62 // IT’S CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH: Learn how Mary Lee’s House Community Alliance of Tampa Bay supports families this month and every day of the year 64 // BIRDIE’S SURPRISE: How Johns Hopkins All Children’s Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia saved a little girl’s life

YOUR GUIDE TO TAMPA BAY AREA SUMMER CAMPS

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66 // RARE MAMAS: A mom’s journey with a child’s rare diagnosis leads to an organization to connect moms and families like hers 69 // BIKE SAFETY TIPS: What you need to know before your child’s next ride

EVERY ISSUE: 6 // APRIL TOP PICKS: Our favorite Tampa Bay events to experience this month 17 // KIDS TO KNOW: Meet Miles Fetherston-Resch of Kids Saving Oceans 18 // MOMS TO KNOW: Meet Sevi Lagos, Vasilea Kaplanis and Maria McAdams 70 // WHAT’S TRENDING on TampaBayParenting.com cover photo by Ashley Draper Sanchez, IG: @ashelydrapersanchez

Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year and distributed throughout the Tampa Bay community. Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.

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ON THE COVER: Wer're getting to know Elisha Bixler of @howsyourdayhoney. The mom of three has found fame on social media as she shares her honey bee adventures in Tampa Bay.

TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

Read more on page 8

TGH.org APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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APRIL TOP PICKS Our favorite family-friendly events in Tampa Bay

April 9: Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon at Adventure Island

Sunday afternoons are for family-friendly movies this month at the Tampa Theatre, and there’s nothing quite like viewing a movie inside this gorgeous historic building. Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for kids ages 2-12. All shows are at 3 p.m.

The 8th annual Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon will have your kids swimming through the lazy river, biking around Adventure Island and running on the ‘beach!’ Online registration closes April 8. The entry fee is $55. tampabaykidstriathlon.com

» » » »

Sing-A-Long Moana: April 3 The Sandlot: April 10 Hop: April 17 The Adventures of Prince Achmed: April 24

April 7-10: Winnie the Pooh, KIDS! presented by the Patel Conservatory, TECO Theater Disney's “Winnie the Pooh, KIDS!” is a delightful show based on the beloved characters of A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney animated feature film. Pooh Bear and all of his friends band together to rescue their friend Christopher Robin from The Backson. Featuring favorite songs from the film, as well as new hits, this honey-filled delight is as sweet as it is fun. strazcenter.org

April 8-24: Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival presented by Visit St. Pete Clearwater returns this year after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. This year’s theme is SANDimals: An Animal Adventure, and there are so many fun family-friendly activities planned. We’re sharing MORE about this event on page 22.

NEW Ice-Cream Parlor Exhibit at Glazer Children’s Museum:

Glazer Children’s Museum is partnering bs Su n n y C olla with Dairy Joy on the new retro-style Ice Cream Parlor exhibit that is inspired by the iconic South Tampa ice cream shop, complete with a pink awning, black and white checkered floors and playful nods to Elvis. glazermuseum.org

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April 9: Taste of the Straz The Taste of the Straz is back this year after a two-year hiatus. This is your chance to enjoy live music and entertainment on the Riverwalk at the Straz as you sip and taste food and drinks from some of the area’s best restaurants and microbreweries. Tickets start at $90. strazcenter.org

April 23: EcoFest at MOSI, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Celebrate Earth Day during the 12th annual EcoFest sponsored by Learning Gate Community School and MOSI. This event is FREE to attend and will include plenty of family-friendly activities and learning opportunities. learninggate.org

April 23: ZooBrews, 7-10 p.m.

ZooTampa is once again hosting this ALL-INCLUSIVE night filled with up-close wildlife, endless food, unlimited drinks, live music, games and more! Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend, so it’s a perfect date night! zootampa.org Check out our weekly TOP PICKS of things to do around Tampa Bay for even more family FUN:

NEW African Penguins at the Florida Aquarium: The Florida Aquarium just opened a brand new African penguin habitat. You’ll find it in the Aquarium’s outdoor plaza where you can engage with penguins, complete with underwater viewing. The Aquarium also welcomed six new penguins to its colony in collaboration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums through the Species Survival Plan. This ensures a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically stable population for the long-term future of the species. flaquarium.org

Easter Events in Tampa Bay: Spring Fest Fundraiser at Horsepower for Kids in Tampa Saturdays, April 9-16 We love the events hosted by Horsepower for Kids, and Spring Fest is a favorite! There will be pony rides, a petting zoo, Easter Egg hunt, animal encounters, live music and activities and so much more! Tickets are $12. Babies 12 months and younger are free. Make sure to bring your own Easter basket. horsepowerforkids.com

Easter Brunch Cruise on Yacht Starship in Tampa and Clearwater April 17, various times The Easter Bunny is ready to welcome you and the family aboard the Yacht Starship for a family-friendly dining cruise! In addition to your meal and live entertainment, the Easter Bunny will be hopping around to take photos with everyone. There are brunch and dinner cruise options at the Tampa and Clearwater locations. Prices start at $59.95 plus taxes and fees for adult brunch cruises and $44.95 plus taxes and fees for kids. yachtstarship.com FOR MORE Easter Events in Tampa Bay and where to take pictures with the Easter Bunny, scan here:

istockphoto.com/ Kristyna Vagnerova

Sundays in April: Family Favorites at Tampa Theatre

COVER STORY

Meet Elisha Bixler, tampa bay's bee queen IG @howsyourdayhoney | www.howsyourdayhoney.com

by Brie Gorecki, photos provided by Elisha Bixler

St. Petersburg mom Elisha Bixler has a sweet job. Her company, How’s Your Day Honey, bloomed from her passion for bees, beekeeping and honey. Bixler is dedicated to educating people about the importance of bees and how they play a key role as pollinators in our food supply. Her goal is to help build a sustainable environment and teach others to protect our honeybees.

How’s Your Day Honey produces and sells local honey and provides a bee removal service. Elisha began posting videos about her garden and bee removal on social media to inspire others and spread awareness about honeybees. In late 2020, she joined TikTok and has since gained over 800,000 followers.

In addition to helping the bees, Elisha is also a busy mom to her three children – Gabriel, 12; Adelaide, 10; and Quinn, 8. She recently talked to us about what she does and why she does it, and how we can do our part to save the bees.

I’ve always had an interest in plants and growing a garden and tropical fruit trees. I also like to know where my food comes from; it’s just a concern of mine. Our family was going through a ton of honey at the time. And I thought ‘I am going to start with a couple of hives in my backyard.’

So, I found somebody selling nucleus colonies. Those are just smaller, starter hives. I bought those and took off from there starting with a couple, and now I have around 125!

It was quite a journey, and a lot of mistakes were made. It was just such a learning curve.

I really didn’t know how complicated the bee world was. You think, ‘oh, I just want to have this honey. Just like gardening we can just start with a tomato plant, and you learn from there.’ Well, with bees it’s really learning bee biology, entomology and insect behavior altogether. It was overwhelming at times, but I pushed through and here I am! I like a challenge.

What do your kids think of the bees?

We’ve got our urban homestead here. We have a half-acre property and we’ve got chickens and ducks and lots of fruit trees.

We pretty much have an edible yard and the kids just love it.

My natured, barefooted children play outside and climb trees in our yard. My older two have had a hand in it. They’ll get a break from school and will help me.

My middle child really has a passion for it.

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How can you pinpoint the queen bee so quickly and what makes her different from the other bees?

If you were good at Where’s Waldo, then you can find it! It’s the same idea. It all kind of looks the same, but there’s just a slight difference in the way my eye just catches it. There are plenty of trained beekeepers who still cannot find a queen. Her abdomen is going to be twice the length from all the eggs and then her thorax on her back is going to be black and shiny. There’s no fur like her daughters.

The only difference between the queen and a regular honeybee is that she’s fertile. She was fed royal jelly as a larva, and it just made her fertile and she grew ovaries. The rest of the bees, her daughters, do not get the royal jelly diet. They get a mixture with something called bee bread and that makes them infertile. She goes out after she hatches, and she mates. She has all the eggs she’ll ever need. She only mates one time and then she comes back to the hive. The queen can lay 2000 eggs in a day!

My favorite fact is that the queen does nothing – she doesn’t even feed herself or groom herself.

She just has to do whatever her daughters say her daughters are in charge.

Your most viral TikTok video, with over 30 million views, was about “queen balling." What exactly is that and why does it happen?

A lot of different reasons—if there’s an impostor queen, if there’s a smaller swarm, or sometimes bees will try to move into an established hive.

They will kill her, and that’s just how they do it. They put her in that tight ball and buzz to heat her up and then they’ll bite her. Sometimes they’ll kill her when she’s not laying eggs any longer and she becomes kind of useless, so they have to get rid of her.

istockphoto.com/ Anastasia Gapeeva

How did How’s Your Day Honey get started?

Tell us about the honey process!

Is it safe to eat the honey that bees make even when they’re trapped in walls and uncommon areas?

When I do a removal somewhere, honeybees are very hygienic, so all their hives are pretty much sterilized there. All their byproducts are antibacterial antimicrobial, especially a product called propolis. They’ll kind of coat everything in it. Plus, if anything foreign gets in their hive, they’ll coat it in this byproduct to sterilize it. So, honey is mostly sterilized inside of a hive, even if it is like the one in a big bathroom shower wall I recently did. It’s perfectly fine to eat! I did offer some to the homeowners and they took it.

I don’t personally do anything with it because I’m not allowed legally to take it and resell it. It’s also an extra step that I just can’t take. It would be too much work.

Also, if it’s watery or bubbly, that means it’s fermented. Sometimes there can be too much moisture in honey and that can make it go sour.

Depending on your area, honey is seasonal.

You don’t get to choose whenever you want to get honey. It’s going to happen when a lot of f lowers are blooming called nectar f low.

So usually for Pinellas that happens twice a year, summer and then fall and after it’s done, it’s usually about four to six weeks that all the f lowers bloom all at once. The bees work hard collecting all the nectar. Once it’s done, they put it inside of their hives. They cover it up with a wax capping almost like a lid over each cell, and then I go in, smoke the bees, get the bees off of the frames, and take the frames inside to do my honey processing.

Then I cut off all those little lids called the wax cappings, put them in a centrifuge and then I thin out the honey. There is no shelf life for honey, as long as it doesn’t have moisture. It’s the moisture that ruins it. Now in Florida we have a higher moisture content of course, so it is a little more common to find fermented honey.

What can you tell people who have a fear of bees?

I would say never be afraid of the bees because it’s not common to be by a honey beehive. Honeybees are only going to sting you if they’re protecting their colony, and that would mean you being right by where they’re coming in and out of where their queen is, the babies and the honey. Any time there are children visiting a f lower out in your yard, I always tell them, ‘close your eyes and tell the honeybee I’m not a f lower. My name is – and tell them your name. Because then the bee will go away because the bee doesn’t want anything to do with you.’

Honeybees also die when they sting you.

So especially when they’re out and they’re working hard getting pollen and nectar, they’re busy. They have a job to do! They don’t want to end their life. Not unless they’re right by their hive and they have to protect it. They will fight to the death.

Raising butterf lies is great to teach children not to swat at anything or be afraid.

Being involved in it, you’re going to see that the insects are not going to hurt you.

I know people that are afraid of butterf lies that duck when a butterf ly f lies by because they weren’t exposed as a child, so they think, ‘oh no, something is f lying by. Get out of here!

What advice would you have for someone who wants to take up beekeeping?

I would recommend joining a beekeeper’s club. It’s the number one thing to do so that way you’re going to meet people, mentors … and there are mentorship programs. A lot of the local beekeeping clubs in Tampa and Pinellas have a ‘hive day’ where you can go out and experience it and get hands on and open up a beehive to really get the full experience to see if

this is the right hobby for you. Then you’re going to meet a network of people you know, just like a mom’s group. You’re just going to meet everybody and get opinions and just really get a feel for whether or not this is something that you want to go further with. There are a lot of people that join them and don’t get bees for years.

They just like meeting the people and they are happy with going in once a month and being with the bees.

Any final tips that you want people to know about the importance of bees?

So, these native bees, these are the ones that are in trouble. With honeybees, people like honey and we need honeybees for pollination. But our native bees are the solitary bees that live in our yard that we don’t even know exist. Letting native weed grow and leaving a piece of your yard untouched and unmanicured is good because that’s where the native bees are going to be. They’re mostly ground nesters or deadwood nesters. It’s really like spreading awareness for our sweet, beautiful, little native bees. That’s where my heart is and what I hope everybody can be a little more mindful about. Chemicals and yard sprays can pretty much contribute to the decline when people use pesticides or they see bees and they automatically think, ‘oh, I have to go spray over there because I saw a bee.’

We Also Visit Schools!

We offer a 60-minute honeybee presentation and bring an observation tank with live bees! We discuss how honeybees are responsible for most of the food that we eat and share some of our favorite bee facts. We also bring in tools, a suit and honeycomb to sample. This is always a fun educational hour that kids and parents go crazy for!

Is it true that local honey can help combat seasonal allergies?

I would say that it’s a tricky answer because it depends on your allergy, and that’s what I tell people at markets when they’re buying it. If you have an oak allergy then no, seasonal honey isn’t going to do anything for you. If you have an allergy to, let’s say, ragweed and some other f lowers in general that are blooming, then yes, it’s going to be excellent for your allergies specifically from your area. You want to find honey right from your neighborhood within a few miles.

For those oak and pine allergies, honeybees do not harvest any pollen, honey or nectar from those trees. Depends on what they are harvesting, but it’s the same idea—it’s just like taking an allergy shot. If you’re allergic to ragweed, honeybees will harvest from ragweed, and so they’re taking the pollen and nectar from those f lowers and placing it in the honey. And if you're having a little bit every day, you’re going to see improvement.

Bixler selling honey at a local farmers market. Find out how to buy her products at howsyourdayhoney.com

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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Simple Steps to Starting a Garden story and photos by Brie Gorecki

Whether you’re into bees or butterflies, starting a garden to attract them is simple! It’s easy and inexpensive and the best part is that it’s also a fun learning experience. Here are a couple tips on how to start your own pollinator garden to get the bees buzzing and how to nurture (and raise!) beautiful butterflies.

STARTING YOUR OWN POLLINATOR GARDEN Elisha Bixler, @howsyourdayhoney, has some advice to get you going!

This is my favorite! It is where my heart is. I would say native f lowers are your best friend and some of our native f lowering weeds. This is a very touchy subject because people don’t want the messiness or the messy look of the native f lowering weeds. We have a f lower, which I’m sure you’ve seen. It’s called Bidens Pilosa or Spanish needle, and it’s this little white daisy, and it is Florida native and is a major nectar and pollen source for all bees, not just honeybees.

For our native bees that we need that are declining so badly, I always tell people to just leave a small patch in your yard untouched and let some of those native weeds grow. It’ll really give you the biggest bang for your buck if you want to see pollinators in your yard.

I think most people assume ‘it’s just a weed, I have to pull it.’ But some of them are actually so beneficial for our native bees. They really need those little f lowers to build them through spring.

And if you want to buy a garden, I will say fully support our native nurseries or local nurseries. Sometimes the big box stores are not going to offer beneficial pollinating plants for our bees that are specific to our area, so they’re going to sell more of your commercialized things.

Also, they’re going to use systemic pesticides. Because they want the plants to look amazing sitting on their shelves. I like your local nurseries, especially the native local nurseries. They are going to offer you things for our Tampa Bay area and for pollinators.

STARTING YOUR OWN BUTTERFLY GARDEN It’s spring, which means the flowers are blooming and butterflies are all around! Starting a butterfly garden is a fun learning experience that can get kids comfortable with insects.

Monarch butterf lies are extremely common in Florida and easy to raise. They’re attracted to milkweed plants which can be found at any local nursery. Monarchs will lay their eggs directly on the surface of a leaf or a stem. They look like tiny white pearls and will start to turn grey right before they hatch, within 3-6 days. From there, the very hungry caterpillars will immediately begin to eat the milkweed leaves. They’ll continue to eat and will shed their skin 4-5 times over the course of about two weeks. Fun fact: caterpillars grow 100 times their size within that time frame!

Once they’re fully grown, they will form their pupa, or chrysalis, which will turn bright green. They’ll stay in there for about two weeks and once they’re ready to emerge, the pupa will begin to turn dark and then transparent. Once they emerge, their wings will look small and crinkly but after a few minutes, they’ll expand into a beautiful butterf ly!

A few hours later, their wings will be strong, and they’ll be ready to f ly away.

Although monarchs will only lay their eggs on milkweed, there are a variety of f lowers and plants that will attract them, along with other butterf lies, to your garden. Black-eyed Susans, bottlebrush, salvia, dill and parsley are great attractors while nectar plants like coral bean, coral honeysuckle and Tampa verbena can help provide nourishment that your newly released butterf lies will definitely need!

TIPS ON RAISING MONARCHS: » They’re extremely tiny when they first hatch and may be hard to see.

If you see lots of chewed up holes in the milkweed leaves, you’ll know they’re there! » Lizards and birds may think the caterpillars are tasty treats. You can buy net houses online to put the milkweed plants in and provide a safe place for your caterpillars to grow and form their chrysalis. » How can you tell the difference between a male and female butterf ly?

Males have two black dots on the bottom of their wings, while females do not. » They won’t hurt you! Once they’re big enough to pick up, you can hold them gently in your hand and when they become butterf lies, they’ll often hop right on to your finger before they f ly off.

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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Ways Kids Can Help

Save The Earth with Your Public Library

by Heidi Colom, photos provided by Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library

Little actions can add up in a big way, and as a family, you can take many such actions to help our planet. A good place to start is in your local public library, where you can participate in activities to learn about sustainability. Hillsborough County public libraries celebrate the support of our county government and families like yours who help our community grow and thrive by taking part in sustainable initiatives.

SHARE

SAVE ELECTRICITY

Libraries promote sharing! Work or study together in library meeting spaces or take a class with friends. Read, renew and return library books, media and other items to encourage borrowing and cut down on waste. You can even borrow educational kits, read-along titles that are hardcover books with full audio recordings, and tablets equipped with learning activities. HCPLC.org/Books

Turn off lights and electric appliances and unplug items like your cell phone’s charger when they are not being used. Several local public libraries such as the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library and the North Tampa Branch Library have solar panels on the roof in order to harness the energy of the sun. Many libraries have upgraded their lighting systems in order to reduce carbon emissions.

RECYCLE AND REUSE The library has cooking oil recycling stations.

Bring your reusable bag each visit. Hillsborough County periodically hosts electronic shredding events in order to prevent waste from destroying animal habitats as habitat loss is one of the main causes of extinction. You can learn more about endangered species in library books, eBooks, DVDs and streaming films.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD CHOICES Meat-free meals are encouraged in many places and ways such as Meatless Mondays.

And now there are many more meat analogues that taste good, are healthy and are reasonably priced. Did you know the public library offers many vegetarian and vegan cookbooks for all ages and in both print and digital formats?

Endangered Species book list: https://bit.ly/endangered_species_kids

Let’s Go Veggie book list for kids: https://bit.ly/kids_go_veggie Vegetarian and Vegan Cookbooks: https://bit.ly/plant_forward_cookbooks

SAVE PAPER

SAVE WATER

Collaborate on group projects and complete homework assignments using public library computers. Electronic typing on tablets and laptops has replaced a lot of note-taking. You can borrow a laptop at a number of libraries such as the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library and the Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library to take notes instead of using paper.

HCPLC.org/Books/Laptops

Fun fact: Turning off water when brushing teeth could save up to four gallons of water! Rainwater barrels and rain collection for watering plants is an option that is growing in popularity, and Hillsborough County offers extension classes about water conservation using the barrels. Your local public libraries have water bottle refilling stations as well as smart irrigation systems that sense how much water is needed.

COMBINE ERRANDS Because your local library offers online renewal and notification of holds, you can plan to combine a library trip with other errands. You can also bring your library items back any time as the library no longer has late fines for overdue materials. Both the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library and the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Public Library have electric car charging stations. HCPLC.org/About/Sustainability

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DONATIONS Instead of throwing away old clothes and toys, donate them to a local thrift store or second-hand store. You can also search for costumes and kids dress-up clothes at thrift stores. Your local branch accepts donations of old books and magazines, and library staff can direct you to places to safely donate technology and other household items.

Learn ways we can help make a better planet for us all to inhabit.

Earth awareness book list: https://bit.ly/earth_awareness You can use library resources to find information about protecting the environment. Your local public library is available to help with your sustainability goals.

CHRISTINA ANTON GARCIA , ESQ .

MARITAL & FAM ILY LAW Christina Anton Garcia is an award-winning Tampa Bay attorney with over 14 years of experience practicing exclusively Marital and Family Law. Mrs. Garcia has demonstrated professional achievement and garnered countless recognition in her industry. Along with numerous other honors, Christina has been recognized by Super Lawyers for many years and possesses a superb 10 out of 10 rating on Avvo.

A fourth-generation Tampa native and active member of the community, she leverages legal knowledge and extensive experience to provide her clients with the highest level of representation. Christina is focused on the best possible outcome for her clients whether in the collaborative process, the courtroom or a mediation setting.

Combining energy, conscientiousness and dedication with legal knowledge and experience, Christina Anton Garcia is dedicated to helping clients achieve the best possible outcomes in family law cases.

Education: J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law; B.S. and B.A., University of Florida

106 S. Tampania Ave. Tampa, FL 33609

(813) 907-9807

TampaAttorneys.com

With every generation, we get better at protecting our environment.

Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.

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10 Ways to Celebrate pr

il 2

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EARTH DAY Every Day

Eart h D ay i

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by Laura Byrne and Anu Varma Panchal

We only have one earth, and it’s on each one of us to nurture it, treasure it and protect it for future generations. We’ve all been taught to recycle and reuse, but this April, let’s think more creatively and pragmatically. Let’s pledge to buy less stuff, rethink fast fashion purchases, reduce use of single use plastics and even consider planting a tree or a pollinator garden.

Check out this list of ten actions that we’re considering taking that can help make our world a better place. We hope you’ll find at least one on there that sparks your interest!

ONE: RECYCLE OLD TOYS.

THREE: SHOP A REFILLABLE STORE.

Many of us donate old toys once our kids have outgrown them, but what about toys that are broken beyond repair or can’t be donated? Rather than tossing them into the garbage where the nonbiodegradable components will sit for years, consider recycling them. Mattel allows you to download a free shipping label to send back toys that they will then repurpose for new toys.

Hasbro, Spin Master, V-Tech and LeapFrog all partner with TerraCycle to recycle old toys and use the resulting parts to make everything from park benches to f lower pots.

According to the Environment Protection Association, packing and containers make up more than a quarter of municipal solid wastes. Think of a simple two-pack of a cleaning spray that might come boxed and wrapped in plastic. Consider a shopping lifestyle change and start visiting a refillable store to stock up on these essentials. At Luf ka Refillables in South Tampa, Seminole Heights and Wesley Chapel, you can bring your container (or buy cute ones from the store) to fill up on everything from facial products to home cleaners and sprays.

» Mattel: www2.mattel.com/en-us/playroom/playback » Hasbro: hasbrotoyrecycling.hasbro.com/en-us/toy-recycling

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While this can be a big-impact, long-term solution, it’s important to do your homework first.

Visit a local nursery or speak to a horticulturist to learn about native options that can thrive in our gardening zone without excessive watering. You don’t want to bring in an invasive species.

Also keep in mind that there are rules and laws that govern what you can plant in public areas. Check out the City of Tampa’s Community Tree Program through which you can request a free tree for city land, greenways or street rights of way. If you live outside city limits, contact Hillsborough County to see if your community qualifies for a tree grant. » www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/services/ treemendous-tampa » www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/propertyowners-and-renters/homeowners-and-neighborhoods/ action-folder/apply-for-a-tree-grant

FIVE: COMPOST! TAKE A CLASS OR LEARN FROM LOCALS. One of the most valuable forms of natural, organic, recyclable fertilizer is our food waste and yard scraps. Through the City of Tampa’s Backyard Composting Program, you can get a free bin and learn how to compost at home. Organizations like Suncoast Compost will pick up your scraps and drop off compost at a location for you twice a year. Turn composting into a family learning project—kids might get a kick out of the role played by worms in vermicomposting­­—or sign up for a class about microirrigation and rain collection with a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension class. » sfyl.ifas.uf l.edu/hillsborough/upcoming-events » www.tampa.gov/solid-waste/backyard-composting-program » www.suncoastcompost.com

istockphoto.com/ Olga Petrova-Apostolova

We love the Subpod, which is dubbed as the world’s first modular closed-loop garden system. You can place it in the ground or in a raised garden bed. subpod.com

ou

» www.crazycrayons.com/recycle-program » thecrayoninitiative.org » www.crayola.com/colorcycle

FOUR: PLANT A TREE.

-S

Old and broken crayons might be a mess to deal with, but if you toss them out, they can sit in a landfill indefinitely because the paraffin material they are made of simply won’t degrade.

But organizations like Crazy Crayons and the National Crayon Recycle Program work together to collect old crayons and turn them into new ones that kids can use. You can also ship your old crayons to The Crayon Initiative, which will melt them and turn them into new ones for kids in hospitals. Crayola’s ColorCycle program that collects old markers to reuse is on pause right now because of the pandemic but keep an eye on their website to see when it opens back up.

» www.luf ka.com

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TWO: DON’T TOSS OLD CRAYONS AND MARKERS.

SIX: RECYCLE ALMOST ANYTHING WITH TERRACYCLE. We all know we can recycle paper, cans and bottles, but what about makeup containers?

Toothpaste tubes? How about bread bags?

If you have something that you can’t recycle with your local municipality, check with TerraCycle! This organization teams up with numerous manufacturers, brands and retailers worldwide; you can sign up with them for one of their programs, download a free shipping label, and send them whatever you’d like to recycle. Their researchers work to figure out how to break down and reuse many things you can’t put in the recycling bin. www.terracycle.com

SEVEN: RECYCLE OLD BABY GEAR. TerraCycle also works with Target at certain times of the year on a Car Seat Trade-In Program that gives you a discount coupon for new baby gear in exchange for your old car seat, car seat base and more. You’ll need to download the Target Circle app if you haven’t already. The program has recycled more than 1.7 million car seats since 2017!

It’s not year-round, so check-in with Target or visit TampaBayParenting.com and we’ll post once the program active.

EIGHT: VOLUNTEER. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the country, surrounded by gorgeous waterways and natural wooded areas. Let’s work together to keep it that way! Local organizations such as Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center have regular cleanups and other volunteer activities scheduled for which people of a wide range of ages can sign up. Doing this as a family (or youth or school group) can teach kids how to be active stewards or their environment from a young age.

ATTEND AN EARTH DAY EVENT FAMILY DAY AT THE JAMES MUSEUM IN ST PETE | EARTH AS ART IN-PERSON PROGRAM April 9, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Enjoy a day at this museum for a kid-friendly tour, story time in the galleries and an artmaking workshop.

While exploring the beauty of the West, celebrate Earth Day by learning about natural resources and how to mix your own natural pigments for painting.

» www.keeptampabaybeautiful.org » tbwdiscoverycenter.org

ECOFEST EARTH DAY TAMPA BAY 2022 AT MOSI

NINE: LEARN THE RULES OF RECYCLING.

April 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You might think you’re helping the environment by putting as much as possible in your big blue can, but not everything is useful. Some things can in fact, cause harm, like plastic bags and cords that can snag the processing machines. Check out exactly what you can and cannot recycle (Spaghetti sauce jars? Yes, but cleaned and with lids removed) at the City of Tampa’s Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management website. The website for Tampa Bay Recycles brings together information from Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. » www.tampa.gov/solid-waste/programs/recycling-and-waste-reduction » tampabayrecycles.org

TEN: RECYCLE OLD CLOTHING AND TEXTILES. Fast fashion may be fun and economical, but it can wreak havoc on the environment. If clothing, accessories and other textiles aren’t in any shape to be resold or recycled, consider recycling them by checking the website of the clothing chain. For example, H&M accepts old clothing from any brand to recycle, and Nike will recycle sneakers of any brand.

Animal care organizations like the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and county animal shelters often accept clean, old towels as well. » www2.hm.com/en_us/sustainability-at-hm/our-work/close-the-loop.html » www.nike.com/help/a/recycle-shoes » humanesocietytampa.org/how-to-help/wishlist

Organized by Learning Gate Community School and MOSI, the 13th Annual EcoFest will be held on the grounds at MOSI, 4801 East Fowler Ave., Tampa.

The event is free and includes live music, workshops, demonstrations, informational booths, green living products and services. You can also learn from green businesses, environmental organizations, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists and organic farmers.

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APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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DR. KIRAN C. PATEL E L E M E N TA R Y S C H O O L A TUITION-FREE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL

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TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022 Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary School

10739 Raulerson Ranch Road, Tampa, FL 33637 info@patelelementary.org | PatelElementary.org TEL: 813-444-0660

Kids to Know

NEW Monthly Feature

MILES FETHERSTON-RESCH | Kids Saving Oceans www.kidssavingoceans.com

by Julie Tingley, @weemacree

To find TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year, both TIME and Nickelodeon search the country to learn about children 8 to 16 years of age who exemplify determination, passion, kindness, bravery and innovation in unique ways that are changing the world. No small task, and most certainly, a giant-sized honor for the child that receives this level of recognition. As finalists were identified, we were overjoyed to discover that one of our own extraordinary Tampa Bay residents made the top 20 list.

Miles Fetherston-Resch is known locally for ocean conservation through his Kids Saving Oceans nonprofit organization. However, this fourth grader at Shorecrest Preparatory School is also making headlines for his unparalleled passion, public speaking presence and entrepreneurial production. Alongside Earth Day this month, here’s a story of a Tampa Bay kid you must know!

TBPM: Your mission-driven efforts began with watching Shark Week and Shark Tank. What is it about sharks that made you feel like you should step up to effect change and make a difference?

TBPM: You’ve been called a Hero, a Champion, a Good Burger among many other recognitions, and now you are a finalist for TIME’s Kid of the Year. What are your most proud accomplishments as a social entrepreneur?

Miles: I learned during Shark Week that our sharks are in real trouble. They are apex predators, and we need them for healthy oceans. And a healthy planet!

There are so many interesting kinds of sharks too and they get a bad reputation because people are scared of them. I believe sharks should be respected and not feared. And when I started to pay attention and learn more about it, I saw that our oceans are sick, our beaches littered and our marine life dying. I do not believe this should be my generation’s inheritance. I knew I wanted to do something to help and after working to convince my mom, I started Kids Saving Oceans.

Miles: The awards are amazing. I feel very honored to have been recognized here in St. Pete and elsewhere. I am most proud of seeing other kids my age realizing that we aren’t too young to make a difference and to want to do more to protect our planet.

I feel like I am making a difference in the money I raise, and also in the other kids who become passionate about saving our oceans and planet too.

TBPM: From speaking to the St. Petersburg City Council about banning plastic straws and polystyrene to beating out four local businesses to win $5,000 at the first-ever St. Pete Pitch Night, you have been presenting the mission of Kids Savings Oceans in front of adult audiences since you were 6 years old.

Do you ever get nervous? How do you prepare for appearances like this?

Miles: Yes, I get nervous! It can be scary presenting in front of adults because sometimes they don’t take kids seriously.

But my mom helps me prepare for my presentations and talks which helps my confidence. I also take some time to take deep breaths before I speak. And I have a really fun pump-up playlist that I made before St. Pete Pitch Night that I still listen to!

TBPM: Who is your hero?

Miles: My hero is my mom, Jess. She has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and my passion. She is very supportive of me and my business and helps with the adult stuff like driving me to talks, events and other things. She has taught me it’s okay to make mistakes, that I’m not too young to make a difference and it’s important to stay true to myself and my beliefs.

When it comes to staying motivated in my pursuit for change, that part is easy – I want to be able to take my kids one day to swim in healthy oceans, walk on clean beaches and learn about thriving marine life.

TBPM: Tell us about the book you wrote.

Miles: My book is called “Kids Saving Oceans: Olivia Makes a Difference.” I was at an event a few years ago and local children’s author Tori McGee was there! I went up and asked her if she’d like to write a book with me and the rest is history! The process was really fun, and I really like how

the illustrations turned out. The story is about how Olivia wanted to do something to help – not like she helped her dad in the kitchen – but in a way that would really change the world. I won’t give away any spoilers, but it’s a story about how all of our individual choices – even for us kids – can add up to something BIG. You can buy the book at Book + Bottle in St. Pete (one of my favorite local shops)! It’s also available online wherever you buy your books.

TBPM: Do you feel like other kids can relate to or appreciate what you’re doing as a founder? How have your friends shown their support?

Miles: I do! I think a lot of kids are surprised to hear that I started my own business, speak to grown-ups, organize clean-ups and wrote a book. I have had a lot of kids tell me that they now do cleanups around their neighborhoods or every time they go to the beach – and that makes me feel very proud of the work I’m doing. My friends have been great! They go to cleanups I organize, help me come up with designs and even come work with me at my booth at local events!

TBPM: What are your goals for Kids Saving Oceans in 2022?

Miles: I have lots. First, I want to add at least six more designs to the ones I currently have [for clothing and stickers on his website]. Second, I want to continue organizing beach cleanups and talking to kids and grownups and politicians and business leaders about what we can all do to help protect our Florida beaches and water.

Third, I would like to find a business mentor who has expertise in raising money and I can ask them all the questions I have! And finally, I would love to write a second book!

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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Moms to Know SEVI LAGOS - VASILEA KAPLANIS - MARIA MCADAMS

by Julie Tingley, @weemacree

Tampa Bay celebrates many cultures, ethnic influences and diversity among its residents. However, one part of our area claims the highest percentage of Americans with Greek heritage of any city in the United States. The National Park Service lists Tarpon Springs’ Greektown Historic District on its National Register of Historic Places as a Traditional Cultural Property, which is a first for Florida. This designation marks Florida’s first recognized Traditional Cultural Property, and the first of its kind as a listed ethnicbased community in the United States.

As April captures the most important holiday on the Greek Orthodox church calendar, it is the perfect time to meet these three moms to know: Sevi Lagos, the matriarch of the Lagos family who stands out for her avid community support and involvement, and her daughters, two other notable moms Vasilea Kaplanis and Maria McAdams.

TBPM: Talk to us about your family history and background.

SL: My parents are American and Bahamian-born Greeks. My dad’s parents migrated from the island of Crete to America at a young age, leaving their beautiful island behind in hopes of a better future. My mother’s parents migrated from the island of Kalymnos to Nassau, Bahamas, also at a young age. True story—the first time my grandfather laid eyes on my grandmother was on their wedding day!

My parents met at a Greek dance in Miami, Florida where my dad was living at the time. My mom attended, (with her parents of course) and it was love at first sight.

Shortly after they were married in Nassau, Bahamas, I was born. [When I was] 16, my parents decided that it was time to move to Florida for the future of their three children. Through other Greek American families and friends, my parents were introduced to our Clearwater community and our Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. That’s where Mark and I met, more than 40 years ago! Our children and grandchildren have all been baptized in our church.

My husband and his family moved to Ohio when he was 10 years old from their beautiful island of Chios. Once Mark and I met, his family also moved to Florida and became a part of our thriving Greek community in the Tampa Bay area.

TBPM: How do you honor and celebrate the traditions of the Greek culture throughout the year?

MM: A few of the many traditions that we celebrate are Epiphany (watching the young boys dive for the cross at the Tarpon Springs bayou) and cutting the Vasilopita on the first of the year (whoever receives the coin is said to have good luck for the year). We also have carried on the tradition of naming our children after our parents. Vasilea has carried on my mom’s name Sevasti, naming her daughter after our mom. And I have also carried on the tradition of naming our son Andy after my father-in-law.

One of my favorite holidays in the Greek faith is our Easter and the events that lead up to the celebration. During our Holy Week, there are services every day and night taking you through Jesus’ last week of life. On Good Friday we decorate His tomb (Epitaphios) with flowers. Growing up, we would help our Yiayia and mother decorate the Epitaphios, and now we are blessed to be able to bring our children with us to carry on this tradition.

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TBPM: Tell us about raising this next generation of Greek-Americans, Sevi’s grandchildren and Vasilea’s and Maria’s children. In what ways have things changed since the Lagos kids grew up? How often do you go back to Greece with the whole family?

SL: We are blessed that our sons-in-law and future daughter-inlaw have been raised the same as our children, making it easier to continue and carry on our traditions. Not much has changed since I raised my children. My grandchildren now attend Greek school in person and via zoom, at our church. We have been going back to Greece with the whole family almost every summer! Everyone looks forward to it, and the grandchildren count down the days.

TBPM: Business savvy and an entrepreneurial spark seem to come naturally to the Lagos women. Tell us more about what you do! What inspires each of you to create and work at the level you each produce? To what do you attribute your business success to?

VK: Working and staying busy has always been a passion of mine. I loved working retail in high school and during summers in college to learn about the industry I was most passionate about.

My dad’s sharp business sense and work ethic coupled with my mom’s sense of fashion and creativity helped guide me to build my business in fine jewelry today. I own and operate an e-commerce brand specializing in 14k gold and diamond jewelry. My passion is creating custom pieces for our clients and continuing to dream up new ideas and designs. I’m continuously inspired by the special pieces I help my clients design, and love seeing their vision come to life.

SL: My creative side has led me to a fulfilling passion—designing and creating every day gold-filled and gemstone jewelry.

TBPM: Tell us about some of your favorite Greek-owned businesses in Tampa Bay, and of course, the million-dollar question: top three restaurants for the best and most traditional Greek food.

SL: We support so many Greek owned businesses! Doctors, restaurants, clothing boutiques … too many to name! The million-dollar question is a tough one to answer, as I cook traditional Greek food at home as well as my mom and mother-in-law. Some of our favorite dishes are dolmades, moussaka, spanakopita, teropites, pastichio and tzatziki. One place that does compare to authentic Greek food is Psomi in Tampa. It’s difficult to compare the quality of the food and ingredients in Greece to America, but I’m always happy to share recipes!

JANUARY APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

19

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The Wonder of the Tween Years

by Tara Payor, Ph.D.

On April 29, my firstborn turns ten. Aged 8-12, tweens face significant psychosocial and physical changes. The space between childhood and adolescence is exhilarating, exhausting and best navigated as a team. Tweens demand independence, but parent and child need each other. Dana and Carter Andersen, parents to Abby (28), Madeline (26), Carter (22), Bennett (20) and Wilson (14), are five-time tween-years survivors. Take in Dana’s insights so you can open heartedly let go of your babies.

TBPM: Finish the statement: the thing about parenting a tween is…

DA: Prioritizing and communicating your family values. Then, walk the talk and spend time together.

TBPM: Should parents be involved with tweens’ friend groups?

DA: It’s challenging because they care

more about what friends think—part of development. Still, tweens can’t handle total freedom about with whom they spend time. We didn’t value popularity—hard when they were excluded because we weren’t comfortable with a situation.

We value meaningful friendships and getting to know friends’ parents.

It’s a self less life and limits our personal time.

Based on extracurriculars, we encourage numerous friend circles. Belonging to various groups is part of life.

Phones support increased independence because tweens who’ve earned parents’ trust can communicate at designated times.

We try graduated levels of independence.

When disciplinary concerns occur, reassess commitments. Sometimes, insufficient sleep is involved. Sometimes, seek professional help. Society’s focus on perfectionism results in hiding or disregarding the need for licensed mental health professionals.

Let tweens know you’re a team. No shortcoming is earth shattering. Then, when there is trouble, they’ll seek you.

Nonthreatening conversations support honesty and remorse—key in all healthy relationships.

TBPM: Do you have a stance on monitoring cell phone activity?

DA: It’s our phone; we can check it. Phone

use ref lects our values and we don’t prioritize social media. Role modeling, I don’t use filters. Social media apps are damaging to tweens’ mental health but cutting them off from it is a type of social isolation because it’s their communication. So, we talk—about nudity, perfectionism and comparison.

Sports kept our kids off their phones and opened opportunities for connections grounded in shared interests, not looks.

TBPM: Suggestions for conversations about gender roles?

DA: Focus on intrinsic qual-

ities. Compliment tweens’ choices and courage. Physical changes are hard, and they’ll put weight on what others say about appearance.

TBPM: Thoughts on teaching work/life balance?

DA: Set boundaries. Say no.

Some things, like church and academics, are nonnegotiable.

Let tweens choose things like mass time. Unstructured time is important for restoration.

18, and Ben net t 12 Wils on 6, Mad elin e Abb y 20, Car ter 14, The And erse n Fam ily:

TBPM: What helped navigate increased independence?

TBPM: What about tweens and bullying?

ting go process. We’re continually letting go of life’s most important piece—our children.

things I dealt with. It broke my heart.

Helping tweens manage unkindness is part of parenting; they must also learn self-advocacy.

DA: Conceptualizing parenting as a let-

Nurture trust by allowing calculated risks, which builds confidence. Failure happens. Prompt intervention is key and is possible because tweens are gradually released into decreased supervision.

TBPM: What about disciplining tweens?

DA: Address situations immediately and

lovingly. Make disrespect intolerable.

Hold tweens accountable so they hold themselves accountable. Solid foundations limit high school issues.

DA: It’s one of the most challenging

We placed a premium on sibling relationships. Learning accountability and apology at home may decrease bullying.

Parents owe teaching about unkind words’ negative impact to kids’ future friends and family.

Recognize when intervention is necessary. Start at the school level; teachers and counselors have professional experience. Parents aren’t supposed to know everything.

TBPM: What are some favorite tween years memories?

DA: Cuddling. Talking. Knowing they need us. Time with tweens is a privilege—an opportunity to show we care. Tween years are gifts—setting the precedence for high school and college. I don’t regret a minute spent with my kids.

TBPM: If you could go back to your oldest child’s tween years, knowing what you know now, what would you say to yourself?

DA: Good job. Listen more. Worry less. Ask for help. Don’t take it personally when they pull away. Choose your battles. Enjoy, and keep connecting with your kids.

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is BACK in 2022!

by Laura Byrne, photos provided by Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival presented by Visit St Pete Clearwater returns April 8-24 for 17 days of awe and wonder!

We caught up with Angela Benak, one of the event organizers, to find out how they do it all and we’re sharing what you need to know before you go—which you should because it’s an event designed with families in mind.

TBPM: It must feel so good to be able to bring this festival back this year!

AB: We are thrilled to be back! It really is more than a festival.

It affects the entire community. It has a huge economic impact on the community so cancelling it the last two years wasn’t as simple as, 'no big deal, you’re just not going to have it.' There are a lot of artists, crafters and vendors that depend on this for their livelihood. It also has a substantial impact on the tourism industry.

TBPM: So—how do the artists do it? How do the sand sculptures stay together?

AB: It is all a result of surface tension. Custom wood frames and forms are built to accommodate the sand sculpture, the sculptors then fill and compact tons of layered sand into the custom forms alternating between sand, water and pressure. Each layer of sand is moistened and firmly packed into the wooden forms using a tamper tool. Some of the larger sculptures use jackhammers to tamp the sand into place. They start carving from the top, removing the wooden layers as they progress.

People always think they’re super fragile and super soft, but they’re not because of the amount of water and surface tension —they’re pretty firm and after they sit there for 17 days—they are really firm.

TBPM: Let’s talk about the SAND. It’s super unique along Clearwater Beach, right?

AB: Our sugar sand is very unique, and it all has to do with the texture. There are beautiful beaches all around the globe, but Clearwater Beach honestly has one of the most beautiful because the sand is pure and white and fine like a powdered sugar.

It is actually quartz crystal, and the quartz trickles down from the Appalachian Mountains. There’s an undertow that brings it down from the rivers and it swirls around (in the Gulf of Mexico), and it finds its way to Clearwater Beach.

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TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: TICKETS:

THIS YEAR’S THEME:

General admission tickets are best for families with kids according to Benak. Tickets are $12 for everyone 3 and older. There are discounts offered for some groups like on Frontline Fridays for teachers, fire fighters, police and healthcare workers.

SANDimals—An Animal Adventure. You’ll be invited to find your favorite animal in the sand sculptures, whether it’s inspired by a real, extinct or fantasy one.

To learn more or buy tickets, visit sugarsandfestival.com.

HOURS: The hours are a bit different this year if you’ve been in the past. » Sun-Th: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. » Fri & Sat: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

WHERE TO PARK: You can absolutely try to find a parking spot along Clearwater Beach, but another option that could be a lot of fun for the kids is the Park & Ride Jolley Trolley from downtown Clearwater which is FREE through April 30.

Park in downtown Clearwater and then hop onto the Jolley Trolley which will take you right to Pier 60.

FUN FOR FAMILIES: In addition to exploring the sand sculptures, there are rotating activities and classes each day of the event. There will be daily sand sculpting classes with a master sculptor; sculpting competitions to raise money for two Title 1 schools in Clearwater; a giant sandbox area where kids can build their own masterpieces; and live entertainment, a giant Ferris wheel, an expanded food court and daily meet and greets with the animals of the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center—a perfect fit with the SANDimals theme!

GETTING AROUND: This year, the festival is introducing two electric sand wheelchairs and bringing back two manual sand wheelchairs on a first come, first served basis.

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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FRESH AIR AND FRESH EATS! Spring fare for the whole family

by Brie Gorecki

Spring is here and this month, we’re featuring some of our favorite spots to hang out outdoors. With the huge burst of restaurants opening recently in Tampa Bay, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites to check out, whether you’re looking for a place to start your day off or end your night right.

CHECK OUT OUR PICKS FOR THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN TAMPA! Healthy food that tastes too good to be true? A restaurant where you can bust out into song after enjoying your meal? Several exciting restaurants have recently opened around the Tampa Bay area boasting fun, unique concepts. Here are some of our top picks of places to check out!

Bare Naked Kitchen

3915 Henderson Blvd., Tampa Bare Naked Kitchen features a menu filled with internationally inspired recipes using unique, fresh ingredients.

There are tons of items specially crafted for dietary restrictions as well as a kid’s menu. They also have patio seating to take advantage of the perfect spring day. eatbarenaked.com

Lala St. Pete

2324 Central Ave., St. Petersburg This unique dining and entertainment concept in St. Pete offers a fun new way to spend the day or evening. Serving up American/Mediterranean cuisine, Lala St. Pete offers world-class public dining areas, a rooftop bar and ready-to-rent private karaoke rooms. Their outdoor dining area offers an oversized Activity Garden with family-friendly games in a patio area. Besides the crafted cocktails and delicious food, you can also enjoy live music on the weekends and impromptu movie showings during the week. lalastpete.com

Himes Breakfast House

Crypto Street

309 Coronado St., Suite B, Clearwater Beach

True Food Kitchen

3645 Midtown Drive, Tampa Located in the heart of Midtown in Tampa, True Food Kitchen delivers creative, hand-crafted beverages and crave-worthy classics using fresh, quality ingredients. Their space has an abundance of outdoor seating where patrons can enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert. There is also a kids’ menu serving up allergy-free fare. truefoodkitchen.com

This crypto-themed restaurant can be found on the ground f loor of Clearwater Beach’s Residence Inn by Marriott. The menu is packed with American and Cuban dishes that boast cypto-themed names (Crypto Cuban or Bitcoinana Split, anyone?).

And yes, you can pay with Bitcoin! cryptostreetrestaurant.com

Dang Dude

Sparkman Wharf, Tampa Dang Dude is the latest concept from the masterminds behind Rooster & the Till, Nebraska Mini Mart and Gallito. Described as a modern and creative, fast casual Asian street food restaurant, they serve items such as dumplings, chicken wings, spring rolls and Rou Jia Mo (crispy griddled and stuffed Chinese f latbread). They also have an array of unique drinks such as milk teas, fruit teas and boba. sparkmanwharf.com

3826 S. Himes Ave., Tampa

The scratch-made fare is the perfect way to start your day at this quaint new breakfast spot. The folks over at Himes Breakfast House know that it’s the most important meal of the day and that’s why they use fresh, local ingredients. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty plate of eggs and biscuits or something simple like avocado toast, they’ve got you covered. They’re also open for brunch and lunch. eathimes.com

FIND MORE DATE NIGHT IDEAS AT TAMPABAYDATENIGHTGUIDE.COM

Dirty Laundry

1742 Central Ave., St. Petersburg By day, it’s a café with a laundromat-themed ambiance. But by night, enter through a secret door and you’ll find yourself in a funky speakeasy with a Cuban f lair. The café opens at 8 a.m. with simple offerings such as coffee and sandwiches. At noon, the payphone in the back of the “laundromat” turns on and visitors are given a password and instructed to head to laundry machine 2. The hidden portion of Dirty Laundry contains a cocktail bar and a stage, and guests can order tapas with a Cuban f lair. dirtylaundrystpete.com

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Hillsborough County Public Schools Building Tampa’s Tomorrow

by Laura Cross, photos provided by Hillsborough County Public Schools

In Hillsborough County Public Schools, our motto is Preparing Students for Life. For many students, that does not always mean college. There are amazing, profitable careers out there that require special skills, but not necessarily a college degree.

That’s the objective behind the district’s new initiative called “Building Tampa’s Tomorrow” which Superintendent Addison Davis unveiled last month. “I’m pleased to announce that Hillsborough County Public Schools will create two new high schools and a technical college all dedicated to specific areas of workforce development,” Davis says. “This is unlike anything that has occurred in this region; a totally innovative approach to help our students.”

Over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects tremendous growth in the building and construction industry. District leaders are meeting with local industry experts on a monthly basis to determine the most in-demand careers in construction. Through our research, we are developing the cutting-edge Hillsborough Construction Academy at Bowers/Whitley which will serve students districtwide in ninth through 12th grades and will open in the fall of 2023. Programs of study will focus on areas like building construction, framing and drywall, and refrigeration and A/C technology.

The Hillsborough Construction Academy is perfect for students like Hunter Short who has wanted to become a welder since he was very young. “My dad, when I was 10, became a welder and I thought it was one of the coolest things. I want to continue welding and I’m finally in a place where I can learn proper welding and hopefully get a certification.

Once I graduate, I have a job offer in Wyoming and the starting pay is $80 an hour.”

The medical field is also booming, and hospitals and medical centers in our area are looking for students with knowledge in specific areas of study. To meet those needs, HCPS is developing the state-of-the-art Hillsborough Medical Academy at D.W. Waters, which will serve students in ninth through 12th grades and open in the fall of 2023. Students will be able to work toward industry certifications in areas like nursing assistant, EKG technician, personal trainer and emergency medical responder.

These career fields need workers and are experiencing huge workforce shortages right now. It only makes sense for the seventh largest school district in the country to align our educational services with this growing demand. It benefits the community, and, most importantly, students.

These new academies, all one-of-a-kind in our district, will provide students an accelerated path toward a high-wage job or further study after graduation. Hillsborough County Public Schools is answering the call to leverage a highly trained workforce that aligns with the needs of employers in the Tampa Bay Area.

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The Future Begins Here Rediscover Hillsborough Schools

Is Your Student Career Ready? Hillsborough Schools Answers - YES! Announcing New High School Academies and a Technical College Dedicated for Building Tampa’s Tomorrow – Today!

Building Tampa’s Tomorrow

The vibrant workforce of tomorrow includes medical, construction and distribution/logistics.

That’s why Hillsborough County Public Schools has collaborated with industry leaders to ensure our students are prepared for life by offering the necessary skills and training to have exciting, high-paying careers after high school graduation.

We are creating new high schools dedicated to industry certification in jobs in the highest demand right here in the Tampa Bay community. Learn more and sign up to get notifications about how to enroll your student at: www.HillsboroughSchools.org/BuildingTampasTomorrow.

Plan Ahead and Answer YES – to ensure your student is career ready!

Hillsborough County Public Schools: Preparing Students for Life by Building Tampa’s Tomorrow –Today!

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FEATURED LISTINGS

your guide to Tampa Bay Area

SUMME R C AMPS

Art Camp Summer 2022 at The James Museum The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art | 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 33701 727-892-4200; thejamesmuseum.org/summercamp Go on an art adventure! Get creative and make new friends at The James Museum in downtown St. Pete this summer. Week-long summer camps offer a variety of fun, hands-on activities that encourage creative thinking, original art-making and playful collaboration.

Cost: $250/week; $225 for members Dates/Times: June 13-17, June 27July 1, July 11-15 & 25-29; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ages: Entering grades 1-3 or 4-6; Coed

CAGE Virtual CyberCamp 100% Online, Asynchronous, Facilitated 813-974-1640; signup.usf.edu/k-12camps Campers work up the ranks as secret agent recruits for the Cybersecurity Agency for Global Engagement (CAGE) by solving puzzles, taking virtual tours and gathering information to expose a mole within the organization! This immersive, high-energy simulation will give campers knowledge in foundational computing concepts, including skills associated with cybersecurity, computing architecture and coding.

Campers will also develop knowledge and skills that can be applied to their own interactions within the digital world. A secret agent box, including a CAGE t-shirt and other necessary materials for the week, will be mailed or hand-delivered to each recruit.

Cost: $149.95/week/camper Dates/Times: June 6-10 and 13-17, July 11-15 and 18-22 (All weeks have counselors available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Ages: Grades 3-5; Coed

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Camp IDS

Camp Imagination

12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa 33618 813-961-3087; corbettprep.com/campids

110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 33602 813-443-3861; glazermuseum.org/summercamps

Ace your audition with tips from a professional vocalist. Cook like a chef. Train with conditioning coaches. Play chess, race robots, try calligraphy or code apps – with more than 100 halfand full-day camps, CAMP IDS has something for everyone!

Weekly sessions run June 13-July 22. Students entering PreK3-8th grade will find engaging options in STEAM, sports, academics, arts and recreation. Take field trips across Tampa Bay or enjoy archery, canoeing, fishing and outdoor games on Corbett Prep’s lakeside campus. Free morning drop-off at 7:45 a.m. After-care from 4-6 p.m. ($75) and bus transportation available for a fee.

At Camp Imagination, your little learners imagine, discover and connect to the world around them. With imaginative weekly themes, there’s a camp for every kid, including three autism-friendly weeks. Register your kids to play with purpose and embrace curiosity this summer at Glazer Children’s Museum!

Cost: $135-$350/week Dates/Times: June 13-July 22, Half Day 8:30 a.m. to noon or 12:30-4 p.m.; Full Day 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: PreK3 – grade 8, Coed

Cost: $265 per week, per child before May 1, $300 per week, per child on and after May 1, Annual GCM Members save 15% Dates/Times: June 6 - July 29, Drop-off 8:30-9 a.m.

Pick-up 4:30-5 p.m.

Ages: 5-10; Coed

Camp Osprey 18050 US Highway 301 S., Wimauma 33598 941-928-6860; camposprey.com Camp Osprey Kid’s Day / Overnight Adventure Camp is located on 204 acres that meander along the Little Manatee River. Horseback riding, zipline, giant swing, paintball, BB guns, archery, kayaking, paddleboards, swimming, fishing and art and crafts are offered in a Christian-based environment of family fun. Make a lifetime of memories in just one summer.

Cost: Day Camp $325/week, Overnight $645/week Dates/Times: Day Camp M-F, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Overnight Camp Sun. 4 p.m. to Sat. 9:30 a.m.

Ages: 7-15, Coed

City of Largo Summer Camps

The Coder School CODE CAMPS

201 Highland Ave., Largo 33770 727-587-6720; largocamps.com

NEW TAMPA | 8632 Hunters Village Road, Tampa 33647

The City of Largo Summer Camps offer full-day and part-day options for ages 5-18 starting in May. Campers will have the chance to go on field trips, play sports, create art, learn about nature and more!

The Central Park Performing Arts Center also offers Theatre Camps for kids ages 9-18 who are interested in theatre and performing.

Are you over 18 and interested in summer camps? We are offering cooking and art camps for adults!

Visit LargoCamps.com to learn more about all our offerings.

Cost: $25-$450 Dates/Times: May 31 - Aug. 5, Weekly, Times Vary Ages: 5-18; Coed

SOUTH TAMPA | 1730 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33629 CARROLLWOOD | 13129 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33618 813-422-5566; tampa.thecoderschool.com Let's get ready for camps! Our camps provide coding lessons for kids as well as fun offline activities. Kids code throughout the week and then demo their week's creations on the last day of camp.

Registration is now open.

Early-bird discounts available for a limited time. $100 off ALL camps; use the code CODINGROCKS at checkout!

Cost: $249-$599/week Dates/Times: June 6 – Aug. 5 (nine weeks of options!)

Full Day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Half Day 9 a.m. to noon *Early drop off and late pick up available

Dunedin Fine Art Center Summer ART Academy 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin 34698 727-298-3322; dfac.org/kids-corner/summer-camp DFAC’s Summer Art Academy has proudly offered over 35 years of summer art enrichment fun. Todd Still, director of youth education, is excited about heading up his 25th year at one of the premier summer programs in the Tampa Bay area.

Seven different art camps feature the best artists and art educators in the region, from multi-media experts to painting, clay and 'Drawing to Dreamin!'

Cost: $175-$225 *Scholarships are available Dates/Times: May 31 – Aug. 5, Weekly 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. *Before and aftercare available Ages: 4.5-14; Coed

Ages: 7-15, Coed

istockphoto.com/Arnanzung, istockphoto.com/decobrush

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FEATURED LISTINGS

your guide to Tampa Bay Area

SUMME R C AMPS

FL Drama Kids of Hillsborough County

Girl Scout Camp Wai Lani & Wildwood

History Adventure Camps

MOSI Summer Science Camps

3315 S. Bryan Road, Brandon 33511 813-489-5899; dramakids.com/fl6

500 Wai Lani Road, Palm Harbor 34683 & 9583 County Road 223, Wildwood 34785 813-281-GIRL; gswcf.org/summercamp

801 Water Street, Tampa 33602 813-228-0097; tampabayhistorycenter.org/camps

4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 33617 813-987-6000; mosi.org/camps

When school is out, drama is in!

Campers will bring fun and engaging themed week-long camps to life through improvisational and scripted acting activities, crafts and more. Perfect for all experience levels. Join Drama Kids for immersive and skill-building Workshop Camps or flex those acting muscles and join our full team of professional musical theatre instructors for a Take 2 Performance Academy Camp. Children of all ages can jump into a summer camp experience that ignites their imagination!

Cost: $269-$299 1-week camp; $549 2-week camp Dates/Times: June 6 - July 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., M-F Ages: 5-17, Coed

You'll have countless opportunities to access your inner go-getter, innovator, risk-taker and leader as you try new things and explore the outdoors. Go paddling in the bay in a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard!

Visit the marine science lab, go on a hiking adventure or conquer the climbing tower, all while building friendships that last a lifetime at Camp Wai Lani. Camp Wildwood is the place for girls who want to go on a horseback riding adventure and explore hundreds of acres of forest with miles of beautiful trails. Learn about native plants and animals, travel back to the pioneer times and visit the barn to spend time with our many horses, all while building friendships that last a lifetime.

Cost: $250-$650 Dates/Times: June - August, Times Vary Ages: 6-17; Female

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History Adventure Camps are back at the History Center. Join us for American Girl® Camp, Pirates and Explorers Camp and Archeology Camp this summer!

Each week is led by certified teachers in the museum galleries and classrooms.

"Both of my kids love absolutely everything about camp," said one of our parents. "They beg to stay until the very end of the day and get mad if I pick them up early!

I also like that they are learning while having fun!"

Cost: $250-$300/session *Scholarships are available Dates/Times: June 13-17 & 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 11-15 & 25-29, M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *Extended care available Ages: 7-11; Coed

MOSI’s Summer Science Camps bring science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) alive through hands-on experiments and building projects. From launching rockets, building robots and extracting DNA, we are about creating the experiences that expand interests and make dreams a reality. Doing real science with the tools and technologies used by professionals is just one way MOSI camps inspire our campers with a can-do attitude that will last a lifetime. Real science coupled with exciting experiments, simulations, explorations and inventions will help you discover the innovator within.

Cost: $217-$333 Dates/Times: May 31 - Aug. 5; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *extended care available: 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Ages: Completed grades K-8; Coed

Summer at Shorecrest

Tampa Prep Summer Programs

YMCA Summer Camp

ZooTampa Summer Camps

5101 1st Street NE, St. Petersburg 33703 727-409-1668; shorecrest.org/summer

727 W. Cass Street, Tampa 33606 813-251-8481; tampaprep.org/summer

Multiple Locations 813-224-8622; tampaymca.org 727-467-9622; ymcasuncoast.org

1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa 33604 813-935-8552; zootampa.org/summer-camps

Camp Terrapin is Tampa Prep’s well-known coeducational, sports and fine arts camp for students entering grades 1-8. Structured activities and theme days provide friendship and fun in downtown Tampa. Additional summer programs include a variety of sports camps and courses in robotics, academics and enrichment. This summertime extension of our award-winning day school program offers something for everyone.

Y Summer Camp offers children a SAFE and FUN summer camp experience! The camp curriculum is full of fun, educational activities infused with the Y’s character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Campers experience a variety of activities including S.T.E.A.M activities, swimming, science, high ropes, outdoor education, nature encounters, horseback riding, canoeing, visual arts, arts and crafts and more! The fun and unique experiences give Y campers an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime.

Your kids can explore the Zoo like never before! Campers will get VIP behind-the-scenes access to the Zoo, up-close to our amazing animals from across the globe, and talk directly from the teams that care for these animals every day to learn what it takes to become a Zoo veterinarian or animal care expert! Plus, they’ll get plenty of splashes on our water adventure, Roaring Springs!

Get ready for a WILD SUMMER at ZooTampa!

Summer at Shorecrest offers a huge variety of exciting, enriching and FUN summer programs for students in preschool-12th grade with classic summer day camp, STEM camps, performing and visual arts, sports clinics, academic enrichment/college prep and so much more! Each year, Summer at Shorecrest welcomes children from across the Tampa Bay area to learn and play together.

Campers do not have to attend Shorecrest Preparatory School to participate. View the full catalog and register at shorecrest.org/ summer.

Cost: $195-$550; Full-day camps include lunch Dates/Times: June 6 - Aug. 5; Most camps run 9 a.m. to noon, 1-4 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *Before and after care is available 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ages: Age 4 to grade 12; Coed

istockphoto.com/Arnanzung, istockphoto.com/decobrush

Cost: $175-$295 for camps and enrichment Dates/Times: May 31 - July 15, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. *Before and after care provided weeks 6/6-7/15 Ages: Various camps, enrichment courses and for-credit courses are offered for students entering grades 1-12, Coed

Cost: Starting at $299 Dates/Times: June 7 - Aug. 6; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: Grades K-8; Coed

Cost: Starting at $169/week (Tampa). Starting at $95/week (Suncoast).

Dates/Times: Begins May 31, Times Vary Ages: 6-15 (Tampa), 5-17 (Suncoast); Coed

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SUMMER 2022 6 Weeks of Options June 13 - July 22

Over 100 Full & Half Day Camps PreK3 - 8th Grade Before & After Care

813.961.3087 corbettprep.com Bus Service Available

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PRESENTED BY CORBETT PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF IDS

Design a Perfect Summer with Half-Day Camps

by Courtney Cairns Pastor, photos provided by Corbett Prep

Putting together a summer camp schedule can feel like a giant game of “would you rather.”

Would you rather play sports or write a book? Would you rather learn to cook or design a video game? Would you rather sing a cappella or go fishing?

Parents and kids may have conf licting ideas of what makes the perfect summer camp experience – active or academic, inside or outside, crafty or athletic. Siblings might disagree on what camps they prefer. Kids may gravitate to favorite activities while parents try to steer them toward something new.

The good news is that it’s possible for families to design their own summer schedule with something for everyone. Summer programs such as CAMP IDS that offer half-day camps give families the f lexibility to pair morning and afternoon sessions for a full day of activities that suit their children best.

With more than 100 camps for elementary and middle school, CAMP IDS has numerous options, all available at the same location. A child who wants to play basketball can do that in the morning at the same time as a sibling who hopes to learn hip hop, for example, and their parents can sign both of them up for art in the afternoon.

While full-day camps are offered each week at CAMP IDS, the majority of camps are half-day, allowing families to mix and match and customize schedules to meet their unique needs.

Here are some popular strategies parents use when setting up their perfect summer: SEEK BALANCE: Need to make sure your gamer gets some fresh air and focuses on something other than a computer screen? You might try pairing a computer camp such as virtual reality, Minecraft or app design with archery, soccer or f lag football for the other half of the day.

Or if you’re looking for extra reading and math opportunities to stave off the summer academic slide, try balancing the time in the classroom with time to move – sports and recreation camps such as fishing, canoeing, obstacle courses and outdoor games provide great opportunities to get up and move.

SAMPLE SPORTS: Some kids just have to go, go, go, and sports camps can help young athletes hone their skills, try something new or compete with friends. In addition to camps focused on specific sports, CAMP IDS partners with VAST Sports Performance for camps that improve speed, movement and agility. A sports performance camp during one half of the day matches well with a single-sport camp for the rest of the day. If the Florida heat is a concern, look for an active indoor camp such as martial arts, matball, cheerleading, basketball, volleyball or physical education games.

EXPLORE NEW TERRITORY: A half-day camp gives kids just the right amount of time to test the waters of something new. Pairing it with an old favorite ensures campers have a camp they love during the day as well as one that takes them outside their comfort zone. Favorite camps such as Legos, Babysitters Club, Mystical Muggles, Trailblazers and Junior Scientists are back at CAMP IDS this summer as well as the new additions of modern calligraphy and henna art, Robo Sumo, Games Galore, crime solving and an “Anything Goes” recreation camp.

GO ALL-IN: Some students want to immerse themselves in their interests. Foodies often enroll in cooking camp in the mornings and Bake It-Take It to take home delicious desserts in the afternoon. Tap into technology talents with camp combos that expose students to coding, design and gaming – morning 3D printing camp needs imagination and technical skills while an afternoon of Racing Robots involves the engineering design process and programming. Creative kids can learn to express themselves through multiple art forms, whether they focus just on music or visual arts or dabble in dance and drama as well.

More than anything, summer should be fun.

Choose a single full-day camp for one week only or spend June and July trying as many different activities as possible – any combination of camps is valuable. Summer camps let kids enjoy a break from the pressures of school while staying active and engaged. And there’s a good chance they’ll wind up making friends, discovering new interests and forming great memories in the process.

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Play with GCM all Summer long.

Camp Imagination: June 6-July 29 At Camp Imagination, your little learners imagine, discover, and connect to the world around them. With imaginative weekly themes, there’s a camp for every kid! Register your kiddo to play with purpose and embrace curiosity this Summer at GlazerMuseum.org/camps

• W E E K LY T H E M E S • June 6-10 Magical Tales with Patel Conservatory June 13-17 Expedition Unknown | June 20-24 Outside In June 27-July 1 Time Travel | July 5-8 Mad Science July 11-15 Wild World (Autism-Friendly) | July 18-22 Maker Mania July 25-29 Make a Masterpiece (Autism-Friendly)

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your guide to Tampa Bay Area

SUMME R C AMPS ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES SUMMER ON BAYSHORE 3319 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa 33629 813-839-5371; holynamestpa.org/summer

Fun-loving kids ages 3 and up may choose from themed day camps, STEM, sports and enrichment camps at Academy of the Holy Names’ Summer on Bayshore! From Legos to lacrosse and cooking to coding, there is something for everyone. Full and half-day weekly sessions run from June 6 - July 22 and include complimentary extended care.

ADVENTURE CAMP TAMPA

2020 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33612 813-963-2242; adventurecamptampa.com Each morning children aged 18 months - 10th grade will get their fill of STEAM activities. As well as hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, language, sports and math projects, afternoon recreational activities will give children the opportunity to explore, experiment and make life-long friendships!

ART CAMPS & WORKSHOPS AT THE MFA 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg 33701 727-896-2667; mfastpete.org

Travel back in time and learn about the art and science of archaeology in our Art & Archaeology Camp (grades 1-5). Discover how animals, plants, weather, water and sky have inspired artists since the dawn of time in our Art & Nature Camp (grades 1-5). Be inspired by historical and contemporary female artists from around the world and practice your own artistic voice in our Art & Empowerment Workshop for young women (grades 6-9). Join us as we explore the world through art at the Museum of Fine Arts!

BARRETT SCHOOL OF MUSIC 2022 SUMMER CAMPS

3902 Henderson Blvd., STE 208-355, Tampa 33629 813-999-2829; musicschoolintampa.com/music-summer-camps-in-tampa Barrett School of music offers something for everyone! Younger students can try out several different instruments as beginners. Or for our orchestra students, our string chamber ensemble will prepare them for seating auditions in the fall. Maybe your student is into writing their own music, so grab a spot in our Music Creation Camp. And don't forget our Musical Theater Camp for trifecta training! Your kids will love a week with Barrett School of Music.

BERKELEY PREPARATORY SUMMER PROGRAMS 4811 Kelly Road, Tampa 33615 813-885-1673; berkeleyprep.org/summer

With over 120 camps and classes on a beautiful 80-acre campus, Berkeley has an enormous summer catalog of swim lessons, tech camps, fine arts, baseball, chess, volleyball, football, LEGO, basketball, rock climbing, skateboard design, reading skills, lacrosse, tennis, debate, math review and so much more! There’s something for everyone at Berkeley Summer Programs!

BEST HORSE CAMP AT WEST COAST MORGANS 17126 Boy Scout Road, Odessa 33556 813-920-9870; westcoastmorgans.com

JUMP for JOY! The BEST Horse Camp is back! We continue to encourage social distancing, have more riding and outside time and disinfection protocols to protect everyone as best as possible. WCM horse camp experience is amazing with half and full days, single weeks and bulk weeks over summer and winter breaks and family discounts. Beginners through advanced riders can enjoy different weekly themes and days filled with tons of hands-on horse activities as well as guest speakers and MORE!

Let imagine camp organization do the work for you!

Stress Free Summer Camp Planning at ImagineCampOrganization.com

Cost: $160 (half day) to $375 (full day specialty camps) Dates/Times: Weekly June 6 - July 22, 9 a.m. to noon or 4 p.m.

Ages: Pre-K3 to grade 9; Coed

Cost: Starts at $236/ week Dates/Times: June 6 - July 28, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. *extended care available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ages: 18 months to grade 10, Coed Cost: $190 for members; $250 for not-yetmembers *Scholarships Available Dates/Times: July 11-15, 18-22 and 25-29; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: Grades 1-5 and 6-9, Coed and Female Cost: $115-$295 Dates/Times: July 11-15, 18-22 and 25-29, times vary Ages: 4-17, Coed

Cost: prices vary per camp Dates/Times: June 6 July 29, times vary *Extended care available Ages: 4-17, Coed and single sex camps

Cost: $80-$100/day, $400-$500/week Dates/Times: May 31 Aug. 5, half and full day options, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: 6+, Coed

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GIVE YOUR CHILD A

summer to remember

With over 100 unique camps and classes, Berkeley Summer Programs has something for everyone.

Register today: berkeleyprep.org/summer

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Friends, Fun and Adventure!

Girl Scout summer camp has it all at two amazing locations.

Non-members welcome to get a taste of Girl Scouts!

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SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section CAMP BAYSHORE

3909 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa 33611

813-839-4297; bayshorechristianschool.org/student-life/camp-bayshore.cfm Camp Bayshore is a fun, Christian-centered program for campers ages 3 through rising 6th grade. Children from all around the Tampa Bay area are provided an exciting and safe family atmosphere to learn, grow, play and make memories that last a lifetime.

CAMP BLUE RIDGE

355 Playhouse Drive, Clayton, GA 30525 954-665-8686; blueridgecamp.com Camp Blue Ridge is a family operated, activity-oriented, coed, accredited summer camp. At Camp Blue Ridge, we strive to develop an independent camper within a community setting. We offer children and teens an ever-evolving collection of specialized activities in the areas of aquatics, athletics, outdoor adventure and the cultural arts.

CAMP CUBBER AT PALM HARBOR UMC

Dates/Times: May 31 July 29, M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Ages: 3 years to rising 6th graders, Coed

Cost: varies by session, *please call for first-time camper rates and camp specials Dates/Times: June 12 July 30, sleep-away Ages: 5-16, Coed

1551 Belcher Road, Palm Harbor 34683 727-781-6343; cubber.org

Cost: $160-$170/week + one-time registration fee

Provide your child with the best summer possible in a safe, family-friendly environment. Weekly campers enjoy a field trip and special onsite activity plus daily activities like science, art, creative writing, reading, music, game room, active play and much more! It’s almost too much fun to fit into one summer!

Ages: Rising K-8, Coed

CAMP DOVEWOOD

23221 101st Road, O’Brien 32071 386-209-1908 or 386-935-0863; campdovewood.org Camp Dovewood celebrates 45 years of dynamic Christian camping for girls 7-16 in North Florida. We have an outstanding equestrian program with certified instructors: huntseat, rodeo, dressage, grooming, vet care and trail rides. We also offer swimming instruction, tennis, cheerleading, art, drama, archery, Bible, volleyball, softball, cooking, gymnastics, music and baton. ACA and CHA accredited.

CAMP GILEAD

1445 Camp Gilead Drive, Polk City 33868 863-984-1353; campgilead.com Camp Gilead is a year-round Christian Camp and conference center that has served central Florida since 1938! Whether your children are seasoned campers or first-timers, we are confident that they will find the friendly atmosphere at Camp Gilead refreshing and exciting. We exist to glorify God by creating a fun, safe, Christ-centered place for children and teens to evaluate their relationship with Jesus Christ and to be challenged both physically and spiritually while making lifelong friends.

CAMP IDLEWILD OF FLORIDA, INC.

7602 Henry Drive, Land O' Lakes 34638 813-996-1226; campidlewildofflorida.com Camp Idlewild’s program model was developed for children ages 6-17 who have the following super-powers: Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger's Syndrome), Sensory Processing Disorders, Down syndrome and Developmental Delays. We also offer Young Adult Camp (YAC) programs for 18-30-year-olds on select dates. Check our website for more information.

CAMP INVENTION®

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Cost: $250-$275/week + registration fee

Dates/Times: June 6 July 29; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *free extended care 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: $775-$1,295 Dates/Times: June 12 - July 23, 1-2 week sessions Ages: 7-16, Girls Only

Cost: $345 Overnight Camp, $245 Commuter Camp Dates/Times: June 5 July 22, times vary Ages: K-12, Coed

Cost: $300/weekend; $650-$800/week Dates/Times: Apr. 8-10, Apr. 29 -May 1; June 12Aug. 5, times vary Ages: 6-17; Young Adult Camp Ages 18-30, Coed

9020 Imperial Oak Blvd., Tampa 33647 800-968-4332; invent.org/local

Cost: $250

Spark your kid’s creativity and confidence with our new Camp Invention® program! At Turner-Bartels K-8 School the week of June 6, campers in grades K-6 will collaborate in hands-on activities exploring fun STEM concepts by adopting a robotic fish, develop inventions for space exploration and more! Visit invent.org/local to secure your spot and save!

Ages: Grades K-6, Coed

TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

Dates/Times: June 6-9

Camps for Ages 6-17 Be the first to take classes in the Museum’s new Education Center!

MANY more camps will be held in the new mixed media, ceramics, and technology studios!

Learn more and register:

Sponsored by:

TampaMuseum.org/SummerArtCamp

CAMP OSPREY Make a Lifetime of Memories in Just One Summer

Horseback Riding | Zipline | Giant Swing | Paintball BB Guns | Archery | Kayaking | Paddleboards Swimming | Fishing | Arts & Crafts

Now offering horseback riding year round, call for reservations

18050 US Highway 301 S., Wimauma, FL 33598 941-928-6860 | CampOsprey.com APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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Summer Soccer Camps 2022 Boys & Girls ages 5-13

Cruise the coast on a kayak, float down a river or head underwater. These are the adventures that await campers joining The Florida Aquarium this summer. Fourth and fifth graders once again can experience travel camps with qualified educators and counselors.

The Florida Aquarium summer camps are equal parts entertainment and education. Each week offers a different themes for kids of all ages. There’s perks for parents too! Learn more at flaquarium.org

Scan code for easy registration

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What are YOU planning to do this summer? Plan on Summer at Shorecrest!

June 6 - August 5, 2022 Summer at Shorecrest offers a wide variety of exciting full day and half day camps in St. Petersburg for children age 4 - grade 12.

Choose your favorite camp theme from sports, STEM, dance, theatre and more – or a classic Day Camp with games, arts, athletics and water fun all summer long!

• Lunch included for full-day campers • After care available until 5:30pm

Learn more at: www.shorecrest.org/summer 42

TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022 5101 1st

St. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703 • 727-522-2111 • www.shorecrest.org/summer

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section CAMP J AT THE TAMPA JCC ON THE COHN CAMPUS AND THE BRYAN GLAZER FAMILY JCC

Cost: $275-$365/week

13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa 33625 522 N. Howard Ave., Tampa 33606 813-264-9000; jcccohncampus.com/camp and bryanglazerfamilyjcc.com

Dates/Times: June 6 July 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *Extended care available

Camp J offers a variety of specialty camps and a traditional day camp experience. Campers enjoy art, sports, daily swim, music and dance, gaga, archery, canoeing, woodworking, zip lining and ropes course, field trips, overnights and more! Our goal is for each child to have a meaningful and memorable summer camp experience.

Ages: Entering grades K-10, Coed

CAMP ROCKMONT FOR BOYS

375 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711 828-686-3885; rockmont.com A Summer of Adventure. A Lifetime of Friendship. At Rockmont, campers get to experience the wildness of being a boy outdoors, the welcoming embrace of a loving community and the wonder of being alive. What makes Rockmont different is Age Progressive Programming. As your son grows, so will his camp experience! And our incredible counselors and staff are with him every step of the way.

CAMP WOODMONT

381 Moonlight Drive, Cloudland, GA 30731 423-472-6070; campwoodmont.com Imagine a home away from home where your child feels secure, welcome and reassured—that’s Camp Woodmont! Just two-and-a-half hours from Atlanta, this ACA-accredited camp boasts two generations of family management. Overnight camp for boys & girls ages 6 to 14. Activities include archery, climbing, horseback riding, crafts, games, sports and more!

One- and two-week sessions available.

CARROLLWOOD CULTURAL CENTER SUMMER ARTS CAMP 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa 33618 813-922-8167; carrollwoodcenter.org/camp-activities

At the Carrollwood Cultural Center, artistic expression, belting it out, busting a move and getting into character are all encouraged! Through art, music, dance and drama, campers 4-10 will explore a different theme each week, while campers ages 11-13 use the theme to create an original staged production.

CIRCLE C RANCH ACADEMY

Cost: $1,000-$6,800 Dates/Times: June 5 Aug. 5, 1-4 week overnight sessions Ages: 6-16, Boys (Counselor in Training Program for 17-year-olds)

Cost: $1,075/week or $1,650/2 weeks Dates/Times: May 29 July 29, Overnight 1 and 2 week sessions Ages: 6-14, Coed

Cost: $200-$525 Dates/Times: June 6 Aug. 5, M-F, 9 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. depending on the age *Extended care available Ages: 4-13, Coed

6204 Interbay Blvd., Tampa 33611 813-831-8429; ccranchacademy.com

Cost: Half day $200, Full day $265

Circle "C" Ranch Academy: the country, only closer. We have summer camp and summer VPK available with many activities! Camp activities include horseback riding, swimming, art, sports (including archery) and outdoor exploration. We also have a canteen snack hut and bounce house. Come join us for all the outdoor fun!

Ages: 1-12, Coed

THE COAST: A WORD OF LIFE CAMP 13247 Word of Life Drive, Hudson 34669 727-379-5005; wol.is/tbpm

Are you ready for a summer you’ll never forget? Campers at The Coast will experience high energy action, form lifelong friendships and make defining decisions about their faith as they spend their days worshiping, studying Biblical truths and having a ton of fun in the Florida sun!

CODEWIZARDSHQ SUMMER CODING CAMPS & CLASSES Live Online - Attend from home! Headquartered in Austin 800-213-2417; codewizardshq.com/summer

Learn to code from the best this summer with CodeWizardsHQ with no driving required of parents! Hands-on and interactive learning, highly customizable projects and engaging coding-professional educators make for an experience that students love, with Minecraft and Roblox Coding, Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Scratch, Java and more. Save $50 if you enroll before May 1.

Dates/Times: June & July, full day 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., half day 8 a.m. to noon

Cost: Junior Weeks: $253-$344, Teen Weeks: $279-$399 Dates/Times: June 5 – July 29, day camp and overnight camp options Ages: Junior: 6-12 years old, Teen Weeks: 12-18 years old, Coed Cost: $447-$499 Dates/Times: Several sessions throughout summer Ages: 8-18; All genders

APRIL 2022 2022 TampaBayParenting.com TampaBayParenting.com APRIL

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SUMMER CLASSES ENROLLING NOW

Musical Theater • Drama • Visual Art • Music • On-Camera

A S ummer o f Sondhe i m

PERFORMANCES JUN 30, JUL 1 & 2

PERFORMANCES AUG 4, 5 & 6

Music & Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM • Book by JAMES LAPINE Both shows are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. mtishows.com

Call 727.712.2706 or visit HoffmanSchoolOfTheArts.com for more information

Play, Create, Learn, Explore!

Camp Terrapin (grades 1–8) Special Interest Camps (6 years to grade 12) • • • •

Robotics Bricks 4 Kidz Chess Cheer

• • • •

Rowing Volleyball Lacrosse Soccer

tampaprep.org/summer

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SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section DANCE & CIRCUS ARTS OF TAMPA BAY

1490 N. Belcher Road, Suite H, Clearwater 33765 727-461-0098; danceandcircusarts.com Our Circus Summer Camps include aerial silks, trapeze, acrobatics, aerial hoop, Spanish web (rope), stilt walking and juggling. What will you experience? Absolute fun, hard work, exhilaration, getting stronger, achieving better flexibility, making new friends and mastering amazing skills you never thought you could do. Come run away to the Circus with us this summer!

DESTINATION AVIATION SUMMER CAMP AT THE AEROSPACE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

Cost: $275-$350/week, *Family/Friends and multi-week discounts Dates/Times: June 13 Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Age: 5-8 and 9-adult, Coed

Cost: $450

4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland 33811; 863-904-6833 Ext. 217 aceedu.org/summer-camps/destination-aviation-summer-camp

Dates/Times: June 6-24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Destination Aviation Summer Camp is an immersive one-week experience including hands-on aerospace activities, meteorology, aircraft restoration projects, ground school, field trips and flight opportunities for campers 11 to 18 years of age. Our camps are designed to build upon themselves, starting with a basic understanding of the aerospace industry and moving towards a more in-depth and focused aviation camp.

Ages: 11-18; Coed

EARTH IMMERSION SCUBA SUMMER CAMP

180th St., Live Oak 32060 352-641-0350; earthimmersion.com/scuba-diving-summer-camp.html Earth Immersion is a scuba, adventure and outdoor education camp for teens (13-17) looking for an unmatched experience exploring North Florida’s crystal-clear springs. Activities include earning SCUBA certifications, snorkeling, canoeing, hiking, fishing, tubing, community service hours and learning about freshwater/marine biology. We offer 7- or 13-day overnight coed programs.

ECKERD COLLEGE SUMMER WATERSPORTS CAMP 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg 33711-4744 727-864-8288; eckerd.edu/waterfront/camp

The Eckerd College Summer Watersports Camp offers classes in Exploring Watersports, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, wakeboarding, saltwater fishing, Little Mariners, and Exploring Marine Life and more for students ages 5-17. This camp is taught in the perfect environment for learning watersports and gives campers exciting and unforgettable experiences!

THE FLORIDA ACADEMY OF THE PERFORMING ARTS Music Showcase: 402 Oakfield Drive, Brandon 33511 813-490-ARTS; faopa.org

Music Theatre, Music and More, Rock Band, Broadway Boot Camp (featuring a Broadway artist) and more! Music and More camps are themed weekly experiences and let campers explore instruments, singing, dancing and art. Music Theatre camps meet for 2-3 weeks and involve singing, dancing, acting, character development and performing live shows with costumes, props and set design. Rock Band teaches students how to play in a band with a live showcase at the end of the week. Come join us!

THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM

Cost: $2,050-$3,650 Date/Times: June 12 Aug. 7, 7- or 13-day overnight programs Ages: 13-17, Coed

Cost: $180-$295 *10% off of each class for multiple classes Dates/Times: June 6 July 29, Weekly, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.

Ages: 5-17, Coed

Cost: Varies Dates/Times: June August, full day and half day options Ages: 5+, Coed

701 Channelside Drive, Tampa 33602 813-273-4000; flaquarium.org

Cost: Varies by age/ program

Equal parts excitement and education, summer camps at The Florida Aquarium foster creativity and critical thinking. Weekly themes provide adventure for students of all ages; including animal interactions, day trips and so much more. Expect early drop-off and late pick-up at no extra cost, lunch options and guaranteed fun!

Ages: 3-14, Coed

FLORIDA DANCE THEATRE'S SUMMER INTENSIVE 2022 305 W. Main St., Lakeland 33815 863-802-0399; floridadancetheatre.org

Florida Dance Theatre's 2022 Summer programs are jam packed with intense but fun classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern dance styles. In addition to rigorous technical training, students engage in improvisation and have opportunities to explore STEM initiatives FDT is working to present in collaboration with graduate students of Florida Polytechnic University. (*For Senior Intensive students only)

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Dates/Times: May 31 Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *free extended care 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Junior-Intensive: $400-$750, June 13-25, M-F 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., ages 7-13, Coed Senior-Intensive: $550-$1,100, June 6-25, M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., ages 14-18, Coed

Campers 3 years old to rising 6th graders Registration opens february 28th camp dates are may 31stJuly 29th

Camp Bayshore A ministry of Bayshore Christian School

Summer fun at camp bayshore Bayshorechristianschool.org (813) 839-4297 Ext. 300 3909 South MacDill Avenue Tampa, Fl 33611 "our family loves camp Bayshore! my son feels safe and has the best time. he always shares about his exciting days. We are beyond grateful that camp Bayshore is our second home every summer."

-Camp Bayshore parent

Secure your spot and save today at APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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ART EXPLORERS

MEDIA MIX-UP

June 13-17 Rising 1st-3rd Graders

July 11-15 Rising 1st-3rd Graders

S.T.E.A.M. SPECTACULAR

FUNKY FORMS

June 27-July 1 Rising 4-6th Graders

July 25-29 Rising 4-6th Graders

thejamesmuseum.org/summercamp 150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 727-892-4200 x1010 APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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ART & ARCHAEOLOGY CAMP JULY 11-15

Are you ready to dig up some history? Travel back in time as we learn about the art and science of archaeology. Discover how archaeologists piece together the past from Ancient Greece, to Mesoamerica, and even right here in Tampa Bay! We’ll explore our own miniature archeology sites, puzzle together artifacts, and create a time capsule for archaeologists of the future.

(grades 1-5)

ART & NATURE CAMP

WILD CREATIONS ART & EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG WOMEN JULY 25-29

Inspired by historical and contemporary female artists from around the world, participants will explore art as voice and discover how art can be used as a tool for expression, care, and advocacy. Join the women of the MFA Curatorial Staff to learn about female artists featured at the MFA. We’ll also experience Fresh Up, the first solo museum exhibition of artist Gio Swaby, whose work explores the intersections of Blackness and womanhood.

(grades 6–9)

JULY 18-22

Calling all nature enthusiasts! Join us on a safari through the museum galleries as we discover how animals, plants, weather, water, and sky have inspired artists since the dawn of time. Special guests will bring nature encounters to our classroom as we create nature-inspired artworks and learn how artists can not only share the beauty of nature, but also help protect it.

(grades 1–5)

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Price: $190 members, $250 not-yet-members | Camp times: 9 am–4 pm Scholarships available Due to safety precautions, camp sizes will be limited. All guests will be required to wear a face mask, observe social distancing and adhere to the additional safety protocols of the MFA.

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section FOCUS ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS CAMP 304 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace 33617 813-443-5558; focusacademyflorida.org

Students with cognitive/developmental disabilities can experience the arts and drama therapy in a playful non-judgmental environment that emphasizes self-expression, creative problem solving, social competence and relationship building. The week includes acting, movement, visual arts, script development and stagecraft, and culminates in a special performance for parents!

GIRLS & BOYS WITH CONFIDENCE

Various Locations: Lithia (Main Center), Tampa, Apollo Beach, Lutz 813-571-2002; girlswithconfidence.com Girls & Boys With Confidence offers the BEST camps in the area for rising K-8th grade girls and boys. Whether your daughter or son is confident or struggles with being shy, all kids LOVE our camps. Every day we focus on a new "confidence building" theme with discussions, activities and indoor and outdoor games, and work on different creative art/science projects.

HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ KIDS CAMP

Cost: $250 Dates/Time: June 6-10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ages: Rising grades 6-8, Coed *Students must have/submit an IEP to attend; camp is for special needs students ONLY

Cost: April 1-May 15 $179-$279; After May 15 $199-$299 Dates/Times: May 31 Aug. 5, half and full day, times vary Ages: 4-14, Girls & Boys

Davis Island: 39 Columbia Drive, Tampa 33606 813-259-6010; tampatraining.com/kids-college

Cost: Starting at $175/ week

There will be a wide range of options ranging from a STEAM 3-week summer series, game design, coding, streamers & gamers, sign language, chess, hip hop dance and young entrepreneur’s class. For youth ages 12-15, Kids’ College will offer a 4-week series on youth empowerment and digital design as well as a babysitting certificate class.

Ages: 8-15, Coed

LASER OPS EXTREME GAMING ARCADE (Summer Fun Activity) 6283 W. Waters Ave., Tampa 33634 813-443-6509; laserops.com

Laser Ops is a 24,000-square-foot family entertainment center featuring a game arcade with more than 70 arcade games, virtual reality gaming, tactical laser tag, archery tag and Bazooka Ball. The venue also features a large sports bar and grill, including a full liquor bar. Laser Ops is great for friends and family fun.

MARCIA P. HOFFMAN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 33759 727-712-2706; rutheckerdhall.com/hoffman-school-of-arts The Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall offers a variety of musical theater, drama, music and art camps to students ages 5 and up, providing them the opportunity to explore their talents, boost their confidence, discover new friends and learn from professional arts instructors.

Camps start June 6. For more information on class descriptions, dates/ times, and tuition assistance, please contact the Education Associates at REHEDU@rutheckerdhall.net.

MARY JO'S PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS 15906 Mapledale Blvd., Tampa 33624 813-969-0240; mjpaa.com

The arts are a perfect avenue to allow your child to explore their creativity, tap into their imagination and discover their potential. Students will develop self-expression, build confidence, learn to work with peers, foster problem solving skills and stimulate curiosity. From classics to pop culture, your children will unfold the wonderful world of the performing arts.

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN PARADISE SUMMER CAMP 7777 62nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg 33709 727-647-0349; nck12.campbrainregistration.com

NCS Paradise Camp is a great opportunity for kids of all ages to experience a wide range of physical, educational, recreational and spiritual activities in an exciting, hands-on creative environment that is sure to be a winner! We have weekly field trips along with chapel on Fridays.

Dates/Times: June 6 – July 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; AM and PM coding camps available

Cost: Varies Summer-Hours: M-Th 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sun. noon to 9 p.m.

Ages: All ages, Coed

Cost: $250-$650 *tuition assistance is available Dates/Times: June 6 Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.

Ages: 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-18 and 18+, Coed

Cost: $125 and up Dates/Times: June August, M-F 9 a.m. to noon, 3 or 4 p.m.

Ages: 3 and up, Coed

Cost: $225/week early bird rate + Enrichment for an additional cost Dates/Times: June 6 July 29, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Enrichments M-Th various times.

Ages: rising grades K-6; Coed APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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City of Largo Summer Camps (813) 489-5899 DRAMAKIDS.COM/FL6 Theatre Games Olympics

June 6 - 10, 9 AM - 4 PM Ages 5 - 10 Tuition: $299

and

Audition Master Class June 27 - July 1, 9 AM - 4 PM Ages 12 - 17 Tuition: $349

Junior

Senior

Camp

Camp

July 11 - 15, 9 AM - 4 PM Ages 6 - 11 Tuition: $329

PLAY !

TO

June 13 - 17, 9 AM - 4 PM Ages 5 - 10 Tuition: $299

Monologue

June 27 - July 1, 9 AM - 4 PM Ages 6 - 11 Tuition: $299

PASSPORT

July 18 - 22 , 9 AM - 4 PM Ages 12 - 17 Tuition: $329 A one-time $25 admin fee due at time of registration Early Bird Pricing available Sibling Discounts available Contact the Drama Kids Office for more information!

Check out our sports and specialty camps for ages K-12!

• Sports Camps • Aquatics Camps • Specialty Camps • Nature Camps • Theatre Camps • and more!

LARGOCAMPS.COM

SPORTS & SPECIALTY CAMPS

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section PATEL CONSERVATORY

1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 33602 813-222-1040; patelconservatory.org The Patel Conservatory gives all of its students the opportunity to reach their creative potential, with instruction in dance, music and theater. Students attend camps and classes appropriate for their age and skill level.

Classes require active learning participation from students and conclude with a performance.

SCHOOL OF ROCK

11730 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33618 813-683-7625; locations.schoolofrock.com/tampanorth/music-camps Day 1: Make a Band. Day 5: Play a Concert! Our music camps are perfect for musicians of any skill level who want to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals. We provide the gear and the venue; however personal instruments are HIGHLY recommended for practice. Use Code: TBPM20 at checkout for 20% off!

SKY CAMP AT SKY ZONE

10137 E. Adamo Drive, #800b, Tampa 33619 813-833-1740; skyzone.com/tampa/programs/skycamp Sky Camp for ages 5-13 includes days of active play at Sky Zone on our Ninja Warrior Course, Free Climb, Sea of Trampolines and so much more.

Accompanied by Sky Zone camp counselors, kids enjoy healthy physical fitness and fun including crafts, movies and science experiments. It’s hassle-free for parents. Drop off the kids and we’ll make sure they have the best time ever. Full-, half-day and full-week options and sibling discounts are available.

SOCCER DAY CAMP – TESA AT UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA Pepin Stadium: 417 N. Blvd., Tampa 33606 813-323-3933; tampaelitesa.com; ab.tesacamps@gmail.com

Tampa Elite Soccer Academy offers a summer series of youth day soccer camps at The University of Tampa. Camps are for Boys and Girls ages 5-13 years old. Register and get information online at tampaelitesa.com.

Cost: Varies *scholarships available Dates: May 31 - Aug. 5 Ages: 3 through adult, Coed

Cost: $450 Dates/Times: June 6 Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ages: 7-18, Coed

Cost: $35.99-$45.99/ day, $139.99-$179.99/ week Dates/Times: Every day school is out from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Ages: 5-13, Coed

Cost: $235-$285 *Register before April 15 for early bird discount Dates/Times: May 31 July 29, M-TH 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to noon Ages: 5-13, Boys & Girls

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL EAGLES CAMP

906 S. Orleans Ave., Tampa 33606 and 240 S. Plant Ave., Tampa 33606 813-849-4200; stjohnseagles.org/summer Join us for a summer of fun at St. John's Episcopal School! Eagles Camp is open to all students in grades 1-8 in the Tampa area. Full and half day options available for six weeks this summer. Tons of different camp offerings to choose from. Sign up today!

SUMMER AT CDS

Dates/Times: June 6 July 22, M-F, half or full day 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., *After care available Ages: Entering grades 1-8 for the 22-23 school year, Coed

1515 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa 33613 & 12606 Casey Road, Tampa 33618 813-920-2288; cdspatriots.org/summer-camp

Cost: $150 for half day, $250 for full day

Carrollwood Day School is pleased to offer both our regular day and enrichment camps this summer to age 3 - 8th grade. From themed weeks to art to Harry Potter there is something for everyone!

Ages: 3 - grade 8, Coed

TAMPA BAY WATCH SUMMER CAMP

3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde 33715 727-867-8166; tampabaywatch.org/education-main/camps 700 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg 33701 727-291-4103; tbwdiscoverycenter.org/summer-camps Join Tampa Bay Watch for an unforgettable marine science camp! Camp sessions are offered in Tierra Verde and the new Discovery Center on the St. Pete Pier. Campers will explore the Tampa Bay estuary by participating in boating trips, snorkeling native habitats, and engaging in marine science activities and labs.

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Cost: Prices vary

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Dates/Times: May 31 July 29, times vary

Cost: $350/week *Membership discount available Dates/Times: June 13 Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: 6-15, Coed

2022

ABOUT OUR CAMPS With only 50 days to experience camp this summer, you don’t want to miss a single week at the Y! From canoeing and zip lining to splashing in the pool EVERY DAY, the Y is your camper’s ULTIMATE summer camp destination!

Summer Camp starts May 31st!

REGISTER TODAY! TAMPA METROPOLITAN AREA YMCA tampaymca.org YMCA OF GREATER ST. PETERSBURG stpeteymca.org YMCA OF THE SUNCOAST ymcasuncoast.org APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com 55

2022

CAMPS S E S S & CL A

Camps and classes for all ages and skill levels

on sale

DA

JAN 24!

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813.222.1040 • patelconservatory.org

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SUMMER CAMPS History Adventure Camps are created for children ages 7–11.

Campers get up close to history through games, crafts, activities, gallery time and guest speakers.

American Girl®

June 13–17 or July 11–15 This camp features three American Girl® characters from different periods in history–Caroline (1812), Rebecca (1914) and Melody (1964).

Archaeology Camp

June 20–24 or July 25–29 From underwater excavations to land digs that uncover prehistoric fossils, each camper will leave (the end of the week) with a new respect for the work of archaeologists.

Pirates & Explorers June 27-July 1

Campers will immerse themselves in Florida and Tampa history by focusing on pirates and explorers.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Before care and after care available.

Register online at tampabayhistorycenter.org/camps or call 813.228.0097 Scholarships granted based on need and availability.

Tampa Riverwalk | 801 Water St., Tampa, FL @tampabayhistory APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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USF CYBERSECURITY AND CODING SUMMER CAMPS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER 2022!

Explore the rapidly growing fields of cybersecurity and computer science! The University of South Florida offers numerous summer camp programs that are open to students in grades 3-12 who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). During each week-long session, campers take on fun problem-solving challenges and hands-on activities while connecting with like-minded peers and industry leaders.

C.A.G.E. Virtual CyberCamp Recommended for Grades 3-5

WEEK 1: June 6-10, 2022 WEEK 2: June 13-17, 2022 WEEK 3: July 11-15, 2022 WEEK 4: July 18-22, 2022

Cost: $149.95/week

Learn more at bit.ly/usf-cage-cybercamp

Middle School CyberCamp Recommended for Grades 6-8 Cost: $299/week

Everyone Can Code Camp Recommended for Grades 4-6 Cost: $299/in person; $149.95/virtual

High School CyberCamp Recommended for Grades 9-12 Cost: $299/in person; $149.95/virtual

58For TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022 more information, please

WEEK 1: July 11-15, 2022 WEEK 2: July 18-22, 2022 In-person at USF’s Tampa campus Learn more at bit.ly/usf-middle-cyber

WEEK 1: June 21 - 24, 2022 (in-person at USF's Tampa campus)

WEEK 2: June 27 - July 1, 2022 (virtual with synchronous sessions)

WEEK 3: July 5-8, 2022 (in-person at USF's Tampa campus)

Learn more at bit.ly/EveryoneCanCode2022

SUMMER 2022 SESSION: July 25- 29, 2022 Offered in both virtual and in-person formats.

In-person at USF’s Tampa campus Learn more at bit.ly/usf-high-school-cyber

contact us at cybercamp@usf.edu.

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART – SUMMER ART CAMP

Cornelia Corbett Center: 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 33602 813-421-8373; tampamuseum.org/summerartcamp Children and teens exercise their creativity and imagination with hands-on activities themed around the Tampa Museum of Art’s permanent collection of antiquities, modern and contemporary art. With a variety of 2D and 3D mediums to choose from, campers connect with the art on view and create unique works of art.

USF EVERYONE CAN CODE

In-Person: University of South Florida, Tampa Campus Virtual: 100% Online, Synchronous, Facilitated 813-974-1640; signup.usf.edu/k-12camps Campers will have the opportunity to LEARN coding basics, PRACTICE their skills through various puzzles and activities, APPLY what they have learned as they create with code, and CONNECT the experiences from camp to the real-world. Campers will also design and create their own working app prototype.

USF HIGH SCHOOL CYBERCAMP

University of South Florida, Tampa Campus 813-974-1640; signup.usf.edu/k-12camps Supported by local cybersecurity groups and industry leaders, USF High School CyberCamp participants explore cybersecurity careers while networking with industry professionals within the Tampa-area cybersecurity community. Campers will work through hands-on cybersecurity exercises with experts, engage with lectures from industry leaders, and network with others interested in cybersecurity.

USF MIDDLE SCHOOL CYBERCAMP

University of South Florida, Tampa Campus 813-974-1640; signup.usf.edu/k-12camps The USF Middle School CyberCamp will give campers (grades 6-8) the opportunity to explore basic to intermediate cybersecurity concepts through interactive hands-on experiences. Lessons throughout the week focus on various cybersecurity concepts including cryptography, web exploration, forensics and social engineering interwoven with basic internet safety and ethics.

VALLEY VIEW RANCH EQUESTRIAN CAMP

606 Valley View Ranch Road, Cloudland, GA 30731 706-862-2231; valleyviewranch.com Since 1954, this horse lovers’ paradise on top of Lookout Mountain offers 600 acres of scenic trails and panoramic views where all levels of riders will learn English and Western. Enrollment is limited to 50 girls and is open to ages 8-17. Spend up to six hours a day riding and caring for your OWN camp horse.

VOSLER YOUNG ARTISTS' STUDIO

Cost: $175-$220 Dates/Times: June 6 Aug. 5, Morning Camp 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Afternoon Camp 1-5 p.m.

Ages: 6-17, Coed

Cost: In-Person: $299/ camper/four-day camp; Virtual: $149.95/camper/ week Dates/Times: June 21-24, June 27-July 1 (Virtual), July 5-8 Ages: Grades 4-6, Coed

Cost: In-Person: $299/ camper/week; Virtual: $149.95/camper/week Dates/Times: July 25-29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: Grades 9-12, Coed

Cost: $299/camper/ week Dates/Times: July 11-16 & 18-23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: Grades 6-8, Coed

Cost: $2,200-$3,800 Dates/Times: June 5 Aug. 5, Overnight Ages: 8-17, Female

330 Pauls Drive, Brandon 33511 813-417-5867; vosleryoungartistsstudio.com

Cost: $320-$395/week, supplies included

The Vosler Young Artists' Studio is an Art Renewal Center (ARC) Approved Atelier. Workshops introduce the young artist to a classical atelier program of instruction. Students will learn to draw through direct observation and skills-based training. Kerry Vosler, master instructor, will do frequent demonstrations and give regular instruction at the artist's easel. Students can expect a finished drawing for their portfolio and a certificate at the conclusion of each workshop. All supplies are included.

Ages: 12-18, Coed

WEB OF WISDOM SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP 5238 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday 34690 727-389-4750; wowschools.org

At WOW science camp, children will learn about the Florida ecosystem through hands-on science labs and outdoor adventures. Students learn basic skills such as fishing, boating safety and animal identification. Field trip activities include snorkeling, fish sampling, kayaking and more.

Dates/Times: June 6-10 and 13-17; 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: $175/week Dates/Times: May 31 July 29, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (camp activities 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Ages: K-8, Coed

APRIL APRIL 2022 2022 TampaBayParenting.com TampaBayParenting.com

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SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section YMCA OF GREATER ST. PETERSBURG SUMMER CAMP Multiple Locations 727-895-9622; stpeteymca.org/childcare/summer-camp

During Summer Camp at the Y, children and teens have the opportunity to make friends, have fun and build confidence. Day Camp at the Y is a 10week program that integrates play, STEM-based activities, field trips and more. Children can explore their favorite interests with Specialty Camps featuring sports, outdoor adventures, cooking, dance and more. Teen Camp offers field trips, guest speakers and enriching community service activities to keep teens engaged and connected all summer long!

YOUNG CHEFS ACADEMY SUMMER CULINARY CAMP 9690 Seminole Blvd., Seminole 33772 727-350-4587; seminolefl.youngchefsacademy.com

Our 5-day fully immersive culinary camps bring sizzling surprises and delights as we cook and bake our way through exciting tips and tricks with friendly culinary challenges to put your newfound skills to the test. Every week is a new curriculum (so no two camp weeks are alike).

view the full summer camp directory at

Cost: Starting at $155 (Bardmoor, Jim & Heather Gills Y), Starting at $130 (Childs Park Y, Lealman Exchange) Dates: May 31 – Aug. 5 Ages: Day Camp Ages 5-12, Teen Camp Ages 12-15, Coed Cost: $250/week Dates/Times: 10 weeks of camp starting May 30, Morning sessions 9 a.m. to noon, Afternoon sessions 1-4 p.m.

Ages: 6+, Coed

TampaBayParenting.com

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TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

World of Possibilities EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS WITH PBS KIDS! Inspire children to observe and understand nature with these great resources from PBS! Explore the outdoors, discover fun nature crafts and learn more about the fascinating world waiting just outside your doorstep.

PBS for Parents

pbs.org/parents/explore-the-outdoors

PBS LearningMedia

pbslearningmedia.org and enter “Explore the Outdoors” into the search bar

As always, you can find helpful learning resources & more at wedu.org/edconnect

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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Mary Lee’s House:

2022 Family Guide in English

istockphoto.com/ Anna Gudimova

Child Advocacy and Protection Center Takes on a Role in an Alliance to Protect Families and Children in our Community

by Laura Byrne

As we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month this month, we’re putting the spotlight on Mary Lee’s House, a community collaboration that advocates for the health and wellbeing of children. Kalen Graham, Mary Lee’s House Community Alliance coordinator, sheds some light on how they protect children and how families like yours can help.

What is the Community Alliance of Hillsborough County?

How can parents/caregivers get involved with the community alliance?

KG: The Community Alliance is the voice of the unique and vibrant communities throughout Hillsborough County. The Alliance has members that are required by statute; however, it is driven by the needs of the children and families here in Hillsborough County.

KG: Parents and Caregivers are welcome to attend the hybrid community alliance meetings which are held on the second Tuesday of each month at The Children’s Board as well as via Zoom. Each month presents different opportunities for the community to gain knowledge and offer support to the children and families throughout Hillsborough County

What is your role with the Community Alliance?

KG: As the Community Alliance Coordinator, I am responsible for being sure that The Alliance hears the voices of the community loud and clear. I focus on educating and uniting the community to ensure we are on the same page. I also focus on bringing the voices together monthly to focus on the needs of the children and families here in Hillsborough County.

What are some of the community resources shared through the Alliance?

KG: Hillsborough County is truly a “resource rich” community. Many of the resources shared through the Alliance can be found in the Children’s Board Family Resource Guides offered both online and in the office. The Alliance constantly works to identify evidence-based and data-informed resources to help meet the needs of all children and families throughout the community as well as ways to share the resources effectively.

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2022 Family Guide in Spanish

TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

How can someone become a foster parent?

KG: Children’s Home Network offers foster parent information sessions every third Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. Please contact Heather Edwards at HEdwards@childrenshomenetwork.org to register.

Why is the Community Alliance important to bringing awareness to preventing child abuse in our community?

KG: The Community Alliance plays a pivotal role in effective communication and education of the community, especially during Child Abuse Prevention Month. The community alliance works with stakeholders throughout Hillsborough County to identify and disseminate an abundance of resources focused on preventing child abuse.

The Community Alliance focuses on opportunities to bring the community together and provide continuous education on Child Abuse Prevention as well as be a driving force to ensure child abuse prevention is successful.

MARYLEESHOUSE.ORG

Ranked #1 Children’s Hospital in Florida

To heal a hurt, to elicit a smile, to save a life. We are inspired to excellence by the young patients we care for each and every day.

Ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report in eight specialties for the second consecutive year—we honor the commitment to do more, to heal more, to cure more.

Learn about our advanced specialty care at HopkinsAllChildrens.org/ExpertPediatricCare APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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Birdie’s Surprise

CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

by Ellen McVay, photos provided by Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Soon, a devastating diagnosis: Birdie had congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a hole in the diaphragm that results in abdominal organs migrating up into the chest — choking off lung growth.

There was something different about this pregnancy.

Mary couldn’t put her finger on it, but she felt it intuitively.

She showed up in the emergency department of a Tampa hospital on a Saturday evening in October, days before her scheduled induction. Would the doctors think she was just being dramatic?

They didn’t.

Mary was in labor.

“I had never even heard of CDH,” Mary says.

“In the blink of an eye, our lives just shifted.”

CDH is increasingly diagnosed before a baby’s birth — typically, during the 20-week ultrasound. But sometimes, particularly if the heart appears to be in a normal position and the liver hasn’t moved up into the chest, this life-threatening birth defect can go undetected.

Baby girl Birdie entered the world at 11:03 p.m. that very same evening.

Now Mary and Rob had an urgent decision to make. Should Birdie remain for care at the Tampa hospital — or was there another choice?

Something wasn’t right.

A doctor at the hospital told Mary about a special center in St. Petersburg.

But Birdie’s arrival date wasn’t the only surprise.

“When she came out, she was blue,” Mary says.

“I started pounding her back. I knew she wasn’t breathing.”

The delivery team took the baby and immediately began to manually resuscitate her. Mary’s husband, Rob, followed as their newborn was rushed to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She was put on a ventilator.

What was wrong with Birdie?

64 TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022 PRESENTED

BY JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

The Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CCDH) at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is an inpatient center dedicated solely to the treatment of CDH. It was the first of its kind in the country and remains a place where survival rates exceed national benchmarks.

“He told me, ‘If my son or daughter were in this situation, I’d send my child there,’” Mary says.

CDH CARE AT JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN’S When Birdie was 12 hours old, she was transported by LifeLine ambulance to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

The highly skilled CDH team, under the direction of David Kays, M.D., was both confident and comforting. They immediately worked to stabilize Birdie and then communicated the plan for care to the family.

“Dr. Kays was so kind, from the very first moment he came in and sat us down,” Mary says.

Some babies born with CDH are very sick right away.

Others do moderately well the first day and then develop problems on day two.

“We’ve been able to refine techniques to considerably reduce the risks of that second day instability, which can often result in the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support,” Kays says.

ECMO is a form of heart-lung bypass. It can’t always be avoided, especially in severe cases, but it does come with inherent risks. Nationally, the survival rate of babies with CDH who need ECMO support is about 50 percent. The ECMO survival rate at Johns Hopkins All Children’s is much higher than that, above 90 percent.

Birdie did not require ECMO support. But she would need surgery, and some very specialized care.

On her sixth day of life, Kays and his team performed the delicate repair surgery — moving the infant’s organs out of her chest and into place and closing the opening in her diaphragm.

The surgery went smoothly, and Birdie recovered well. But she had a long way to go.

EATING LIKE A BIRDIE About a week after surgery, a milestone: Birdie’s breathing tube was removed.

Now she needed time to heal. Time for her lungs to grow and get stronger. And she needed to learn to eat, a common challenge for babies with CDH. “She struggled at first,” Mary says. “She would eat some, but then tire easily and lose weight overnight.”

The team members at Johns Hopkins All Children’s are experts at helping these babies learn to eat. That means a higher percentage of patients go home eating on their own, without a feeding tube.

Day by day, Birdie learned to eat a tiny bit more.

She was proving to be a fighter.

HOME It had been a difficult journey, but one Mary and her family travelled with deep gratitude.

“Not a single nurse or doctor or staff member was anything less than amazing,” Mary says. “We want other CDH babies to have the same opportunities we were given.”

Forty-six days after her arrival, this baby was going home.

Home to her own room. Home to her adoring dad, and big sisters Nellie and Olive, who were so excited to welcome her.

Home to life. Time for this Birdie to truly take f light.

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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Miles and Mom

A story of love, determination and hope in the face of a grim diagnosis

by Maggie Rodriguez, photos by Nikki McIntosh

Ten-year-old Miles McIntosh loves to play football during recess.

His wheelchair doesn’t move in the grass, so he convinced his classmates to play on the blacktop and to make him the quarterback. It’s an example of the tenaciousness that has shaped his life with a rare disease and inspired his mother, Nikki McIntosh, to create Rare Mamas, an organization dedicated to helping other mothers on the same journey.

Tell me about your journey with Miles.

My journey with Miles started when he was 18 months old. He was diagnosed with SMA, which is a rare neuromuscular condition. We had been on the journey to find answers for about six months prior. He had hit all his milestones until it came time to stand and walk. That’s when we noticed he was not able to bear weight on his legs, so we took him to our pediatrician who kind of dismissed it and then on to a neurologist who started to try to help us find answers.

What were those six months like not knowing what was wrong with your son and gettting assurances from doctors that he was fine?

That stage of wandering and wondering was terrible. As a parent, you have these instincts, these gut feelings that something might be going on and it’s really hard to get the courage to take your child to see a doctor and when the doctor is saying, ‘No, I don’t think there’s anything wrong,’ you’re kind of going against an expert because you really feel like there is.

So that was really a scary place to be.

What do you remember about those years after the diagnosis?

After the diagnosis was the most difficult period of life, the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through because so much is unknown. You’re trying to understand the science behind the disease and then you’re trying to give your child the best care possible. It was overwhelming emotionally, overwhelming physically—caring for a child who is unable to walk—and overwhelming mentally just by the nature of having to learn so much. I felt completely exhausted, completely overwhelmed and scared. Truthfully, just shaken to my core.

When did that begin to subside?

Time and plugging into the organization, CURE SMA, and meeting other parents who were a little bit further down the road with a child with SMA—that helped tremendously. The more I learned, the more knowledge I gained and the more confidence I gained as well.

Is that why you started Rare Mamas, so that you could do the same for other mothers navigating your same challenges?

That was exactly why. I kept thinking about those other moms out there in that beginning stage… when I think of that stage, it still wells something up inside me. I feel for these moms, and I want to help them. I was one of those moms that was given that worst case scenario: no treatment, no cure, progression of the disease is inevitable. There was no reason for hope, yet we chose hope, and I’m glad we did because it allowed us to march forward and pursue things that we might not have had we not had hope, like clinical trials for my son’s disease and the treatment that he’s now on that’s saving his life.

Take me into the future. What do you hope for Miles?

I feel like the future is bright. I see Miles using the challenges that he’s faced to go on and do something bold. I don’t know what that’s going to be, but I just know that, based on the way he is, it seems like there’s no stopping him.

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TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

ENJOY THE RIDE

with These Helpful Bike Safety Tips

by Terry Kober, PA – Pediatric Associates of Tampa Bay,

iStock-1173112160

Riverview Office

Learning to ride a bicycle is one of those critical childhood experiences that the child and parents will always remember. Children generally learn how to ride a bike between the ages of 3 and 8, making bicycles popular gift items for birthdays and during the holiday season. Receiving a bike and learning to ride it is exciting but can cause parents some anxiety.

Choose the Right Gear

TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE, MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY FOLLOWS THESE TIPS FOR BIKE SAFETY: Know the Rules Before your child rides their bicycle in any public setting, they should know and understand local bicycle safety laws.

Generally, your child should understand safety requirements, traffic signals, bicycle signals and bicycle operation rules and requirements. Parents should enforce the importance of safe riding with their child as well.

Check the Bike After you have confirmed that your child understands the rules and regulations of bicycle riding, make sure they have the right-sized bike before letting them go off on a ride.

While adult bicycles are sized according to frame size, children’s bicycles are rated by wheel size. After understanding the right wheel size for your child, select a bike that provides the best stand-over height and seat height as well.

PRESENTED BY PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF TAMPA BAY

Providing your child with bike safety gear can help reduce the chances of injury if a bicycle accident occurs. Make sure your child wears the proper shoes, clothing and helmet every time they ride a bike. ●

Shoes: Sneakers are ideal. Flip f lops, sandals and shoes with heels or cleats should be avoided.

●

Clothing: Avoid loose clothing that will interfere with the bike chain.

●

Helmet: Florida, like most states, requires the use of a helmet in certain situations. You should select a helmet that fits your child properly and meets the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Choose the Right Path If your child operates their bike in safe environments, it can decrease their chances of being involved in a serious crash.

Encourage your child to ride in restricted/protected bike lanes or on bike paths when possible. If your neighborhood does not have bike lanes, instruct your child to ride in the same direction as traffic and stay as far to the right as possible to avoid collisions with automobiles.

If your child is involved in a bicycle accident, take them to your pediatrician to make sure that there aren’t any physical issues that may not be visible to the human eye. Your medical providers can help determine if there are any additional issues and potential treatment of those issues. The physicians at Pediatric Associates of Tampa Bay can help you make sure your child is safe and healthy. Call 855-KIDZ-DOC to schedule an appointment.

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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.com #TAMPABAYPARENTING Articles Th i n g s t o D o Guides +More

what's trending...

Our Favorite Water Parks in Tampa Bay:

Summer Camps in Tampa Bay:

Things We Love Toy Storage Pouch by MiniOwls These travel/storage pouches are not only see-through to help you and your littles find their beloved items faster, but they’re also super durable to take on the go on road trips and vacations. They’re also mom-invented, so you know they’re good! Prices star t at $15.99 miniowls.com

Yoto Mini Player We love this as a screen-free option for little ones who still want their own device for stor y time and music.

The Yoto Mini is essentially a Walkman for kiddos! Each card has its own stor y or music line up and the Mini is just the right size for kids to hold and take along with them. There is also up to 20 hours of play time with each charge and a huge librar y to shop from.

Price: $59.99 for device. us.yotoplay.com

Search our guide in print and online for the perfect camp for your child.

Where Kids Eat Free: Check out some of our favorite restaurants in town that offer "Kids Eat Free" specials on select days of the week.

Things to Do This Weekend in Tampa Bay: We’re sharing our top picks of special events and activities to experience with the kids.

U-Pick Season is Underway in Tampa Bay: From berries, veggies and even f lowers ...u-pick season is in full swing!

Sweetfields Farm's sunflower u-pick is scheduled to begin in May.

Adventure Island

Follow along with us for inside looks of fun things to do with the kids in Tampa Bay, behind-thescenes, sneak peeks and more.

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Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

Stanley Jr Hand Garden Tool Set We love this gardening tool set that looks like mom and dad’s tools but is designed just for kids!

This is a great gif t to get the spring garden going this month! Price: $19.99 stanleyjr.com

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TampaBayParenting.com APRIL 2022

LOG ON TO TAMPABAYPARENTING.COM FIND ALL OF THIS AND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

BECAUSE WE GOT GLASSES Clear vision is key to running our CAMP Fitness Studio and Gym location in Tampa. Every day, we focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and that includes healthy eyesight! We want kids to be as fit as can be by getting their annual eye exams.

The Glazer Vision Foundation provides children in need with free glasses, changing how they see the world.

Jamie Lanza & Jen Azzarelli Founders of Camp Tampa

APRIL 2022 TampaBayParenting.com

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320 W. Kennedy, Ste. 220 Tampa, FL 33606

4 8 0 1 E A S T F O W L E R AV E • TA M P A • 8 1 3 - 9 8 7 - 6 0 0 0 • M O S I . O R G MOSI’s mission is to be the intersection of science, technology and innovation in the Tampa Bay region where conversations and learning happen, knowledge is exchanged and new ideas are celebrated.