March 2015 by Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

Wild flavors & concerts for every taste.

Introducing the Busch Gardens® Food & Wine Festival, serving up 60+ wines, 50+ beers and mouthwatering dishes. And nothing pairs better with this kind of fun than rocking out to your favorite acts live every weekend through April 26th. And the best way to experience this ALL-NEW event is with a Fun Card. Pay For a Day, Play All Year.*

Upcoming Shows:

Gavin DeGraw

March 7

Kenny Rogers

March 21

Fifth Harmony

March 8

Pentatonix

March 22

Kool & The Gang

March 14

Steven Curtis Chapman

March 28

Boys Like Girls

March 15

El Gran Combo

March 29

*Based upon $95, single-day admission ticket price. 2015 Fun Card valid through December 31, 2015 at Busch Gardens Tampa. Fun Card does not include admission to separately ticketed events, parking, or discounts on food and merchandise. Food and beverage not included and available for extra fee. Must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Price does not include tax and service fees. Only valid for residents of the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Nontransferable and nonrefundable. Not valid with other discounts or special offers. Other restrictions apply. Terms and dates of offer subject to change at Busch Gardens’ sole discretion. Event details subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. © 2015 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS MAR 7–APR 26

Visit buschgardenstampa.com for the latest concert updates.

At St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, We Are on Call for Our Kids

Exclusively for Children are special and should be treated that way. At St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, your child will be taken care of by doctors

Find the right doctor for your child: (888) 499-8906

and nurses who specialize in treating children, in surroundings designed for kids. From the tiniest baby to the high school quarterback, we care exclusively for kids.

StJoes 3001 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Tampa

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Contents

features

Guiding girls through adolescence

The best summer camps in the bay area

30|screen fever

14|Healthy tickers

Managing kids’ technology use

From birth to adulthood

40|extraordinary woman

20|nurture interests

Dr. Raquel Hernandez

Camp experiences that last a lifetime

44|Spring Break products

24|no laughing matter

Toys and tools for the best spring break

Easing surgery anxiety

48|fresh eyes Lessons from children

every month

52|avoid additives

06|Letter From The Editor

Choosing better foods

Pg. 44

36|education 38|what's happening

Have fun this Spring Break!

47|health and wellness 56|south Hillsborough News

on the cover

Photograph by Jeanine McLeod of Cloud 9 Studios For this month’s cover photo, we visited everyone’s favorite street, Sesame Street! Cover Kid Winner Gavin McDarby joined

Elmo

Sesame

Street Safari of Fun at Busch Gardens Tampa. Plus, Gavin enjoyed the Safari of Fun show with the whole Sesame Street crew, including Cookie

58|north Hillsborough News

Monster, Grover, and Abby

60|south pinellas News

Cadabby.

62|north pinellas News

To learn more about Sesame

64|pasco News

Street Safari of Fun and all of

66|Around Town

the fun at Busch Gardens, visit

68|Calendar of Events 72|directory

26|heroine's journey

10|summer camp guide 2015

10|summer camp

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

Tracking Your Baby’s Developmental Stages Safe Baby Plus is a FREE developmental screening program to help you keep track of your baby’s earliest developmental stages up to age one. It is offered entirely by mail and there is no cost to you to participate.

To participate, please call 813-868-7384 or email safebaby@hstart.org

Safe Baby Tip:

Always place your baby on his or her BACK to sleep. Your baby should sleep ALONE in a crib or bassinet.

Sign up for Safe Baby Plus Today! You Will Receive: • Easy and supportive guidance on your baby’s stages of development. • Beneficial and inexpensive play and activity ideas. • Developmental monitoring and guidance using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Third Edition by Brookes Publishing. • Helpful and free resources for you and your family. • Developmental updates and information for your baby’s pediatrician.

Founder & Editorial Director

Angela L. Ardolino Executive Assistant

Krista Byrd Associate Editor

Kimberley Brown Smith Contributing Writers

Cloe Cabrera Jamie Lober Jill Heckman, MD Lindsay Perez Lissette Campos Amy Gall Kristin Moore Tim Jordan, MD Monisha Vasa, MD

Glorida Steinem and I at the inaugural Helen Gordon Davis Waves of Change Luncheon.

Calendar & Neighborhood Stories

spring has sprung

Chris Kuhn Director of Sales & events

David E. Estevez Marketing Director

Susan Margolis

To start us off right, our annual Summer Camp Listing breaks down summer camps and programs by bay area county. From page 10 on, we’ve got everything that your kids could possibly want to do this summer. For even more camps and programs available this summer, visit www.TBParenting.com/ SummerCamp.

account executive

Ralf Gonzalez public relations

Otis Lyons Contributing photographers

Nicole Geller Jeanine McLeod Amy Pezzicara Social Moms

Recently, I’ve been trying to take more time during my morning routine before getting to the office. Making sure that I pay attention to engage in the moment in hopes that I’ll appreciate each fleeting second. But trust me, I know how hard it is to be present with text and emails to answer. On page 48, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Monisha Vasa talks about how she learned to better appreciate her time when witnessing her daughter see new and exciting things, which, to Dr. Vasa, has become an every day routine.

Tampa Bay parenting Magazine

P.0. Box 13365 Tampa, Florida 33681 Phone: 813-949-4400 Fax: 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com Become A Fan at:

Facebook.com/ tampabayparentingmagazine

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

I know that I can look back on my childhood and remember long summers where I got to explore and do things that were not always possible during the school year. Summer is a great opportunity for kids to get their feet wet (literally and figuratively). If your child has showed interest in a particular subject or activity, give it a try this summer. On page 20, we highlight some local kids who found their passion from dabbling in something that peaked their interest. For many Bay Area kids, spring break is on the horizon this month, which means more time at school preparing for mid-term exams. It’s no coincidence that technology and screen time increase when kids are at school, which if left unchecked can be come a major issue or even addiction. Get some insight into managing kids’ tech time on page 30. Speaking of spring break, we’ve put together an awesome product feature with some great activities for the kids on page 44.

Christina Fontana Lisa-Marie Leihy Rachel Long Amber Middelfart Peggy Stines-Munnings Ana Peralta Anna Tataris Laurie Winkles

With the arrival of spring we’re one season closer to summer. I can imagine your kids are eagerly counting down to the last day of school. As is customary with our March issue, we’ve compiled the first of five extensive Summer Camp Guides to help you and your kids plan for an exciting, jampacked summer adventure. Make sure to pick up each month’s issue for up-to-date information about everything summer related.

Lastly, don’t forget to mark your calendars for this year’s Summer Splash Summer Camp Fair on April 4. The Tampa Bay History Center will transform into haven for families looking for everything summer related. Tickets are $5 and get you into the event and history center. To learn more, visit www.SummerSplashTampaBay.com. See you on April 4 at Summer Splash!

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.

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

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SET THEM FREE.

With GizmoPal by LG, exclusively from Verizon, you can give kids their freedom without sacrificing peace of mind.

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COUNT ON AMERICA’S LARGEST AND MOST RELIABLE 4G LTE NETWORK. CALL: 1.800.256.4646 | CLICK: verizonwireless.com | VISIT: vzw.com/storelocator Subject to Cust. Agreement, Calling Plan & credit approval. No Activation Fee. Up to $175 early termination fee. Our Surcharges (incl. Fed. Univ. Svc. of 16.8% of interstate & int’l telecom charges (varies quarterly), 16¢ Regulatory & 88¢ Administrative/line/ mo. & others by area) are in addition to monthly access & not taxes (details: 1.888.684.1888); gov’t taxes & our surcharges could add 11% – 29% to your bill. Compatible with smartphones running Android 4.0 or higher and iOS 7 or higher. Additional charges may apply. GizmoPal is a trademark of Verizon Wireless. © 2015 Verizon Wireless. I3044A

It’s an extraordinary journey back to ordinary. Every minute, of every day, we give our all so kids like Brittany can go from days in the hospital and months of therapy back to doodling on shoes and shooting hoops. It’s a promise that has made us Tampa Bay’s only hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report in pediatric specialties.

See stories like Brittany’s at allkids.org/journeys

here has the time gone? It is almost summer already! Summer can be one of the most memorable times for your kids. With all of the free time away from school, kids get the chance to explore and learn in a way that they don’t always get to in a classroom. One of the ways that your child can make lasting memories and enjoy their summer to the fullest is through summer camps. Looking for summer camps can be daunting, so we have compiled a list of the best summer camps in the Bay Area, whether you are looking for a sleep-away camp, a day camp, or a camp to last a few days. The camps here include everything from performing arts and music camps, to traditional wilderness camps and even camps with amazing wildlife experiences. After all, you never know just how your child’s camp experience will affect not only your child, but your whole family.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MARCH MAR 2015 2015 • TBParenting.com • TBParenting.com

A Different Species of Summer Camp.

Camp is a time to make new friends, try new things, come face-to-face with a giraffe and challenge a dive coaster.

Voted Tampa Bay’s Best Summer Camps! We offer camps for animal lovers, coaster enthusiasts, future veterinarians and everything in between. Day Camp: K–12th • Resident Camp: 5th–College

HILLSBorouGH AquaCamps

701 Channelside Dr., Tampa 813-273-4015, www.flaquarium.org Get NAUI open water certified during this scuba camp for ages 12-15. Ages 10-14 may participate in travel camps, enjoying snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and tubing around Tampa Bay. Location camps for ages 6-9 include science experiments, field trips and the opportunity to see live animals. AquaTots and AquaKids programs for ages 3-6 include crafts, games and live animals. Register online!

Berkeley Summer Programs

4811 Kelly Rd., Tampa 813-885-1673, www.berkeleyprep.org/summer With more than 100 activities, there is something for everyone and every age. Children can explore diverse interests or a singular passion. There are full- and part-time sessions in a variety of areas, including sports, science, academics and fine arts. Try Juguemos en Español, Science Magic or Just Art. Register online!

Busch Gardens Adventure Camps

3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa 888-800-5447, www.buschgardens.org Camps include resident camps that marry the best of the park’s offerings into multiday, sleep-away programs for students in grades four through college. Day camps — single day to weeklong — provide campers in prekindergarten through ninth grade with hands-on, educational experiences with animals and the outdoors. One-night sleepover camps are perfect for groups and students in first through 12th.

Snorkeling and SCUBA Camps

401 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa 813-969-3483, www.calypsodiversinc.com These weeklong travel, snorkel camps allow campers to experience snorkeling, tubing, and kayaking around the Tampa Bay area’s rivers, springs, and beaches. For campers 10-14 years old, Seal Team camps are four days and introduce campers to the basics of SCUBA diving. More advanced campers will complete advanced programming that includes navigation and environmental awareness. Camps include an excursion to the Crystal Springs Preserve for snorkeling and river netting activities.

Camp Bayshore

3909 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa 813-839-4297, Ext.344, www.bayshorechristianschool.org This day camp for 3 year olds to rising sixth graders is a fun, safe, Christian camp chock full of activities, shows, swimming, sports, the arts, music and field trips. Check out the school’s website to see pictures from last summer’s program and download forms to register!

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

With over 100 unique camps and classes, Berkeley Summer Programs has something for everyone, and we can cater to a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse interests or singular passion. We offer full-day sessions in a variety of areas such as sports, academics, and fine arts, or you can opt for our one, two, and three-hour selections. To learn more and to register today, log on to berkeleyprep.org/summer.

GIVE YOUR CHILD A SUMMER TO REMEMBER!

Camp Connect at GCM

Healthy Tickers

110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 813-443-3861, www.glazermuseum.org Weeklong camps are available for children ages 5-9. One teacher and one assistant will be with every class. (Maximum 20 students per class.) Camp programs might include, but are not limited to, science explorations, arts and crafts, games, walking field trips, guest presenters and play time throughout the museum.

From birth to adulthood By Kristin Moore

ach year, an estimated 32,000 babies are born with a heart defect. Because of new treatments, many of these babies are living longer and healthier lives. But these aren’t the only little hearts that need protecting. Even perfectly normal hearts can develop cardiovascular diseases. Why? Unhealthy food choices and inactive lifestyles are the main culprits. “In the U.S., about one in three adolescents is overweight or obese. That’s nearly triple the rate in 1963”, says Lily Reisman with the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association of Tampa Bay. “Obesity is causing a broad range of health problems in kids today – health problems not previously seen until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels.” There is good news — there are things you can do to protect your little ones’ heart. What you drink: Starting in infancy, the AHA advises parents to delay introducing 100 percent juice until at least six months of age. Don't skimp on dairy for your kids. The AHA recommends two cups of milk or its equivalent each day for children ages one to eight and three cups for children ages nine to 18. What you eat: Experts suggest parents avoid pressuring children to clean their plate, allowing them to follow their hunger cues. The AHA recommends up to 900 calories per day for a one-year-old, 1,800 calories daily for girls ages 14 to 18 and 2,200 calories daily for boys ages 14 to 18. The AHA also advises a total fat intake between 30 to 35 percent of calories for children ages two to three and 25 to 35 percent of calories for ages four to 18. These guidelines are general and parents should consult their pediatrician on the proper calories for their child. Look for whole-grain and high-fiber breads and cereals as opposed to refined grain products. When grocery shopping, the AHA advises consumers to look for whole grain as the first ingredient on the food label. The AHA recommends grain intake from two ounces a day for a one-year-old to seven ounces a day for boys age 14 to 18. Also make sure each meal contains at least one fruit or vegetable. AHA experts say another heart healthy food to incorporate into your child’s diet is fresh fish. What you do (or don’t do): The AHA recommends children stay physically active for at least one hour every day. Scientists say kids who do, sleep better at night and have more concentration during the school day. How much exercise and to what degree can vary among young children and teens, so when in doubt, consult your child’s pediatrician. Ask your pediatrician to measure your child’s blood pressure during his annual physical. The AHA recommends that all children have blood pressure taken during check-ups at least once a year. For more information and resources, visit www.heart.org/healthierkids. Kristin Moore is the executive producer of the ABC Action News Taking Action for Your Health campaign hosted by anchor Linda Hurtado.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

Camp IDS

12015 Orange Grove Dr., Tampa 813-961-3087, www.corbettprep.com Campers can try their hand at archery or broadcasting in the morning and dabble in painting or French cooking in the afternoon. More than 60 half- and full-day camps ensure everyone has a great time. Academic camps include math, science, reading, writing and technology. Chinese, French and Spanish language camps available. Free morning dropoff at 7:15 a.m. After care (3-6 p.m.) and bus transportation is available for a fee.

Camp Seal

19501 Holly Ln., Lutz 813-229-7946, www.sealswimschool.com This aquatic camp program for ages 4-12 will offer weekly themes that center on a variety of activities, including swim lessons, recreational swimming, outdoor sports, indoor games and arts and crafts. Each child will receive personal attention from the professional camp staff. Before and after care available. Register for the whole summer or individual weeks.

Camp Terrapin at Tampa Prep

727 W. Cass St., Tampa 813-251-8481, www.tampaprep.org Academic and enrichment courses cater to the student who wants to strengthen existing skill sets or advance to another level. A coeducational, sports and fine arts curriculum provides structured activities for students entering first through eighth grades. Robotics courses from basic building skills to programming available.

Carrollwood Cultural Center

4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa 813-269-1310, www.carrollwoodcenter.org Experience a summer full of artwork, music, dancing and voices joined together in perfect harmony. Campers will get a chance to discover their inner artist and performer.

Carrollwood Day School

1515 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa 813-920-2288, www.carrollwooddayschool.org For campers entering first through 12th grade, each weeklong camp session has its own theme. Full-day camps are $200 per week, beginning at 8:30 am and ending at 4 p.m. Register online!

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S P M O CA

So much more than you think!

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Why just go to summer camp when you can go to Zoo Camp? provides the most fun and safe environment for animal adventures with friends that your children will always remember. • Camps for students grades K-8 • Named #1 Zoo in U.S.A. for kids • More than 1,000 animals • Water-play areas & rides • Make new friends • Standards-based programs

BERS ANNUAL ZOO PASS MEM O CAMPS! SAVE EVEN MORE ON ZO

Popular Camps Include: Shutterbugs, Animal Trainer, Animal Actors, Hide and Seek & More!

Zoo Camps Sponsored by:

813-935-8552 ext. 268 • LowryParkZoo.org/Camps

Color Me Mine

1609 W. Snow Cir., Tampa 813-258-8368, www.tampa.colormemine.com Everyone’s favorite pottery studio is now offering summer day camps for a wide range of ages. Kids will explore pottery, painting, glazing and more.

The Goddard School Summer Camp

Summer Camps Day Camps | PreK-12th | June-July STEM & Engineering, Musical Theatre, Little Captains, Early Elementary Education, Sports & Recreation

Boarding Camp | 8th-12th | July-August Summer@Farragut is a college-prep boarding experience which allows students from all over the world to earn one high school credit in math, biology, or history. It also offers electives like scuba, aviation, and engineering.

Registration is Open!

www.farragut.org/summer

Locations in Westchase and Temple Terrace www.goddardschool.com/tampa The summer program includes a variety of activities, including visitors from local college athletes; fire departments, libraries, and even Busch Gardens! There also will be Splash Days, theater shows and petting zoos, too!

Hillsborough Community College

39 Columbia Dr., Tampa www.tampatraining.com/kidscollege The school is happy to once again offer Kids’ College and Teen Camps. With a variety of themed camps and multiple locations, there is something for everyone.

Hillsdale Summer Camp

6201 Ehrlich Rd., Tampa 813-964-5735, www.hcatampa.org Learning can be fun this summer. Children ages 2-12 will enjoy hands-on activities, arts and crafts, field trips, fun with science, music, math and drama.

History Adventure Camps

THE TAMPA TRIBUNE BEST OF 2014 WINNER

SUMMER OF FUN 2015 CLASSES & CAMPS

801 Old Water St., Tampa 813-675-8960, www.tampabayhistorycenter.org Your children can dig, craft and build their way through the past! Open to ages 7-11, the camps, led by experienced educators, include games, music, literature, splash park fun and interactions with historians and other experts.

Mary Jo’s Sizzlin’ Summer Camps

15906 Mapledale Blvd., Tampa 813-969-0240, www.mjpaa.com Experience a summer of dance (ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, acrobatics), acting, musical theater, voice and music for ages 3 and older. The weekly themes include Princess and Pirates, Beach Bash, Dancing Divas & Dudes, Tampa’s Got Talent, Movie Moves and In the Jungle!

Montessori Academies and Preparatory

CLASSES INCLUDE: Ballet, Jazz, Tap,

Hip-Hop, Voice, Acrobatics, Acting, Musical Theatre, & Music

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE 15906 Mapledale Blvd. Tampa, FL 33624 813.969.0240 | mjpaa.com

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

Tampa, Temple Terrace, and New Tampa 813-899-2345, www.montessoriacademies.com Montessori’s summer curriculum includes math, language, science, social studies, Chinese, Spanish and more!

MOSI Science Summer Camps

4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 813-987-6000, www.campfun.org What do launching pumpkins, designing video games, explosions, slime and fashion design all have in common?

Where everyone has a great time! 7 Weeks of Options: June 15 - July 31, 2015 60+ full- and half- day camps Ages PreK3-high school Before- and after-care

Located on Corbett Prep's beautiful campus in North Tampa! Outdoor

Field Trips

S.T.E.M.

Performing & Visual Arts

Academic

World Languages

Athletic

And So Much More!

(813) 961-3087 CampIDS@corbettprep.com 12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa, FL www.corbettprep.com

They are just part of the MOSI Summer Science Camp adventure waiting for your child. MOSI offers STEM camps for preschoolers to high schoolers. There are half-day, fullday, technology, travel and residential camps, with certified teachers for all programs.

Patel Conservatory

1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa 813-222-1002, www.patelconservatory.org Offering more than 70 camps and classes in all areas of dance, theater and music for all ages and experience levels, weekly classes for ages 3 through college. This camp will give your child the confidence and creativity that they love and that will last a lifetime.

Playtime Learning Academy

4701 Ehrlich Rd., Tampa 813-969-2888, www.playtimelearningacademy.com Playtime Learning Academy offers full day summer camp programs for children ages 5-10. Campers are given many choices each day for activities in: sports, science, technology, art, construction, drama, and music. There is a game room, technology lab, art studio, large outdoor play space, and field trips to keep kids excited each week. Register by May 1st to receive a 50% enrollment discount!

Primrose Summer Adventure Club

Various Locations www.primroseschools.com Immerse your kids in educational fun beyond their wildest dreams this summer! Your children will be engaged through exciting topics and continue learning all summer long through purposeful play in a safe, secure environment. Camp themes include The Science of Cooking, Inventions and Robotics, Medieval Times and many more.

Summer on Bayshore

KIDS’& TEEN CAMPS

3319 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa 813-839-5371, www.holynamestpa.org This open enrollment program from Academy of the Holy Names runs June through July and includes Camp Jaguar, a weekly themed day camp for ages 3 through fourth grade as well as a variety of individual week sessions for prekindergarten students through 12th graders in technology, sports, enrichment and arts studio. Full- and half-day sessions are available. Register online!

Tampa Parks and Recreation

25 locations 813-274-8615, www.tampagov.net/dept_parks_and_recreation The city’s nine-week camp is available at 25 community centers. Children will enjoy sports, arts and crafts, games and more.

Tampa Theatre

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

711 N. Franklin St., Tampa 813-274-8286, www.tampatheatre.org Film Camp is offered in collaboration with the Florida Center for Instructional Technology at the USF College of

SUMMER CAMP 2015

FRIENDSHIP | ACCOMPLISHMENT | BELONGING |

Y Summer Camps: nurturing the unbeatable power of friendships, accomplishments and belonging DADE 4 CITY

This summer, the Y is giving kids the

opportunity to become their own superhero through an incredible day camp experience with more activities to help them learn skills, make long lasting friends and feel welcome. Through the Y’s day camp program, kids participate in super fun and educational activities that help them: • Master skills that help them realize their passions, talents and potential; • Build friendships with new friends and staff role models adding to their well-being; • Feel like they belong so they feel safe, welcome and free to express their individuality and extraordinary talents!

Select from Full Day Camps or Specialty Half Day Camps. Choose from sports, travel, aquatics and more! Weekly themes keep the excitement all summer long. THIS SUMMER IS GOING TO BE SUPER FUN!

PASCO COUNTY

ZEPHYRHILLS NEW TAMPA

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

CARROLLWOOD

8 PLANT 9 CITY

1 7 DOWNTOWN TAMPA

BRANDON

10 10

3 3 11 1 1

RIVERVIEW

TAMPA BAY

Join Forces With a YMCA Near You 1 Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA 110 East Palm Ave., Tampa (813) 229-9622

7 North Brandon Family YMCA 3097 S. Kingsway Rd., Seffner (813) 685-5402

2 Bob Sierra Family YMCA 4029 Northdale Blvd., Tampa (813) 962-3220

8 Northwest Hillsborough Family YMCA 8950 W. Waters Ave., Tampa (813) 249-8510

3 Campo Family YMCA 3414 Culbreath Rd., Valrico (813) 684-1371

9 Plant City Family YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City (813) 757-6677

4 East Pasco Family YMCA 37301 Chapel Hill Lp., Zephyrhills, (813) 780-9622

10 South Tampa Family YMCA 4411 S. Himes Ave., Tampa (813) 839-0210

5 The Family Y at Big Bend Road 9650 Old Big Bend Road, Gibsonton, (813) 436-5890

11 YMCA Camp Cristina 9840 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, (813) 677-8400

6 New Tampa Family YMCA 16221 Compton Dr., Tampa (813) 866-9622

R DAYpm O F S -1 US KID 10amark,

TAMPA METROPOLITAN AREA YMCA | www.tampaymca.org |

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nurturE interests Camp experiences that last a lifetime

ne of the best things you can do for your children is to provide avenues for them to pursue their passions. By choosing a specialty camp or extracurricular activity that your child enjoys, the end result often is valuable knowledge and an unforgettable experience that may lead to a lifelong career. Susie Stanford and her family relocated to Tampa for her daughter Hannah to train at the Patel Conservatory. “It has been wonderful. It has kept her busy after school and has taught her the love of the arts,” Stanford gushes. “She has learned to love music and appreciate so many other aspects that go with the dancing.” Hannah started dancing when she could walk so we knew that she loved it very early,” Stanford says.

By Jamie Lober

Dana Pena’s children love animals so Zoo School at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo was an obvious camp choice. “The whole education program there is so amazing,” Pena says. “You get to be close and watch them do training with elephants, paint the tortoises or train the rats to run through a maze.” Pena exposed her kids to the zoo at an early age. “When they were little I would take them in their strollers, and we would walk to see the animals and play in the fountains,” she says. “Once they entered the camp side, it was like a whole new world opened up. They had animals brought to their classrooms, got to touch them and learn so much about them like their names, stories and where they came from. It gave them a whole different level of connection to the animals even though it was just five days a week during the summer.” In contrast to the zoo, the Patel Conservatory does a lot to open the world of the arts to children. Students “hear cellos down the hall and opera singers practicing,” Stanford says. Like Pena, Stanford recommends tapping into your child’s interests to find a good extracurricular activity. “We saw that Hannah had the love of dance because we had a digital piano where you could hit a button and it would switch from genre to genre, and she would switch her dancing style with the genre”, Stanford says. Hannah has since reached her first goal, getting into the Royal Ballet School. “Her dream company I believe is American Ballet Theater in New York,” Stanford says. If your child does not have an interest that stands out as much as Hannah’s or the children of the Pena family, they may just be waiting to discover it. Plus, there are endless benefits to extracurricular activities. “It keeps children busy, safe, off the streets and enriches their lives,” Stanford says. Zoo School offers “certified teachers from Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough so you are not having your child watched by kids and they are really getting quality educational interaction,” Pena says. Each week at Zoo School is a different theme. “One [week] might be about orangutans or insects so you choose whichever is most interesting for your child. You can do one week or the whole summer, which is nice because if you have a vacation planned you can pick and choose what works for you,” Pena says. For Zoo School, Pena advises sending a lot of water and making sure your children’s clothes and shoes are comfortable because “Zoo School is an active environment.”

Hannah Stanford, a ballet student at the Patel Conservatory.

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Aside from the fun and the learning, camp experiences offer social benefits as well. “My children have made friendships with kids in Tampa and from other places,” Pena says. • MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

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Education, with assistance from Learning Gate Community School. “It has had its highs and lows and is a hard journey that can sometimes have injuries and tears involved,” Stanford says of her daughter’s love of ballet. “Parents need to be a shoulder to cry on and they have to teach their child how to handle competition. Parents need to be a grounding force and give their child all the encouragement they can.” There also are financial considerations. “Point shoes are not cheap, and we used to go through a pair every week,” Stanford adds. Regardless of the camp, both moms think every child should experience it at least once. “I believe that a child that has a hobby will not only develop more academically, whether they love the arts or sports, but they learn how to be a team player and have a level of maturity that sometimes a kid who is not involved in extracurricular activities does not get,” Stanford says. Pena says, “It is nice to have the encounters and learn about the environment, species survival and the important role the zoo plays in helping to promote animal awareness,” Pena says. While Pena’s children, who are in fourth and seventh grade, are eager to be interns at Zoo School one day, she is already living their dream. She is now a zoo employee. You never know just how your child’s fantastic camp experience might positively impact you as well.

ECKERD COLLEGE

Summer Watersports Camp

Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Fishing, EXPLORING Marine LifE, WAKEBOARDING and More! 727-864-8288

www.eckerd.edu/waterfront/ 22

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• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

Tampa YMCA

Various locations 813-224-9622, www.tampaymca.org Summer camps focus on nurturing the potential of children and helping them grow in spirit, mind and body. Fun and friendship are encouraged and young people build selfesteem, develop interpersonal skills and make lasting memories. Camps are offered at 10 locations and several program sites.

University of Tampa

401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa www.tampaspartans.com Coaches offer a variety of sports camps for boys and girls ages 5-17. Camps include beginning/recreational and advanced skill training for competitive teams. Kids will play and practice at the university’s state of the art facilities. Sign up for soccer, volleyball, basketball and lacrosse.

Zoo Camp at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo

1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa 813-935-8552, Ext. 268, www.lowryparkzoo.com Zoo School is headquarters for more than 100 weeklong camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Kids and teens can learn about nature, science and the animal kingdom while hiking through the zoo, exploring behind-the-scenes and cooling off in the water play areas. Adventure camps include animal encounters, keeper talks, educational shows, games and crafts.

pINELLAS Admiral Farragut Academy

501 Park St. N., St. Petersburg 727-384-5500, Ext. 258, www.farragut.org/summer With a focus on developing creativity, intellect, and coordination skills, these day camps include STEM. Musical Theater, Little Captains, Early Enrichment, and Sports & Recreation for rising PreK-12th graders. In addition, rising 8th-12th graders can enjoy Summer@Farragut, a six-week college prep boarding experience, and earn a high school credit in math, biology or history. Summer@Farragut also offers two-week sessions for electives like scuba, aviation and engineering.

American Stage

163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg 727-823-1600, Ext. 201, www.americanstage.org Discover the difference that theater can make in your child’s life! The camp provides enriching experiences in a positive and inspiring environment that enhance a child’s communication skills, confidence and creative expression. The staff is comprised of working theater professionals and all experience levels are welcome.

Camp Invention builds confidencein children entering grades 1-6! Local educators will be leading the week of hands-on fun

Register now! Camps are filling up quickly In partnership with United States Patent and Trademark Office, an Agency of the Department of Commerce

SUMMER CLASSES & CAMPS

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813.222.1002 • PATELCONSERVATORY.ORG 23

No Laughing Matter Easing surgery anxiety By Amy Gall

itrous oxide, once commonly referred to as laughing gas, is changing the way many patients at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital are sedated during outpatient procedures.

Inhaled through a scented mask, nitrous oxide is a quick-acting sedative that can decrease discomfort and anxiety and help children feel relaxed during medical procedures. Nitrous oxide is particularly useful for brief, minimally invasive procedures, such as accessing a patient’s port, joint injections, spinal taps, wound irrigation, and the insertion of an IV, PICC line or catheter. The less-invasive sedation option relaxes patients quickly without causing deep sleep, like with anesthesia, and wears off almost immediately. St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Physiatrist Dr. Paul Kornberg, who uses Botox injections to reduce muscle spasticity in some of his patients with mobility issues, often recommends the use of nitrous oxide when sedation is needed. “The advantages for using nitrous oxide over traditional sedation are that it starts working in one to two minutes, it can be administered at the bedside and patients experience a much quicker recovery time, allowing them to return to normal activity sooner,” Dr. Kornberg says. Five-year-old Sandra Cantin is one of those patients. Born with cerebral palsy, Sandra receives Botox injections in her arms and legs every three months and has received nitrous oxide before the past five procedures. “Before we had the option to sedate her with nitrous oxide, Sandra would become very agitated and cry throughout the procedure,” says her mother Ashley Cantin. “Now when she receives the Botox injections, it’s a stress-free experience for everyone involved – especially for Sandra.” Once the mask is removed, the nitrous oxide wears off almost immediately and within minutes the patient is able to go home. This means less anxiety for families of children battling chronic illnesses that require frequent hospital stays. Because the patient remains awake and calm throughout the administration of nitrous oxide, the patient is able to follow verbal instructions with hospital staff, which is important during certain procedures. Yet despite their awake state, many patients only vaguely remember the procedure, if at all. “St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is committed to helping children get better in the most pain-free way possible,” says Nanette Wilcox, director of patient care services. “However, we know it’s inevitable that in a hospital some children may undergo procedures that cause discomfort or stress and nitrous oxide sedation is one of the many tools we have in our pain-free toolbox.” For more information on treatment options available at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital or to find a doctor, visit StJosephsChildrens.org

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater 727-441-1790, www.seewinter.com/educate Offering a coastal learning experience, with week-long camps (half or full-day) this camp features Winter, Hope and their river otter and sea turtle friends. Camps also feature snorkeling in sea grass beds and sand flats, kayaking through local estuaries, SCUBA, meeting our rescued residents and discovering fascinating marine creatures in their natural habitat.

Dunedin Fine Art Center

1143 Michigan Blvd. 727-298-3322, www.dfac.org/tbp These art camps offer fun, creative, cognitive experiences for ages 4½ to 14. Activities include drawing, painting, drama and dance. Camp themes include Groovy Graffiti, Rockin’ Reptiles and Water World.

Eckerd College Watersports Camp

4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg 727-864-8288, www.eckerd.edu/waterfront/watersportscamp Among the largest collegiate programs in the U. S., instruction includes Exploring Watersports, Sailing, Wakeboarding, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Saltwater Fishing, and Exploring Marine Life for students of various ages at various levels. Located on Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, the school provides the perfect environment for learning watersports!

Explore the Shore

1603 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach 727-360-7621, www.montessori-by-sea.org Each week includes beach play, beach exploration, arts and crafts, cooking and exposure to the Montessori learning environment. This camp is for children ages 3-6. Camp hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Enroll for one week or all six. Space is limited!

Great Explorations

1925 4th St. N., St. Petersburg 727-821-8992, www.greatex.org Designed for students entering K-Grade 3, camp will include days filled with experiments, arts, movement, guest presentations and so much more to stimulate learning.

Largo Cultural Center

105 Central Park Dr., Largo 727-587-6751, www.largoarts.com Camps are for kids of all ages and include productions of Fiddler on the Roof Jr., Honk Jr. and Technical Theatre Production. Campers will learn skills from acting and auditioning to working with scenery, rigging, audio, and lighting equipment. They will apply their new skills in the shows. Prices vary; scholarships are available.

Back again is the Academy of the Holy Namesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ever-popular Summer on Bayshore with exciting weekly camps led by our outstanding faculty. Choose from themed day camps, technology, sports, enrichment and review and arts studio camps. Complete session information and online registration available at www.holynamestpa.org.

ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES 3319 Bayshore Blvd. | Tampa, FL 33629

holynamestpa.org

813.839.5371

Academy of the Holy Names - Tampa

@holynamestpa

heroine's Journey Guiding girls through adolescence By Tim Jordan, MD

ophia, 13, came to my all-girls summer camp having been through two years of hell. At the start of sixth grade, her group of “best friends” ditched her, and worse, turned the rest of the girls against her. Every day she was harassed by not only the girls but the boys as well. As a result, she became withdrawn and depressed. For some reason, the “queen bee” allowed her into the popular clique at the beginning of seventh grade, and Sophia went all in. She totally changed herself to be just like those girls, in dress, language, attitude and behaviors. She started being mean to other girls outside the group, and she also started drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual behavior with guys at parties. Sophia ended up having a boyfriend with whom she sexted, and her grades began to suffer. Despite being in the popular group and getting tons of attention, she was more miserable than ever. Girls like Sophia struggle every day to keep their heads above water as they undergo the many changes of adolescence. There are a number of factors that make this stage of their lives a challenge. One factor is that girls are unaware of the important transformation they are undergoing – what I refer to as the Heroine’s Journey. In this evolution, girls transform from a girl into a woman, and it requires many levels of support and tools. Unfortunately, we have lost sight of this process in our whirlwind culture. One place to look for help in understand this stage is traditional fairy tales about girls, like Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. I'm not talking about the Disney versions of these tales; however, I'm referring to the original versions written as folk tales by authors like the Grimm Brothers and Charles Perrault back in the late 1600s. These stories had a completely different message than Disney's. The original tales were about the so-called heroine's journey. In these versions, the girl herself was the agent of change not the man. Disney made these stories into a hero's journey, with the prince swooping in to rescue the poor

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• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

princess. In the traditional tale, Cinderella worked alone for years, experiencing great sacrifice and harassment from her stepsisters. Cinderella used her years of servitude to learn how to be independent, self-reliant, work hard, endure suffering and loss and gain self-efficacy. When the prince's ball happens, she is ready to meet the world on her terms. She is confident and powerful, and this energy is what radiates outward from her and attracts the prince. She has connected with the princess within her. Sleeping Beauty and Snow White spend their adolescence sleeping, a metaphor for going inward. All girls need time in their adolescent years to withdraw from the world to gather the strength, courage and wisdom to be able to overcome the challenges they will face as adult women. That is the heroine's journey. This evolution involves going inward, requiring solitude, reflection and soul-searching. It also entails overcoming challenges, some suffering and hardship, and pursuing their passions in order to find themselves and their purpose. One crucial skill all girls need to develop is the ability to slow down, get quiet and go inward to know what they are feeling, what they need and what’s right for them. When I asked Sophia how she felt about the relationship aggressions she had experienced, her response was typical of girls today: "I don’t know.” Girls need alone time to gather themselves and to process through their emotions and issues. When I used to ask classrooms of high school girls how many of them spent time alone and quiet, I used to get at least a fourth of them to say they did. In the past 5-10 years, I often get no affirmatives, and the most common reason girls give as to why they don’t is, “There’s no time. We’re too busy!” We must teach girls to value this down time – to unplug from technology and their friends and be with themselves. Girls also need a lot of help in learning how to deal with their conflicts directly and effectively. When 12-year-old Lane had a problem with something she heard Katherine had said about her, instead of confronting her, she gossiped to her other

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friends, calling Katherine a jerk. Katherine’s friends heard about the gossip and got angry with Lane. Thus the drama unfolded. Girls are so afraid to handle things directly because they are so afraid of losing friends and being alone. This fear drives them to put up with abuse and to let problems fester. These unexpressed feelings and unresolved issues are one of the major contributors to mean girl behaviors. You can give girls lots of practice dealing with conflicts more effectively at home when issues arise with their siblings and parents. Schools need to provide the time regularly for girls to talk to each other, hold each other accountable to their agreements, handle conflicts and boos their social-emotional intelligence. Girls love sitting on the floor in circles sharing their stories and learning from each other, and this social-emotional learning is important. When you create safe spaces, it gives girls like Sophia a chance to get their needs met and resolve conflicts so that everyone feels heard and moves on. The first evening of the camp Sophia attended, we had a spa night to get the girls to drop their guards. They did up each other’s hair with shaving cream, lathered on oatmeal for their facials, and slid through a 50-foot slide covered in mud that dropped them into a pool of thick, muddy water. The results were incredible. Everyone had a blast and for the rest of the week no longer cared about how they looked. They even committed to wearing no makeup all week! Sophia and the rest of the campers shared their stories and, sometimes through tears, learned they were not alone and relaxed into this safe, nurturing environment. Safe, sacred spaces like this are a must for girls because they so need to have places where they can let their hair down and get real. Having mentors, or as Margaret Mahler used to call them, safe bases, to learn from also is vital. Our camp counselors became mentors girls could trust to love them no matter what and be there for them when needed. Make sure your daughters have people like this they can rely on. By the end of the week these adolescent girls were more relaxed and happy than they had been in a long time. Experts have been telling us for the past 50 years that all girls lose their self-esteem in middle school and don’t recover it for years, if ever. I don’t buy it. What girls have demonstrated to me over and over again is that, when you can get them into an environment where they feel safe, not judged, accepted for who they are, nurtured and loved, they break out of their protective shells and their true, authentic selves come out to play. The problem is that they are too often in toxic environments where they feel unsafe, judged and surrounded by relationship aggression and drama. Who wouldn't feel insecure and unsafe there? The hallways at school are probably the toughest places for girls to stay true to themselves. It’s no different than an adult in a toxic work environment. It feels terrible, and your best self is nowhere to be seen. So let's start focusing more on cleaning up these environments than on the symptoms girls exhibit because of them. Sophia rediscovered her true self, and she committed to being herself when she went back to school this fall. She will need to continue to journal, check in with herself and ask for what she needs. I want all girls to have the awareness, information, skills and guidance to successfully traverse this crucial transformative stage of adolescence. When we provide girls with this understanding and tools, then, and only then, will they be able to live happily ever after. Tim Jordan, MD, is a developmental/behavioral pediatrician and author of Sleeping Beauties, Awakened Women: Guiding the Transformation of Adolescent Girls.

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Ruth Eckerd Hall, Hoffman Institute

111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 727-712-2706, www.hoffmanperformingarts.org Give your child a summer in the spotlight. Performing arts classes and camps are available for ages 3-18. Save money with special discounts. Tuition assistance is available.

Saint Paul’s School

1600 St. Paul’s Dr., Clearwater, FL 33764 727-536-2756, www.st.pauls.edu/summercamp With the variety of camps, making fun, long-lasting memories won’t be hard! The school offers field trips, recreation and activities, fine arts, marine science, Camp Invention, Grand Slam Baseball and classic day camps. Camps are for children in PreK-3 – 8th grade. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Before and after care is available!

Shorecrest Summer Programs

5101 First St. N.E., St. Petersburg 727-522-2111, www.shorecrest.org Camps are open to the public and serve more than 2,000 campers each summer. Academic, enrichment and recreational camps are offered for ages 4-18 throughout the 11 weeks. The full- and half-day sessions include sports, theater, engineering camps, video game design, arts and driver’s education. Register on a weekly basis. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with before and after care available.

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Locations in Oldsmar and Countryside www.tbsa.com Have a cool time on the ice through camps for beginner and intermediate level skaters ages 6-12. Daily camp sessions include on and off ice instruction, arts and crafts, catered lunch and supervised on ice free time. There also are camps for experienced skaters, including a hockey camp in Oldsmar and a figure skating camp in Countryside.

pasco Academy at the Lakes

2331 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes 813-948-7600, www.academyatthelakes.org Campers ages 3-14 can choose from many activities, including sports, arts, recreation, science, technology and academic review.

Super Summer Splash Camp

6630 Van Buren St., New Port Richey 727-841-4560, www.citynpr.org Kids from kindergarten to 12 years old will get to swim, play games, go on field trips, and even participate in summer olympics at this day camp!

BEST SUMMER EVER! Friendship, Accomplishment, Belonging Register your child for a variety of summer camps! ymcasuncoast.org 29

screen fever Managing kids’ technology use By Krista Byrd

technology and attention issues. “Technology doesn’t cause ADHD, but it does cause chemical changes in the brain,” says Regina Hardin, MD, owner and pediatrician at Focus MD. “When a child plays video games, they get an instant gratification, which releases dopamine in the brain in a way that homework doesn’t. So kids who can focus on video games for hours and hours may have a harder time paying attention in school,” she says. “It sets the bar very high for other activities with regards to dopamine releasing.” While the exact cause of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is not known, recent studies have honed in on dopamine and its possible role. Dopamine carries signals between nerves in the brain and aids many functions, including movement, sleep, mood, attention and learning. Research also has shown a strong genetic component for ADHD. “If a child already has attention problems, this means that playing video games is almost a remedy, but only when they are playing. Once they are finished, it makes it even harder for them to focus on other tasks,” Dr. Hardin says.

ailey Washburn’s long blonde hair tickles her thin elbows as she leans forward and holds the Xbox One controller. She is playing Minecraft, a game that she knows like the back of her hand.

Although Kailey does swap her screens in favor of books sometimes, she still spends a large portion of her time outside of school in front of a screen, much like 5-year-old Conner Hernandez. Conner loves Minecraft and Terreria and his small hands move on the Xbox controller with the accuracy and speed of a fighter pilot.

“I like this game because you can build pretty much anything on it,” she says between button presses.

Like many families, Conner’s monitors his technology use to make sure that he is staying safe online.

Like many of the 8 year olds in her class, Kailey loves video games and technology. She can tell you the most fun apps and games to download on your phone, and she even texts and sends pictures to her mom.

“I don't have concerns because he's monitored closely when he plays games. He uses Xbox Live but usually only to play with friends. He's played with random kids in the past, and they tend to be bullies to each other. So we've limited what he can do to avoid some of that,” says Jenny Hernandez, his caregiver.

“I like to Facetime with my best cousins because we don’t live that close” Kailey says. Kailey is most certainly a digital native, kids born in the last decade. But digital native aside, her love of all things technology is increasingly common among children and adults. With cellphones, tablets, computers, touch screens and more all around us, the line between healthy fun and addiction can begin to blur. “A child can start forming addictive behaviors around first grade, but there are cases of toddlers beginning to develop addictive behaviors,” says Nekeshia Hammond, PsyD, owner of Hammond Psychology in Brandon. “What really defines an addictive behavior is when it starts to affect the child’s life. When the child becomes angry, anxious, depressed or even loses sleep — that is when it is time to worry,” Dr. Hammond says. Kailey’s sister Erin Jenkins, 23, is studying to be a teacher and finds it interesting and slightly worrisome that young children like her sister have such a growing relationship with technology. “I don’t so much worry about her going on sites like Facebook or Snapchat, she is too young for that. And I don’t really even worry about her being on Xbox Live. I just start to worry when I hear of studies that show a link between ADHD and kids who use a lot of technology,” Jenkins says. There has been a growing link between the overuse of

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While Conner is not addicted to technology, his family still takes precautions. TV and screen time are limited, and he is reminded of the other activities, like playing outside, that he can do. “Making sure that kids are getting outside and exercising is extremely important — especially in relation to technology. Exercising releases the same chemicals in the brain as technology and it helps combat obesity,” Dr. Hardin says.

vArIouS LoCATIoNS Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Make sure your children are not skipping homework, activities or important events so that they can be online, gaming or using technology, Dr. Hardin advises. Watch for an inability to break away from the technology or acting out if the game or website they are using is not working.

Various Locations www.BrightHorizons.com Day camp programs at Bright Horizons offer indoor and outdoor activities, plus opportunities for fun, friendships, and exploration. Programs group children by age and encourage their growing ability to make choices, work with others, and assume responsibilities. Camp teachers work collaboratively to develop a fun curriculum that takes advantage of all that the summer offers.

“If you are trying to take the tablet away and the child throws a temper tantrum, that is a good sign that they have it too much,” Dr. Hardin says.

Camp Invention

With technology everywhere, including school, where many tests are taken on computers, it is important to recognize the warning signs that your child may be developing an addiction.

It is also important to start young with preventing technology addiction. “One way to prevent your kids from becoming addicted is to have healthy behaviors yourself. You can’t be mad at your child for being addicted to their phone when you have your phone in your hand all the time,” Dr. Hammond notes. You also can prevent your child from becoming addicted by setting limits and not allowing them to spend hours and hours, especially unsupervised, on their devices. “Make sure that you check on them when they go to bed, too. They can sneak their tablets into their beds when they are supposed to be sleeping,” Dr. Hardin says. One way that you can help your kids to grow a healthy relationship with technology is to get them enrolled in technology clubs or camps that teach them how to harness their technological powers for good. One local club, Coder Dojo, teaches kids how to code to create their own programs. This is exciting and more productive than just playing video games all day. It could even lead to a lucrative career. “For parents who worry about excessive use of technology devices, a simple rule could be if you don’t build it, you don’t play it. However, that rule needs to be coupled with providing kids the opportunity to learn. There are numerous free resources on the Internet if parents want to introduce kids to building cool stuff on the web if they can’t bring their kids to a Coder Dojo,” says Ramesh Sambasivan, volunteer and founder of the Tampa chapter of Coder Dojo. In AlligatorZone, a free public program for school-age kids to meet startup company founders and provide product feedback, Sambvasian has noticed that children are able to relate to the world around them and more easily solve problems. Technology is not a bad thing. When used properly, it can be beneficial to your children. Children who can fluently use technology have more resources at their fingertips when it comes to school projects or assignments. When they enter the workforce, they will be comfortable using technology. The key is using technology in a healthy way. If you suspect your child has or is developing an addiction to technology, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional who specializes in treating children. When it comes to technology, Kailey said it best. “Sometimes it’s too much.”

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Various locations 800-968-4332, www.campinvention.org This nationally acclaimed, weeklong summer enrichment day experience for children entering grades one through six is free to schools and organizations nationwide. The program’s top priority is to provide quality enrichment programming in the STEM fields. Local schools host the program and the week’s hands-on activities are led by local teachers to ensure a safe learning environment. Go online to find a camp near you.

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida

Various locations www.gswcf.org With five summer camp locations, girl scouts will get to experience wilderness life at its best. Girls will make memories that will last them a lifetime and will stay in cabins at theses sleep-away camps. They will also learn skills to help them to earn badges. Depending on the location, the girls will horseback ride, swim, and make arts and crafts.

KinderCare Summer Camps

Various locations www.kindercare.com/our-programs/summer-camp If your kids are looking to take the lazy days of summer and find something amazing and exciting in each and every one of them, then enroll now in all six of KinderCare’s summer break programs! Summer camp themes include Animal Antics, Art Expo, Dig Ancient Egypt, Splash Splash, Wild Wild West and Wilderness 101. There is something for kids of all ages from pre-school to school-age.

Kumon North America

Various Locations www.kumon.com Help your kids stay on academic track this summer, focusing on a variety of topics that include reading and math. Make gains for the next school year or tackle problem areas. Go online to find a location near you!

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Seaborn Day Schools Summer Camps

Various Locations www.seaborndayschools.com At Seaborn Summer Camp, it is all about new experiences and new adventures. Your child will have opportunities to learn and play. Lasting friendships are made and selfconfidence is built. Kids will learn to swim, make arts and crafts, and will learn culinary arts, music, computers, and more.

Suncoast YMCA

Various Locations www.ymcasuncoast.org Count on the best summer ever for your kids. Select one week or the whole summer. Indoors and out. On their own or in a group, from archery to arts to canoeing to cannonballs, your kids will have an amazing experience in a safe, inclusive, nurturing environment. Register online.

ouT oF ArEA Circle F Dude Ranch Camp 5301 Dude Ranch Road, Lake Wales

863-676-4113, www.circlefduderanchcamp.com Nestled in 500 acres of wilderness, this traditional sleepaway camp for ages 6-16 offers two-week, three-week and 10-day sessions packed with exciting programs that focus on providing young people the opportunity to just be kids. Campers build lifelong friendships as they participate in horseback riding, archery, sports, photography, arts and more in a safe environment.

Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp

JUN E 8-A UGU ST 14

You don’t have to travel far in order to r have a fantastic summer! Join the Glaze and ect Conn Camp er Summ en’s Childr explore art, science, and world culture in ways that excite and encourage further learning for everyone. Exploration is endless when you can take a trip to the Serengeti, investigate the weather, and use your imagination to inspire amazing works of art. Don’t forget the Wizard of Oz™ Traveling Exhibit is here too!

CAMPS ARE WEEK-LONG | Half Day and Full Day Options ADVENTURES Ages 5-6 | EXPLORERS Ages 6-7 | INVESTIGATORS Ages 7-9 R EGI STRATI ON O P ENS I N MARCH · G LA ZERMUSEUM.ORG

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606 Valley View Ranch Rd., Cloudland, GA 706-862-2231, www.valleyviewranch.com Horse lovers’ paradise since 1954! Atop Lookout Mountain, for 50 girls, 8-17; 1 to 9 weeks, 600 acres, English, Western, Barrels, Vaulting, and Trails. CHA instructors teach beginner to advanced riders. Spend 4-6 hours daily with your OWN camp horse. The Joneses are third generation horse lovers, camp administrators, and equine educators making girls dreams come true!

For a complete list of Summer Camps visit TBpArENTING.CoM/ SuMMErCAMpS

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SAINT PAUL’S Clearwater’s Independent School From Here, Anywhere

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PreK3-12 Private College Prep School in St. Petersburg with Summer Programs Starting in June. Learn more www.farragut.org

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What's Happening summer splash Head over to the Tampa Bay History Center for Summer Splash 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 4. For the eighth year, providers who specialize in summer camps and programs, health and wellness, college preparatory, after school programs, tutoring and much more will be on hand to meet you and help your kids have a fun, safe and adventurous summer. Families can enjoy live entertainment as well as giveaways every half hour. Admission is $5 and includes admission to the Tampa Bay History Center. SummerSplashTampaBay.com

Gasparilla Music and Film Festivals Enjoy the Gasparilla International Film Festival to keep the Gasparilla tradition of Tampa alive! The film festival, taking place on March 24-29 is set to reopen the Channelside movie theater for this special event. This prestigious international film festival has premiered top movies in previous years, and includes Q and A sessions with filmmakers. Ticket prices vary and are available online or at the door. GasparillaFilmFestival.com

The peking Acrobats Head to the Straz Center at 2 or 7 p.m. March 8 for daring displays of agility, breathtaking feats of balance and the mind blowing configurations of flexibility that define the great Chinese circus tradition. The Peking Acrobats have continued to stretch the edge of physical reality — balancing the whole company on one bicycle, performing treacherous tight-wire acts and redefining the art of contortion into a beautifully choreographed dance of fluidity and precision. Your whole family will be amazed by this special performance. Save $15 on select seats using promo code TBPARENTING. StrazCenter.org

busch gardens food and wine festival Join Busch Gardens every Saturday and Sunday from March 7 through April 26 for the Food and Wine Festival. Tempt your taste buds with a food experience like none other, and try a variety of wine. There will be live entertainment, including concerts from Gavin DeGraw, Fifth Harmony, Kool and the Gang, Boys Like Girls, Kenny Rogers, Pentatonix and Stephen Curtis Chapman. The festival is included in the price of daily admission or with an annual pass or Fun Card. BuschGardens.com

family favorites classic series Visit the historic Tampa Theatre beginning on March 22 for the Family Favorites Classic Movie Series. The next generation of young fans will get the chance to see some of their parents’ most beloved childhood films on the big screen. The films being featured offer something for every member of the family, and include Matilda, Big, Shrek, The Goonies, Hook, ET, and Sing-A-Long Frozen. Each show begins at 3 p.m. and tickets are only $8 for kids and $10 for adults. Presented by Bank of America, Tampa Bay Parenting, and WEDU, this event is an unforgettable way to share the beauty of the Tampa Theatre with your children. TampaTheatre.org

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Extraordinary

Woman

By Angela Ardolino

Mastering the art of motherhood, work and community.

As the director of medical education at All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, Raquel Hernandez, MD, MPH, combines her three professional passions — clinical care, education and research. “As an alumna of Johns Hopkins University, I take great pride in my role in helping to shape the academic mission of All Children’s as part of Johns Hopkins Medicine.” As a wife and mother of three, Dr. Hernandez has seen her personal dreams come true as well. Born in El Salvador, she immigrated to the United States at age 4, growing up in a loving family in various parts of New York. Her husband is a native of Tampa and fellow John Hopkins alum, which made the 2009 decision to make the Tampa-St. Petersburg area their home much easier. “We haven’t looked back since the big move!”

What do you think is the secret to your family's success?

You learn throughout medical training that communication and respect for others is critical to great outcomes. As a two physician family, we have followed the same strategy. Whether it is taking the extra effort to plan our daily schedules or being sure to protect and prioritize time together during holidays and vacations, it is all about communication and respecting what we each identify as important. Our success depends upon telling each other, our kids and our immediate family that time together is important such that our kids now value and expect to be together— they now keep us honest in when we’re not getting that time. I consider instilling these values into our kids a success.

what advice would you give to other women?

Every woman’s journey is her own. Comparing yourself to others is a fast way to frustration, self-deprecation and inefficiency. Remember that your path and your passions are your own. Embrace your decisions and recognize that they will be unique, no matter how hard you try to conform. This realization is not only liberating, but it lets you fully enjoy the life and path you’ve chosen.

What is your proudest moment?

My proudest professional moment occurred in welcoming our inaugural class of residents last March. This marked the beginning of our journey toward becoming a leading pediatric residency program, where 12 of

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the nation’s best medical students join us each year in their three-year journey toward becoming our nation’s child health leaders and pediatricians. The excellence of our first residents is evident in the care of their patients as well as in their educational and research efforts. Their pioneering spirit and commitment to All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine is evident every day. Personally, having three young children who have unique, unforgettable personalities with strong family values makes my heart full on a daily basis. Daily, I am treated to great jokes, bear hugs and fabulous stories.

What is your biggest achievment?

Having my kids know that they remain my priority is my biggest achievement. Their love for life, family and school make me infinitely proud. I am also proud that my kids can make healthy choices when we go to the grocery store.

what makes you happy?

It is first and foremost a unique honor and joy to be a part of the life of children and their families as a general pediatrician. Seeing my patients grow from health, happy infants toward well-adjusted successful adolescents makes me continually happy and committed to seeking excellence at every visit. My professional happiness is enhanced through watching our trainees develop into outstanding physicians. When our educational programs succeed, our residents and our patients benefit. I am fortunate to have amazing staff and colleagues who are committed to this pursuit. Personal happiness relates to simple things — great food, great wine and great hugs. These things in addition to seeing my kids have great playdates and work up a great sweat only add to my happiness! Their joy is my joy.

how do you relax and take time for yourself?

This is a perpetual challenge. It sometimes boils down to blocking out time in our Outlook calendars for everything from meetings to birthday parties to date nights — these are equally important in my book! I have moved past feeling embarrassed or less efficient for protecting this time, and I find that it has consistently made me more efficient and receptive to new projects. This approach, in addition to having a fantastic support system in the immediate area, allows for those necessary moments to take a pause and get perspective.

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

What kind of message would you like to give women in the community?

South Tampa has been an outstanding place to raise a family and find a community of successful, young professionals. The education our kids are receiving in addition to the network of colleagues and friends we have cultivated has added to our personal and professional growth in a way that I could not have anticipated when we made the decision to move here. I am thankful for the opportunities both my husband and I have been provided and feel that the community only continues to grow in what is has to offer young, growing families.

What would you like to share with our readers?

I credit my husband and my children for who I am and the good fortune that has come my way. Being a great cheerleader and having great cheerleaders on your sidelines will get you very far. I am very excited for the future direction of All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine as well our residency program. The potential to change the health of children within the Tampa-St. Petersburg community and beyond remains a priority for our institution. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this mission.

how do you enjoy the magazine?

The magazine is such a great way to get the pulse of the community from the perspective of families. Whether it be reading about an upcoming event or recognizing the success of some of our own friends and colleagues, I always have an issue on hand.

What is your favorite thing to do in Tampa Bay?

There are so many things! I revel in thinking that our kids consider going to Busch Gardens an everyday activity given the mileage we get out of our season passes. It is consistently a trip both the kids and adults enjoy. We also love biking in local parks and along Bayshore Boulevard. Finally, we find every excuse to hang out by the ocean. Being away from the beach for too long causes multiple complaints from our crew!

who is your role model?

I have a great admiration and respect for Michael Bloomberg and what his advocacy and leadership have resulted in as it relates to obesity prevention, education and child safety.

raquel Hernandez, MD, Mph Dr. Hernandez at All Children’s Hospital John’s Hopkins Medical Center

Photo by Jeanine McLeod, Cloud 9 Studios

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fresh eyes Lessons from children By Monisha Vasa, MD

have an 8-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son. On a recent Saturday, I decided to take my daughter to our local juice bar. I have been trying to incorporate more juicing into my diet to increase my intake of fruits and vegetables. I had been doing research on the possible benefits of juicing, and I was giving it my best shot. But like any lifestyle change, it has not been easy. I love my morning coffee! My trip to the coffee shop is a little pause in the day (between a morning of getting kids out the door to school and a day full of patients). I look forward to nursing that cup of coffee throughout the day as I go about my daily routine. It is there by my side as I sit with my patients or drive from home to school to work and activities and everywhere in between. This last week, instead of stopping by my favorite coffee shop, I drove to a juice and smoothie bar. I had been experimenting (fruits, vegetables, add-ins, ice, no ice) to see if I could find a combination that felt palatable to me. I was hoping to feel revitalized, healthy and energetic! But as can be expected with any lifestyle change, I think I was more in a phase of mourning the loss of my coffee, going through a bit of caffeine withdrawal, and trying to figure out whether juicing was going to be for me. And yes, I was cranky to go with all of that. On Saturday, my daughter joined me for the first time for the daily juice bar visit. The morning energy in the juice bar was vibrant, full of women and men who had just completed long early morning bike rides or a yoga class. The smells of fresh fruit and vegetables filled the air, as did the whirring noises of the juicers and blenders. We negotiated until we could find a combination we could agree upon — apple, beet, spinach and cucumber with ice. She asked me to lift her so that she could watch the juice being made. She squealed with delight as she saw an entire cucumber disappear in one rapid push into the juicer. She loved watching chunks of apples and beets get thrown in with abandon. I asked her what color she thought the juice would be in the end. She looked at me with wide, excited eyes and flung her arms up in the air. “Who knows? I guess we’ll find out!” We soon discovered that the juice would be a deep, berry red color. A few sips later, she was unconvinced. She decided that the next day she wanted to include green and orange vegetables in hopes of a different color and flavor. “I think parsley will give it a better flavor,” she declared with the conviction of a juice connoisseur. I had been going to that same juice bar daily for a week. Every day, I was mostly preoccupied with getting to the office on time. While ordering my drink, I checked voicemails, emails and text messages on my phone while the juice was being made. I sipped it distractedly as I drove to work, sometimes trying to throw it back as quickly as possible. But today, it was an entirely different experience. I saw our trip through my daughter’s eyes. She, like most children before life and adults interfere, is naturally mindful. She sees every experience through new and fresh eyes, beginner’s eyes. She was

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TAMPABAY BAYPARENTING PARENTING •• MAR MAR2015 2015 • TBParenting.com TAMPA

amazed by how whole fruits and vegetables could be tossed into a machine and come out as juice. She was curious about the colors and smells. She slowly took her first sip, letting the flavor develop in her mouth as she swallowed it. In the end, she decided she didn’t particularly like it, and that is OK. But the entire experience was full of an amazement and wonder that I only saw for the first time with her. After the juice bar, my daughter wanted to visit the Krispy Kreme donut shop. She wanted to watch the donuts being made, the rows of rings ride by on the conveyer belt, getting drenched under a waterfall of glaze. She chose a chocolate glazed donut with sprinkles. She ate it at home with a glass of milk, and a variety of fruit called a peacotum — a mix of peach, apricot and plum. She left a couple of bites of donut on the plate, stopping after she was full, with her donut craving satisfied. By observing children, we adults can learn how to be fully engaged in our life experiences. Eating mindfully (or drinking juice mindfully), is like living mindfully. Living mindfully requires focusing on the present (being in the moment) with all of our senses, as if experiencing that moment for the first and last time. Tuning in to our internal and external experience in a curious, compassionate, and nonjudgmental way, and viewing our lives with fresh eyes is important. I drank half of my juice, followed by 3/4 of a glazed chocolate cake donut. It was a delicious and satisfying breakfast. Dr. Monisha Vasa is a board certified general and addiction psychiatrist and the author of the new nonfiction children’s book My Dearest One.

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Avoiding additives

Choosing better foods By Krista Byrd

When it comes to additives consumers should take note of, many are easily recognizable. “Enhanced salts and sugars are the worst,” Dr. Hernandez says. “On labels, sugars are reported as carbohydrates. … There are hidden sugars and salts in almost everything. Parents are so busy looking for organic foods, but sugar and salt are hitting us right in the face.” Another hiding place — reduced fat snacks. When the fat is reduced, sugars and salts often are added so that the food’s taste will stay the same. “We spent so much time thinking fat was worse for us but the amount of sugar and salt directly affect obesity,” Dr. Hernandez says. In addition, sugary beverages, such as soft drinks, fruit juices and sports drinks, are often the main source of added sugars in children’s diets, resulting in extra calories and increased obesity risks.

or lunch, Megan Gaule usually can be found eating a green salad covered with strawberries or raspberries and a homemade dressing as flavorful as it is colorful. A vegan, she tries her best to stay away from the harmful chemicals and additives often found in processed food.

It is never too late to change the way you and your family are eating. The hardest part is to find healthy foods, Dr. Hernandez says. Make sure that you are reading and fully understanding food labels.

“I find it really empowering to constantly remind myself that what I eat is a choice, and I’m choosing to nourish my body instead of harm it,” Gaule says.

“I tried to focus on what I was adding rather than what I was taking away. When I would give up a food that I really like but was awful for me, I’d try to replace it with something good for me that was similar,” Gaule says.

With growing attention on food additives and chemicals, many parents are becoming more conscience about what they feed their children and what they eat as well. “Chemicals are found in most foods that we eat. The most common ones prevent food from spoiling as well as added fortifiers,” says Dr. Raquel Hernandez, MD, MPH, director of medical education at All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine and assistant professor of pediatrics in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The most common food additives include salt, vitamins C and E, compound sugars, BHA and BHT. BHA and BHT are added to prolong the shelf life of foods. Vitamin fortifiers are safe and are added because it has been determined that children are not getting enough of some nutrients in their regular diet, Dr. Hernandez adds.

“Your body craves what you feed it. Changing your diet is a process that takes time, but the longer that you eat a diet free (or mostly free) from chemicals the less you will crave the foods that are 10 AddiDon’ts chocked full of them,” Gaule says. She Avoid products with these ingredients. says it took about three weeks for her taste buds to change. Then, she really 1. Artificial sweeteners (aspartame) began to enjoy and crave the flavors of 2. BHA and BHT healthier foods. 3. Food dyes (blue, yellow, red) 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

High fructose corn syrup Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Potassium bromate Sodium nitrate and nitrite Sodium sulfite Sulfur dioxide Trans fat

BHA and BHT are used to prevent oils in food from oxidizing, which can affect flavor and color of foods and makes them able to withstand room temperature without spoiling. Despite being labeled an anticipated carcinogen, the data from current studies regarding BHA and BHT are inadequate to 100% link BHA to cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health. “Right now there are is no correlation to long-term side effects in kids when it comes to fortifiers and BHA or BHT,” Dr. Hernandez says.

“It is definitely challenging switching from eating a diet full of chemicals and preservatives to eating clean, but it’s a lot easier to do it in small steps versus the cold turkey method,” she says. “When I tried to give up unhealthy food all at once, I failed. Then I gave up one thing at a time — first gluten, then dairy, then white sugar, then meat, then any other processed foods I was eating — it was a whole lot easier.” It can be a challenge to cut chemicals from your diet. While some of them are harmless, it is important to remember that what you feed your child will help them form habits and opinions of food. Preventing the intake of so many chemicals is always better than dealing with the ramifications of a bad diet later in life, Gaule says. “I know that staying away from chemicals and additives has done wonderful things for me.”

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• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

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Next Generation Ballet Leaps to Top The Straz Center’s Next Generation Ballet (NGB) recently received the top honor of Outstanding School at the 2015 Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Tampa semifinals. Dancers from NGB competed against hundreds of dancers in the region to earn dozens of awards at the event. NGB received first place awards for the Large Ensemble category for both Odalisques and Turkish March. In the Ensemble Pas De Deux category, NGB received first place for Coppelia with Janaya Zimmermann and Jarod Curley, and third place for Flames of Paris with Madeleine Gardella and Peter Weil. NGB dancers also received awards in the following categories: Sr. Classical Women, Sr. Classical Men, Sr. Contemporary Women, Sr. Contemporary Men, Jr. Classical Women, Jr. Classical Men, Jr. Contemporary Men and Precompetitive Classical Men and Women. About 300 young dancers from North Carolina, Iowa and Florida, competed in the two-day contest, the largest student ballet competition in the world and one that screens more than 5,000 dance students internationally in regional competitions. Top dancers will compete in the New York finals for scholarships and job offers. Additionally, NGB students Jarod Curley and Peter Weil are two of only seven males from the United States to be accepted into the world’s most prestigious dance competition, the Prix de Lausanne, held Feb. 1-8. For more information, call 813-222-1002 or visit www.patelconservatory.org.

Women of Distinction to be Celebrated This Month Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF) recently announced this year’s honorees for its upcoming 14th annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on March 10 at A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. The luncheon benefits nearly 19,500 girls served by GSWCF and will feature as keynote speaker bestselling author and activist Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and journalist and author Maria Shriver. All 2015 honorees were selected for achieving success in their respective fields and serving as inspiring role models for girls in the Tampa Bay community, with each designated honoree exemplifying ethical leadership and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens through community service. The 2015 Women of Distinction are Karen Mertes, founder and director of Fulfill Your Destiny Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances; Evelyn Follit, founder and president of Follit Associates, a corporate technology assessment and executive career strategy consulting practice; and Renee Vaughn, president of the Tampa-based PR and marketing firm Williams Consulting Group. Because of her lifetime devotion to Girl Scouts, especially in the west central Florida area, GSWCF has also reserved a one-time special recognition for Lenore “Gundy” Costello and her more than seven decades of commitment to the scouts’ mission. “One of the main goals in Girl Scouting is to build leadership skills in girls. Therefore, this particular event aligns itself well with our goals, as we honor local women who are outstanding in many ways, particularly with their leadership,” says Terri Costello, GSWCF development manager. “These women are role models for girls in their dedication, perseverance and commitment to their community.” Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased online at www.gswcf.org/wod. General seating tickets are $75 per person; patron preferred seating tickets (includes program recognition) are $150 per person.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

dates: Feb. 28, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Annual Hyde Park Home Tour Stroll through restored homes and newer ones in the historic South Tampa neighborhood. Tour starts at Kate Jackson Community Center. Tickets: $25. www. historichydeparktampa.com

March 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fresh Market at Hyde Park Browse gourmet foods, organic goods and handcrafted items while listening to live music at this monthly event. Shop at the Tampa Kids Market and support young entrepreneurs. www.hydeparkvillage.net

March 6, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. International Women’s Day Lunch This annual luncheon celebrates the achievements of women at the Mainsail Conference Center in Tampa. This year’s event honors former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. Tickets: $35 members and $50 nonmembers (includes networking over coffee, gourmet lunch, beverages and valet parking). www.workingwomenoftampabay.com

March 14, 6:30-11 p.m. Mardi Gras Masquerade and Costume Ball Event at the Hilton Garden Inn in Riverview features New Orleans-style cuisine, a silent auction, entertainment and a cash bar with costume encouraged and mask required. Tickets: $50 per person or $90 per couple. Proceeds to benefit the All Children’s Hospital Guild — Brandon branch. Call 813352-3522. www.allkids.org

March 21, 7:30 a.m. – noon Parent University Attend this informative event at Tomlin Middle in Plant City as part of a free series of sessions offered through Hillsborough County Public Schools that support the academic life of children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Event includes a free lunch and free child care. www.sdhc.k12.fl.us

March 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Annual International Festival Experience food, crafts and entertainment from around the world at The Village Early Learning Center in Brandon. See live performances from dance groups and travel the world in a day. Free crafts and activities for kids. www.villageelc.com

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Dream Tree House Springs to Life Fourth-grader Noah Pollack of Carrollwood Day School (CDS) is watching a dream blossom. Six years ago, he and a group of his preK classmates hatched an idea that the private Tampa school add a treehouse on the premises of its Early Childhood Campus playground. They then spent every day discussing what that building might look like as teachers supported the innovation by presenting design concepts. As ringleader of the group, Noah formally submitted an official tree house design upon becoming a kindergarten student.

dates: March 3, 4-6 p.m. A Birthday Party for Dr. Seuss Celebrate the clever storyteller’s birthday at Temple Terrace Public Library. Afternoon will include stories, games, crafts, face painting and refreshments. Call 813506-6770.

After several years and the generosity of two individual CDS parents who offered to fund construction of the playground, a once dream vision is now a play area available to students on the CDS campus. Reportedly, upon reading the email announcing the construction of the tree house, the now fourth-grader whispered to himself, “It’s really happening.” Noah and his family recently led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground fixture at the CDS Early Childhood Campus in Tampa.

March 8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Boots & Bling Line Dances into the university Area

March 13, 7-9 p.m.

On March 28, the GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club will host its 18th annual Night of 5000 charity event, its signature fundraiser. This year’s theme is Boots & Bling and will immerse guests in the sights, sounds and tastes of the Wild West. Those interested in attending are encouraged to don their favorite boots, jeans and cowboy hat for a casual country night under the stars on the scenic outside terrace of the University Area Community Development Center. Evening includes a chuck wagon buffet, live and silent auctions and boot-stomping music. Tickets are $55 before March 1 and $65 after. To order tickets, make check payable to GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club and send (include name and email address) to PO Box 46183, Tampa FL 33646. Order tickets online (add $2 per ticket) at www.gfwcnewtampajuniors.org. The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), one of the world’s largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. Founded in 1890, the GFWC has more than 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries. Annually, its members raise an average of $40 million on behalf of more than 100,000 projects and volunteer nearly five million hours. The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club is dedicated to enhancing the lives of others in their community through volunteer service across a variety of projects, most recently supporting the Meals on Wheels program, coordinating a school supply drive and leading a fundraiser for a local elementary school’s student garden. For those who may be interested in learning more about the organization or joining, meetings are on the second Monday of August through May at the New Tampa Y.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

Seminole Heights Morning Market Shop for fresh, locally grown and handmade goods at this monthly market on the front lawn of Hillsborough High in Tampa. Browse the Kids Market and support young entrepreneurs. Free admission. www. tampabaymarkets.com

Westchase Movie Night Hosted by the Westchase Community Association at West Park Village, this month’s movie is Despicable Me 2, an animated comedy featuring the voice talents of Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig. www.westchasewca.org

March 14, 6:45-11:30 p.m. CDS Auction and Gala Show your support for the programs at Carrollwood Day School at this annual fundraiser at A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. For event details and tickets, go online. www.carrollwooddayschool.org

March 21, 7:15-10 a.m. Driscoll’s Strawberry Classic Sign up for Temple Terrace’s signature race event, featuring 5K, 10K and 15K competitions in addition to a 1-mile Fun Run, at Temple Terrace Elementary. Runners of all ages may participate. www.templeterrace.com

March 22, 4-6 p.m. Songs of Passion and Love Spend the afternoon at Carrollwood Cultural Center enjoying the beautiful vocals of young singers from Dr. Kyoung Cho’s Voice Studio at the USF School of Music. Advance tickets: $14 members and $18 general admission. www.carrollwoodcenter.org

March 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Women in Science Hear from local expert Tanja Diederich as she discusses women who broke barriers and pushed science forward at Seminole Heights Library. Free. Call 813-273-3652.

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South pinellas pinellas park | seminole | st. pete beach largo | st. petersburg | treasure island

pack Those Sleeping Bags and Tents Largo! The Friends of Largo Nature Parks is hosting a special springtime family camp-out on March 27 at John R. Bonner Nature Park. This year’s event starts at 6 p.m. and runs through 10 a.m. March 28. Families can look forward to food, campfire events and nature programs throughout the day, with dinner and breakfast provided with registration. Bonner Nature Park, which overlooks the waterway, is situated on the Great Florida Birding Trail because of its diverse migratory bird population, The park features various nature trails, a playground, picnic facilities and a covered pavilion. The cost for this year’s camp-out is $10 per person, with ages 2 and younger free. Register online at www.natureparkfriends.org or in person at McGough Nature Park in Largo. Make checks payable to The Friends of Largo Nature Parks. For more information, contact the parks office at 727-518-3047.

All Children's Hospital Hosts Diabetes Family Day All your dreams can come true was the theme and message delivered to children and parents attending the 2015 Diabetes Family Day at All Children’s Hospital. More than 80 participants gathered to hear from role models living with diabetes who shared their personal stories. In addition, physicians, nutritionists and counselors provided guidance to families. The event also featured healthy cooking demonstrations, social interaction, children’s activities, new product information, TrialNet screening for siblings of type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients and a martial arts demonstration. “I am constantly learning from my patients,” shared Pallavi Iyer, MD, speaker and head of the All Children’s endocrinology program. “I always tell my patients that by their third visit, they will be teaching me about living with diabetes.”Education was an integral part of the event, with families given the opportunity to gather and learn from each other. Throughout the event, speakers and families in attendance discussed various milestones and approaches to diabetes and reassured those in attendance that they are not alone. Psychologist Laura Smith Ph.D., told families to focus on small improvements. “Set realistic goals,” she suggested. “Diabetes management will never be perfect so learn to control the things you can. Always know that you can press ‘reset’ and start a new day.” Speaker Max Pollack, 26, was diagnosed at three years old and shared some his own diabetes story. “I was diagnosed so early that it was a normal part of my life. It has become such a part of me,” he explained and urged younger members in the audience to “let diabetes push you to do big things - don’t let it hold you down.” Also motivating the audience was Genevieve King, 52, who was a 16-year-old junior tennis star from Tampa, seeded fourth in a national tournament in Rhode Island, when she was diagnosed. Genevieve’s message was a simple one. “This is a very manageable disease. But you have to take it seriously - it’s your first job. You take care of that and everything else will take care itself. You can do anything you want to do. There’s a lot on the horizon and things are just going to get better and better.”

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

dates: March 7 Citywide Yard Sale Clear out the clutter and turn it into cold hard cash as part of this annual Gulfport permit-free event. Sale runs from dawn to dusk. Temporary signage will be permitted on public property near sale location. Rain date is March 8. www.mygulfport.us

March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Family Day in the Gardens Experience the beauty of nature at Sunken Gardens in St. Pete. Day includes garden-related classes and hands-on activities for kids and parents, such as creating butterfly gardens. www. stpete.org/sunken

March 11, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Spring Luncheon for All Children’s Attend this fundraiser hosted by All Children’s Hospital Guild – St. Petersburg and Beach Branch at Bayou Country Club in Largo to benefit the hospital’s Pediatric Palliative Care program. Cost is $35 (includes free valet parking). Email tampasuz@ hotmail.com to purchase tickets. www.allkids.org

March 13, 7 p.m. Shamrock ‘n Run 5K and 1 Mile Walk Lace up for a fun evening at Ulmer Park in Largo. Events includes 5K, 1.5-mile walk and Clover Kids Dash for ages 7 and younger. Clover Kids receive a T-shirt, Shamrock n’ Ribbon and kid’s meal. Register in advance for reduced fees. Call 727-518-3016. www.largosports.com

March 20, 4-5:30 p.m. Walking with the Dinosaurs Hear stories and songs celebrating all things dinosaur at this educational, fun event at Largo Public Library. Afternoon includes a craft activity. Call 727-587-6715.

March 21, 10 a.m. Annual Country in the Park Pack a lawn chair and listen to live music in England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park. Festivities include an arts and craft show, pony rides, car show, tree and plant sale and children’s activities. Purchase food and beverages. Free admission. Call 727-541-0895.

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Colors of Spring Hit the runway

dates:

The Dunedin Youth Guild holds its annual Spring Fashion Show and Scholarship Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 7 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Dunedin. This year’s theme: Colors of Spring.

March 6-7, various times

All proceeds will benefit the group’s college scholarship fund. Each year, the Guild awards scholarships to prospective college students who attend Dunedin High or Dunedin residents attending high school. The Dunedin Youth Guild began in 1964 and supports the youth of Dunedin with scholarships and youth-focused community improvement projects. In 2013, the Dunedin Youth Guild contributed a new playground to the community with the addition of Weaver Park. In 2014, the guild awarded more than $34,000 in youth scholarships. For more information about this year’s show or to reserve a seat for the event, contact the Dunedin Youth Guild at 727-734-0394. Those who may be interested in joining the guild can attend one of the group’s upcoming meetings, which are held at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday from September through April at Faith Lutheran Church in Dunedin. The next meeting is March 17.

Suncoast Y Takes Innovative program to Schools The YMCA of the Suncoast is offering through select Pinellas middle schools a unique, familyfocused program. Designed with an emphasis on nurturing and strengthening youth, families and community, the 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) is being offered through the Y at Tarpon Springs and Largo middle schools. CCLCs offered through area schools provide academic enrichment opportunities during nonschool hours, particularly for students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The focus of the program is to help students meet or exceed local and state standards in reading, math and other subjects through a range of enrichment activities that complement their regular academic programs. R’Club Child Care Inc. is the administrative lead for three CCLC grants in Pinellas County and works closely with the Y of Greater St. Petersburg and the Y of the Suncoast to provide the centers for students and their families at 11 middle schools throughout Pinellas.The Tarpon Springs and Largo programs feature a number of special services to support student’s learning needs, including access to a certified teacher available Monday through Friday for small group homework help in reading, math and science. Students also get access to the latest technology to enhance their academic experience, including use of laptop computers. Staff members from both schools and the Y of the Suncoast have collaborated to develop the program’s daily academic and enrichment clubs that offer relevant, interactive experiences for participating students. For more information about this and other programs offered through the Y of the Suncoast, visit www.ymcasuncoast.org. To learn more, go to http://rclub21stcclc.weebly.com.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

The It Weekend Visit the Dunedin Fine Art Center for the trifecta of events with Trashy Treasures, Contain It, Eat It and Brew It! All weekend, visitors can check out a fringe arts festival, featuring an art garage sale and multimedia installation fair, taste dishes at a mini food truck rally and sample craft beers. www.dfac.org

March 8, 1 p.m. Quarter Auction Bring quarters and friends to this All Children’s Hospital Guild — North Pinellas branch benefit at Our Lady of Lourdes Conmy Center in Dunedin. Raise your paddles and bid for prizes. Cost: $10 for bidding paddle. Call 727-647-1427. www.allkids.org

March 10, 7 p.m. Simplicity Parenting Community Lecture Hear from author Kim Payne as she shares parenting tips at Octagon Arts Center in Clearwater. Payne presents simplicity pathways for parents to help kids feel calmer, happier and more secure. Tickets: $10 advance and $15 at the door. www.suncoastwaldorf. org

March 12, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Westlake Christian Open House Learn about the academic programs and extracurricular activities at the National Blue Ribbon School in Palm Harbor. www.westlakechristianschool.org

March 28, 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Highland Games Indulge in all things Scottish at this celebration at Highlander Park in Dunedin. Day features athletic competitions, pipe bands, dancing, food and shopping. Tickets: $10 per person and free children 12 and younger (with a paid adult admission). www. dunedinhighlandgames.com

March 28-29, various times Safety Harbor Song Fest Get lost in music as this two-day event brings over 20 nationally touring artists along downtown Safety Harbor’s Main Street. Festival highlights emerging and established singer-songwriters and benefits the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center. Admission: $25 single day and $40 weekend pass. www.safetyharborsongfest. com

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Photo by Amy Pezzicara, Pezz Photo Photo by Nicole Geller Photgraphy

Zephyrhills School recruits Great Dads Chester W. Taylor Elementary recently hosted Dads and Kids Pizza Night to recruit Watch D.O.G.S. for its parent involvement initiative. Dads and kids spent the evening at the Zephyrhills school enjoying free pizza and drinks in the cafeteria, followed by fathers watching a short video introducing them to Watch D.O.G.S. while students relocated for fun activities. Watch D.O.G.S (or Dads Of Great Students) is a father involvement initiative set forth by the National Center For Fathering. Inspired by one dad’s desire to increase male involvement in his children’s school, and with the help of the school’s teachers and administration, the program was created in 1998 by Dr. Ken Canfield. He founded the National Center for Fathering as a nonprofit organization to conduct research and provide educational resources in response to a growing trend toward absent fathers in America. According to the center, more than 24 million children live in a home without the physical presence of a father. It launched the program at George Elementary in Springdale, Ark., in an effort to encourage fathers to get more involved in their kids’ schools. Through the program, dads and other male relatives volunteer to work at least one day per year in the child’s school. They work alongside educators performing duties such as crossing guard, safety monitor, car/bus rider facilitator, hallway monitor, library assistant, lunchroom helper, classroom and homework tutor, and playground/gymnasium coach. Pasco currently has Watch D.O.G.S programs at 14 schools.

Area School Nurse Hailed as Florida's Best The Florida Association of School Nurses recently announced its selection of Kathy Browning, RN, a district liaison and school nurse at Lacoochee Elementary in Dade City, as Florida’s 2015 School Nurse of the Year. Current and retired school nurses, along with staff from the Office for Student Support Programs and Services, surprised her with the announcement at the district office. Her nomination packet included letters from Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd and Lacoochee Elementary Principal Latoya Jordan, among other colleagues, and also included a letter from Lacoochee fifth grader James Royal. James wrote of his school nurse, “Whenever I have a headache, even if it’s small, if she can’t get in touch with someone at home who can help me, she stops whatever she’s doing no matter what it is to find me a ride home or to a doctor.” He also noted Browning’s efforts to collect food and clothing for his family and to help him get into programs that will benefit his health and learning. Browning has worked for Pasco County Schools since 1992, except for two years between 2007 and 2009. She is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Florida. This year, Browning accepted the added role of district support liaison, with responsibility for mentoring new school nurses.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

dates: March 6-7, various times Community Fun Day and Business Expo This weekend of food trucks, games, door prizes and live entertainment at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex supports local businesses. Event is 4-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. www.centralpascochamber.com

March 7, 6-10 p.m. Cowboy Ball Mosey over to Seven Springs Country Club in New Port Richey for this All Children’s Hospital Guild — Pasco branch fundraiser. Night includes food, live music, entertainment, games and live/silent auctions. Cost: $40 per person. Email guildpascocowboyball@outlook.com. www.allkids.org

March 14, 8 a.m. 2015 Pasco Challenge Participate in this Alzheimer’s Family Organization fundraiser at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. Compete in a half marathon, 5K or 10K or non-competitive fun runs and bike tours. See schedule and fees online. www.alzheimersfamily. org

March 15, 10 a.m. Everyday Blessings Car Show Register your wheels or simply view sleek, sporty cars of various makes and models at this benefit event at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. Event features an open and judged auto show, auctions, drawings and 50/50. All proceeds benefit Everyday Blessings Inc. www.shopsatwiregrass. com

March 21, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Hernando County Youth Triathlon Ages 6-14 may participate in this event hosted by the Hernando County Y in Spring Hill. Bring swimsuits, goggles, running shoes, a bike and a change of clothes. All participants must be swim tested by March 13 at the Y. www.ymcasuncoast.org

March 21, 9 a.m. Annual General Schwarzkopf Memorial Sporting Clays Classic Show your support for the Children’s Home in Tampa at this fundraiser at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’ Lakes. Registration starts at 7 a.m. www.childrenshome.orginfo. www.ferrarostudiotheatre.com

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polk auburndale | bartow | haines city lakeland | lake wales | winter haven

Lakeland Craft Festival returns

March 6-7, various times

Lakeside Village in Lakeland will soon be transformed into an outdoor craft showcase. The 2nd Annual Lakeland Craft Festival returns March 28-29 to the village located at 1479 Town Center in Lakeland, offering visitors an opportunity to browse original handmade crafts and unique, affordable gift items in a juried outdoor show. This year’s festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and is free and open to the public.

Eagle Lake BBQ Festival Come out for this Florida BBQ Association-sanctioned event at 103 3rd St. in Eagle Lake. Day offers dodge ball, live entertainment and children’s activities with food and beer vendors available. Free admission and parking. www.eaglelakebbqfest.com

The 2015 festival welcomes 150 of the country’s finest crafters hand-selected from hundreds of applicants by American Craft Endeavors. Attendees will get to view a full spectrum of craft media including photography, pottery, leather items, functional art, stained glass and more, with items priced to suit all budgets, ranging from as little as $3 to $3,000. Visitors will also get an opportunity to ask crafters any questions about the work they’re viewing as they will be onsite for the duration of the festival.

March 7-8, various times

For additional information about the Lakeland Craft Festival and other American Craft Endeavors craft shows across the country, visit www.artfestival.com or call 561-746-6615.

Lace up the Sneakers for Charity Classic 5K Trail run Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation hosts its Second Annual Charity Classic 5-K Trail Run/ Walk. This year’s event takes place at the Grove House Visitor Center, located at 20160 Hwy. 27 in Lake Wales, and begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21 with a Kids Fun Run for ages 8 and younger to start at 9:30 a.m. The event concludes with an awards presentation at 10 a.m. The 2015 event kicks off the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic, a tour stop on the Symetra Tour, the developmental tour of the LPGA. Several Symetra Tour golfers will be on-hand at the race and participating in the activities during the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic 5-K Trail Run/Walk. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. Citrus World, Inc. founded the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation in 2008 with a mission of supporting charitable organizations that specialized in the field of health, education and youth across the Central Florida citrus region. Over the past six years, the organization has contributed over $800,000 in grants to area charities and last year, donated to 68 different nonprofits impacting the Polk County area. The event course is a combination of off-road hills, wetlands, and natural Florida terrain. In addition to the races, adults can also take part in a push up contest and adult obstacle competition and then recharge at the massage station. For kids, the event offers a number of fun activities including an obstacle course, 100-yard dash fun run, a building workshop and face painting. On-site registration begins at 7:00 a.m. Cost to take part is $35.00 per adult race participant, $20 for youth ages 9-17, and kids 8 and younger are free. Each paying participant will receive a shirt (guaranteed if registered by Feb. 28) and a race-day goodie bag. To register online, visit www.citrusworldinc.com/community/5krun/.

dates:

Bloomin’ Arts Festival Celebrate spring at this annual arts event in Bartow’s historic downtown. Browse antique cars, paintings, restored musical instruments and more. Event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun. Children’s Tent will be open during the whole festival with arts, crafts and face painting. Free admission. For more information, call 863-534-1877.

March 11, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Cirquesa Dreamquest Journey to magical places in this human circus at Lakeland Center. Show features aerial acts, acrobatics and more. Tickets start at $27.50. www.thelakelandcenter. com

March 14, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Polk Girls Rock! Sign up daughters ages 5-14 for an empowerment event at Chain O’ Lakes Convention Center in Winter Haven. Tickets are $15. www.polkgirlsrockempower.eventbrite. com

March 20, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Annual Spring for Education Support this fundraiser hosted by the Republican Women’s Club of Lakeland at Lone Palm Golf and Country Club in Lakeland and raise money for Polk County teachers to use for classroom supplies and learning tools. Evening includes cocktails, dinner, guest speakers, silent auction and live entertainment. For tickets, call 863-660-4218.

March 20, 4-8 p.m. LEGOLAND Water Park Preview Attend a preview of LEGOLAND Florida’s water park in Winter Haven. Tickets for the event are $10 per person with parking adjacent to the water park. For more information, call 863-293-2138.

March 22, 5 p.m. Music at Pinewood: Rising Artist Series Listen to rising artists from Harrison School for the Arts at Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Cost is $25. www.boktowergardens.org

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TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

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Around Town

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Members of Philanthropic Women of St. Joseph’s gathered at Tampa Yacht and Country Club for the annual luncheon featuring keynote speaker Amy Grant.

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Cast of Birds of a Feather Johnny Garde, Scott Daniel, director Karla Hartley, Molly Leigh Healey, Robert Richards, Jr., Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino, and County Commissioner Kevin Beckner.

Dr. Jonathan Ellen, president and vice dean of All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, officially opens our Outpatient Care Center, South Tampa with Commissioners Sandy Murman, Kevin Beckner and other guests and supporters.

Fred Meyer, Florida Hospital Carrollwood Hospital Board Member, Shane Cox, Florida Hospital Carrollwood CFO, Robin McGuinness, Florida Hospital Carrollwood CNO, Sharad Patel, M.D., Surgeon, Joe Johnson, Florida Hospital Carrollwood President & CEO, Ravi Patel, M.D., Florida Hospital Carrollwood, Chief of Surgery, Carole Philipson, VP of Outpatient and Support Services, Ajay Patel, M.D., Surgeon breaking ground on the new Florida Hospital location.

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Ian Smith, Chairman of the Board of the Glazer Children’s Museum, Grace Posada, Vice- Chairman of Marketing of the Glazer Children’s Museum, and Angela with the cast of the Wizard of Oz from the traveling exhibit at the museum.

Elaine Shimberg, Grammy Awardwinning singer Amy Grant, and Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino at the Philanthropic Women of St. Joseph’s Luncheon.

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Tampa Preparatory School’s Head of School Kevin Plummer with Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and Carmen Barkett at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s Cup of Compassion Breakfast.

Blue Topaz Winners Molly Demeulenaere and Susan Callahan at MOSI’s annual Einstein on Food and Wine event.

The Fifth Grade Leadership Council, George Page, Macy Selewach, Patrick Smith, Gabriela Caldeira, Ty Jones, Gracyn Custin, Haruka Ozturk, Carissa Keen, Keira Osborne, Madigan Reens, Maya Judd, Elena Tarpley, and Ava Hill from Corbett Prep stands with Carrollwood resident George Page, left, in front of the Little Free Library box that Page built for Corbett Prep as part of the Little Free Libraries program.

march Events & the Gang and Kenny Rogers. Included with park admission (food and beverages purchased separately). www.buschgardens.com/tampa

Everyone

The Art of piracy: pirates in Modern Culture

e v e n t s & f e s t i va l s Disney Live! presents Mickey's Magic Show

Feb. 28 - March 1, various times Fall under the spell of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they join illusionist Zach Williams at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Catch up with other Disney personalities, including Donald Duck, Goofy, Cinderella, Belle and Snow White. Tickets: $16-$50. www.amaliearena.com 3 & Older

hart stay-cation

March 1-31, all day Middle and High School Students Ride HART Free with School ID. With malls, local attractions and movies there’s plenty to do at home during Spring Break. HART gets you there. Contact the HARTinfo line for more information at (813) 254-4278. Teens

Florida Strawberry Festival

Through March 8, various times Experience this Plant City tradition, bursting with all things strawberry, rides, shows and exhibits. Features neighborhood village and Kiddie Corral. Go online for daily schedule and ticket information. www. flstrawberryfestival.com Everyone

Annual Bay Area renaissance Festival

Through March 29, various times Travel to the 16th century and experience medieval food, music and fun at this festival outside Tampa’s MOSI. See live armored jousting and entertainment on 12 stages. Admission: $19.95 adults and $11.95 ages 5-12. Free parking. www.bayarearenfest.com

Everyone

Through March 31 Children are invited to enter a storytelling contest hosted by WEDU. Participants write and illustrate a story, and submit it for a chance to win cool prizes. Local winning stories will be submitted to the national PBS Kids Writers Contest. www.wedu.org/ writerscontest 4-8

Food and Wine Festival — Busch Gardens Tampa Through April 26, various times Sip fine wines and nosh on delicious fare while enjoying a bevy of musical talents as part of this spring weekend tradition at Busch Gardens Tampa. This month’s lineup includes Gavin DeGraw, Kool

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

Everyone

The Wizard of oz at Glazer Children's Museum

Through September, various times See this new traveling exhibit that celebrates the film and literary classic at Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa. Follow the yellow brick road through Munchkinland, get a glimpse of the ruby red slippers, and discover your courage, heart and smarts on an interactive adventure through the Land of Oz. www. glazermuseum.org Everyone

Seuss-Tastic

March 1- 8, various times Enjoy this annual celebration of Dr. Seuss just in time for his birthday at Glazer Children’s Museum. Features story time, character appearances and fun activities. www.glazermuseum.org Everyone

Children's Board Free Tuesday

March 3, 2-7 p.m. Take advantage of free admission during designated hours at Glazer Children’s Museum. Check out the museum’s current exhibits and interact with featured guest characters. Adults must be accompanied by a child and vice versa. www.glazermuseum.org

Everyone

car seat inspection

March 3, various times Come out to Pediatric Associates at Winthrop Town Centre or the Mease Countryside Hospital to properly install your carseat for FREE! A certified CPS technician will teach you how to correctly install and use your carseat, sponsored by Cryo-Cell. BayCareEvents.org Everyone

pBS Kids Writers Contest

Through April 26, various times Hang on to that Gasparilla spirit as this special exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center. Learn about the role of art in shaping the popular and iconic images associated with 17th and 18th century pirates and check out mementos from past Gasparilla celebrations. www.tampabayhistorycenter.org

Harlem Globetrotters 2015 World Tour

March 4, 7 p.m. See some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet as this iconic group of basketball players bring its Washington Generals’ Revenge tour to Amalie Arena in Tampa. Tickets: $20-$110. www. amaliearena.com Everyone

international women's day lunch

March 6, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Working Women of Tampa Bay are celebrating International Women’s Day with a power-packed

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

networking event including speakers and lunch. The speakers include the Executive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Pam Iorio, ABC Action News’ Lissette Campos, publisher Jules Lewis Gibson, and Bosnian war survivor Maja Kazaazic. Tickets are available online. www.WorkingWomenofTampaBay. com Moms

colossal curl opening

March 7 The newest family thrill water slide is opening at Adventure Island! Holding 4 passengers and snaking 70 feet, this slide is perfect for the whole family. www. adventureisland.com Everyone

Bowl for Kids' Sake

March 7, 14 & 22, various times Make a difference in a child’s life by taking to the lanes at a nearby bowling alley for this signature Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser. Go online for locations and sign-up details. http://bfks.kintera.org.

Moms & Dads

The peking Acrobats

March 8, 2 & 7 p.m. Witness daring displays of agility, breathtaking feats of balance and jaw-dropping flexibility as this energetic troupe visits Tampa’s Straz Center. Tickets: $35-$45. Tampa Bay Parenting readers save $15 on select seats (front orchestra rows (AA-S only) using the promo code: TBPARENTING. Limit 4 tickets per sale. www.strazcenter.org Everyone

Spring Camp Connect

March 9-13, various times Kids can join Glazer Children’s Museum and the Y for fun camps during spring break. Art projects and science demos will educate kids on local ecosystems. www.glazermuseum.org 4-9

Spring Camp at Tampa Bay History Center

March 9-13, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Climb aboard this pirate-themed Spring Break camp series at the Tampa Bay History Center. Kids can learn about pirates, meet up with the likes of Jose Gaspar and Captain Panfilo Narvaez and participate in games and crafts to solve sunken ship mysteries. www. tampabayhistorycenter.org 5-10

Make It 2.0

March 9 - April 3, various times Mondays this spring at Glazer Children’s Museum are all about the joy of taking a project from start to finish, with themed activities daily. www.glazermuseum. org 5-10

splash week: free water safety lessons

March 9-12, various times These free classes at Tampa YMCA branches include a 40-minute water safety lesson taught by certified swim instructors. Participants are grouped by ages. Classes will focus on water familiarization, pool rules, water safety rules, safe water entry and exit, front and back floating, basic front and back paddling, treading water and personal safety/rescue skills.

While great care was taken in compiling the calendar, it’s always best to phone ahead to confirm information.

YMCA membership is NOT required; however, preregistration is required due to limited space. www. tampaymca.com 3-12

a woman's journey

March 10-12, various times As a member of the Johns Hopkins Health System, All Children’s Hospital is proud to present A Woman’s Journey, Johns Hopkins Medicine’s award-winning annual women’s health symposium. Seize this rare opportunity to learn about a wide variety of women’s health issues from renowned Johns Hopkins physicians and faculty. The event will be at three locations. www.allkids.com/awomansjourney Moms

& Dads

Gasparilla Charity Horse Show

March 10-14, various times This annual event showcases the best of American Saddlebred, Morgan and Hackney ponies, with winners selected across more than a dozen competitive classes at Charlie Lykes Arena at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. March 14 kids can enjoy a stick horse class. Proceeds benefit High Risk Hope. Free admission and parking. Visit @ GasparillaCharityHorseShow on Facebook for details.

Everyone

valspar Championship

March 12-15, various times Experience PGA Tour golf live at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor. This year’s event includes a Family Fun Zone with a rock-climbing wall, putting course and arts and crafts. Tickets: $30 daily for adults and free for ages 15 and younger. www. valsparchampionship.com 8 & Older

Mess Fest: pi Day and Einstein's Birthday

March 14 Help the STEAM punks at MOSI celebrate two occasions in the science world. Launch pies high in the sky, compete in a pie eating contest and at 1:59 p.m. join in a giant shaving cream pie fight. Submit your guess for as many digits that you know of Pi for a chance to be crowned King or Queen of Pi Day. www.mosi.org Everyone

Day out with Thomas

March 14-15 & 21-22, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Be at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish when Thomas the Tank Engine rolls into the station. Take a 25-minute ride with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy storytelling, arts and crafts, temporary tattoos, videos and live music. Tickets: $19 (plus tax) for ages 2 and older. www.frmm.org 2 & Older

New York Yankees Luncheon

March 17, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mark your calendars for this popular meet-up of Yankees fans, players and supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay at the Tampa Convention Center. Event includes autograph opportunities, silent auction and seated lunch. Tickets: $300. www. bgctampa.org Moms & Dads

Developmental Screenings

March 20, 8:45-11:45 a.m. Bring infants, toddlers and preschoolers for screenings, including vision, hearing, speech, language, behavior and overall development sponsored by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and Early Childhood Council at locations in Plant City, Lutz, Wimauma and Tampa. Call 813-8377723 to schedule an appointment at. Newborn-5

Bark in the park

March 21, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. This annual Humane Society of Tampa Bay fundraiser at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in downtown Tampa includes pet costume and talent contests. www. barkintheparktampa.com Everyone

A Night in Havana Fundraiser

March 21, 7 p.m. Join the Jacob’s Touch Foundation for its annual benefit at Tampa’s Centre Club to raise awareness of children on the autistic spectrum. Don tropical attire for a night of appetizers, cocktails, dancing and a silent auction. Tickets: $90. www.jacobstouch.org

Moms & Dads

baby matters newborn class

March 21, 9:30 a.m. Join Brandon Regional Hospital at the Oakfield Medical Plaza for this course on caring for newborns. Learn everything you need to know about your new little one. Register online. www.brandonhospital.com

Gasp! The Gasparilla Fringe Festival

March 27, 6-10 p.m. Head to this smorgasbord of music, dance, theater, improv and video as both emerging and accomplished artists are celebrated at the Tampa Museum of Art. General admission: $25 in advance and $40 at the door. VIP tickets: $65 advance and $75 at the door. www.gasptampa.com Moms & Dads

Suncoast Hospice Fashion Show

March 28, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Catch this annual fashion event at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor. Tickets (includes lunch): $50 general admission and $75 preferred seating. View fashions from three resale shops and shop at an exclusive boutique. Sneak Peek shopping event is $25. www.suncoasthospice.org Moms

sibling class

March 29, various times This class at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital addresses the joys and challenges of becoming a big brother or sister. It goes over age-appropriate information and activities to help your child prepare for this important new role. At least one adult must attend the class with the child; however, the fee for the class covers one child and up to two adults. Cost: $10. Call (855) 269-4777 to register. www. BayCareEvents.org Kids and Teens

Moms & Dads

FossilFest

March 21-22, various times Travel back in time for this Tampa Bay Fossil Club event, hailed as Florida’s largest prehistoric show, at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Families can view a large display of fossils and attend workshops about gems, minerals and fossil shells. For a small fee, kids can explore a Fossil Mine and dig through a sand pit to recover prehistoric fossils donated by club members. www.tampabayfossilclub.com Everyone

Annual research and policy Conference on Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Behavioral Health March 22-25, various times Attend this annual gathering of researchers, policy-makers, administrators, evaluators, parents and advocates at this event at the Hilton Tampa Downtown. Go online for details. www. cmhconference.com. Moms & Dads

pro-Am kart race to benefit all children's March 22 Mingle with all the participating professional race car drivers while having a great time and raising money for a very deserving cause. Join Porsche Factory Driver, ALMS Champion, Daytona, Sebring, and LeMans winner, Patrick Long and more race car drivers at Andersen Race Park! www.allkids.org/ kart4kids Everyone

spECIAL NEEDS

Sponsored by Early Autism Project www.EAPTampa.com

Free Homeschool Social Skills Group

March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 11 a.m. - noon Bring students in grades 2-5 to Hammond Psychology for a free, interactive weekly social skills group. Sign up online or call 813-567-3253. www. hammondpsychology.com 7-10

CArD Early Childhood Training Webinar Series: Feeding Issues

March 3, 6-7:30 p.m.. Gain an understanding of feeding issues often seen in children with autism. Learn strategies to facilitate introduction of new foods and expanding food choices. To participate online, go to http://usf. adobeconnect.com/card_ect/ at 5:45 p.m. March 3. To attend in person, RSVP to adohme@usf.edu one week before event. Moms & Dads

Sensory Storytime at Main

March 15, 2-3 p.m. Visit the Main Library in Clearwater for a story

march Events designed for children and teens on the autism spectrum or those sensitive to sensory overload. Parental or caregiver attendance is required. Call 727562-4970. 4 & Older

Art and Sign Language

March 20, 10-11 a.m. Enjoy an introduction to American Sign Language by a certified ASL instructor and interpreter and tour the galleries of the Museum of Fine Art in St. Pete. Cost: $5 per family. www.fine-arts.org Everyone

Sunshine Sunday

March 29, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Experience Glazer Children’s Museum with lights and sounds lowered and special programming for those with special needs to explore the museum exclusively. Advance registration suggested. Free for members and $5 nonmembers. www.glazermuseum. org Everyone

Explore local artwork and meet the people behind it at The Sail on the Riverwalk (adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center). Browse work across all mediums while enjoying entertainment and libations. www. tampaconventioncenter.com Everyone

Support the growing Tampa arts and film community at Channelside Cinemas 10 during this weeklong festival. Go online for film schedule and ticket information. www.gasparillafilmfestival.com Moms & Dads

Bloom N Chalk Fest Chalk Art Festival

Home

March 21-22, various times Stroll along Main Street in downtown Safety Harbor and watch artists from around the world demonstrate their creativity on the sidewalks and streets as part of this annual art event. Enjoy live entertainment and vote on your favorite drawing for the People’s Choice Award. Proceeds benefit Safety Harbor Regional Museum. Free. www.bloomnchalkfest.com Everyone

Opens March 27 Follow an alien race in search of somewhere to call home in this animated fantasy from Dreamworks. Film features the voices of Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory), Rihanna and Steve Martin. Rated PG. 8 & Older

t h e at e r & d a n c e Disney's Winnie the pooh Kids

Feb. 26 - March 1, various times Take a trip to Hundred Acre Wood and meet up with Winnie the Pooh as he searches for his beloved honey at the Straz’s TECO Theater. Piglet, Tigger and the rest of the gang join him in a sweet story performed for kids by kids. Tickets: $20. www. patelconservatory.org 5 & Older

a r t raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

Feb. 28 - March 1, various times Check out an eclectic mix of art at this popular event at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. Festival features the ceramic, digital, glass and watercolor talents of local young artists. Weekend includes live entertainment and a children’s art activity area. www.gasparilla-arts.com Everyone

Music Makers

Through March 29, various times Check out a new exhibit documenting the quest to preserve Southern traditional music on display at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. www.fmopa. org Everyone

Saturdays @ the Morean

March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. These free art experiences inside the Children’s Learning Center at St. Pete’s Morean Art Center are specially designed for families. Explore open art stations and take home projects. Instructors on hand to assist. www.moreanartscenter.org 5-10

Art Spot for Children

March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Drop in to the Tampa Museum of Art and let your children explore their creativity. No registration is required; projects vary, often tying into the current exhibition. www.tampamuseum.org 5-10

Live Art at The Sail March 8 & 29, 1-7 p.m.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

film Maya the Bee Movie

Opens March 8 Go on a voyage of fun, fantasy and self-discovery as this enchanting story based on the popular children’s book buzzes into Studio Movie Grill at University Mall in Tampa. Meet Maya, the little bee with the big heart, in this animated film about friendship and courage. Rated G. Running time: 79 minutes. www. studiomoviegrill.com 4 & Older

Alpha and omega 3: The Great Wolf Games

Available March 10 Catch the latest installment in the successful Alpha and Omega series when it arrives in stores and online this month as a Blu-ray combo pack and DVD. Running time: 45 minutes. www.lionsgateshop.com

6 & Older

Cinderella

Opens March 13 Experience a new live action version from actordirector Kenneth Branaugh. Film features Lily James in the title role as well as Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter. 10 & Older

Gasparilla Film Festival March 24-29, various times

• MAR 2015 • TBParenting.com

First Date — Broadway's Musical Comedy Through April 19, various times See what happens when a couple tries to turn a dating disaster into something special in this latest musical comedy production at the Straz’s Jaeb Theater in Tampa. Mature audiences only! www. strazcenter.org Girls Night Out, Date Night

virginia Woolf's orlando

March 4-29, various times Catch a performance from Jobsite Theater of their latest production, an adaptation of the Woolf semiautobiographical gender-bending novel about sex, love and history at the Straz Center. Tickets: $28. www.jobsitetheater.org Teens & Older

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

March 7, 11 a.m. Experience Mark Twain’s classic tale as it comes to musical life at Largo Cultural Center. Tickets: $7.50 adults, $6.50 children and $22 family four-pack. www. largoarts.com 5 & Older

Gutenberg! The Musical!

March 13 - April 5, various times See this musical comedy about a pair of playwrights, the printing press inventor and the prospect of landing a Broadway contract when this two-man musical spoof comes to American Stage in St. Petersburg. Tickets: $29-$59. www.americanstage. org Teens & Older

Motown the Musical

March 17-22, various times Relive the era of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Michael Jackson and more when this musical celebrating Motown and its founder Berry Gordy hits the Straz stage. www. strazcenter.org Teens & Older

at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Tickets: $25-$129. www. livenation.com 10 & Older

Jackie Evancho

March 26, 7:30 p.m. Experience the breathtaking vocals of the young soprano and America’s Got Talent alum at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Tickets start at $49.50. www.rutheckerdhall.com Everyone

Eric Church

March 28, 7:30 p.m. See the rising country artist as he promotes his latest album The Outsiders and visits Amalie Arena in Tampa. Special guests include The Cadillac Three. Tickets start at $28.25. www.amaliearena.com 10 &

Older

Jay Leno

music & comedy real Music Series

Through March 6, various times Catch Busch Gardens’ longest running concert series and enjoy live music while exploring the park. Included with admission. www.buschgardens.com/ tampa Everyone

March 29, 7:30 p.m. Catch up with the funnyman and former Tonight Show host for a hilarious evening of stand-up in Carol Morsani Hall at Tampa’s Straz Center. Tickets: $49$125. www.strazcenter.com Teens & Older

Sarah McLachlan

March 29, 8 p.m. Get lost in the haunting vocals of the award-winning singer-songwriter when she kicks off the second leg of her North American tour with a stop at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets start at $53.75. www.rutheckerdhall.com 10 & Older

Gasparilla Music Festival

March 7-8, various times Prepare for a weekend of music and art at this annual outdoor event at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Garden in downtown Tampa. For complete entertainment lineup and tickets, go online. www. gasparillamusicfestival.com. Teens & Older

Easter and Spring Events

Bands, Brew and BBQ

March 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 & 28-29, various times Indulge in an eclectic mix of live music at this popular BBQ event, returning to SeaWorld for four weekends this spring. For this year’s lineup, go online. www. seaworld.com/orlando. 10 & Older

Santana

March 8, 7 p.m. See the 10-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer when his tour stops at the Mahaffey in St. Pete. Tickets start at $89. www.themahaffey.com

Spring obsession Garden and Art Event

8 & Older

March 14, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy a celebration of spring, art and music at Munn Park in downtown Lakeland. Event features local and regional nurseries, garden exhibitors and more. Call 863-617-9590. Everyone

The Sing-off Live!

Hop Into Spring!

March 11, 7:30 p.m. Sing along with VoicePlay, Street Corner Symphony, The Melodores and the Exchange as past winners and contestants from the hit NBC show arrive at the Mahaffey in St. Pete. Tickets: $25-$55. www. themahaffey.com Everyone

Journey and Steve Miller Band

March 14, 6:45 p.m. Reminisce with 70s and 80s Billboard chart-toppers from two classic rock bands when they hit the stage

March 14, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hop over to the New Tampa Public Library for egg hunting, mask making and jellybean fun. Free. Call 813-273-3652. 2-10

Spring Fair

March 26 - April 5 Bring the whole family for rides, games and fun at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. Go online for daily schedule and ticket information. www. shopsatwiregrass.com Everyone

Eco Egg Hunt

March 28, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Kids and parents can form teams to collect as many air potatoes as possible in an hour at Marshall Street Park in Safety Harbor. Morning includes games, face painting, a bounce house and music. Free admission. www.cityofsafetyharbor.com 5 & Older

Egg Hunt

March 28, 5:30-8:30 pm. Bring a basket and climb through the three-story playground at Highland Recreation Complex in Largo, collecting eggs along the way. Event includes music, games and age-appropriate hunts. Purchase wristbands by March 20. Cost: $8 per child. Call 727518-3016. 2-12

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt

March 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring a flashlight and basket to hunt for eggs under the stars at Dunedin’s MLK Jr. Recreation Center. Enjoy games, crafts and hot dog picnic with free children’s meals and $2 adult meals. Cost: $8 through March 25; $12 after. Call 727-738-2920. 4-10

Easter Egg Hunt in the park

March 29, 12:30-3 p.m. It’s an old-fashioned outdoor Easter egg hunt at the Tampa Bay History Center in downtown Tampa. Afternoon includes Victorian games and crafts and a special scavenger hunt through the museum’s handson galleries. Cost: $13 adults and $10 children. (Free for adult members.) www.tampabayhistorycenter.

org 2-10

orangutan Egg Hunt

April 3, 11 a.m. Spend some time at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and catch an orangutan family sharing special Easter fun, including an egg hunt. Included with zoo admission. www.lowryparkzoo.com Everyone

Egg Hunt

April 4, 8:30-10 a.m. Bring a basket or bag for an egg-citing morning of prizes and refreshments at Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa. Special egg hunt area for children 3 and younger. Admission includes all-day play at museum. www.glazermuseum.org Everyone

Northdale Spring Egg Hunt

April 4, 9 a.m. Visit with the Easter Bunny at Northdale Park in Tampa. Registration opens at 9 a.m., with a drawing for prizes at 10 a.m. and egg hunt after. Kids redeem eggs for candy and prizes. Free admission and drawing tickets. www.northdale.org 2-10

Spring EcoFest and Arbor Day Celebration

April 4, noon - 4 p.m. Celebrate Easter, Earth Day and Arbor Day at John R. Bonner Nature Park in Largo. Kids enjoy a 2 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt, activities, live wildlife exhibits and music. Learn about recycling and participate in a tree giveaway. Egg hunt: $5 per child. Call 727-586-7415.

Everyone