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THE YMCA IS READY FOR ANOTHER FUN, SAFE
THE YMCA IS READY for Another Fun, Safe Summer
by Kelli Biandudi and Lalita Llerena, photos provided by the YMCA
One lesson we quickly learned this past year: It’s hard to plan ahead when life can get so unpredictable. You may have canceled camp plans and kept your kids home last summer for understandable reasons, but for this summer, it might be time to consider other options.
And you may have to start considering in a hurry: Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and YMCA of the Suncoast are seeing a surge in summer camp sign-ups this summer from parents who want their kids to have something fun to do this summer after the year we’ve had. Now more than ever, kids need enrichment, education and entertainment. What better way to achieve this than outdoors with new friends? At the Y, we know when kids accomplish more, make new friends and feel like they belong, they are developing the skills they need to be successful in life.
That’s why the YMCA offers summer camp—to make sure kids and teens in the Tampa Bay area are active and healthy while learning essential leadership and social skills to develop confidence and independence.
“After a year of confusion and being in homes, we’re looking forward to getting these kids out and having some great activities,” says Bart Cape, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA Vice President of Operations.
From swimming to gymnastics and everything in between, the Y offers a variety of summer camp options. Safety is a top priority, and the Y will be in constant communication with camper families about all the extra precautions to expect.
“We’re continuing the COVID safety protocols that we have in place right now,” Cape says. “We are anticipating updated mandates from the county and state and when those come out, we will adjust to those.” Lindsay Albright’s daughter, 8-year-old Eva, is returning for her second summer at the YMCA.
“My daughter shared with me all the fun activities she did. Swimming every day was such a treat,” Albright says. “The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities were engaging and educational, yet fun for the kids. Eva enjoyed it and I felt it was a healthy, enriching environment for her. I love the member price and that breakfast and lunch are served every day. It can be a pain to pack a lunch.”
Albright says her daughter can’t wait to go back, “especially because she has neighborhood kids joining her this year. Other summer camps are so expensive and don’t offer all the perks of the Y.”
Spots are filling fast so register today to ensure your kids stay engaged socially, physically and academically throughout the summer. Families in Hillsborough and East Pasco counties can register at: tampaymca.org/letscamp. Families in Pinellas, West Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties can register at: ymcasuncoast.org/summercamp.
Eva, 8, enjoyed summer camp at the YMCA so much, she’s returning for her second time this summer.
THE YMCA SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE STARTS AT $129/ WEEK DEPENDING ON CAMP LOCATION AND Y MEMBERSHIP STATUS. THE COST SAVINGS ARE SIGNIFICANT IF YOU ARE A YMCA MEMBER, SO NOW’S THE TIME TO JOIN!
MARY JO’S PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP
15906 Mapledale Blvd., Tampa 33624 813-969-0240; mjpaa.com
The arts are a perfect avenue to allow your child to explore their creativity, tap into their imagination and discover their potential. Students will develop self-expression, build confidence, learn to work with peers, foster problem solving skills and stimulate curiosity. From classics to pop culture, your children will unfold the wonderful world of the performing arts.
MARCIA P. HOFFMAN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 33759 727-712-2706; rutheckerdhall.com/marcia-p-hoffman-school-arts
The Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall offers a variety of musical theater and drama camps to students ages 5 and up, providing them the opportunity to explore their talents, discover new friends and learn from professional arts instructors. Camps start June 14.
MISS ANITA'S CRAFTS
11811 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa 33612 813-815-0849; missanitascrafts.com
We are a woman-owned craft studio in North Tampa. Our Summer Camp is separated into eight themed weeks. Kids will learn a variety of crafts, including watercolor, cake decorating techniques, science crafts and more. All supplies are included; no fancy contract is required. Come get crafty with us!
MS. LISA'S DANCE CAMP & ACROBATIC/TUMBLING WORKSHOPS
Dance Camps: 3805 W. San Miguel St., Tampa 33629 Acro/Tumbling Workshops: 4535 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33611 813-326-8466; mslisasdancestudio.com
Ms. Lisa's Dance offers camps for ages 3-6 and acrobatic/tumbling & Dance workshops for ages 6-13. Some of the dance camps are Hip Hop Minion Madness, Elsa's Frozen Adventure and Fancy Nancy. Some of the acrobatic workshops are Cartwheels and Cupcakes, Handstands and Headstands and Pom Poms and Cheer. There are also Dance Workshops such as Cinderella, High school Musical, and Jojo Jazz and Pop.
PRACTICALLY PIKASSO ART CAMP
1912 4th St. N., St Petersburg 33704 727-822-5204; practicallypikasso.com
Unleash your imagination, make friends and create art this summer. Full- and half-day summer camps offer a variety of fun, hands-on activities that encourage creative thinking, bold art-making and playful collaboration. Campers will enjoy art-filled experiences based on weekly themes as well as stories, songs and games. Children will explore various art mediums, such as pottery painting, watercolor, oil pastels, tempera paints, collage and clay sculpture in both guided and self-guided experiences.
SKY CAMP AT SKY ZONE
10137 E. Adamo Dr., #800b, Tampa 33619 813-833-1740; skyzone.com/tampa/programs/skycamp
Sky Camp for ages 5-13 includes days of active play at Sky Zone on our Ninja Warrior Course, Free Climb, Sea of Trampolines and so much more. Accompanied by Sky Zone camp counselors, kids enjoy healthy physical fitness and fun including crafts, movies and science experiments. It’s hassle-free for parents. Drop off the kids and we’ll make sure they have the best time ever. Full-, half-day and full-week options and sibling discounts are available.
SOUL ADVENTURES
Skycrest Christian School, 129 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater 33765 727-797-1186; souladventures.us
Every day is a new adventure at Soul Adventures summer camp, which offers two exciting summer options. Adventure Camp for 10-15-year-olds includes off-campus outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, biking and fishing. Jr. Adventure Camp for 5-9-year-olds will keep your child active during our fun-filled weeks. Cost: $125-225 Dates/Times: June-Aug., M-F, 9 a.m. to noon, 3, or 4 p.m. Ages: 3+, Coed
Cost: $200-$575, *financial assistance is available Dates/Times: June 14 – Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages: 5-7, 8-10, 14-18, 18+, Co-ed
Cost: $12/session or $60/week Dates/Times: M-F, 10 a.m. to noon Ages: 5 and up, Coed
Cost: Classes $60-$70/ month, Camps/Workshops $165-$290/week Dates: June 7 - Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages: 3-13, Coed
Cost: Full day $275/ week, Half day $175/ week Dates/Times: M-F, June 14 – Aug. 13, Full day 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Half day 9:30 a.m. to noon Ages: 6-12, Coed
Cost: $35.99-$45.99/ day, $139.99-$179.99/ week Dates/Times: Every day school is out from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ages: 5-13, Coed
Cost: Adventure Camp $285/week, Jr. Adventure Camp $168/week Date/Time: May 24-Aug. 6, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: Adventure Camp 10-15 and Jr. Adventure Camp 5-9, Coed
ST. RAPHAEL’S SUMMER CAMP
1376 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg 33704 727-823-7969 or 727-709-0060; straphaelschool.net
Structured activities throughout the day keep minds and bodies active with experienced staff at a 1:10 ratio. We have a grassy field for sports and water play, shaded and fenced playground, air conditioned gym for group activities and snacks and meals, all on a secure waterfront campus. Fulltime and part-time attendance is offered and fees are all inclusive at the ‘cool’ place to spend the ‘hot’ summer!
SUMMER ART CAMP
AR Workshop St. Petersburg, 2807 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg 33704 727-803-0189; arworkshop.com/stpetersburg
This morning session camp is $195 per registrant and runs Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. Our camps are designed for girls and boys ages 7-14. Kids will create 4 DIY youth projects and a DIY camp t-shirt over the course of the camp. We also offer an optional Friday halfday camp. Check our calendar to register!
SVB SUMMER TENNIS CAMP
6585 Simons Road, Zephyrhills 33541 813-361-6660; svbtenniscenter.com/summer-camps
Regardless of your level, come and join our international team of coaches at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center. From 6-year-old beginners to high performance players, we are here for your specific needs!
TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART – SUMMER ART CAMP
Tampa Museum of Art, Cornelia Corbett Center 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa 33602 813-421-8373; tampamuseum.org/summerartcamp
Children and teens exercise their creativity and imagination with hands-on activities themed around the Tampa Museum of Art’s permanent collection of antiquities, modern and contemporary art. With a variety of 2D and 3D mediums to choose from, campers connect with the art on view and create unique works of art.
TRADITIONAL TAEKWON-DO CENTER OF SOUTH TAMPA
3617 Henderson Blvd., Tampa 33609 813-350-9400; southtampataekwondo.com
Who wants to be a Ninja this summer? Kick, spin, jump and learn martial arts with our amazing black belt instructors. Other activities include fun field trips, arts and crafts, enrichment classes, Lego play, water slides, obstacle course fun and much more.
VALLEY VIEW RANCH EQUESTRIAN CAMP
606 Valley View Ranch Road, Cloudland, GA 30731 706-862-2231; valleyviewranch.com
Since 1954, this horse lovers’ paradise on top of Lookout Mountain offers 600 acres of scenic trails and panoramic views where all levels of riders will learn English and Western. Enrollment is limited to 50 girls and is open to ages 8-17. Spend up to six hours a day riding and caring for your OWN camp horse.
VIOLINS 4 JOY SUMMER VIOLIN CAMPS
1189 NE Cleveland St., Clearwater 33755 727-285-8535; violins4joy.com
Offered for school-aged children of all musical ability levels, the camps provide an opportunity for children to come together and grow as musicians and leaders. The programming is innovative, the repertoire is diverse and teachers are experienced educators who are experts in their musical instrument. As a bonus, the camp’s location is near one of America’s “Best Beaches.” Each camp will offer students opportunities to perform as soloists and as a group. For more details and to register, visit our website. Cost: Full-time $175/ week, Part-time $45/day, $50 registration fee Date/Time: June 14 - July 30, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., M-F Ages: 5-11, Coed
Cost: $195 Dates/Times: June 14 – Aug. 12, M-Th, 9:30 a.m. to noon Ages: 7-14, Coed
*Private lessons available Cost: Recreational: $400-$600/week, Competition Group: $600-$850/week Dates/Times: May 31 – Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., M-F, Full and Half Days Ages: 6 and older, Coed
Cost: $150-$175 Dates/Times: May 31 - July 2, 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. Ages: 6-17, Coed
Cost: $175.00 per week, no registration and free uniform Dates/Times: May 31- Aug. 6, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: 5-15, Coed
Cost: $2,050-$3,600 Dates/Times: Overnight, June 6 - Aug. 6 Ages: 8-17, Female
Cost: $100-$225/week Dates: June 7-11 Ages: 5-14, Coed
VOSLER YOUNG ARTISTS' STUDIO
330 Pauls Drive, Brandon 33511 813-417-5867; vosleryoungartistsstudio.com
This workshop will introduce the young artist to a classical atelier program of instruction. Students will learn to draw through direct observation. Kerry Vosler, master instructor, will do frequent demonstrations and give regular instruction at the artist's easel. See website for more details about the Tampa Bay, Sarasota and McLean, Virginia workshops. Supplies included.
WEB OF WISDOM SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP
5238 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday 34690 727-389-4750; wowschools.org
At WOW science camp, children will learn about the Florida ecosystem through hands-on science labs and outdoor adventures. Students learn basic skills such as fishing, boating safety and animal identification. Field trip activities include snorkeling, fish sampling, kayaking and more.
YMCA OF GREATER ST. PETERSBURG SUMMER CAMP
Multiple Locations 727-895-9622; stpeteymca.org/childcare/summer-camp
Summer Day Camp at the Y is an 8-week program that integrates exercise, play, STEM-based activities, field trips and more. Children can explore their favorite interests with our Specialty Camps featuring sports, outdoor adventures, cooking and more. Pair a one-week Specialty Camp with Day Camp for a full 8-week summer of fun and exploration at the Y! Cost: $320-$395/week Dates: March 15-18, June 7-11 and June 14-18 Ages: 12-18, Coed
Cost: $150/week Dates/Times: June 1 - July 30, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (camp activities 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Ages: K-8, Coed
Cost/Ages: Starting at $150, ages 5-14 (Bardmoor, Jim & Heather Gills Y). Starting at $125, ages 5-12 (Childs Park Y, Lealman Exchange), Coed Dates: June 14 – Aug. 6
VISIT TAMPABAYPARENTING.COM TO VIEW OUR FULL SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY.
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