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In Central Florida’s Polk County, you’ll discover local tastes, incredible experiences & unique accommodations. All in a naturally beautiful location that feels a world away, but is just minutes from Orlando’s famous theme parks. Plan a trip at VisitCentralFlorida.com.
BayCare treats more children in West Central Florida than any other health care system. Whether it’s a routine exam or critical heart, cancer or brain care, our teams use innovative treatment options and give every child personalized support and compassionate care. With three dedicated pediatric emergency centers, you can rely on our pediatric ER experts to provide specialized care, 24/7. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, BayCare Medical Group Pediatrics and the entire BayCare Kids network help children start strong and stay strong.
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13 // Spring Festivals: Celebrate the season with our favorites
14 // Feel the Love at The Lion King: Actor Danny Grumich shares the magic of Disney’s Broadway hit
16 // COVER STORY: The Magic of FORTS: Build creativity and problem-solving skills at Glazer Children's Museum
19 // LEGOLAND® Florida Resort’s Ultimate Family Stay: Immerse your family with all-new DUPLO®, NINJAGO® and Friends-themed hotel rooms
20 // Step Inside MOSI’s Incredible New Digital Dome: Soar through space, dive into the ocean and experience stunning laser shows in 360 degrees
24 // Celebrate Earth Day Every Day: Check out kidfriendly ways to help pollinators and reduce waste year-round
25 // Earth Day Crafts: Karimah Henry of @craftingafunlife shows how to celebrate nature with fun, eco-friendly projects
26 // Turn Food Scraps into Treasure: Reduce waste by transforming fruit, veggie and herb scraps into flavorful and sustainable creations
28 // Smart Cooking: Save time with meal planning, batch cooking and creative leftovers for stress-free dinners
31 // Tampa Bay Diaper Bank: Learn how this new nonprofit is changing lives across Tampa Bay
37 // Month of the Military Child: Discover how Hillsborough schools honor military-connected students with resources, support and programs
38 // Celebrate National Library Week: Check out library programs, community outreach and free resources that inspire learning for all ages
53 // Spend a Retro Summer at Camp: Unplug and rediscover classic summer fun with games, outdoor adventures and hands-on creativity at CAMP IDS.
76 // GUEST EDITOR: Become a Mandatory Supporter: Tewabech Genet Stewart shares how your support of families can strengthen communities and prevent childhood trauma
Nina Dreiling, exhibits director at Glazer Children's Museum, and her family inside the FORTS exhibit at the museum. The newly expanded exhibit recently opened in its new permanent space on the second floor. We've got the inside scoop on page 16.
81 // A Very Special Subspecialist: TGH and USF Health's Dr. Courtney Mascoe pioneers pediatric and adolescent gynecology
85 // One and Done: St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital transforms pediatric heart care with a groundbreaking infant cardiac stent
8 // Noteworthy: What’s New and Notable in Tampa Bay and beyond
10 // April Top Picks: Our favorite things to do this month
33 // Moms to KNOW: Meet Mindy McCord, USF’s head coach, who’s shaping the future of women’s lacrosse
35 // Kids to KNOW: Meet Annabelle Gutowski, a young changemaker who empowers foster kids through Kicks For Kids, International
86 // What’s Trending on TampaBayParenting.com: Check out some of the most popular stories and events!
The Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH specializes in pediatric care in a family-friendly environment.
The experts at the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH are specially trained to deliver the highest level of care to the youngest patients and their families — the kind of care you can get only at an academic health system. Pediatric specialists and surgeons, pediatric-certified nurses, psychologists, certified child life specialists, and pediatric therapists all work together to ensure that children get the best care and families get the support they need.
*University-based program
CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER
Laura Byrne
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Anu Varma Panchal
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Zoë Joiner
PUBLISHING ASSISTANT
Maddie Henning
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Laura Byrne
Brie Gorecki
Karimah Henry
Anu Varma Panchal
Julie Tingley
Laura Cross
Dalia Colón
Kate White
Grayson Kamm
Dani Faig
Tewabech Genet Stewart
Ellen McVay
Cheryl Wolfe
Jennifer Grubb
Marie Miller
Courtney Cairns Pastor
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Ralf Gonzalez
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Jennifer Dufek
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tina Klymuk
University of South Florida Athletics
Karimah Henry
Laura Byrne
Matthew Murphy
MOSI
Lonestar
Intuitive Machines
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James Anderson
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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
Dear Parents,
As the guest editor of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine’s April edition, I am thrilled to share my experiences and discuss how we can support parents in our community. Three years ago, I joined the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County as the Director of Strategic Initiatives to oversee the ONEhillsborough initiative. This program leverages the Social Determinants of Health to address systemic challenges impacting underserved communities.
I was born and raised in Liberia, West Africa, where my parents dedicated 38 years to missionary work. From an early age, I learned that serving others is one of life’s greatest responsibilities. With over two decades of experience in Florida’s child welfare system, I have come to understand that the best way to support children is by strengthening and uplifting their parents. I am deeply committed to transforming the system of family separation and regulation into one that nurtures, restores and empowers families, ensuring children can thrive in safe and loving homes.
BECOME A FAN tampabayparenting @tampabayparenting
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.
Imagine a community where family separation is no longer a necessity – where families receive the resources they need to create a secure and supportive environment for their children. This vision can become a reality when we work together to provide meaningful assistance to parents in need.
On a personal note, when I was matched last year with Leo, a remarkable 7-year-old boy, through the Heart Gallery of Tampa, I embarked on the journey of motherhood. Our adoption was finalized in November 2024 during National Adoption Day. Leo has been a tremendous blessing in my life. The Heart Gallery of Tampa provided unwavering support throughout the adoption process, and there are many other children in our community in need of loving, permanent families. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to the Heart Gallery heartgallerytampa.org
Tewabech Genet Stewart Director of Strategic Initiatives, Children's Board of Hillsborough County
ABA Centers of Florida recently unveiled its very first autism care center in the Rocky Point area of Tampa. The center provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services to children with autism through a play-based approach rooted in positive reinforcement. abacentersfl.com
The tanks at SEA LIFE Florida are officially filled with water as we approach opening day on May 23! The new attraction next to LEGOLAND Florida will feature 10 immersive galleries and 25 interactive exhibits and will be home to more than 3,000 sea animals!
Congratulations to the students at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School in Plant City, who are proving that reading is their super power! They outread every other class across seven regions in the district of the NCAA Read to the Final Four challenge presented by Helios Education Foundation. To celebrate, local leaders and USF student athletes joined the kids for a championship-worthy pizza party!
Tampa's premier song-and-dance ensemble features an all-female cast of young talent, ages 5- 18. Known for Broadway-caliber performances, this dynamic troupe electrifies audiences with high-energy productions spanning multiple genres. Performing at major events like conferences, galas, "The Today Show,"
professional sporting events, and for U.S. presidents, they have captivated crowds throughout Florida. Founded in 1989, this nonprofit organization empowers young women to become confident, driven leaders, and launch successful careers in entertainment.
Florida’s largest planetarium is NOW OPEN at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa! Take a deep dive by flipping to page 20 to learn more about this incredible new way to immerse yourself in the wonders of the world, from outer space to deep within the oceans.
There’s a new way to STAY at LEGOLAND Florida Resort! This month, LEGOLAND Hotel debuts new themed rooms that feature DUPLO, Ninjago and LEGO Friends themes. Flip to page 19 to see even more peeks at these new awesome rooms!
DAILY THROUGH APRIL 13
St. Pete
The Pier’s 5,000-square-foot rink will host musical theme nights, live DJs, a disco ball, lights, Sunday Family Skates and more. Tickets to the Rockin' Roller Rink include skate rentals and 75 minutes of skate time. stpetepier.org
APRIL 2-20, VARIOUS TIMES
The Straz Center, Tampa
More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s "THE LION KING," and now you can, too, when Tampa’s best-loved musical returns to the Straz Center April 2-20. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. There is simply nothing else like “THE LION KING.” strazcenter.org
APRIL 3-6, VARIOUS TIMES
Downtown Tampa
Celebrate the NCAA Women’s Final Four during a series of fan events, including a Super Saturday Concert, a Party on the Plaza at Cotanchobee Park, a Beyond the Baseline panel and more. Events are free and open to the public. ncaa.com/womens-final-four/events
NOTE: The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club also plays on Saturday, April 5, at their Riverfront Stadium in Tampa.
EVERY SUNDAY IN APRIL AT 3 P.M.
Downtown Tampa
The historic Tampa Theatre has been a favorite destination for Bay-area moviegoers of all ages since 1926. This April, the next generation of young film fans can see some of their parents' most beloved childhood blockbusters, like "The Goonies," "Spy Kids" and the "Emperor's New Groove" on the big screen, thanks to the Family Favorites classic movie series, presented by TECO, every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
APRIL 11-27
Clearwater Beach
See extraordinary sand sculptures under a 24,000-square-foot tent on the beach created by sand artists from around the world. This year’s theme is “Dinoshores – Prehistoric Adventure in the Sand.” As part of this theme, you can expect augmented reality and projection mapping, making the ancient creatures stomp, roar and roam before your eyes. sugarsandfestival.com
APRIL 12, RACES START AT 8 A.M. Blake High School, Tampa
Runners of all fitness levels are welcome to run and walk in support of Hillsborough County Public School students, teachers and school district initiatives. Registration is $40 for the 5K and $20 for the 1-mile race. runsignup.com
USF LACROSSE: SENIOR DAY VS. OLD DOMINION
APRIL 12 AT 1 P.M.
Corbett Stadium, Tampa
Celebrate USF Lacrosse Senior Day as the Bulls take on Old Dominion! Join them at Corbett Stadium to honor their seniors and witness high-energy lacrosse action. Don’t miss this special moment in Bulls history! Tickets start at just $7. Secure yours today at gousfbulls.com and help pack Corbett Stadium for an unforgettable senior day celebration!
APRIL 12 FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 3 P.M. Children’s Board of Hillsborough County Resource Center, Tampa
April is National Minority Health Month, an annual observance that builds awareness about the health disparities that persist among our underserved communities. This free event is aimed to prepare Hillsborough County mothers for their healthy pregnancy journey in an effort to reduce severe maternal morbidity amongst Black women in the county. Navigate your pregnancy journey by connecting with essential resources for a healthy and thriving pregnancy. The event will be held at the Children’s Board’s 1002 E. Palm Ave. location.
APRIL 12-13 FROM 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. Nature’s Classroom, Thonotosassa Enjoy a day for the whole family at Nature’s Classroom with guided hikes, children’s activities, animal experiences, shoreline sampling and more. A $20 donation per carload will help cover operating expenses. hillsboroughschools.org BUSCH GARDENS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
FRIDAYS TO SUNDAYS FROM NOON UNTIL PARK CLOSES
Tampa
Sip and taste your way through the festival’s cabins featuring 10 countries and an Old World Wines Tasting and Tequila Tasting. Don’t miss the nightly concerts during the event.
KEEL FARMS BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
WEEKENDS IN APRIL (CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY)
This is the perfect day date to pick your own blueberries, learn more about how Keel Farms makes its wines and ciders on-site and even taste the seasonal releases.
Flip to page 13 for more on these awesome festivals!
APRIL 12 FROM 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. & APRIL 13 FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
Centennial Park, Venice
Enjoy live music and family-friendly activities, including shark tooth hunting. Venice is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World as you can find so many shark teeth on the beach. venicesharktoothfestival.com
APRIL 19 FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa
Adopt a duck. Help a child! Don’t miss this fun way to support local kids while watching 10,000 ducks race down the Hillsborough River in competition for the top prize of $5,000! There will also be live music, games and entertainment leading up to the race. Adopt a duck for $5 in advance at TampaDuckRace.com; you don’t have to be present to win. Funds raised will benefit the Tampa Kiwanis Foundation, which supports many local children’s programs.
APRIL 26 BEGINNING AT NOON Tradewinds Island Resorts, St. Pete Beach
APRIL 19, RACE STARTS AT 7:15 A.M.
Adventure Island, Tampa
This is your child’s chance to race through one of the world’s best water parks! The TBKT offers kids ages 6-14, experienced and first-timers alike, the unique opportunity to swim, bike and run in and around Adventure Island. The triathlon includes a 200-meter swim, 1.5-mile bike and half-mile run. All registrants will also receive a complimentary “stay and play” ticket! tampabaykidstriathlon.com
APRIL 26 FROM 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M.
Join Learning Gate Community School to celebrate the organizations and individuals in the Tampa Bay area dedicated to the principles of sustainability, ecology, equity and economy. Enjoy live music, demonstrations, green living products, local artists, organic farm products and more! learninggate.org
ASHLEY’S EGGSPLORATION IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Bring your Krewe to a day of fun in the sun on day 3 of the NFL Draft at Bucs Beach Bash, presented by TradeWinds Island Resorts! Enjoy a cornhole tournament, drinks, prizes, a Kids Zone and more all weekend long. Admission is free. Hotel packages are available at discounted rates for two-night stays. buccaneers.com
APRIL 30 – MAY 11
The Straz Center, Tampa
Amaze is a revolutionary experience in the world of illusion. With Jamie Allan’s signature blend of state-ofthe-art technology and timeless conjuring techniques, Amaze does more than just showcase magic; it places it directly into the hands of the audience, inviting attendees to not only witness but also partake in the wonder. Tickets start at $39. strazcenter.org
ZOOBREWS AT ZOOTAMPA
APRIL 5 FROM 7:30-11:30 P.M.
Tampa
SATURDAY, MAY 10 AT 3 P.M. The Straz Center, Tampa
When Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober Fraggle discover a legend about a long-lost Fraggle treasure called the Celebration Stone, they embark on an adventure to find it and end up celebrating the greatest treasure of all – something much more special than they could have ever imagined! “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live,” the first live show of the beloved TV series, is perfect for families and fans who remain young at heart. Tickets start at $25. strazcenter.org
Raise a toast to a “wild” date night while raising money to support ZooTampa’s conservation efforts. It’s a night filled with live music, games, food and drinks and upclose animal connections. Tickets are $79 for members and $89 for non-members. VIP options are available. zootampa.org
APRIL 11 FROM 6 TO 11 P.M.
Tampa
Enjoy a casual paint night with MOSI’s awardwinning artist to guide you step by step through a themed painting. Sip on some complimentary wine, release your creativity and leave with a “wall worthy” 16-inch by 20-inch painting. No experience or materials are needed! Tickets start at $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. mosi.org
APRIL 19 FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
Julian B. Lane Park, Tampa Tampa’s largest egg hunt and Easter event returns with thousands of eggs, photos with the Easter Bunny and so much more! tampasdowntown.com
SEASIDE EASTER BREAKFAST AT CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM
APRIL 19 FROM 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M. Clearwater
Help support Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release animals during this sweet Easter event, where you’ll enjoy a gourmet breakfast, watch a dolphin presentation and even take photos with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are $65 for adults and $55 for children. CMA Members save 10%. cmaquarium.org
Scan this QR code for more Easter events, including egg hunts, brunches and where to take pictures with the Easter Bunny!
by Laura Byrne
Springtime in Tampa Bay means the weekend schedule is filled with festivals. This month, a few of our favorites are back!
WHEN: Fridays to Sundays from noon to park close through May 18
This is your chance to feast around the world without leaving Tampa Bay!
You'll find 10 country cabins that feature 85 food and drink items in the Festival Pathway, Festival Field and Bird Gardens. This year, you’ll find sips and bites from Jamaica, Colombia, New Zealand, France, Canada and Italy. There are also cabins focused on Old World Wines and a Tequila Tasting
You can also enjoy the concerts each night of the event, including Soulja Boy & Paul Wall on April 4, Plain White T’s on April 19, and more!
The event and concerts are included with admission, but if you want to save at the cabins, we suggest purchasing the Sampler lanyard. You can buy a 10-item sampler for $70 or a 15-item sampler for $85. Pass members can buy an 18-item sampler for the price of the 15-item. buschgardens.com
WHEN: Every Saturday and Sunday in April (closed Easter Sunday)
Tampa Bay’s favorite event celebrating the blueberry returns with the 17th annual Keel Farms Blueberry Festival. You can expect plenty of family-friendly activities like bounce houses, camel rides, a petting zoo and u-pick blueberries! Admission is free, but parking is $10. There is a fee for U-pick, or you can purchase pre-picked berries to take home. keelfarms.com
Hunsader Farms 2nd Annual Flower
WHEN: April 5-6 & April 12-13
Where to pick berries, veggies and beautiful flowers!
Hunsader Farms is always a favorite day trip in the springtime with its beautiful u-pick flowers, and now they’re celebrating with their 2nd annual Flower Festival! There will be fields full of cut-your-own flowers, hayrides and hay maze, train rides, live bands, food vendors, fresh produce, a petting zoo and more! Admission is $15, and kids 10 and younger are free. If you want to pick flowers, it’s $8 for a cup, which is provided. hunsaderfarms.com
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival at Walt Disney World
WHEN: Daily through June 2
This is one of our favorite festivals at EPCOT because it’s so inspiring, and it offers something for everyone in the family, from the green thumb and music lover to the foodie! And there are plenty of things for the kids to do as well, like Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration Scavenger Hunt and the ALL-NEW Playalong Bay playground near the World Showcase.
The foodie will love sipping and tasting their way through the festival’s exclusive Outdoor Kitchens, including the new Yacht Grub and Beach Grub near the Playalong Bay Playground. We highly recommend the new Seafood Bake and S’mores Bar from the Beach Grub Kitchen.
The green thumb, or wannabe gardener, will feel inspired by the topiaries and 28 themed gardens. Among our favorite gardens are the NEW Inside Out 2 Emotion Garden and the returning Topiary Heritage Garden in the United Kingdom. Butterfly Landing is another family favorite!
There are also daily live concerts as part of the Garden Rocks concert series for the music lovers in the family.
by Brie Gorecki
Danny Grumich, The Lion King’s Pumbaa, talks about the hit Disney Broadway show, life as the loveable warthog and tour life as a new dad.
Disney’s “The Lion King” roars into the Straz Center this month, bringing the beloved movie to life on stage in a BIG way. The show features all your favorite characters and songs from the 1994 animated film, along with a few special musical numbers sprinkled in that were written just for the stage show.
What also makes this Broadway adaptation so unique is the way it highlights the story’s South African origins with authentic costumes, music and dances.
One of the most beloved characters in the show is Pumbaa, the jovial, carefree warthog, who befriends Simba and helps him regain his rightful place as the Lion King while providing comic relief alongside his sidekick, the witty meerkat Timon.
Actor Danny Grumich has played the role of Pumbaa with the touring cast since last September. We recently had the chance to talk to him about the show, what it’s like to play such an iconic role and how life is on tour as a new dad to his 11-month-old daughter, Gracie.
TBPM: What sets the Broadway show apart from the original movie?
DG: You're going to get all the major highlights from the animated film that everybody knows and loves. You’ll have “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “I Just Can't Wait to be King” and “Circle of Life” – all the iconic songs, all the iconic characters.
But what makes the musical so special is that there's so much more South African culture and influence intertwined within that. So, every costume is based on some sort of South African beadwork or fabric pattern, and it's sort of intertwined with these puppets and South African mask-making influences for the lioness and the lion heads.
It's such an amazing melting pot and melding of the South African culture within this iconic film that everybody knows and loves. And I think it ultimately just elevates it to a stratosphere that people who are just familiar with the movie aren't going to expect in the best way possible.
TBPM: Pumbaa provides so much comic relief. What's it like being able to play that character on stage every night?
DG: It's awesome. I mean, there's nothing like it, to be honest. I've been in sort of the mix for the show for about three years now. So, it's been something that's been on my radar for a long time.
Getting to experience it every night is both challenging and amazing in different senses. Challenging in the sense that you really want to do justice to these iconic characters that everybody knows and loves. But really, it's just an incredible experience in the sense that the show really offers the opportunity to bring our own selves to those roles and find our own bits within Timon and Pumbaa.
TBPM: Let's talk a little bit more about the South African costumes and their influences.
DG: The movie takes place in Africa, so they wanted to pay homage to the place that was the roots of this movie.
Lebo M was the original orchestrator and creator of that iconic opening, “Circle of Life,” and wrote a lot of the music in the show along with Elton John. Paying homage to where he came from and the roots of the movie really tackles what is not just an animated feature cartoon; it tackles all of the culture.
All the corsets are hand-stitched and hand-beaded. The fabric and everything else just have such an amazing influence.
I think there are five or six different South African languages that are spoken from Zulu to Swahili to a few others intertwined throughout the show. A lot of South African lyrics are being sung. And what's special about our show is that you sit there and you might not understand what's being said or sung, but you can feel exactly what's happening.
TBPM: Puppetry is incorporated into many of these characters, too. What’s that like?
DG: Well, Pumbaa is an 8-foot long, 50-pound body puppet. He's a big boy. I think there are over 120 different puppets that we use in the show, and they range anywhere from full body puppets like Pumbaa to shadow puppets behind a piece of fabric with light shown behind them.
It's not just one specific type of puppetry. It's not one specific South African language that we're focusing on. It's that melting pot that incorporates so much, and it just creates something so special.
TBPM: You’re a new dad! How is it balancing parent life and touring life?
DG: It's definitely a day-by-day process. I've been on the road about six months now. My wife and I were just talking the other day – I feel like we're starting to find a groove of how this all works with raising a kid on the road.
It was definitely a learning curve. I will say, they always say it takes a village, and that is more than true out here. We travel with a cast of about 50. There's a little over 120 in the company. And I would say with spouses and other families on the road, there's probably close to 200 folks that travel city to city. So, we're literally a small village traveling, if you will.
And within that, the company has been unbelievable. The second they found out that my family was coming on the road with me, people would come out of the woodwork to babysit, to help out, to offer advice, to anything and everything in between.
But I'll tell you what, the real MVP has been my wife. She didn't hesitate. We packed up our dog, and her and my daughter all came on the road. She's been incredible. She's obviously full-time solo parenting anytime I'm at the show or doing press or in meetings for the show. She's definitely the real rock star in that whole thing.
TBPM: For people coming to see the show for the first time, what can you tell them to expect?
DG: It’s going to really blow you away.
I got to sit in and watch it when we were in Greenville, South Carolina, but I was just so blown away with not only the special effects, but just the way that it creates some iconic looks and moments from the movie live on stage. Then that curtain goes up and Rafiki is out there to start the “Circle of Life.”
Mukelisiwe Goba is our Rafiki. She starts in a stratosphere that is completely unmatched. You're sitting back in your seat, blown away by the energy that just hits you from the go, you know, and that's sort of incredible.
But I think the biggest takeaway is that a lot of the special effects that we use to tell the story are all the original designs from Julie Tamor and the original team. After almost 30 years, they still hold up and have that much of an impact and really elevate and can tell a story so greatly.
With where technology is today and where CGI or other certain things that are incorporated into today's modern Broadway shows, I think that the most incredible thing is that they were so far ahead of their time when they designed it. It’s close to 30 years later, and it still has people in tears and on their feet, erupting in applause and screams every night. It's a really cool thing to see.
If you know the movie, you're going to get that story times ten, and I guarantee you'll leave satisfied.
WANT MORE? SCAN THE QR CODE TO READ OUR EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH DANNY.
by Kate White
When you step into the newly expanded FORTS exhibit at Glazer Children's Museum, it feels like walking into your grandmother’s eclectic living room – if that living room were designed for play! A grandfather clock stands near a vintage mantel, mismatched quilts are draped over tufted antique armchairs and enchanted art hangs on the walls. Some couches are even stacked on top of each other (safely bolted, of course), creating unexpected nooks and pathways that spark imagination. And best of all? Tucked inside an unassuming wardrobe is a hidden room glowing in black light, where tufted pillows line the floor and colorful ribbons dangle from above.
This is no ordinary play space. It’s a whimsical world of nostalgia and imagination, lovingly designed to inspire wonder. And behind it all is Nina Dreiling, the exhibits director at Glazer Children’s Museum.
To bring this vision to life, Dreiling collaborated with Creative Director Lauren Colombo, whose playful design approach shaped the exhibit’s whimsical and eclectic aesthetic. But, unlike a traditional exhibit where every detail is meticulously planned in advance, much of FORTS had to come together organically. The exhibit features an extraordinary collection of antique and handmade items, requiring the team to hunt for the perfect pieces.
"We scoured secondhand stores, antique markets and estate sales for months," Nina says. "Every piece in here has a story. We chose unique furniture pieces, textiles that felt warm and familiar and décor that resonated with our nostalgia."
The museum’s exhibits team not only selected these treasures but also lovingly restored and repurposed them. They hand-built a custom staircase, installed projection mapping to make the pieces of art move as if enchanted and transformed a wardrobe into a secret passageway, reminiscent of “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
"It was a labor of love," Dreiling says with a smile. "Every detail was chosen with care, with the goal of making children and adults alike feel like they’ve stepped into a storybook."
Every blanket draped and cushion stacked in FORTS is more than just fun; it’s an opportunity to practice critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Open-ended play like fort-building lays the foundation for lifelong learning in a way that feels effortless and fun.
As kids build forts, they’re testing out principles of physics and engineering. What makes a structure stable? How can a blanket stay in place without slipping? What happens if we add more pillows? These moments of trial and error help children develop problemsolving skills and perseverance, lessons that extend far beyond the walls of their forts.
Fort-building is rarely a solo activity. It involves teamwork, communication and sometimes, compromise. Who gets to be in charge? What should the fort be? When kids work together, they’re learning how to express their ideas, listen to others and collaborate – crucial social skills that will serve them throughout life.
A fort isn’t just a pile of blankets and chairs; it’s a world of possibilities. Today, it’s a castle; tomorrow, it’s a spaceship. This kind of imaginative play strengthens cognitive flexibility, creativity and storytelling abilities, laying the foundation for future innovation.
At its heart, FORTS is more than a place to play – it’s a space where families come together, where parents and children share in the joy of discovery and where generations reconnect through the simple magic of building something from nothing. A wellplaced blanket or a carefully stacked cushion can spark stories, laughter and a sense of togetherness that lingers long after the fort comes down.
But the impact of FORTS reaches beyond individual families. It’s a celebration of play as a shared language – one that unites not just parents and children, but an entire community. Within these walls, strangers become collaborators, ideas build upon one another and the spirit of creativity spreads. This exhibit is a testament to the power of imagination, reminding us all that play isn’t just for kids. It’s a lifelong connector, a force that brings people together and a tradition worth preserving.
Big news for Tampa Bay families!
The Glazer Children’s Museum is now a Certified Autism Center™ — a prestigious designation that solidifies its commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming space for autistic and sensory-sensitive children. This certification, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, means that over 80% of the museum’s guestfacing staff have undergone extensive autism training, ensuring they can provide the best possible experience for every visitor.
“At the Glazer Children’s Museum, we believe every child deserves a space where they feel seen, valued and supported,” says Sarah Cole, the museum’s president and CEO. This achievement builds on the museum’s longstanding efforts, including sensoryfriendly events, neurodiversity-affirming camps and adaptable tools designed to meet the needs of all families. The beloved Sunshine Sundays, held on the last Sunday of each month, offer a quieter, sensory-friendly experience.
For families looking for a truly inclusive summer experience, NeurodiversityAffirming Camp Imagination is a game-changer. This specialized summer camp provides a structured, supportive environment with smaller class sizes, on-site behavior and speech specialists, staff trained in positive behavior support, and access to sensory-friendly tools. With a consistent schedule, an adjacent quiet room and specially curated activities, campers can explore, play and connect in a way that meets their unique needs. Families also have the option of a pre-camp orientation tour and questionnaire to ensure a smooth transition.
By earning this certification, the Glazer Children’s Museum is leading the way in inclusive play, setting a new standard for children’s museums everywhere. Plan your visit and experience a place where every child can play, learn and thrive – on their own terms.
This spring, make LEGOLAND® Florida Resort your family’s ultimate vacation destination for an unforgettable adventure. For the first time ever, the all-new LEGO® DUPLO® rooms will be available for stays, alongside newly reimagined LEGO® NINJAGO® and LEGO® Friends rooms. These 20 newly designed rooms are meant to spark imagination and endless fun.
From hands-on building and games to story time and PJ dance parties, parents can leave the entertaining to the Hotel. During your stay, enjoy
THE RESORT’S NEW HOTEL ROOMS interactive play areas, character meet-andgreets and surprises around every corner – making it the perfect vacation for families with children ages 2-12!
Step into the wild with the all-new LEGO DUPLO rooms – the first of their kind! Designed for little adventurers, these vibrant, animal-themed rooms bring nature to life, inviting families to camp out among creatures from around the world. The kids’ area transforms into the lush jungles of South America, where llamas find shade and sleepy sloths dangle from branches. Meanwhile, the bathroom transports families to the icy landscapes of Antarctica, where baby penguins play on snowy banks. Get ready for a stay filled with roar-some adventures!
For a limited time, Florida and Georgia residents can get a 3-day anytime ticket for just $33 per day. Residents can visit LEGOLAND Florida Resort anytime until June 20 and make unforgettable family memories!
Stay in the action-packed City Dojo, overlooking the vibrant and bustling LEGO NINJAGO City. Inspired by master ninjas and their legendary dragon companions, these immersive rooms invite you to step into the shoes of a ninja hero. Join the LEGO NINJAGO warriors on thrilling adventures, where every brick unlocks a new mission in a world of action, mystery and endless possibilities.
Hang out with LEGO® Friends at their Creative Clubhouse! Step into the heart of Heartlake City and join this fun-loving, adventurous team of creative explorers in their favorite activities. Discover your talents alongside Aliya, Autumn, Leo, Liann, Nova, Olly, Paisley and Zac, whether you’re singing your heart out, drawing a masterpiece or exploring your musical creativity. Surrounded by bright colors, playful décor and interactive elements, these rooms provide an inspiring escape where imagination knows no bounds.
LEGOLAND® Florida Hotel is transforming every stay into a memorable experience for the entire family! From exploring the wild, mastering ninja skills or unleashing your creativity, a world of fun awaits in every corner of your ultimate brick-filled getaway.
Get a Bronze Pass for Just $9.99 Per
Families can unlock year-round fun with an annual pass for $9.99 a month. Enjoy unlimited access to over 50 rides, shows and attractions, plus discounts on food, retail and hotel stays –extending the fun all year long!
by Grayson Kamm
Step in and be surrounded by science.
The new eight-story-tall MOSI Digital Dome Theatre is now open.
A 10,000-square-foot curved screen fills the inside of MOSI’s iconic blue dome. Soar through space, explore under the sea or dive into a volcano—all right next to the University of South Florida (USF) in North Tampa’s Uptown neighborhood.
The new MOSI Digital Dome Theatre will wow you with:
• Planetarium tours of the night sky
• Immersive 360-degree movies
• Laser light music concerts
• Live performances
• Special events, including weddings
MOSI guests can choose from multiple show options every day, and a Digital Dome Theatre ticket is included with MOSI admission. Plus, get ready for field trips. Entire grade levels at schools can share a huge STEM experience at the same time as the theatre has more than 300 seats.
Ten state-of-the-art projectors team up to create an enormous image that’s not just High Definition or 4K – but 8K. And that crystal-clear picture can take you anywhere in the galaxy; MOSI’s Digital Dome Theatre is the new home of the Saunders Planetarium and now the second-largest planetarium in America.
To get your tickets or find out about field trips, visit mosi.org.
The moon is closer than you think. That’s because a group of our neighbors here in Tampa Bay just sent an experiment to the moon on a robotic lander. They run a company called Lonestar.
Their experiment launched on a SpaceX rocket from Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 26. While it was on its way to the moon, the Lonestar team turned a room in their offices in St. Petersburg into a mission control center. Signals were going from St. Pete, to a spacecraft 240,000 miles away, and then back to earth.
The experiment is called the Freedom Data Center. It stores information like business documents and historical records on the moon, backing them up and keeping them safe from disasters on earth. “Our core mission is saving Earth’s data, one byte at a time,” says Chris Stott, CEO of Lonestar.
VISIT MISSION MOONBASE:
This interactive exhibit launches you to the moon base where you can drive a rover and perform other experiments astronauts might perform on this futuristic lunar colony.
TOUCH THE MOON:
You can touch a real moon rock collected during the Apollo 17 mission. It’s on display in front of the Mission Moonbase entrance.
BE THE ASTRONAUT:
See what it’s like to program a flight to the Moon or Mars—it was developed in coordination with NASA, so it’s using real science in this simulation.
The data center is black and about the size of a school textbook. It’s attached to the side of a lunar lander called Athena. When the Athena lander touched down on the moon on March 6, it tipped onto its side. That meant that the lander couldn’t get enough power from the sun, and it would run out of electricity quickly.
The Lonestar team hurried to complete the tests they needed to prove that their experiment works. And they did it; they proved that they can safely store data from earth on another world. Lonestar is already planning more missions in the future.
FRIDAY: 3 PM – 8 PM
SATURDAY: 10 AM – 8 PM
SUNDAY: 10 AM – 7 PM
…know a youth who is working to stop bullying? Yes, you do!
…want that youth to be recognized for their efforts to make a difference?
…have ten minutes to nominate them?
NOMINATION DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2025
WHERE IS THE NOMINATION FORM?
hcfl.gov/bullyfreehillsborough OR SCAN THIS QR CODE:
ANY QUESTIONS?
Contact Eva Dyer DyerE@HCFL.gov 813-276-2033
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
Any youth or group of youths who made an exemplary effort in developing programs, campaigns, and/ or interventions to address bullying &/ or cyber-bullying.
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW:
A brief description of the actions/ accomplishments demonstrating how the Youth addressed bullying so that they can be recognized for their actions, accomplishments, and/ or advocacy efforts to address bullying.
SPECIFICALLY:
Any youth or a group of youths (up to age 19) in Hillsborough County who live or lived in the county and/ or attended school in Hillsborough County at the time of their outstanding achievements.
EXAMPLES OF CONTRIBUTIONS MAY INCLUDE:
• Information about how they increased awareness and understanding of bullying
• Reduced the incidence of bullying and cyberbullying
• Provided outreach to build a positive environment at school or in the community
• Addressed the needs of bullying victims
Did you know that Florida has 300 species of bees and over 200 species of butterflies that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth? You can create a haven for these pollinators that we literally could not survive without. While a yard is great for a pollinator garden, a container pot absolutely works and can make a difference! The Florida Wildflower Foundation has some great tips on how to plant a pollinator pot using native plants. flawildflowers.org/pollinator-pot/
We also love planting colorful marigolds and pentas, and even herbs like cilantro, dill and basil that bolt and flower pretty easily. The bees love them!
Give old and broken crayons a new lease on life so they don’t end up in a landfill where they can sit for decades or even hundreds of years; the parrafin material that crayons are made out of does not easily degrade. Organizations like The Crayon Initiative and Crazy Crayons/National Crayon Recycle Program collect old crayons and turn them into new ones that kids can use. thecrayoninitiative.org | crazycrayons.com
WANT MORE? SCAN FOR MORE IDEAS AND DISCOVER EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS IN TAMPA BAY!
by Laura Byrne
Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
Visit Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center at the St. Pete Pier, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, ZooTampa, Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium. Your visits and even your gift shop purchases help these organizations continue their conservation efforts.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, containers and packaging from the things you buy make up about 28% of municipal solid waste. Make a difference by looking for eco-friendly packaging. Even better, shop at a refillable store like Lufka Refillables Zero Waste Store in Seminole Heights, Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa and Wesley Chapel, and Sans Zero Market Zero Waste Store in St. Pete. Start small by refilling products like laundry detergent and hand soap and even bulk food items like grains, nuts and beans.
We all know we can recycle paper, cans and bottles, but what about makeup containers? Toothpaste tubes? How about bread bags and even old baby gear and toys? 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. Explore your options at terracycle.com
TIP: TerraCycle also works with Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Program, which gives you a discount coupon for new baby gear in exchange for your old car seat, car seat base and more. The program, which is offered at least twice a year, has recycled more than 3 million car seats since 2017!
by Karimah Henry, @CraftingaFunLife
April 22 is Earth Day! It’s a time to celebrate our planet, and what better way to do that than with simple and creative crafts using recycled materials?
SUPPLIES
• Recycled egg carton
• Twine or string
• Scissors
• Bird seeds
1. First, use scissors to carefully cut off the top of an egg carton.
2. Next, use a pencil or scissors to create a hole in each corner of the carton.
3. Use scissors to cut two pieces of string or twine, each about a foot long.
4. Thread string or twine through the holes diagonally and tie ends into knots over corners.
5. Finally, add bird seeds, then hang the egg carton bird feeder on a tree in your yard.
SUPPLIES
• Hot glue gun with glue sticks
• Recycled cardboard (one from a snack box or cereal box works the best)
• Scissors
• Twigs, leaves, flowers and acorns
• Tape
• Bucket or basket
1. First, go outside and collect a bucket or basket full of nature items including twigs, leaves, acorns or flowers.
2. Next, collapse your recycled cardboard box, then use scissors to cut two long strips.
3. Measure the circumference of your child’s head to see how long your cardboard strips need to be. Then tape the strips into a circle to create the crown.
4. Finally, allow your child to pick the items they want to add to their cardboard nature crown. Then an adult will use a hot glue gun to add the nature items to the crown. Allow your child to dictate where each item is placed on their crown, but make sure they do not touch the hot glue gun.
by Dalia Colón
In the United States, an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the food supply is wasted each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But the produce you grow or buy doesn’t have to be destined for the landfill. Here are some ways to give your fruit, vegetable and herb scraps new life.
1 Make frozen herb cubes.
Fill an ice cube tray with minced herbs, top with olive oil and freeze overnight. Pop the frozen cubes out of the trays and store in a freezer bag, so you always have small portions handy for adding to soups, sauces and salad dressings.
2 Bulk up your greens.
The leafy tops of celery, carrots, beets and other veggies can be sauteed or tossed into a salad.
3 Go bananas. Drop peels into a pitcher of water and refrigerate overnight. The resulting “compost tea” is loaded with potassium, phosphorus and other nutrients that your houseplants will love.
4 Get buttered up.
Elevate your baked potatoes, waffles or anything else that benefits from a slathering of flavorful compound butter. Start with softened butter, and mix in minced herbs or citrus zest.
5 Make your own cleaning products.
Infuse white vinegar with citrus peels for a natural allpurpose cleaner that smells divine. Toss lemon peels into your garbage disposal for a DIY deodorizer. Or simmer dried citrus peels, herbs, spices and flowers on the stove to create a fresh-scented potpourri.
6
Take stock. Whenever you have leftover onion slices, herbs, carrot knobs, celery stalks or even bare corn cobs, add them to an air-tight container or zip-top bag in your freezer. When it’s full, simmer the contents with more aromatics, tomato paste, water and salt for several hours. Cool, strain and freeze in 1-cup portions, so you’ll always have homemade stock on hand for soups, stews, rice dishes and more.
8 Practice self-care.
Give yourself a fruit-infused facial with one of these pureed combos: strawberries with cornstarch; peaches with oatmeal and honey; or avocado with egg yolk.
9 Treat your animal friends.
7 Make strawberry syrup.
Upcycle discarded berry tops into a sweet sauce for pancakes, ice cream or oatmeal. Just toss the leafy tops into a saucepan with water, lemon juice and sugar, simmer until thick and strain out the syrup.
Make dog food from leftover petsafe ingredients like unseasoned carrots, sweet potatoes and blueberries. If you live in a rural area, donate your fruit and veggie scraps to a farm to help feed the chickens, pigs, goats and other livestock.
10 Grow new plants. Pineapple tops, celery stalks, scallions and many other plants will regrow a whole new plant when placed in water or soil. Now that’s sustainable!
by Dani Faig, danifaig.com
Between work, school drop-offs and the endless juggle of parenting, cooking every night can feel like another full-time job. But what if you could make home-cooked meals easier, smarter and stress-free – without sacrificing variety or nutrition?
With a little planning, batch cooking and creative leftovers, you can save time, reduce food waste and keep meals interesting all week long.
Meal planning may sound like just another task on your to-do list, but thinking ahead just two or three days can simplify your life in a big way. Start with two simple questions:
• What meals does my family love?
• How can I use the same ingredient in multiple ways?
For example, if your family loves sweet potatoes, instead of using them once, plan meals that make the most of them:
Roasted sweet potatoes
Easy dinner side Sweet potato pancakes Nutritious breakfast Sweet potato purée
Mix into soups or as a side dish
By prepping one main ingredient in bulk, you cut cooking time in half and keep meals exciting.
Batch cooking is a busy parent’s best-kept secret – it means cooking once and eating multiple times. Here’s how to make it work for you:
• Make extra grains (quinoa, rice) for stir-fries, bowls or quick sides.
• Double recipes and freeze half (turkey veggie burgers today = an easy meal next week).
• Chop all your veggies at once and store them in containers.
• Pre-cook proteins (shredded chicken, ground turkey or tofu) for easy mix-and-match meals.
It’s like meal prepping without the overwhelm.
No one wants to eat the same meal on repeat. The key is transforming leftovers into something fresh and new.
• Leftover grilled chicken? Chop it up for quesadillas or toss it into a pasta salad.
• Extra roasted veggies? Blend them into a creamy soup or add them to scrambled eggs.
• Leftover pasta? Mix with cheese and bake for a next-day pasta casserole.
• Friday night clean-out-the-fridge pizza? Throw leftover veggies, meats and cheese onto a pizza crust.
This not only saves time and effort but also reduces food waste, something we all struggle with by the end of the week.
Smart cooking isn’t about spending hours in the kitchen; it’s about making the most of your time, ingredients and effort so you can enjoy stress-free, home-cooked meals. Some weeks will be smoother than others, and that’s okay. Every small step toward a smarter cooking routine makes a difference.
Planning ahead may seem like another task, but even a rough idea of your next few meals can make grocery shopping easier, reduce the chances of eating out and eliminate lastminute stress.
• Write it down or keep it in your head, whatever works for you.
• Plan just two or three days at a time to keep it flexible.
• Choose versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple meals.
• Consider your health goals and your family’s needs when planning.
A little planning goes a long way in making home-cooked meals easier, more enjoyable and less overwhelming.
It’s not just about diapers. It’s about dignity.
by Laura Byrne
Diaper need impacts more than 200,000 families in Hillsborough County alone. That means they can’t afford to give their babies a clean supply of diapers for a week of daycare. It’s a staggering statistic. And it inspired the idea within the Junior League of Tampa to start a diaper bank in 2018 as a project to help families meet that fundamental need.
As the Junior League of Tampa prepares to mark its centennial year in 2026, they are celebrating another important milestone: launching that modest project into a full, standalone nonprofit — the Tampa Bay Diaper Bank.
TBPM: First — tell us more about how the Diaper Bank got its start. Where did the idea come from?
LS: The idea for The Junior League of Tampa Diaper Bank began after a member saw a news clip about the need for diapers after Hurricane Harvey devasted Texas and Louisiana in 2017. This JLT member learned about diaper banks and how they provided diapers to families in need. JLT learned more about this need and researched whether there were any diaper banks in our area. After learning from community partners that diaper need ran deep in Hillsborough County and the nearest diaper bank was in St. Petersburg, JLT created its Diaper Bank project in 2018.
TBPM: Looking back to when this was just an idea, how are you feeling now to see how the Diaper Bank has grown and how it has helped change the lives of so many families in our area?
LS: JLT's Diaper Bank began in 2018 with four community partners, a diaper drive that raised 1,000 diapers, and a small self-storage unit.
Seven years later, the Diaper Bank serves 16 community partners, has moved into an industrial warehouse space, and has distributed over 3.75 million diapers.
To ensure long-term sustainability, to invest in growth and to follow historical precedent, in 2024, JLT decided to gift its Diaper Bank project to the community by creating a standalone nonprofit organization. After identifying the inaugural board for the new diaper bank, JLT officially launched the Diaper Bank, and the Tampa Bay Diaper Bank was created in January 2025.
TBDB is poised to carry on JLT's legacy by investing in the growth of the diaper bank to best serve our community.
TBPM: What is the diaper need in our community, and how has it changed over the last few years?
LS: The Junior League of Tampa has been a member of the National Diaper Bank Network since the creation of its Diaper Bank project. NDBN supports the work of its member banks through research, advocacy and product donations. NDBN's 2023 Diaper Check nationally representative study revealed that nationwide, 1 in 2 families struggles with diaper need. Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a child clean, dry and healthy.
In Florida, 43% of our state's small children live in families that earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level (just over $62,000 per year for
a family of four; learn more about the FPL at aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines).
JLT's Diaper Bank is one of Florida's 15 NDBN member banks that collectively distribute over 10 million diapers annually and serve over 17,000 children monthly. More information on Florida diaper need statistics can be found on NDBN's website at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org.
TBPM: How does the Diaper Bank work, and how can people get involved?
LS: The Diaper Bank works to procure diapers and provide monthly distributions to its community nonprofit partners, who in turn provide the diapers to their client families in need.
Through our partnership network, JLT's Diaper Bank, and now the Tampa Bay Diaper Bank, supports other local nonprofits by allowing them to focus on their unique missions, including child abuse prevention, providing services to survivors of domestic violence or supporting foster families, while providing a critical basic need to their client families.
Community members can engage with the new Tampa Bay Diaper Bank by visiting their website, www.tampabaydiaperbank.org, signing up for their email distribution list and following them on Instagram @tampabaydiaperbank.
Engaged community members can help educate the larger community by hosting diaper drives, collecting diapers that will support a family in need. For folks that want to quickly and easily support, they can visit our Amazon Wish List (Amazon.com). Every diaper helps!
In the coming months, Tampa Bay Diaper Bay will develop additional meaningful engagement opportunities where members of the community can help pack individual diapers into diaper bundles, providing a week's worth of diapers for a baby in our community.
TBPM: The Diaper Bank started as a JLT project as an idea of a member. Let's talk about how the JLT fosters this kind of community involvement and leadership amongst its members.
LS: As a nearly 100-year Tampa institution, The Junior League of Tampa has successfully employed a develop-and-launch model with its community projects.
This means our organization identifies a community need, develops a project to address that need, nurtures and grows the project, and then aims to launch that project out into the community as a stand-alone nonprofit capable of more extensively serving the community.
JLT's Diaper Bank project launching into a separate nonprofit – Tampa Bay Diaper Bank – is a beautiful example of the power of JLT's volunteer women growing a project to deeply serve a community need.
APRIL 25-26, 2025 THE ORLO 315 PLANT AVE., TAMPA, FLORIDA
PRESENTED BY:
The Second Act Summit™ a transformational event happening April 25-26, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, designed to equip women over 40 with the tools, strategies, and confidence to step boldly into their next chapter—whether that’s launching a business, pivoting careers, or simply reclaiming their personal power.
by Julie Tingley, founder of @weemacree
As the oldest and fastest growing sport in North America, lacrosse is a culture, a community and a mindset. And under the leadership of Head Coach Mindy McCord, the introduction of women’s lacrosse at the University of South Florida (USF) is proving to be exactly what skilled female players and emerging youth athletes needed most for sports in Tampa Bay.
TBPM: Tell us about the journey that led you to Tampa in 2022.
MM: My husband, Paul, and I have been around the sport of lacrosse since 1999 as a couple – first as friends and then … a couple, getting married in 2002. We moved to Florida soon after as Paul was an assistant coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. We started our own sports marketing company in 2005. Then we did a business plan and started the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams at Division I Jacksonville University where we found great success on the women’s side. As one of the smallest D1 programs, we built a perennial top-20, Sweet-16 program there and produced some amazing graduates!
Michael Kelly called on us to explore the USF option when they started their program. At first I was not wanting to leave our home in Jacksonville. I loved the school so much and we had so many friends there. We had no complaints. But Mr. Kelly was compelling and the D1 landscape is changing rapidly. After interviewing live, I felt drawn to Tampa and to USF in their commitment to put women’s lacrosse on the national landscape to contend for championships, with world class facilities, and an AAU education. Of course we always enjoy building things from scratch! It was a great fit!
TBPM: What is your mission as a coach?
MM: My motto is to change lives one stick at a time. I feel so blessed by sports and all that great coaches have taught me over the years, that I want to give back. It’s my calling. I should first give credit to God for the calling. I want to follow His path.
TBPM: Please share the impact that both you and your husband have had on lacrosse in Florida.
MM: When we came to Florida, lacrosse was very sporadic. We wanted to see it played in every corner of the state, so we did inexpensive or free clinics all over the state to teach the game. We started the first comprehensive club program in four areas of the state (Jacksonville, Orlando, Southeast Florida and Southwest Florida) and we had kids from other areas join as well. We helped more than 400 kids find colleges to play lacrosse during a ten year span. Paul started the best girls lacrosse tournaments in the southeast and his model was used by USA Lacrosse for best practices. We started local youth leagues that still exist to this day. More than 2,000 kids have played in the league.
TBPM: As a mom of two, in what ways has your passion for athletics and team sports influenced your daughter and son?
MM: I value physical fitness and being outside, away from screen time. If not sports, playing outside with friends. Learning conflict resolution with
kids, the way we did. Developing problem solving skills without YouTube. Keeping healthy by being active and making it a part of our lives as a family. We have busy lives and without those two words actively expressed in our lives each day, we would struggle to operate.
TBPM: Spring 2025 marked the start of the historic inaugural season for the University of South Florida’s Women’s Lacrosse team. How did you recruit and grow this group of athletes?
MM: Paul is the master recruiter. His ability to work as hard as he can, as smart as he can is what has propelled us building a highly competitive team in just our first year. He will tell you that he prays for people every day, and he prays that the right caliber of player will be drawn to Tampa to be a part of our team. Our associate head coach, Britt Orashen, should receive the majority of the accolades. She is a pied piper for girls in sport. They just love her and connect with her. The two of them are a true dynamic duo on the recruiting circuit, and you will see the fruits of their labor sprouting up in the first five seasons of our program!
TBPM: One of your key pillars for the team is faith. Let’s expand on what that has meant for you in your career and what you hope to teach your players too.
MM: Faith is everything to me. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. Wherever someone is in their faith walk, I hope they can see the love of God through our actions and take steps in their own spiritual journey. We live in a free society, and people have the freedom to express their views. At the end of the day, we hope that our faith serves as a positive reminder of hope to everyone we meet.
TBPM: What do you enjoy most about living in Tampa Bay?
MM: I enjoy the cultural diversity. Downtown is so impressive, but so are the beaches, the state, county, national parks, the neighborhoods, and the sports culture of Champa Bay. We are big boaters as well and we love the communities we have frequented from Apollo Beach to Tarpon Springs. I hope more people bring their families to our matches and truly experience what a community-based Division I lacrosse program is all about! I invite you to meet our players and coaches after each match, get autographs and pictures, come on the field for pre-game national anthem and as mascots for our games, and help us to set records and become the NCAA champion we dream of becoming one day!
We are grateful and we want you to feel that vibe! gousfbulls.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/schedule
We also offer great summer camp experiences. See usflaxcamps.com for more information.
by Julie Tingley, founder of @weemacree
It is one thing for a child to nurture and demonstrate empathy upon learning about other kids in need, but it is another thing for this child to take matters into her own hands to change the narrative all together. With a strong family foundation at home, Annabelle Gutowski answered a heart-led calling to show up for those who don’t share that same foundation: to empower them, to remove barriers of access and to make life feel less different than their peers. And while she is determined to make an impact for local foster kids, Annabelle intends to serve children across the world through her nonprofit organization.
TBPM: Tell us about yourself.
AG: Hi! My name is Annabelle Gutowski, and I am a 15 year old freshman in high school. I have three younger siblings who are 12 years old and 6-year-old twins. I love marine science, swimming, going to concerts and traveling. When I grow up, I want to be a marine biologist or a maritime archeologist who studies shipwrecks.
TBPM: What made you want to start a charity on your own?
AG: When I was 13 years old, I volunteered at my mom’s work. She works with kids in foster care. While I was there, I noticed that they had a ton of clothes, toys and toiletries for kids of all ages. At the time, there were around 2,500 kids in foster care in Hillsborough County. They were removed from their parents for abuse, abandonment and neglect. Some go with relatives or with a foster family. Many of the older children go to group homes. They carry their belongings in garbage bags, and unfortunately, their things are often stolen. They will go to school and if they don’t take their belongings, other kids in the group home may take their things. Sometimes kids don’t go to school so they can protect their stuff. Other kids take everything they own to school.
These kids are just like us. They want to feel normal. I knew I wanted to do something to help. When I spoke with the Executive Director for Voices for Children, she told me that the kids always need shoes; specifically, Crocs and slides were the most requested. They are not cheap, but everyone in high school seems to have them. I decided then that I would start collecting them. Some friends of mine and I decorated boxes and placed them at school, in neighborhoods and at some surrounding businesses. We collected approximately 100 pairs of shoes in 2024. I wanted to expand this to collect more shoes and help additional kids in need. I then started the non-profit so I could do this.
TBPM: Please describe the mission of Kicks For Kids, International and what you do to accomplish this?
AG: Kicks for Kids, International is a non-profit designed to help at-risk kids and children in foster care. Shoes can’t fix all of their problems, but when they go to school or out with friends, they will not feel as different. I also want to give them options so that they can have a little bit of control in what they wear. They do not have any control in their lives, where they will live and who they can visit. This gives them at least some opportunity to make their own decisions. Lastly, I want to raise awareness for what is happening to children in our own community. Things are hard for foster kids. I think if our community knew what the need was, they would respond.
TBPM: You have big goals for 2025! Explain what you hope to fulfill this year and how the local community can support you.
When I started this, I wanted it to grow beyond my local community. This is why I added the “international” part. I love to travel, and have been fortunate to travel overseas and learn about other cultures. In every society, people need some help. We are starting to partner with the Manaleni Center in South Africa. The center provides a safe place for children who have lost parents to AIDS. They provide food, tutoring, even college tuition to these kids. Everyone can go to school, but they have to pay for a uniform. Twenty American dollars will cover this necessary expense so children can have an education and an opportunity to change their lives. Kicks for Kids, International will also raise support for shoes and uniforms for these kids.
AG: My goal this year is to collect 250 pairs of shoes and/or $25,000. Our website is kicksforkidsinternational.com. On the website, you can learn a little more about our program and shop our Amazon store for different shoes. Additionally, you can see more about the Manaleni Center and their donation page. We also have a page on Facebook, Kicks for Kids, International, that we would love for you to follow.
TBPM: What do you love to do most in Tampa Bay with your family?
AG: I love going to the beach with my family, going fishing and spending time with friends. This year, I want to learn how to paddleboard, and I’m trying to teach myself how to play the electric drums.
Hillsborough County Public Schools provides high-quality early learning programs for children aged 3 to 5.
These programs are designed to support a child's development and nurture a love of learning from an early age.
Our programs use a researchbased curriculum to develop early literacy, math, science, and self-help skills CURRICULUM
With a focus on the whole child, our programs build on the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language skills of each individual
We take pride in creating a safe and welcoming space where children can grow and thrive
Interactions with peers develop social and communication skills, forming a foundation for lifelong learning.
Now is the time to register for the 2025-26 school year! With limited spaces available, Take advantage of this opportunity to create a bright future for your child!
Become part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools family and watch your child thrive! Learn more at hillsboroughschools org/earlylearning
by Laura Cross
Hillsborough County Public Schools is proud to be home to 4,000 militaryconnected families in schools across our district.
It can be tough to be a military child, but our staff are specially trained to make transitions easier on these little heroes. And in April, we are proud to celebrate the Month of the Military Child.
Kim Sukash is our district’s military liaison. She works directly with our schools, especially the ones with the largest population of military families. She makes sure that our schools have the resources to assist military students and that their families can navigate our school system smoothly.
“April is a time to honor and acknowledge the unique sacrifices made by military children,” says Sukash. “These brave students face the challenges of frequent moves, leaving behind friends and adjusting to new schools. Their resilience and strength deserve our recognition and appreciation.”
Hillsborough County Public Schools has 21 schools that are designated Purple Star Schools. The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students. One of those schools is Tinker K-8, which is actually located on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Tinker K-8 has special resources and clubs for its military children and their families.
However, other schools around our district also create special
organizations and programs to make military students feel more welcomed.
Boyette Springs Elementary started a Military Kid Club. The club’s goal is to help military children plug in quickly at a new school and to provide them with a place for meeting other students with similar military-life experiences. The fourth and fifth grade students in the club become student ambassadors and are there to help buddy the younger military students.
So far this year, the Military Kid Club at Boyette Springs Elementary has made welcome packages for new military-connected students, created Lego Robotics with a military focus and created banners for parents who are being deployed.
Riverview High School has created a Student 2 Student program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students and build connections through service. The Student 2 Student Program is student-led with an overall mission to take care of new students and help them feel a sense of belonging. When a new military-connected student arrives on campus, the students in S2S show them their new campus, introduce them to staff and help them learn more about their new community. It provides fun ways for new students to get to know other students and build new peer groups.
With MacDill Air Force Base located right here in Tampa Bay, our district is no stranger to supporting our military families. It is our honor to take care of our military families and make sure the children feel welcome in school and in the community.
Please remember to Purple Up on April 15 and help us celebrate and honor these special students.
Whether you’re a military family or want to learn more about how to support our military families, visit our website at HillsboroughSchools.org/militaryfamilies
by Cheryl Wolfe, Jennifer Grubb and Marie Miller, Librarians
Recognized annually in April, National Library Week highlights the valuable role that libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
Our library's greatest asset is our friendly and knowledgeable staff, who create a welcoming environment and help connect customers with needed resources. From providing a warm greeting at the front door to finding a long-forgotten book title, the library staff are the heart and voice of promoting all the great things you can see in our buildings and our website.
The library offers many learning opportunities, and the staff constantly explores new and old collections, databases, classes and services to share with customers. We provide various learning opportunities, including crafts, Job Now for job seekers and worksheets for young children through The Mailbox Plus and Universal Class for continuing education. Library staff share their expertise through programs like Tech Help, Story Time and Book Discussions.
We take our library services into the community with our bookmobile, Library2Go. This service helps provide library access to those who cannot visit a library branch in person. We mainly visit senior centers and aging services, but we also go to remote areas in the county. We make about 10 weekly stops, spending about one hour at each location.
Our bookmobile offers complete library services on wheels. We can register new customers for library cards, check out and return materials and provide tech support. Our bookmobile contains various materials, including magazines, books for children and large-print books in Spanish and English. We aim to bring exciting reading options to those who cannot access a library branch.
In addition to our Library2Go service, our outreach team loves visiting with the community and engaging kids and families with library resources. We can sign up families for library cards, answer questions, share information about the library and inspire you to take a fun photo with our library card photo prop.
Our outreach team loves connecting with kids and families in the community, helping you sign up for library cards, answering questions and sharing fantastic library resources. Don't forget to snap a fun photo with our library card photo prop!
You may find us at back-to-school and literacy events, where we're eager to meet parents and students and share information about all our outstanding resources and programs. This year, we teamed up with the Junior League of Tampa to bring the Mobile Interactive Literacy Opportunity (MILO) vehicle to the Gasparilla Children's Parade, where we gave out over 2,000 free books.
We can't wait to see you at community events or during your next visit to your local library branch. Come say "Hi" and join us on this literary adventure!
CAMP IDS at Corbett Prep
12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa 33618
813-961-3087; corbettprep.com/ community-programs/camp
Train to be a chef in a hands-on cooking class. Learn to be a vet. Play gaga ball, battle robots, train for fall sports or write a song. with more than 100 half- and full-day camps, CAMP IDS has something for everyone! Weekly sessions run June 9-July 18. PreK3-8th-grade students will find engaging options in STEAM, sports, academics, arts and recreation. Enjoy archery, canoeing, fishing and retro games on Corbett Prep’s lakeside campus or embark on fun field trips. Free morning drop-off at 7:45 a.m. After-care and bus transportation available for a fee.
Cost: $160-$375/week
Dates/Times: June 9-July 18
(closed July 4); half-day 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:15-3:15 p.m.; full day 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Ages: PreK3-grade 8; Coed
375 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711 828-686-3885; rockmont.com/tampa
Discover the magic of Camp Rockmont! Your son will embark on unforgettable adventures, build lasting friendships and thrive in a screen-free, outdoor environment. Guided by an exceptional team of counselors and leaders, campers grow in confidence, resilience and independence. When your son returns to school in the fall and is asked what he did over the summer, he will have an answer.
Cost: $2,495-$8,300; $200 discount available to first-time camp families
Dates/Times: Multiple camp options (6-27 days) starting June 8; Overnight Summer Camp
Ages: Grades 1-9; Grades 10-11 leadership/adventure programs/ Counselor in Training programs; Boys only
1315 Severn Ave., Tampa 33606 813-279-8020; diysf.org/summer-camp
Dive into an unforgettable summer with DIYSF's exhilarating sail camps! Explore the beauty of Tampa Bay while learning valuable sailing skills alongside experienced instructors. Our programs cater to all skill levels, fostering a love for the water in a fun and supportive environment. Kids will not only learn to sail but also build confidence, teamwork and valuable life skills. Join us this summer and discover the thrill of sailing with DIYSF!
Cost: Starting at $530 per week
Dates/Times: June-July; full-day camp
Ages: 5-17 years; Coed
10205 Anderson Road, Tampa 33624
813-264-5000; lafleurstampa.com/camps
At our Fun Camps, your child will be immersed in gymnastics-based activities including ball sports, obstacle courses, games and swimming (afternoons only) led by our team of certified, caring instructors. Choose from Gym Camp or Gym and Swim Camp, where your child will work on their sportsmanship, agility, strength, flexibility, hand-eye-coordination and so much more, all in the comfort of our air-conditioned gym and indoor heated pool. Campers have the ability to explore all rotating stations daily, including arts and crafts. Extended care available.
Cost: $171-$182/week (halfday); $319-$340/week (full-day); $72-$76/day; Weekly discounts available.
Dates/Times: June 2-Aug 4; Full and half-day options
Ages: 4-12 (half-day); 5-12 (fullday); Coed
Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts
1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 33759 727-712-2706; rutheckerdhall.com/ education-community
The Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall offers a variety of musical theater, drama, music, dance and visual arts 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 2. For more information on class descriptions, dates/times, and tuition assistance, please contact the Education Associates at REHEDU@rutheckerdhall.net.
Cost: Cost varies; tuition assistance available
Dates/Times: June 2-Aug. 2; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 5-18+ (all experience levels); Coed
4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 33617 813-987-6000; mosi.org
MOSI Summer Science Camps bring science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) alive through hands-on experiments, engineering and design challenges. Embark on a journey of curiosity and discovery this summer at MOSI. Camps are a thrilling adventure designed to ignite minds and inspire future scientists. MOSI’s camps are more than just an educational experience; they are a chance to explore the wonders of STEAM in a fun, interactive way. MOSI promises a summer filled with interactive experiments, engaging activities and the excitement of real-world science. Join us for a blend of education and adventure where science comes to life!
Cost: $99-$333/week; Member discount
Dates/Times: June 2–Aug. 8
Ages: 4-17; Coed
402 Oakfield Drive, Brandon 33511 813-490-ARTS (2787); faopa.org
Music and More Summer Camps are full- or half-day week-long camps where students explore instruments, acting, singing and art. We offer the option for daily dropins, plus early drop-off and late pick-up. Musical Theatre Summer Camps are two-week intensive production camps. Students work on acting, blocking and singing— dynamics and harmonies—along with how to put together a full production at the end. There is something for all ages and abilities. We offer scholarships and sibling discounts.
Cost: $230/week, Music and More; $275/2 weeks, Musical Theatre; $30 Registration Fee
Dates/Times: May 26-Aug. 7; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus half-day and daily rate options
Ages: 5-12; Coed
10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, Florida 34654 727-816-3244; phsc.edu/academics/kids
PHSC Kids College offers a variety of fun, engaging and Dare We Say it – academically-driven camps that are fit for students beginning middle school all the way to high school! From a BUILD YOUR OWN COMPUTER CAMP, to an Advanced Crime Scene/Forensics Camp, PHSC Kids College will have your camper wishing it never ends.
Cost: Varies by camp
Dates/Times: June-July; Full and half-day options.
Ages: 11-18 year; Coed
Looking for a summer experience where kids make lasting memories? Join us for a program packed with engaging activities and opportunities for growth, fun, and friendships!
Whether it’s discovering new skills, meeting new friends, or simply having fun, we’re here to make summer unforgettable.
Register now at www.academyatthelakes.org/summer! Spots are limited. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
• Full AND half day options for PK3-Grade 8
• Safe, structured, welcoming environment
• Experienced and passionate sta
• Teacher-led programming
• Endless opportunities to learn and grow
• Enrichment and Leadership Opportunities
• STEM-based O erings
• Creative and Fine Arts
• Sports and Recreation
• Outdoor Adventures
Summer at the Lakes
2331 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes 34639 813-948-7600; academyatthelakes.org/summer
Located at Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes, Summer at the Lakes welcomes campers from across Tampa Bay to experience weekly half and full-day camps. Our summer camp sessions offer a variety of exciting and engaging experiences for children from PreK3 through rising 8th grade. Set in a safe and structured environment and guided by passionate and experienced staff, campers can explore the outdoors and sports, science and technology, culinary and arts, as well leadership opportunities and enrichment camps. Before and aftercare available.
Cost: $200 - $425/week
Dates/Times: June 2-July 25
Ages: PreK3 - Rising Grade 8; Coed
Tampa Bay
10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa 33612 813 884-4FUN; buschgardens. com/tampa/summer-camps
For Tampa's most inspiring, exciting and educational camp experiences, Busch Gardens offers a variety of summer day camps to fit your child’s grade level and interest, making it the perfect place for kids to make new friends, try new things (come face-to-face with a giraffe!) and experience Florida’s favorite coasters and thrill rides. Whether looking for a career in the zoological field, veterinary field or a chance to push adventure to the limit while staying in the Tampa area, Busch Gardens Overnight Summer Resident Camp is a home-awayfrom-home where you live what you love!
Cost: Day Camps, $239-$419/ week; overnight camp, $1,999/ week.
Dates/Times: Day Camp: June 2-Aug. 6; Overnight Camp: July 5- July 31.
Ages: Grades K-12; Coed
255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg 33701 727-896-2667; mfastpete.org
MFA Summer Art Campers discover their creativity at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. Our diverse summer camps combine gallery exploration, learning with curators and local experts, art-making, games and building friendships, ensuring every day is inspiring and fun.
Cost: $275/week; $200/week for MFA Members; scholarships available
Dates/Times: July 14-July 18, July 21-25, and July 28-August 1; Camp times: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: Grades 1-5 and 6-8; Coed
Tampa Fishing Kids Camp presented by The Saltwater Hook Up Fishing Charters
Gandy Boat Ramp: 5108 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa 33611 813-503-6761; capt-rich.com
Tampa Kids Fishing Camp creates unforgettable memories on the water while fishing with top-notch professional fishing guides of Tampa Bay. This camp is designed for all experience levels as our “campers” will turn into “anglers” by the end of camp from the knowledge gained. Fishing Camp promotes fun in the outdoors. Our main goal is to make long lasting impressions, whether that’s catching their first fish, biggest fish, most fish or prized fish, getting the younger generation “hooked on fishing.” It's a camp even the adults wish they could participate in!
Cost: Daily and weekly rate options
Dates/Times: June 16-Aug. 4; 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Ages: 7-15 years; Coed
Tampa Museum of Art Summer Art Camp
Cornelia Corbett Center, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 33602 813-421-6631; tampamuseum.org/summerartcamp
The Tampa Museum of Art offers all-day or half-day art camps where campers can create, learn and play in our newly constructed education center, in the galleries and in the Curtis Hixon playground. Camps have different themes based on the Museum’s permanent collection of antiquities, modern and contemporary art and exhibitions on view in our galleries.
Cost: $152-$220/week
Dates/Times: June - August; AM Camp: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; PM Camp: 1-5 p.m.
Ages: 6-17; Coed
The James Museum Summer Art Camp
150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 33701 727-892-4200 ext. 1010; thejamesmuseum.org/ summercamp
CREATE. EXPLORE. DISCOVER. Get messy and make new friends at The James Museum 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: $260/week; $230 for members
Dates/Times: June 9-July 25; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ages: Grades 1-8; Coed
4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 33620 813-974-3355; usf.edu/yxp
The University of South Florida Summer Camps offer exciting programs that blend fun and learning for students in grades 2-12. With a focus on STEAM education, our camps provide engaging experiences tailored to each age group. Through hands-on activities, experiments and field trips, campers engage in amazing learning opportunities.
Cost: $350-$2,000/week
Dates/Times: Camp starts June 2; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Half-day and overnight options available
Ages: Grades 2-12; Coed
Multiple Locations
Tampa: 813-224-8622; tampaymca.org
Suncoast: 727-467-9622; ymcasuncoast.org
Experience EVERYTHING the fun of camp has to offer at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and YMCA of the Suncoast! Campers will explore a wide variety of activities each day in a safe, fun environment that provides the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and make memories to last long after summer ends. Examples of activities campers may experience include: swimming, science, arts/crafts, nature education, games, team building and more. All of these fun and educational activities are infused with the Y’s character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Register today! Spots are limited and fill up fast!
Cost: Tampa Y: from $193/week for members
Dates/Times: Tampa Y: Mondays-Fridays, June 2-Aug. 8; schedules/fees vary by location for Suncoast
Ages: Tampa Y: 6-15; Suncoast Y: 5-17; Coed
8 THEMED WEEKS | June 9 - August 1, 2025
Imagine, discover, connect, and play all summer long at Camp Imagination! Campers will get to experience imaginative weekly themes, create crafts and complete challenges, make new friends, meet special guest speakers, and play in GCM exhibits.
GLAZERMUSEUM.ORG/SUMMERCAMPS
INCLUDING NEURODIVERSITY AFFIRMING CAMP WEEKS
• June 9-13: Ready, Set, Go!
• June 16-20: Maker Mania
• June 23-27: Wild World
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES SUMMER ON BAYSHORE
3319 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa 33629
813-839-5371; holynamestpa.org/summer
Discover a summer of endless excitement at Summer on Bayshore. With themed day camps like Camp Jaguar and Club Jaguar, plus options in academics, arts, athletics, enrichment and STEM, there’s something for every child ages 3 and up. Choose from over 100 camps and embark on your unforgettable adventure at Summer on Bayshore!
ADVENTHEALTH CENTER ICE SUMMER CAMPS
3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel 33544 813-803-7372; ahcenterice.com/learntoskate-kidscamp 813-803-7275; ahcenterice.com/icehockey-campsnclinics
Offering nine weekly “Learn to Skate” Camps and four specialized, 5-day Hockey Camps to choose from, the AdventHealth Center Ice Summer Camps offer the chance to learn new skills, make friends and have fun on the ice this summer. Camp is available to skaters from beginner to intermediate levels, including introduction to hockey and figure skating programs.
Cost: $175-$450/week
Dates/Times: June
2-July 25; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; No camp June 30 – July 4
Ages: Pre-K-Grade 12; Coed, all-boy, and all-girl camps
Cost: $325/week; $175 (goalies)-$475/week (hockey skaters), hockey equipment required
Dates/Times: June-August; full and half-day options
Ages: 5-14 years; U8 –U16; Coed
ADVENTURES IN GOD'S WONDERFUL NATURE SUMMER CAMP 1644 Nursery Road, Clearwater 33771 727-462-8000 ext. 200; flcclearwater.org
Join the Fun at First Lutheran School’s Adventures in God's Wonderful Nature Summer Camp. Explore God’s creation through games, crafts and Bible stories while connecting with nature and growing in faith. Make new friends and have an unforgettable adventure! Sign up today for a summer of fun, faith and God's world!
APOLLO ACADEMY & ESTEAM LEARNING LABS
1309 W. Swann Ave., Tampa 33606 678-787-5446; esteamlearninglabs.com/location/tampa
Our hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) camps spark creativity, teamwork and a love for learning. With engaging weekly themes, outdoor play and exciting projects, our camps are designed to inspire kids ages 4–14 while making summer fun, educational and stress-free for parents. (Find promos on our social media.)
APOLLO SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS
390 Scarlet Blvd., Oldsmar 34677
727-447-2108; apollogymnastics.com
Adventure awaits at Apollo! Flip into gymnastics activities, daily fun zones, obstacle courses, games and much more. Our USAG-certified coaching team is eager to teach your child and guide them through every step of their gymnastics journey. Whether beginner or advanced, all levels are welcome! Join today to enhance skills, boost confidence and form lasting friendships.
BARRETT SCHOOL OF MUSIC SUMMER CAMPS IN SOUTH TAMPA
3822 S. Himes Ave., Tampa 33611
813-999-2829; musicschoolintampa.com/music-summer-camps-in-tampa
Join us this summer for three different full day camp options. All camps run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our school offers unique themes like musical theater, rock band and an elementary introductory camp. Explore music dialed in on your child’s exact interest with a show at the end of each week.
Cost: $150/week; $50 registration fee
Dates/Times: June 2-Aug. 1. No camp on July 4; Full day
Ages: PreK2-Grade 5; Coed, all-boy and all-girl camps
Cost: $450/Week (Summer Fun Passes offer 33-50% off)
Dates/Times: June 16Aug. 8; Full and half-day camps
Ages: 4-14 years; Coed
Cost: $60/daily OR $270/ per week; 10% discount before April 15
Dates/Times: Jun 2-Aug. 9; M-F, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.; extended care until 5:30 p.m.
Ages: 5 years+; Coed
Cost: $225-$275/week
Dates/Times: June 2July 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 4-17; Coed
by Courtney Cairns Pastor
An arrow flies into an archery target covered in water balloons, bursting a balloon and sending water everywhere. In the kitchen, preteens in Cooking Camp feed flat panels of dough through a pasta machine to make noodles. Students in art camp carve designs into foam blocks for a printmaking craft, while Games Galore campers have ditched their controllers to play Sorry, Battleship and Connect Four. Outside, a student in a kickball game dives into home base, which counselors have converted to a Slip ‘n Slide.
An old-fashioned summer starts every June at Corbett Prep’s CAMP IDS. All over campus, students are engaged in activities that fire up their creativity, build friendships and encourage movement and exercise. And that’s just what parents hope to find when they enroll their kids in camps that feel like the ones they knew as children.
Technology-based camps remain popular at CAMP IDS – students love the chance to design video games, explore virtual worlds, film movies, battle robots and more. But screen-free camps have passionate advocates, too.
Many parents clash with their children over how much screen time is appropriate. Long, unstructured summer days can make this even more challenging. A full day of camp can eliminate the argument by filling hours with crafts, games and sports. It’s a good break that promotes more social interaction as kids develop friendships away from apps and text messages.
When students are engaged in classic playground activities, board games or free play, they are problem solving, exercising their imaginations and learning how to navigate a variety of situations with other people. Most importantly, they have a chance to just be kids.
CAMP IDS makes good use of Corbett Prep’s 15 acres, from its athletic fields to the lake. Time outside boosts Vitamin D, improves moods, promotes movement and increases an appreciation of nature. Sports camps, fishing, canoeing, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, archery and water games get kids out in the fresh air in a beautiful setting.
With no grades and a short time commitment, summer camps provide a low-stress environment for trying new activities or hobbies. Art camps offer open-ended projects where students may learn a technique and
then have hours to experiment with it in any way they want. Cooking and baking camps introduce both seasoned chefs and new foodies to recipes that may be outside their comfort zones. Or students may uncover a love for sewing, strength training, yoga or chess. They may want to challenge you on family game night to a game from your childhood!
It’s cool to code, create amazing Minecraft worlds or see your own design emerge from the 3D printer. There is room for all that in a busy summer. But adding some 1980s or ’90s activities into the mix could spark interest in and appreciation for low-tech fun as well, just like we did way back in the days before Google.
BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 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 entering kindergarten through rising sixth 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.
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! Our kid-friendly horses are trained for excellent riding lessons, learning and fun on the ground. Beginners through advanced riders enjoy different weekly themes and days filled with hands-on horse activities. We offer half or full days, single and bulk week options over summer and winter breaks, and discounts.
BILL EDWARDS FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL JR SUMMER CAMP
400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg, 33701 727-304-5275; mahaffeyclassacts.org/summer-camp-2025
Snap into our Legally Blonde JR. Summer Camp at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater! Your child will shine under the guidance of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts and Sears Studio instructors. The camp culminates in performances on July 25 and 26. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience! Interested in working behind the scenes? Ask about our Technical Theatre Summer Camp for ages 12-18.
CAMP CUBBER AT PALM HARBOR UMC
1551 Belcher Road, Palm Harbor 34683
727-781-6343; cubber.org
Camp CUBBER provides your child with the best summer possible in a safe, family-friendly environment. Weekly campers enjoy a field trip and special onsite activities like science, art, creative writing, reading, music, gameroom, active play and much more. It’s almost too much fun to fit into one summer!
CAMP DOVEWOOD FOR GIRLS
23221 101st Road, O’Brien 32071 386-209-1908 or 386-935-0863; campdovewood.org
Celebrating 48 years of dynamic Christian camping for girls ages 7-17 in North Florida, we have an outstanding equestrian program with certified instructors for huntseat, rodeo, dressage, grooming, vet care and trail rides. We also have swimming instruction, tennis, cheerleading, art, drama, archery, Bible, volleyball, cooking, gymnastics, music, baton, water ballet, ballet, soccer, pickleball and great books. ACA and CHA accredited.
CAMP IMAGINATION AT GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 33602 813-443-3861; glazermuseum.org/summercamps
Camp Imagination at Glazer Children’s Museum combines imaginative weekly themes, playtime in museum exhibits and making new friends. Campers can experience eight playful weeks at GCM featuring fun like dinosaur pals, hands-on science, worldwide exploration and more. We even have 3 Neurodiversity-Affirming weeks right at the beginning to kickstart every kid’s epic summer at Camp Imagination! GCM Members Save 10%! Add lunch for $60/week.
CAMP INVENTION
Various Locations Around Tampa 800-968-4332; invent.org/local
Inspire your child’s creativity and watch their confidence soar with our allnew Camp Invention® program, Discover. Campers will team up for handson STEM fun. They’ll create their own claw machine, uncover the science behind optical illusions, rev up for the ultimate road trip and embark on an eco-expedition to investigate penguins in Antarctica. Each experience is designed to spark curiosity, build persistence and create an unforgettable summer. Use promo code MYCAMP25 to save $25.
Cost: $300-$325/week + registration fee
Dates/Times: May 28July 25; 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ages: Rising K-Grade 6; Coed
Cost: $80-100/day, $400-$500/week
Dates/Times: June 2-Aug. 8; Half and full day options, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 6+; Coed
Cost: $995 + $75 Registration Fee; Limited scholarships available.
Dates/Times: July 7-26; Full day camp
Ages: 8-18; Coed
Cost: $179-$189/week + registration fee.
Dates/Times: June
2-Aug. 1; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free extended care, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ages: Rising K-Grade 8; Coed
Cost: $950/1-week; $1,495/2-weeks.
Dates/Times: June 8-July 19, 1 and 2-week sessions; overnight camp
Ages: 7-16 years; Girls only
Cost: $315/week before April 15; $350/week after
Dates: June 9-Aug. 1
Ages: K-Grade 5; Coed
Cost: $275-375/week
Dates/Times: Camps start June 2; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 5-12; Coed
CAMP J
South Tampa: 522 N. Howard Ave., 33606
Citrus Park: 13009 Community Campus Drive, 33625
813-291-2254; Jewishtampa.com/camp
Camp J offers diverse programs at two locations. At the Cohn Campus, enjoy fine arts, sports, STEM and outdoor adventures. At the Glazer JCC, explore specialty camps like sports with pro teams, art and technology. Kindergarteners get daily swim lessons. All campers swim recreationally and enjoy classic camp traditions like songs and cheers.
CAMP MIRAGE
St. Pete: 1900 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg, 33702; 727-374-3859 Brandon: 2913 John Moore Road, Brandon, 33511; 813-825-2234 campmiragestpete.com; campmiragebrandon.com
Experience the Magic of Camp Mirage! Discover the excitement, camaraderie and unforgettable experiences of an overnight camp, all within the convenience of a day camp setting. At Camp Mirage, we offer over 40 dynamic summer day camp options for children aged 5 to 14. Our program is designed with busy families in mind, featuring flexible before and after camp care.
727 W. Cass St., Tampa 33606 813-251-8481; tampaprep.org/student-life/summer-programs
Looking for the BEST summer camp experience? Camp Terrapin at Tampa Prep is a sports and fine arts summer camp offering an incredible variety of activities in fun, safe spaces including the Walter Athletic Complex, Smith Black Box Theater, art room, Colwill Aquatic Complex, Shimberg Field and Virtual Reality IDEA Lab. Special Enrichment Camps include robotics. Summer Academic Courses are a great way to explore an interest or get ahead for fall semester.
CIRCLE F DUDE RANCH CAMP
5301 Dude Ranch Road, Lake Wales 33898 863-676-4113; circlefduderanchcamp.com
Give your child an unforgettable summer at Circle F Dude Ranch Camp in Lake Wales, Florida. With exciting activities like horseback riding, climbing, water sports and paintball, your child will build confidence, make friends and create lasting memories. Visit CircleFDudeRanch.com to learn more or schedule a tour today!
COUNTRY DAY WORLD SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP
11499 131st St., Largo, FL 33774
727-596-1902; summercampcdws.campbrainregistration.com
Our summer camps for kindergarten through ninth grade offer exciting experiences in STEM, arts, sports and outdoor adventures! Our Montessori-based kindergarten camp fosters hands-on learning and exploration, while older campers can dive into robotics, theater, sports and creative activities. With endless opportunities to learn and play, there’s something for everyone!
DUNEDIN FINE ART CENTER SUMMER ART ACADEMY
1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin 34698
727-298-3322; dfac.org
The Dunedin Fine Art Center Summer Art Academy proudly offers over 37 years of summer art enrichment fun as one of the premier summer programs in the Tampa Bay area. Seven different art camps feature the region's best artists and art educators – multi-media experts with skills from painting to clay to drawing to dreamin'!
ECKERD COLLEGE - SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg 33711
727-864-8422; eckerd.edu/precollege
Modeled after our undergraduate curriculum, students will work with our internationally-recognized faculty on our beautiful waterfront campus. Pre-College at Eckerd offers rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience academic and residential life during one-week summer programs. These hands-on programs help prepare you for your future.
Cost: $297-$350/week
Dates/Times: June
9-Aug. 1; Full day
Ages: 4-15 years; Coed
Cost: <$200/week
Dates/Times: June
2-Aug. 8; full and half-day options.
Ages: 5-14 years; Coed
Cost: $350/week; discounts available
Dates/Times: June 16July 18; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; before and after care available
Ages: Grades 1-8; grades 9-12 Academic courses; Coed
Cost: $1,950-$5,200 (1, 2 and 3-week options)
Dates/Times: June 8-Aug. 2; overnight camp
Ages: 6-16; Coed
Cost: Averages $250340/week.
Dates/Times: June 2-Aug. 1; no camp June 30-July 5; full day camp.
Ages: PreK2-Grade 9; Coed
Cost: $225-$250/week; Scholarships available
Dates/Times: June
2-Aug. 8; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; aftercare available
Ages: Rising Kindergarten to 14 years old; Coed
Cost: $1,800-$2,200/ week
Dates/Times: 4 weeks
June 8-July 11; overnight camp
Ages: Students entering 10th-12th grade; 11th12th grade for Marine Science; Coed
Mini Masters: Age 5
(Entering Kindergarten)
Sizzlin’ Summer: Ages 6 – 10
Mural Madness: Ages 8 – 10 iPad Explorations: Ages 8 – 10 Arts In Motion: Ages 8 – 12
Art Squad: Ages 11 – 14
Mural Madness: Ages 11 – 14
ECKERD COLLEGE SUMMER WATERSPORTS CAMP
4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg 33711
727-864-8288; watersportscamp.eckerd.edu
The Eckerd College Summer Watersports Camp offers classes in Exploring Watersports, sailing, paddlesports, Saltwater Fishing, Little Mariners, Exploring Marine Life and more for ages 5-17. Camp occurs in the perfect environment for learning watersports and gives campers exciting and unforgettable experiences! Registration March 10; 10% off for multiple classes.
EXTREME YOUTH SPORTS TAMPA BAY
4920 Newkirk Drive #5, Tampa 33624
813-817-5425; extremeyouthsports.com
Safe, fun, and full of adventure with trips and water play every week – and now offering Robotics and Coding classes! With a CPR certified staff and a State licensed program designed for school-aged children, our dynamic program blends sports, learning, and fun. Unlock a summer of excitement and growth at Extreme Youth Sports Camp! Enroll today!
Camp Wai Lani: Palm Harbor
Camp Wildwood: Wildwood
Camp Indian Echo: Hudson
813-281-GIRL; gswcf.org/summercamp
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Summer Camps are magical places where girls can explore the best version of themselves, go on adventures, develop new skills, grow their love for the outdoors and make lifelong friends! Our camps offer a wide range of activities like archery, swimming, hiking, canoeing, arts and crafts and more.
HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER & SCHOOL SOUTH TAMPA
1726 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 33629
813-553-3280; huntingtonhelps.com/center/south-tampa
A summer at Huntington leads to a better school year! We offer reading, writing, math, science, and study skills in a fun learning environment. Our summer programs support students from the summer slide. Half-day programs allow for students to learn while enjoying summer.
MARINE SCIENCE CAMP AT CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM
249 Windward Passage, Clearwater 33767
727-441-1790; cmaquarium.org/camps
Get your camper ready to have fun in the sun as they embark on their own coastal learning experience with our Marine Science Camp at CMA. Enjoy our week-long, K-12 camps featuring our rescued dolphin, river otter and sea turtle friends! Our camp options feature snorkeling in seagrass beds and sand flats, kayaking through local estuaries, visiting our rescued residents and discovering fascinating marine creatures in their natural habitat.
MARY JO’S PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY
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. Mary Jo's Performing Arts Academy Summer campers 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.
MS. LISA'S DANCE CAMPS
3805 W. San Miguel St., Tampa 33629
813-253-5472; mslisasdancestudio.com
Spend your summer at Ms. Lisa's Dance Camp! Weekly themed dance and acro camps, plus tumble and acro skill-workshops run all summer long for ages 3-6. Camps include dancing, crafts, snacks, games and more.
Cost: $195-$305/week
Dates/Times: June
9-July 25; 9 a.m.-noon and 1 - 4p.m.
Ages: 5-17 years; Coed
Cost: $230-$250/week; STEP UP scholarship accepted.
Dates/Times: June
2-Aug 6. Closed July 4 week; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ages: 5-11 years; Coed
Cost: $295 day camp; $39 half-week; $550 overnight; additional options online.
Dates/Times: June 8-July 26; full day and overnight options.
Ages: 6-17; Girls only
Cost: Varies based on student assessment
Dates/Times: June 2-August 9; full and halfday options.
Ages: PreK-High School; Coed
Cost: From $250/week; $230 for members.
Dates/Times: June 2–Aug. 8; half-day, 8:3011:30 a.m. or 1-4 p.m.; full day, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: Grades K-12; Coed
Cost: $150 and up
Dates/Times: June-July; M-F, 9 a.m. to noon, 3, or 4 p.m.
Ages: Ages 3+ for Camps; Ages 20 months+ for Classes; Coed
Cost: $185/week, halfday; $315/week, full day
Dates/Times: May 28Aug. 8; 9 a.m. to noon or 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 3-6; Coed
NEXT LEVEL SUMMER CAMP
10905 Memorial Hwy, Tampa 33615
562-212-6002; nextlevelwaterpolo.com/nl-summer-camp
Next Level Summer Camp gives athletes the chance to play water polo, swim and have fun in the pool. Athletes have access to the basketball courts, pool, fields, tennis courts and more. Throughout the day, team activities are planned so all participants have active things to do all day long.
CHRISTIAN PARADISE SUMMER CAMP
7777 62nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg 33709 727-647-0349; nck12.com/student-life/paradise-summer-camp
At Paradise Summer Camp, each day is jam-packed full of fun, with handson activities that are sure to engage your child for hours on end. Each week is uniquely themed with special activities and weekly field trips, allowing campers to enjoy an exciting new program each week!
1010 North 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.
PROTENTIAL SPORTS SUMMER CAMP
Multiple Locations
813-843-9460; protentialsports.com/summer
With locations in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Westchase, Protential Sports campers have fun playing sports like swimming, soccer, basketball and tennis, and enjoying field trips to Laser Ops, Main Event, Altitude and more!
SUMMER CAMP AT CANTERBURY SCHOOL OF FLORIDA
990 62nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg 33702
727-521-5917; canterburyflorida.org/summer
Summer Camp at Canterbury School offers seven weeks of camps full of sun, fun, friends and excitement! From marine science and STEAM to athletics and academics, Canterbury School of Florida offers exciting, educational and themed camps for grades PK3 through Grade 12.
THE COAST - A WORD OF LIFE CAMP
13052 Word of Life Drive, Hudson 34669
727-379-5005; wol.to/coast
Are you ready for a summer you’ll never forget? Campers at The Coast - A Word of Life Camp 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!
TAMPA BAY TURNERS SUMMER CAMP
2301 26th St. N., St. Petersburg 33713
727-328-8500; tampabayturners.com/camps-parties/summer-camp
Tampa Bay Turners campers should be ready for a full day of activities. Daily routine includes games and relays, gymnastics, arts and crafts and open swim in our indoor pool.
Cost: $160 per week + optional Friday activity
Dates/Times: 1-week sessions available throughout June; full and half-day options
Ages: 9-16 years; Coed
Cost: $300/week
Dates/Times: June
2-Aug. 1; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Closed June 30-July 4
Ages: K-Grade 6; Preschool summer care 3-4 years; Coed
Cost: Varies *scholarships available
Dates/Times: June
2-Aug. 1; Full and halfday; Closed Juneteenth and July 4.
Ages: 4-18; Coed
Cost: $125/week; before and aftercare available for a fee.
Dates/Times: 9 weeks, June 2-Aug. 1; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ages: 4-15 years; Coed
Cost: $185-$495 (excluding academic camps for course credit)
Dates/Times: Seven
Weeks: June 2-July 25; Full and half-day options
Ages: 3-17; Coed unless specified
Cost: $410-470/week, Overnight camp; $300330/week, Day camp
Dates/Times: June 8Aug. 1; Full day camp
Ages: Junior camp: 6-12; Teen camp: 12-18; Coed
Cost: $275/week; $57/ day
Dates/Times: June
2-July 3, July 14-Aug. 8; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (extended care available)
Ages: 5-10 years; Coed
• SUMMER EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
• STUDY SKILLS
• TEST PREP
• DIGITAL SAT & ACT PROGRAMS
• HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST (HSPT)
• SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST (SSAT)
• Early Literacy Advantage Program (grades K-2): Reading Readiness Skills
• Reading Comprehension Advantage Program (grades 3-12): Reading Advancement Skills
• Writing Advantage Program (grades K-12): Comprehensive Writing Skills
• Math Advantage Program (grades K-12): Critical Math Skills
• Study Skills Advantage Program (grades 3-12): Study Independently at Home
VALLEY VIEW RANCH EQUESTRIAN CAMP
606 Valley View Ranch Road, Cloudland, GA 30731
706-862-2231; valleyviewranch.com
Since 1954, Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp has been a horse lovers' paradise. On top of Lookout Mountain in Cloudland, Georgia, we offer 600 acres of scenic trails and panoramic views where all levels of riders 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
330 Pauls Drive, Brandon 33511 813-417-5867; vosleryoungartistsstudio.com
The Vosler Young Artists' Studio is certified by the Art Renewal Center (ARC) as an Approved Atelier. Building skills and knowledge is the foundation of our programs here at the atelier.
Multiple Locations Across Greater St. Petersburg 727-895-6922; stpeteymca.org/camp
During Summer Camp at the YMCA, children have the opportunity to make friends, have fun, get active and build confidence through a variety of options, including one-week special interest camps.
Cost: $2,500-$6,500
Dates/Times: June 1 –July 25; overnight camp
Ages: 8-17; girls only
Cost: $195-$450/week (supplies included).
Dates/Times: June
2-June 27; 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 8+, adults welcome; Coed
Cost: $180-$385/week
Dates/Times: June 2-Aug. 8; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; half-day options
Ages: 5-15; Coed
YOUNG CHEFS ACADEMY SUMMER CULINARY CAMP
Seminole/Clearwater: 727-350-4587; seminolefl.youngchefsacademy.com Wesley Chapel/Lutz: 813-574-2433; wesleychapelfl.youngchefsacademy. com
Our fully immersive 4-day culinary camps bring sizzling surprises and delights as we cook and bake our way through exciting tips and tricks with friendly cooking challenges to put your newfound skills to the test. Every week is a new curriculum (so no two camp weeks are alike).
ZOOTAMPA SUMMER CAMPS
1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa 33604
813-935-8552; zootampa.org/summer-camps
Your kids can explore the Zoo like never before! Campers will get VIP behind-the-scenes access to the Zoo, get up-close to our amazing animals from across the globe and talk directly with the teams that care for these animals every day. Learn what it takes to become a zoo veterinarian or animal care expert! Plus, enjoy plenty of splashes on our water adventure, Roaring Springs. Get ready for a WILD SUMMER at ZooTampa!
Cost: $240-$289/week
Dates/Times: 10 weeks starting June 2; Monday-Thursday, Half-day options.
Ages: 7-17 years; Coed
Cost: starting at $349
Dates/Times: June
2-Aug. 8; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: K-Grade 8; Coed
B u m p & B e y o n d :
T h r i v i n g
T h r o u g h
P r e g n a n c y
April 12, 2025
Children’s Board
9:30AM
Navigate the journey of your pregnancy preparation by gathering tools to assist you with your bump and beyond.
A camp where every child is free to explore, create, and play!
Who:
Open to children entering Kindergarten through Fifth Grade of all abilities, with a focus on supporting children with varying abilities..
www.reallygreatsite.com
When:
9 AM to 4 PM June 2 to 6, June 9 to 13, June 16 to 20, and June 23 to 27, 2025
*choose one week to participate
Where:
The Prep of South Tampa 4002 S. Coolidge Ave. Tampa, FL 33611
Applications accepted April 1 to April 8, 2025
Applications received after the deadline will be added to a waitlist
Child-Led Play: Open-ended materials and loose parts for endless creativity and exploration
Inclusive & Supportive Environment: Designed for children with varying abilities, guided by experienced playworkers
Small Group Setting: A 1:5 playworker-to-child ratio ensures individualized attention
Lunch & Snacks Provided: Nutritious meals included daily
Limited slots available
Cost:
FREE for all participants, thanks to the generous funding from the Children's Board of Hillsborough County!
Questions? Email us at info@rootedinplay.org
About Rooted in Play:
Rooted in Play is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating inclusive, child-led play opportunities since 2019.
Families will be notified of acceptance by April 15, 2025
Use the QR code below to apply
by Tewabech Genet Stewart
Many professionals are familiar with mandatory reporting requirements, which involve contacting the Department of Children and Families (DCF) hotline when there is suspicion of child abuse, abandonment or neglect. This call can lead to an investigation, and in some cases, the removal of a child from their home. There are circumstances in which this may be the only option, but there is a growing movement which incorporates the concept of “mandatory supporting.” This is a proactive approach anyone can incorporate into daily life. By supporting parents, we can improve overall well-being and reduce adverse childhood experiences.
Florida’s community-based care model shifts the responsibility for children’s safety and well-being away from government agencies and into the hands of community organizations. It is up to all of us to foster an environment where children can thrive, rather than relying on a single entity to fulfill this crucial role. We are uniquely positioned within our circles of influence, and by working together, we can create positive experiences for children and families.
Research shows that even brief experiences in foster care can have longterm negative effects. The American Academy of Pediatrics has found that family separation can cause irreparable harm, disrupting brain development and leading to adverse health outcomes. These concerns led to the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) in 2018, which shifts child welfare funding toward prevention rather than intervention.
Many assume that family separations occur due to severe abuse cases, but most children are removed due to allegations of neglect. According to the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), 71.4% of children removed in Florida in 2022 were due to neglect, which includes factors such as domestic violence, substance abuse, inadequate supervision and failure to protect. Unlike physical abuse, these issues are often difficult to verify and can be influenced by subjective judgments. At the same time, there is clear, documented evidence of the trauma caused by forcibly separating children from their parents. This trauma is exacerbated when children are removed during ages birth to 5, which is the most critical stage for bonding and attachment.
Parents struggling to meet basic needs are disproportionately affected by family separation. These parents are not intending to harm their children but may have limited options. For example, a parent in an abusive relationship may not have the financial resources to move to a safer environment. Economic stressors can place additional strain on families, increasing the risk of intervention by the child welfare system.
According to United Way Suncoast’s 2024 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report, many families in our community continue to struggle with the high cost of living. To address this issue, the Children’s Board ONEhillsborough team partnered with United Way Suncoast, Junior League of Tampa, Career Source of Tampa Bay and Vistra Communications in November 2023 to host the "From Surviving to Thriving" community workshop. The workshop aimed to find practical solutions to help working families thrive. A report followed with key recommendations, and a future workshop will allow community leaders to assess progress and plan next steps together.
You may wonder what can be done to support families facing these challenges in the Tampa Bay region. The good news is that YOU have the power to make a difference in a child’s life.
A study by Kaiser Permanente linked adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to poor health and social outcomes in adulthood. However, we can counteract these effects by fostering positive childhood experiences. Supporting parents is key to prevent childhood trauma and reduce the incidence of child abuse.
We all have unique circles of influence — neighbors, coworkers, classmates and fellow community members. These relationships provide opportunities to build trust and offer support. In our fast-paced lives, it is easy to overlook the struggles of those around us. By slowing down and being present, we can create a culture of care and support.
Be present and listen without judgment. Take the time to truly connect with those around you. Let parents know you are a safe, supportive space where they can share their struggles. Trust, empathy and compassion require no special training – just a willingness to care.
Offer a helping hand. If possible, provide assistance, whether it is an hour of respite for an overwhelmed parent or help with basic needs. Let parents know they are not alone.
Help connect families to resources. Many parents are unaware of the support available to them. The Tampa Bay area offers a variety of resources, some of which are listed below.
Practice self-care. Supporting others is difficult if you are emotionally or physically depleted. Prioritize your own well-being so you can better assist those in need.
Picture a community where parents feel safe seeking help, where families receive support before crisis intervention is necessary, and where every parent knows they have a network to rely on. How much safer and happier would children feel if their parents had the resources and support they need?
Let us commit to being Mandatory Supporters — parents helping parents through their most challenging moments. By embracing this mindset, we can build a community where children grow up in safe, stable and loving homes.
The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County funds more than 100 programs designed to help children lead healthy, safe and productive lives. You can access a copy of the 2025 Family Guide (in English and Spanish) at childrensboard.org.
by Ellen McVay
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital recognizes Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Awareness Month with Julian’s inspiring story.
How to best describe young Julian?
Julian, with the sun-kissed hair and the sprinkling of freckles across his nose, the high-energy Florida boy who keeps pace with his siblings at a theme park or anywhere.
“He’s the sweetest boy, the most snuggly of all my kids,” says his mom, Morgan.
If Julian’s parents see him as a special gift, it’s partly because his origin story is so extraordinary.
“He really is like a miracle,” says his dad, Dave.
In early 2016, when Morgan was five months pregnant, she and Dave received crushing news.
A fetal scan showed their unborn child had severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a birth defect in which the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest, doesn’t develop completely and leaves a hole where abdominal organs migrate up into the chest.
Their baby had almost no left lung, and his heart had been pushed up against his chest wall.
“I wasn’t given any level of hope for my baby’s survival,” Morgan says.
But the couple refused to lose hope. From the family’s California home, Morgan scoured the country for programs that specialize in CDH.
She soon learned about David Kays, M.D., a pediatric surgeon with decades of experience in treating CDH patients who leads what is now the Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Impressed with the team’s knowledge and the Center’s exceptional outcomes (survival rates of greater than 90%, exceeding national benchmarks) the couple decided to have their baby under Kays’ care.
“We believe in these kids,” Kays says, “even those on the highest end of the severity spectrum. Because of the care we’re able to
provide, they truly can have great outcomes and quality of life.”
On a leap of faith, the family moved to Florida.
A video documents Julian’s birth, critically ill — too sick to utter a first cry.
Kays repaired his diaphragmatic hernia, moving the organs into place and patching the hole.
He was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a machine that provides heart and lung function.
Now it was time for healing.
Much of how a child with CDH does long-term depends on the quality of care in their first hours, weeks and months.
Beyond the surgical repair, the CDH team works to protect the lungs and the brain.
Julian was able to leave the hospital after two months, and, year after year, he has made amazing progress.
Today, he’s on no medications, and his lungs have adapted beautifully.
Julian is growing, active and has no physical limitations or learning delays.
A future as bright as the Florida sun.
by Anu Varma Panchal
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital pioneers a new infant cardiac stent that is a pediatric game changer
One of the best parts of Dr. Jeremy Ringewald’s job is, of course, saving lives. A pediatric cardiologist and the director of the cardiac catheterization laboratories at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, Dr. Ringewald’s work is even more poignant because he works with the tiniest of patients.
But when you’re the parent of a newborn who has just received a potentially devastating diagnosis of a congenital heart condition, good news can come in many different forms. Thanks to a new technology that St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is helping to pioneer – a stent that is specifically built to enlarge the tiny blood vessels of newborns and babies –pediatric heart patients might now qualify for a one-and-done procedure.
“It is a total game changer,” says Dr. Ringewald. “This is the first stent approved to put in congenital heart patient infants, including newborn babies. It’s much smaller. Many patients that would have needed subsequent surgery will not. We can put it in smaller patients to avoid surgery at all.”
Recently, Dr. Ringewald performed the Minima stent procedure on 14-month-old Layla Lebovic, who was born with a complex cardiac condition that includes tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia and major aorto-pulmonary collaterals. This means she had a large hole between the bottom chambers of the heart, a missing connection between the right ventricle and main pulmonary artery and abnormal pulmonary artery branches.
During Layla’s procedure, Dr. Ringewald advanced several stents through a vein in her leg to her right pulmonary artery. Stents, Dr. Ringewald explains, are mesh tubes that keep arteries open and blood flowing. Until now, existing stents that were designed for larger children or adults had to be jerry-rigged to fit inside the blood vessels of a baby, resulting in stress on the heart and the complications of additional surgeries to put in new stents as they grew.
Dr. Jeremy Ringewald (second from left), director of the cardiac catheterization laboratories at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, and the congenital cardiac catheterization team celebrate the hospital's first Minima stent procedure.
But the Renata Minima, the new stent that Dr. Ringewald used for Layla, is 1.3 millimeters in diameter, about the size of a cocktail straw. Its beauty lies in its geometry, which enables it to be inflated up to six times its original size without ever having to be removed and reinstalled.
The stent is mounted on a catheter, which has a balloon on one end. The whole apparatus is fed through a blood vessel, and when it’s in place, the balloon is inflated to deploy the stent, which can then fit into place snugly inside the blood vessel. Layla’s pulmonary artery was enlarged to five times its size. The procedure was a success, and Layla was discharged after only one day.
“We are so grateful to Dr. Ringewald and the entire St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital cardiac team for the incredible care Layla received,” says Laura Lebovic, Layla’s mother. “She’s thriving and growing every day, and we’re so happy with the outcome of her procedure.”
“Growth is everything,” says Dr. Ringewald. “We want our patients to grow up, get well, be as well as they can be. The more that growth is factored in, the more safely, reliably, predictably we can get that tiny little person to adult size.”
Layla was only the 21st patient in the world to get a Renata Minima stent. For someone of that exact diagnosis, she was the first patient in the world. The Patel Children’s Heart Institute at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is the first in the southeastern United States and one of only a handful of programs in the world to implant this stent.
“Two thirds of the things I do did not exist when I started practicing 25 years ago,” Dr. Ringewald says. “All these new advances change the way we look at all these diseases. If we’re doing the same thing five years from now, we’re five years behind. I get to tell patients all the time: ‘Here, we did this so your child does not need surgery.’ Every time I do that, it’s like Christmas morning. It’s this blessing. And boy, is it exciting.”
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Leigh Ann McIlwain, DMD
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Kara Ford, DMD
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Matthew S. Ahrens, DMD, MS
Mary Awadallah, DDS
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