March 2021 by Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

MARCH 2021

CHAMPA BAY! A Celebration of Leadership, Teamwork and Family page 19

Ryan Jensen celebrates the Bucs' Super Bowl win with his 3-year-old son, Wyatt.

WOMEN MAKING HISTORY WITH THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

2021 TAMPA BAY SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

LET'S GO! SPRING BREAK STAYCATIONS

Hillsborough HIPPY

Parent Involvement Project

Now ENrolliNg

HIPPY is a no cost, early intervention, school readiness program that is currently recruiting families. HIPPY helps parents transform their homes into interactive learning environments to stimulate the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development in children. To learn more about the Hillsborough HIPPY Parent Involvement Project visit our website at http://hhpip.org Hillsborough_hippy HillsboroughHIPPY

Wanted: Preschool Parents Do you have a 2, 3 or 4 year-old child? Do you want your child to be successful in school? Are you willing to spend 15-20 minutes per day helping your child learn? If you answered YES to any of the questions above...

Then HIPPY is for you! Enroll your child today by contacting Brenda Brinson at Brinson@usf.edu, or 813-974-4909. Funding for services generously provided by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Helping Your Kids Stay Safe and Healthy

We’re doing the following in our clinics to help keep you safe: n Prescreening patients based on CDC guidelines n Separating patients with COVID-19 symptoms from patients without these symptoms n Minimizing and/or eliminating time spent in waiting rooms n Limiting and reorganizing the seating in waiting rooms to accommodate for social distancing

n Screening all team members and doctors daily for COVID-19-related symptoms n Cleaning lobbies/waiting rooms, exam rooms and all public spaces throughout the day with EPAapproved, medical-grade cleaning and disinfecting agents

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

n Offering telehealth appointments when appropriate

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n Requiring all doctors, team members, patients and visitors to wear masks

Find a pediatrician and make an appointment online: BMGKids.org MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER Laura Byrne ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anu Varma Panchal

MARCH 2021

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sarah Rigby CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura Byrne Anu Varma Panchal Kylie Ponton Laura Frasor Marisa Langford Maggie Rodriguez Julie Tingley Tara Payor, PhD Amanda Jones Laura Cross Gordon Gillette Lorinda Gamson Luke Buzard Courtney Cairns Pastor Kate White Janet White Kelli Biandudi Angie Koebel Luis Ortiz, MD Babette Bailey Manny Leto Alice Santana Addison Davis Joseph Couceiro ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ralf Gonzalez LAYOUT & DESIGN Sarah Rigby CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kyle Zedaker Howie Mac Photo Bos Images Neat Method Images Marisa Langford Maggie Rodriguez BOOKKEEPING Employee of the Month, LLC TAMPA BAY PARENTING MAGAZINE 320 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 220 Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone 813-949-4400 Fax 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com BECOME A FAN tampabayparentingmagazine @tampabayparenting @TBParenting

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.

2021 summer camp GUIDE YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL AND SLEEP AWAY SUMMER CAMPS

34 ARTICLES: 8/ FRESH START: Tips from experts on spring cleaning and freshening up your space 10/ GOING NATIVE: Why Florida plants are the best option for your garden and patio

27/ PARTNERS IN EDUCATION: Read about the dream team of Hillsborough County Schools and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28/ EARLY LEARNING MATTERS ON EVERY LEVEL: Learn why education is important for even the littlest ones from members of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County 30/ WILD KRATTS! CREATURE POWER! Discover cool animal facts at the new temporary exhibit at Glazer Children’s Museum 33/ WRITE ON: How to help young writers find their spark 38/ JOY OF CAMPING: Why summer camps are important, especially this year 43/ SPRING INTO STEM AT MOSI: From camps to ways to play and explore, MOSI is sharing all of the STEM FUN it has to offer 46/ SUMMER FUN AT THE YMCA: Find the perfect summer camp for kids of all ages and have the most memorable summer ever

12/ TRIED AND TRUE: Staycation ideas at some of our favorite Florida resorts

58/ ONE YEAR AFTER COVID-19 CHANGED OUR LIVES: Community leaders share their thoughts as they reflect on a year of dealing with the worldwide pandemic

14/ BACK TO THE BEACH: A day trip to Siesta Key

60/ THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP: How anxiety affects kids and teens

19/ COVER STORY: CHAMPA BAY! Now that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl win officially made Tampa the city of Champions, we ask local families what the historic win means to them

EVERY ISSUE:

20/ CHAMPIONING A CAUSE: How the Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Super Bowl Champions work for gender equality 22/ WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Visit your local library to read about inspiring women and trailblazers

ON THE COVER: Bucs Center Ryan Jensen embraces his 3-year-old son Wyatt. As we share treasured photos of Bucs players celebrating their historic win with their children, we’ve asked local families to share what this win meant to them (page 19).

READ MORE ON PAGE 19

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Photo by Kyle Zedaker, team photographer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

6/ NOTEWORTHY: Highlights for March 2021 16/ MOMS TO KNOW: Meet Farah Modi-Khan and Dyma Abuoleim of 200 Muslim Women Who Care 62/ WHAT’S TRENDING ON TAMPABAYPARENTING.COM

4 8 0 1 E A S T F O W L E R AV E • TA M P A • 8 1 3 - 9 8 7 - 6 0 0 0 • M O S I . O R G MOSI is the intersection of science, technology and innovation in the Tampa Bay region where conversations and learning happen, knowledge is exchanged and new ideas are celebrated.

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

MARCH

Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival This family-favorite festival will be in full bloom March 3-July 5. This year’s event features 20 different gardens for you and the kids to explore along with 20 outdoor kitchens to savor. If you love a good scavenger hunt, Spike’s Pollen-nation Exploration will take you ‘around the world’ to find the buzzz-iest bee! The Goodness Garden Butterfly House presented by GoGO SqueeZ is also returning this year.

JOIN THE CLUB OF CHAMPIONS: Tampa Bay’s pro sport teams gave us the glimmer of hope we all needed after a crazy year...and boy did they deliver! Hello CHAMPA BAY! Though many of us can't physically attend games these days, we can still support our champion home teams. One of our favorite ways is by gifting kiddos with a membership to one of the local fan clubs created just for kids.

Jr. Bucs Fan Club Kids under the age of 14 can join the fan club designed just for them! For a one-time registration fee of $24.99 + shipping, your child will receive a Jr. Bucs Fan Club welcome kit that includes an official membership card, Buccaneers hat, Jr. Bucs notebook, Jr. Bucs football and Jr. Bucs lanyard. Join by visiting www.buccaneers.com/fans/jr-bucs

ThunderBug Kids Club The memberships for the current season are FREE and totally virtual this year as the Lightning are not playing in front of fans at Amalie Arena. ThunderBug will share all sorts of cool things including virtual lessons and field trips, coloring pages, games and more. www.nhl. com/lightning/fans/kids-club

THINGS WE LOVE: A KIDS BOOK ABOUT... There’s a good reason why the A Kids Book About collection of books by Black authors made it to Oprah’s Favorite Things List in 2020. Each book opens a conversation about important issues in our lives, allowing us to both challenge and empower our kids. The books focus on topics like racism, belonging, failure, gratitude, empathy and diversity. aakidsbookabout.com SMATH BOARD GAME BY PRESSMAN TOYS: Family fun and learning all in one, SMATH is a game for kids ages 6 and older that gets their brain gears turning as they put their addition and subtraction equation skills to the test in crossword-style play. The game is for 2-4 players and you can adapt it for different skill levels. Available on Amazon for $16.99.

ERIC CARLE XMORI This is one of our favorite new collabs: some of the softest clothing pieces and towels for babies, toddlers and kids featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The organic cotton and bamboo blend fabrics are silky soft and totally cuddle worthy! The new collection is available online exclusively at minimori.com.

MEET Johanna Sanchez, Creator of the NEW Local Mom Box: “As a former elementary school teacher turned into a stay-at-home mom, then a working mom with three kids (including twins), I noticed that our quality family time was slowly slipping away. Other busy moms expressed the same thing. I just felt in my heart that I had to do something. That’s when the Local Mom Box was born. We believe that busy moms with young children can build fun, lasting memories with their families and accomplish all of their dreams and goals. We do that by providing a monthly subscription box, including simple kid-friendly crafts and activities with all the materials needed in the box and a calendar highlighting different local events each month to help keep family fun times more organized. Because we believe in self-care, we include a product for the mom in the box from a local Tampa Bay Area Business. We absolutely love Tampa! My husband and I met at the University of South Florida back in 2006 and have been married for over 10 years. We have planted our roots here and love to support small businesses and watch them grow.” IG @Localmombox, www.localmombox.com

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

BECOME A MEMBER AND HAVE WILD ADVENTURES ALL YEAR LONG: WWW.ZOOTAMPA.ORG/MEMBER MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

FRESH START:

Tips for cleaning up—and jazzing up—your kids’ home spaces

by Laura Byrne

Spring is here! And it’s not just any old spring, it’s springtime after a year-long pandemic that has had us hibernating in our homes for months. If you’re getting ready to take on children’s closets or toy rooms, check out these tips on sorting, donating and refreshing rooms from Kylie Ponton of Ponton Interiors and Laura Frasor of NEAT Method Tampa.

TBP: What questions should we ask ourselves when deciding whether to keep, donate or dump? What has worked with your kids to get them to clean and organize? FRASOR: Do you love it; do you use it; and is there space for it: The three questions I encourage clients to ask themselves. Remember, just because you have the space, does not mean you need to fill it! Involve your kids in the process. This gives them a sense of responsibility while teaching them how to keep themselves organized. Have them pull all of their toys out. They may be surprised how many they have! Anything that’s broken or missing pieces needs to go. What do they play with every day? Anything they are unsure of, box it up and put it in the garage or a hidden shelf. If they don’t ask for it in a month, it’s time [for it] to go.

TBP: When organizing kids’ toys and clothes, do you have favorite local charities you like to donate gently used items to? FRASOR: The Salvation Army is always my go-to for donations. They have many drop-off locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. You can also schedule pickups for larger items. Also consider bringing gently used children’s toys or books to your local library or preschool. And being a huge animal lover, I always recommend passing along towels or blankets to your local shelter or the Humane Society.

TBP: What colors are trending into spring and summer for a fresh new look?

TBP: Are there any design selection tips that help make clean up easy?

PONTON: There’s a huge influx of color expert information we see every year from paint companies to fabric manufacturers. After the year that was 2020, it’s no surprise that the colors of the year for 2021 are based on creating a feeling of sanctuary and enrichment. Warm tones enrich our homes and invite relaxation and comfort. Pairing bronze tones and brown leathers creates an inviting and cozy energy and makes for the perfect place to hide away during those long Summer storms.

PONTON: Paint companies are using technology that allows for easier clean-up with newer wipeable finishes and fingerprint resistant surfaces. The Superpaint collection from Sherwin Williams has paints that break down odors and have inherent resistance to mold and mildew. Their Living Well collection includes antibacterial protection that destroys bacteria on contact— smart tech at work!

For fun pops of inspiration in the summer months, yellow can be paired with greys, denims and natural tones and are always a fun addition to freshen TBP: What are your favorite ways to up a bedroom. In make a quick update to a space? kids’ rooms we love adding bold accent PONTON: Add trim! We love adding trim to colors like pops the leading edge of window treatments for of orange against a fresh take on a plain window covering. blue. Pom poms are our favorite for kids’ rooms. A graphic geometric shape makes for fun contrasting patterns.

LAURA FRASOR: neatmethod.com KYLIE PONTON: pontoninteriors.com

neat method images

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

We love Ruggable rugs in kids’ rooms. They are thin and yet plush, have a separate backing that acts as a comfy rug pad, and the rugs can be thrown in the washing machine!

bos images

See All Things With Your Heart, Not Just Your Eyes

www.howiemacphoto.com

hello@howiemacphoto.com

BUBBLESANDBLOWOUTS.COM | 813.871.2822 | 808 S. DALE MABRY. TAMPA MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

GOING NATIVE:

Why local is best for your gardening needs story and photos by Laura Byrne

Why is it so important for you to share your passion and educate our community?

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The idea is people can come see the butterflies in a habitat where they are free floating, flying around and you can just walk through and be totally immersed in a tranquil environment. And we’ll have mostly native plants there. Getting them [guests] attached to pollinators, learn about them, and then buying the plants and putting them into their home gardens... it makes a big difference. Every corridor will make a difference.

You’re opening a new butterfly conservatory at your South Tampa nursery. Tell us more! You’ll be offering summer camps and classes, but why was it so important to you to build this in our community?

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TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

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It’s important for us to realize what nature does for us. It’s not something that should only be living in national parks. It should be in our own yard and living amongst us.

Little Red Wagon Native Nursery | 4113 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, FL 33629 10

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You don’t have to have a big space at all. Even though the plants would rather be in the ground, you can do some of them in pots. You can even do this on a balcony on a high-rise condo if the homeowners association allows it. Butterflies fly pretty high. Some of the species, especially monarchs, we know go up as high as 10,000 feet in the jet stream when they’re migrating. If you’ve got milkweed up on a balcony and it’s not screened in, they will find it.

Do you have to have a big yard or space to plant a native pollinator garden?

Milkweed for monarchs is a big one—native milkweed specifically because it’s healthier for the monarchs. I also have a lot of oaks. If you can plant nothing else and have the room for it, the number one plant by far is an oak tree. It supports 400-600 species of wildlife, not to mention we benefit from the shade and toxins it takes out of our environment. They’re known to sequester more carbon than any other plant. The leaf litter is home to wild native bees, which are very important. I know the honey bee is the ‘poster insect,’ but it isn’t as good of a pollinator as the wild native bees and we have 350 or so species in Florida and they live in the leaf litter or maybe in logs [and] sticks. Some people will buy little nests with the tubes so they can nest there. They don’t live in hives, they live by themselves. Most of them don’t have stingers. They’re not protecting a queen so they’re not dangerous or a threat to us. Helping our native bees is really important because they’re really good pollinators.

That’s the beauty of it: It’s so easy. Planting the right plant in the right place is still very much a thing, just like it is with any gardening, but we have labels on all of our plants that indicate whether they are part sun or part shade or full sun. Some people bring in pictures of where they want to plant, and we help them map it out. It’s easy gardening. Anybody can do it and the more of these plants we can get in our yards, the more we are creating these corridors. Homeowners own the most property in the United States. By putting these corridors in our homes, it makes a big difference for wildlife.

, IG @ nuturenative

What are your favorite native plants to attract pollinators?

How can families create their own native gardens?

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They don’t require any pesticides. Really, it’s easy gardening. The plants evolved here; they’re endemic to the state of Florida, so they know our sandy soils and grow well here once they’re established. I only compost. I don’t do anything else to the plants.

What are the benefits of planting native plants?

I really felt like there was a big need in Hillsborough County to have native plants—put more Florida back into Florida. Underlying that was my mother being diagnosed with Parkinson’s 25 years ago. After researching and studying about what causes that and learning that it’s largely linked to pesticides, I went and converted to native, basically chemical-free gardening. Native plants offer the best opportunity, plus [they offer] the benefits of pollinators and wildlife.

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You have been gardening all of your life. What inspired you to launch your native plant nursery?

Many of us who moved here from elsewhere miss the delicate cold-weather blooms that pop up around spring up north. But Anita Camacho wants to steer our attention to the lush beauties of the south, both for their gorgeous blooms and benefits to the environment. Camacho, of the Butterfly Conservatory of Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation, recently opened the Little Red Wagon Native Nursery and is enthusiastic about spreading her love of all things native to other gardeners.

Join in the magic at Gaylord Palms with whimsical décor and enchanting activities throughout the resort. Participate in an interactive storytelling show featuring your favorite fairy tales, and then Spring It On with other premium amenities like our water park, spa, and signature atriums.

March 12th - May 16th | GaylordPalms.com Designed with enhanced health and safety measures. Learn more at GaylordHotelsClean.com.

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

TRIED & TRUE: Staycation

Ideas

for families traveling from Tampa Bay story and photos by Marisa Langford

I absolutely LOVE hotels. Growing up as the daughter of a mariachi band singer, we traveled around the greater Milwaukee area as my Papi toured with his band, singing at hotel brunches and weddings. My sister and I made friends in hotel swimming pools, loved to race in hotel lobbies and loved sleeping in hotel beds on the weekends. The idea of waking up and exploring still fuels my soul, and now with four kids in tow, I’m the first one up on any of our vacations, ready to explore before the sun rises! When my kids were younger and we had more time and fewer obligations, I fell right back into my childhood memories as we traveled all over the state, exploring Florida and beyond and staying in more than 100 hotels all over the country. My love of travel (and a good hotel) was rekindled, and I now consider myself a hotel connoisseur. As resorts add so many amenities that you don’t need to leave the property to have a good time, staycations have become more popular. It’s a nice change of scenery from your home too! Hotels have definitely upped their game in cleanliness, so feel free to ask ANY hotel about how they are keeping guests safe. With Spring Break 2021 upon us and the kids begging for something to do, I’ve put together a list of “tried and true” hotel staycations for any family. You don’t have to travel too far from home, no flights are required, and by having your car, you’ll be able to take short road trips from the hotel to explore something else nearby!

ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT Located slightly off the beaten path in Orlando, The Orlando World Center Marriott stands hidden in between Kissimmee and Disney, close enough to everything yet far enough away to be an escape. As one the world’s largest Marriott hotels, the property has a sprawling array of amenities with restaurants galore, and is close to Disneyworld, Universal Studios and SeaWorld too.

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We LOVED the pools and the water areas that boast slides built by the same designer as the Atlantis resort. Even the toddler play area was enough to entertain my daughter for an entire afternoon. She loved the slide and the shaded LEGOLAND play area during our full days at the pool. My bigger kids loved the space of the pool (the biggest I’ve ever seen at a hotel) and the waterfall grottos.

THE RITZ-CARLTON ORLANDO, GRANDE LAKES If you are searching for the ultimate luxury hotel for your family getaway, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is THE hotel for you. Every staff member we encountered was more pleasant than the one before, truly setting the mood for our stay. My girls were given blue bracelets and told they could have free ice cream whenever they wanted— even for breakfast. The pools are amazing. Because they share the Grande Lakes property with the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, you’ll also get to enjoy their lazy river pool, one of my favorites in all of Florida. We booked the In-Room Camping Experience for our stay and the girls couldn’t wait to sleep in the tent! The set up comes with books, stuffed animals and lanterns. We also booked an early-morning excursion called Sunrise Safari that allowed us to explore the 500-acre property with a Certified Florida Master Naturalist via a golf cart and see Florida f lora and fauna up close.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

WYNDHAM GRAND CLEARWATER BEACH The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is perfectly situated across from Pier 60 on Clearwater, steps away from the beach. At night, a sunset show put on by Mother Nature will rival any island sunset you’ve seen. From your balcony view, the pool looks as luxurious and inviting as the waves in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s vacation at its best. Pro Tip: Florida residents always save! Ask when you book!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS CABANA BAY Universal Studios Cabana Bay Resort is the perfect place to reminisce about your own family vacations from the good ol’ days. The 1960’s vibe carries throughout the entire hotel—you’ll be jammin’ with the Beach Boys as soon as you walk in and watching “I love Lucy” reruns in the Swizzle Lounge while grabbing a cold one. Going bowling with the kids at the retro Galaxy Bowl or trying out the arcade games at Game-o-Rama are great ways to unplug. The spacious suites have room for six, a mini kitchen with microwave, fridge, sink, bar sitting area and coffee maker. The sitting room that can be closed off by an adjoining door made our stay so much more enjoyable because we could watch TV on the 40” f lat screen in the living room after the kids went to sleep. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort guests also enjoy early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens (of course, valid theme park admission required).

Pro Tip: With dining and entertainment for the whole family, Universal CityWalk is a great place to visit for an afternoon or evening to dine or see a show—and feel like you’re at a theme park without actually being inside one. We loved that Cowfish has a menu that everyone could agree on, with sushi for adults and edamame, sweet potato fries and burgers for the kids. Grab some Voodoo Doughnuts and bring them back to the hotel for breakfast! Don’t forget to stop and buy an inner tube or raft to bring when you visit. You y Ba a can buy them there n a at The Tube Shack for $8. Voodoo Doughnuts

GAYLORD PALMS RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER We stay here at least three times a year for a mom-and-girls weekend, whether for their Christmas celebration or just for fun. It’s located in the heart of Kissimmee and a hop, skip and a jump from Disney. The indoor atriums are stunning, and there is just something about an “indoor” hotel that is so fun to experience. In the real Florida thematic atriums, you can visit a replica of the Castillo de San Marco in the St. Augustine Atrium, feed the alligators in the Everglades Atrium or “sail away” on a sail boat in the Key West Atrium while you dine at MOOR. You can explore pools, water parks and a wide array of restaurants for poolside snacks or evening fine dining at Old Hickory (another one of my personal favorites). There is literally no reason to leave this resort. And make sure you download the Marriot Bonvoy App before you go to use all the contactless features for check in and Mobile Key features! Pro Tip: Attention all teachers: There is an amazing discount for you when you book your room via the Teacher Appreciation or Military Appreciation codes. Learn more at GaylordPlams.com

THE WATERLINE MARINA AND RESORT Quietly tucked away on Anna Maria Island, the Waterline Marina and Resort puts you in a spacious 2-bedroom villa with plenty of space and quiet rooms to relax in after a full day of sea shell hunting and sun bathing in the sugar sand beaches. A quick ride on the Anna Maria Island Trolley to the SandBar around 6 p.m. gives you time to get a reservation and watch the sunset from beaches while you wait for your table. Guess the right time of the sunset and win a bottle of champagne! Spacious rooms fit up to eight. We loved being able to bring our own food and drinks, which helped save on costs. We were one block from the beach; no parking required! Pro Tip: The more nights you book, the more you save. Inquire when booking a 3-night stay or longer.

For MORE spring break coverage and stories, head to TampaBayParenting.com and look for the "Spring Break" tab in the menu.

DISNEY SPRINGS RESORT AREA HOTELS Disney can be a mammoth of a vacation to plan, but if you want a fun, quick fix, staying in a Disney Springs Resort area hotel might be just what you need. Take advantage of special deals from six neighboring hotels, all within walking distance of Disney Springs. Just by booking, you’ll receive an exclusive savings passport to select Disney Springs merchants and restaurants. Disney Springs has so many unique places! At the new donut shop, Everglazed, you’ll crave more than just their awesome donuts—the Funky Chicken Sandwich with Spicy Fries will blow your socks off! Score some sweet treats from the newly opened M&M store or try the new Gideon’s Bakehouse for a delicious half-pound cookie. Flavors change monthly so it’s a must-do to go back! Grab a fancy custom art latte from Joffery’s, a $5 Margarita on Mondays from Frontera Cocina or a Froscato from Wine Bar George (think Dole Whip frozen cocktail).

PLANTATION ON CRYSTAL RIVER If you are up for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, stay at the Plantation on Crystal River and enjoy swimming with the manatees as these gentle “sea cows” make their way from the cool waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the warm waters of Crystal River’s network of pristine springs. Leave on your excursion from the Plantation Adventure Center and Dive Shop just a short walk from your room. Enjoy the small town of Crystal River or venture out on their abundant waters for an adventure of another kind: paddle boarding, fishing, kayaking or snorkeling. Definitely fun for all ages! Pro Tip: Manatees begin to migrate back in March, so this month will be your last chance to see them until next January!

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

BACK TO THE

Beach

Kicking off beach season with a day trip to the Gulf coast’s most celebrated stretch of sand on Siesta Key story and photos by Maggie Rodriguez

A bold claim spelled out on a colorful sign welcomes us as we arrive at Siesta Beach: #1 Beach in the United States. Stepping onto the sand, it’s as if we’ve just taken a onehour flight to a Caribbean island rather than a one-hour drive from Tampa Bay. The sand looks like sugar and feels like a cloud. The beckoning, blue water sparkles in the distance. “It is, by far, our number one attraction,” says Nancy-Jo Manney of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s Visitor Guide devotes two full pages to “the world’s finest, whitest sand,” explaining that it consists of 99% pure quartz grains that “are fine, without any coral or shell fragments.” The result is soft sand that stays cool, even when the Florida sun is at its strongest. Imagine a beach day where you don’t need to hop onto towels or shadows to protect your bare feet from scalding sand!

Walking along the shore, we meet a friendly lifeguard and discover that “Scooter,” as he’s known, has been manning the green lifeguard station on Siesta Beach for 26 years. “I probably have more footprints on this beach than anyone else,” he tells us with pride. Originally from Illinois, Scooter moved to Florida in 1983 and discovered Siesta Key ten years later. Nearly every day since, he’s worked on the beach and become a local celebrity along the way. Using the handle “Scooter of the beach,” he gives live, daily, beach reports on social media and offers travel tips on his website. “I just love helping people with whatever they need— from getting a hole dug for their umbrella to helping out on the water to come back in,” he says. At Scooter’s suggestion, we head to nearby Siesta Key Village for lunch. Walking distance from the beach, Ocean Boulevard is teeming with beach-inspired shops and restaurants that run the gamut from grab-and-go to fine dining. There are almost too many to choose from. A crowd is gathered outside the Siesta Key Oyster Bar, better known as SKOB. Beautiful trays of fresh oysters f lown in daily from Texas and Louisiana draw oohs and ahhs from diners seated at outdoor tables. But it’s the walls that command our attention. They are covered with dollar bills scribbled with names, dates and personal messages. Restaurant manager Kristin Hale explains why.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

“It’s based on an old legend that when fisherman would go into bars and pubs, they would staple a dollar bill onto the wall so that if they didn’t catch any thing, they could come back to the pub and they would have a dollar to buy themselves a drink,” she says. “We adopted the tradition and people started adding notes over the years.” The walls and ceilings fill up so quickly that the restaurant must take down the bills to make room for more. They turn the decorations into donations. During the COVID lockdown last summer, they gave $10,000 to employees. They also sent $14,000 to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Our next stop leads to a mouthwatering discovery: the “Billionaire Burger” at The Cottage restaurant. One of the most popular items on the menu, the juicy cheeseburger is elevated with toppings worthy of the rich and famous: bacon and onion jam, truff le aioli, applewood bacon, tempura avocado and a perfectly-fried, sunnyside-up egg. It cements our belief that nothing is quite as satisf ying as a burger— especially this burger— after a day on the beach. Since there’s always room for dessert, we set out to sample the Village’s myriad options. Locals recommend Meany’s Mini Donut, a tiny building that serves tiny doughnuts ranging from glazed to strawberry cheesecake. We ask doughnut maker, Kieser Luft,

what makes customers line up around the block for these bite-sized treats. “I would say because they’re always coming out fresh,” he replies. Across the street, the island’s most famous ice cream shop, Big Oläf Creamery, is crowded with adorable children, mouths dripping with blue and orange. The company has grown from this small shop 39 years ago to 50 across the state today. Its decadent ice cream is still handmade by local Amish craftsmen. Walking back to the beach, we spot visitors exploring the island on the free trolley, bicycles and “scooter cars”— curious-looking, threewheeled vehicles available for $49 per hour at Robin Hood Rentals. We’re told the most unique way to cap a day on Siesta Key is by attending the Siesta Key Drum Circle. Every Sunday, one hour before sundown, the sound of drums and cowbells fills the beach as free-spirited revelers dance for hours. Since we’re visiting on a weekday, we opt to head to the Patriots Pier instead. As a tribute to our country’s military personnel, crowds gather daily at sunset by the American f lag positioned at the edge of an old fishing pier. Taking in the serene sight over the pristine beach, we are reminded of the sign that greeted us hours earlier. How fortunate we are to have one of the country’s top beaches—not just in our state—but in our own backyard.

ROBIN HOOD RENTALS "SCOOTER CARS"

"SCOOTER" - SIESTA BEACH LIFEGUARD

BIG OLÄF CREAMERY

“BILLIONAIRE BURGER” AT THE COTTAGE RESTAURANT

SIESTA KEY OYSTER BAR, BETTER KNOWN AS SKOB

PATRIOTS PIER

moms to by Julie Tingley, The KNOW Book + Tribe Director, KNOW Tampa and KNOW St. Pete | Clearwater

Photography by Howie Mac Photo

March is Women’s History Month- a time to celebrate women and remember the contributions they have made throughout history and today. Fun fact: History is being made every single day here in Tampa Bay through the local organization 200 Muslim Women Who Care, a nonprofit solely dedicated to giving back to our local community through inclusivity and philanthropy. Our city is blessed beyond measure to have the kindness of these Muslim women and their commitment to change the lives of their neighbors across the Bay.

FARAH MODI-KHAN & DYMA ABUOLEIM 200 MUSLIM WOMEN WHO CARE JT: What did you do prior to starting 200mwwc? FMK: I often joke with my husband and refer to myself as the “forever volunteer!” Being a Tampa native, there is not a time I remember where I wasn’t giving back to our community in some way, whether it was serving through the many charitable organizations I was a part of or dedicating my time to the Parent Teacher Organization at my boys’ schools. It is the essence of who I am; it is what fuels me, gives me purpose and fills my soul. Coincidentally, it is through that way of life that I met Dyma! DA: After graduating from college, I started my career in corporate America with Southwest Airlines working as the regional director’s assistant for ground operations. After a few years, I made the difficult decision to exit the work force to become CEO of my home when my first child was born. With no family nearby to lean on for support, I felt it was the best decision for my family. During my role as CEO of my household, I’ve given back to the community in many ways by volunteering on a charitable board and organizing events and enrichment activities in local schools. I’ve also had a side hustle working in my husband’s office. I’ve been fired so many times— but he keeps re-hiring me!

JT: What does the selection process entail for a local 501c3 to be considered as a beneficiary of the donation from your members? DA: Our organization is member driven, so members nominate nonprofits with missions that speak to their heart. Next, we complete an internal review where we ensure the charity is aligned to our core values, fiscally healthy and able to adhere to our strict requirement that all awarded funds must remain in our great community of Tampa Bay. Third, representatives from the nonprofits present a short summary of their organization’s mission and goals in order to give our members insight to their programs. Finally, our members vote for their top choice.

JT: What does the future look like for your Tampa-based group? Any plans for growth beyond the bay? FMK: We are working out the details with our wonderful board of directors this year but our goal is to launch our first chapter in 2022! We are so excited

about sharing the power of collective giving with other Muslim women who will become agents for change within their own local communities.

JT: As a mother who is truly changing the world around her, what advice do you have for other moms who want to make an impact in their communities? DA: I remember at a conference I attended a while back, a woman introduced herself as a “professional volunteer.” I thought that was genius! For some moms, we have a tendency to undervalue the service we provide to the community because it doesn’t earn a paycheck. However, acts of service is what makes a community whole. It is what makes a community great, and it’s an important reminder of our humanity. So I say to all the moms volunteering in their children’s school PTA, or at the local road-clean up: Keep doing your part because your children are watching. And if you want them to be engaged, productive and compassionate citizens, then it’s important to set the example. Think about it: Who wouldn’t want help from a neighbor?

JT: What inspired you to start 200 Muslim Women Who Care? FMK: We come from a giving community of Muslim women who are known for their generosity towards charitable causes but who were not necessarily aware of our own local nonprofit organizations that strive to make our city a better place to live. Dyma and I recognized the opportunity we had to connect these inspiring women to worthy causes in our local community. We wanted to create a legacy of engagement with them by collectively donating, making a positive difference and strengthening every neighborhood in the Tampa Bay Area.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

JT: Tell us about your favorite things to do with your children in Tampa. FMK: There are so many fun family-friendly places we love spending time at but you will mostly find my husband and I with our four boys strolling along our beautiful Tampa Riverwalk and ending our perfect evenings with an Eddie & Sam’s pizza! DA: I absolutely love the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts! It is my favorite time of the year, and I have taken each of my children to it since they were born. Their favorite part is the children’s exhibit where they get to purchase real pieces of artwork donated by the artists. Parents aren’t allowed in. It is strictly for the children to decide which piece to buy. The pieces are sold at a discounted price, and all proceeds go to charity. I know this year will be the first time the festival goes virtual. It will be different, but it is something I will continue to support.

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Photo lef t: Shaquil Barrett Photo right: Mike Evans

COVER STORY

WE ARE CHAMPA BAY:

A Community of Champions Oh, what a feeling...that moment our home team did what we knew they could do. They made history with a Super Bowl victory on home turf. As we watched the players like Tom Brady, Ryan Jensen (on cover) and Mike Evans embrace their families on the field under a shower of confetti, it brought home the realization of what it took to get there: leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and the belief they could do it. Lessons we can all apply to our own lives and instill in our children. We wanted to know what the Bucs' historic win means to other families, so we asked a few of our contributors and partners for their thoughts.

Tara Payor, mom of two and Tampa Bay Parenting contributor “Tampa’s Super Bowl LV win means the start of traditions with my children. It’s the first season both kids have been mesmerized by the game—by the team. It has meant lessons in hometown pride and the power of community. Above all, it’s shown the importance of sharing experiences with our loved ones. Seeing Tom Brady embrace his wife and children during pinnacle moments affirms what, who, matters most.”

“Nothing like the feeling, as a father, of throwing the football with your son in the backyard and him calling out Brady, Gronkowski, and Evans by name. And when he catches that ball, spikes it and yells: Touchdown Tampa Bay. Bucs win!” Michael Weber, dad of three and marketing producer at 10 Tampa Bay

photos by Kyle Zedaker, team photographer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Karimah Henry, mom of two and creator of CraftingAFunLife. com, who was lucky enough to go to the Super Bowl: “The win showed how the impact of one person can bring a team together and triumph. I was also happy to be there to experience the celebration. I was thinking about everything it took to get to this moment.”

Marisa Langford, mom of four and creator of TampaMama.com “For our family, it’s all about pride in where we live! We love living in Tampa Bay and are fans of all the Tampa Bay sports teams. Win or lose, it’s our job to cheer them on. And when they win BIG, we get to celebrate BIG too! Lots of love for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their Super Bowl victory!”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making history in more ways than one. Long before the historic Super Bowl win on home turf, the organization has been leading the way in the push for equality. Turn to the next page for our special feature with team co-owner, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, on the other plays the team is making to shatter glass ceilings.

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Super Bowl Champions for Gender Equality by Tara Payor, Ph.D., photos by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Female empowerment is empowerment for all. It is the collective strength and confidence of many individuals that helps humankind persist, progress and endure. Earning one’s place through hard work and merit is not gender-bound. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers excel in ensuring women are represented throughout the National Football League.

AUDIBLE Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, owner/president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and Glazer Vision Foundation, grew up with five brothers. Her family’s mindset was rooted in capability and qualifications, not gender-based-expectations. “We feel strongly about gender equality, and that carries into the Bucs—our extended family,” Kassewitz says. “Conversations about women in the NFL need to be a thing of the past. Focus must shift to preparedness and proficiency—markers of long-term success in any profession.”

no one on our staff needs to be concerned with proving herself.”

Kassewitz explains that the Buccaneers’ success is borne of its people. “We only hire the best. A person hired to work in the NFL is the best in his/her field. At this level,

Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians has proven instrumental in cultivating a culture of gender inclusivity. Paving Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ path to Super Bowl LV vic-

Her efforts are fueled by one of her own daughters’ aspirations to coach in the NFL. When her daughter expressed shock at the fact that the Bucs boast two female coaches, it affirmed Kassewitz’ work for equality. “The Buccaneers organization is committed to providing equal opportunities to diverse people,” she says. “Diversity enables us to have the best solutions. So many girls grow up with a passion for the sport but have limited exposure to opportunities.”

tory were Lori Locust, assistant defensive line coach, and Maral Javadifar, assistant strength and conditioning coach. “He’s steadfast in moving past longstanding stereotypes in the League,” Kassewitz points out. “I’m proud of what I see occurring in Tampa Bay. Our staff and players don’t look at Bucs’ female coaches any differently. Locust and Javadifar are experts in their fields and that’s what we’re all focused on.” A sentiment shared by growing numbers of people within the NFL, Kassewitz looks forward to the seasons when female coaches aren’t anomalies. “Forty-seven percent of our fanbase is female. We have to ensure women are represented across the League.”

Darcie Glazer Kassewitz chats with athletes at the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Girls High School Flag Football Preseason Classic at AdventHealth Training Center. TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Darcie Glazer Kassewitz (lef t) talks with Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston (right) at AdventHealth Training Center.

RED ZONE

EXTRA POINT

In 2015, the Bucs launched the Women of Red. A free fan group for the Bucs’ large female fan-base, Women of Red also organizes numerous events aimed at enabling women supporting women. “There’s something special about thousands of women getting together to watch football and network with each other,” Kassewitz says. Networking events draw women from a broad swath of fields—from arts to law and education to politics. Tampa Bay is also the only NFL team with a training camp night just for female fans. “The food and music are great, but those evenings cultivate meaningful conversations between women and our coaching staff,” Kassewitz says. “Sports bring people together.”

Kassewitz’ work to level playing fields transcends gender lines. After learning that one in four children has an undiagnosed vision impairment and one in five can’t afford eye care, the Glazers started The Glazer Vision Foundation—complete with a mobile vision clinic. “Vision impairment is a silent problem, and it’s a priority for our family to help solve the crisis,” she says. “Our doctors and nurses visit 60 Title 1 schools, and the onboard lens lab gets glasses in kids’ hands the same day.”

FAIR CATCH The Glazer Foundation is helping Tampa Bay girls’ strength and confidence hold strong, too. First in the NFL to offer an academic scholarship, the Bucs want to diminish potential barriers for girls who aspire to careers in sports. After starting the first free f lag football league for underserved girls in Tampa, the Bucs now host the largest girls high school f lag football event in the country. Although f lag football is not a sanctioned sport until high school, the Jr. Bucs Middle School program provides free football equipment and curriculum to over 35,000 girls in the area. “There was a void, and I’m intent on filling it,” Kassewitz says. “The playing field needed leveling and the girls shouldn’t have to wait until high school to get the experiences needed to improve their game. It’s spectacular to see them feel validated in their sport. It’s been exciting to follow these girls’ growth.”

TOUCHDOWN TO LEARN MORE

To date, the organization has provided 100,000 eye exams and over 20,000 pairs of glasses. Everyone in Tampa can help with this mission. The Foundation’s One Share, One Pair Program donates an additional pair of glasses for every selfie taken with their super-size glasses at Armature Works. Tag @glazervisionfdn and use #OneShareOnePair.

END ZONE Empowered, confident, persistent and hardworking individuals will help ensure lasting progress in the work for gender equality. Kassewitz and the entire Glazer family continues rushing toward female representation in the NFL. They are the defending Super Bowl champs, sure, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also champion gender equality rooted in merit.

VIEW MORE ABOUT THE GLAZER VISION FOUNDATION: www.glazervisionfoundation.org JOIN THE WOMEN OF RED: www.buccaneers.com/fans/women-of-red

APPLY FOR THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS FOUNDATION GIRLS IN FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/buccaneersgirlsinfootball/ MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN MARCH by Amanda Jones, photos provided by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library

March is Women’s History Month, a great time to honor the accomplishments and achievements of the remarkable women who paved the way for the leaders of today and the trailblazers of tomorrow. Throughout March, your local public library will celebrate with online events, booklists for all ages and links to some rad resources that share the stories of women—both well-known and perhaps not-so-well-known—who have made a difference. Below you will find some great ways to participate in National Women’s History Month with your little ones. Online Events: Join us for online story time where we will read stories, sing songs and share activities surrounding some of our favorite female innovators. Recommended for ages 3-6. Register here: bit.ly/HCPLC-WomensHistoryStoryTime Aspiring inventors can find inspiration as we explore technological breakthroughs pioneered by women around the world. Register here: bit.ly/ HCPLC-WomenTechPioneers Rad Resource: To add some local f lair, check out the Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection for a fun and unique look at women’s history in the Tampa Bay area from the late 1800s to the early 1960s. bit.ly/HCPLC_Burgert-WomensHistory Sharing Stories: A great way to start a discussion about women’s history with your young readers is to share a story. We have highlighted some of our favorite picks. You can find the complete booklist here: bit.ly/HCPLC-WomensHistoryKidsBooks

FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS “Girl Squads: 20 Female Friendships That Changed History” by Sam Maggs (recommended for grades 8 and up) This anthology of mini biographies is divided into the categories of athletes, artists, warriors, scientists and social and political activists in brief, well-researched chapters. With an informal, often humorous style, Maggs reminds readers that there is strength in numbers and many women have reached awesome things together. Maggs also shares a diverse array of stories—both throughout history and throughout the world. “Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe” by Vivian Kirkfield (recommended for grades K-3) Twentieth-century icons Ella Fitzgerald (singer) and Marilyn Monroe (movie star) formed a friendship based on mutual respect for one another’s talent. This is a true tale of allyship told through simple text and stylized digital illustrations.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

The black and white photos are from the librar y’s treasured Burger t Brothers Photographic Collection. The Burger t Brothers Photographic Collection has nearly 19,000 historic images and presents a pictorial record of the commercial, residential and social grow th of Tampa Bay and Florida's West coast from the late 1800s to the early 1960s. hcplc.org/research/burger t and digitalcollections.hcplc.org

STEAM STORIES “Hedy & Her Amazing Invention” by Jan Wahl (recommended for grades 2-5) Hedy Lamarr was a beautiful movie star from the 1930s and 40s; she was also an inventor who created communications technologies that we still use to this day. Wahl shows how Lamarr overcame many obstacles as an inventor including prejudice, domineering relatives and stereotypes. Lamarr’s story shows that women are multifaceted, and girls do not need to choose to be either an actress or an inventor—they can be both!

AWESOME ACTIVISTS "Malala’s Magic Pencil" by Malala Yousafzai (recommended for grades 2 and up) This is the first picture book by Nobel Peace Prize author and education activist Malala Yousafzai. In the story she explains that when she was young, she wished for a magic pencil to overcome life’s hardships. As she grew, she realized she didn’t need a magic pencil to change the world. Yousafzai describes difficult topics such as war, gender disparity and poverty with simple but powerful text. This book may be a good way to start a conversation with young readers about difficult topics in an age-appropriate way.

GET INSPIRED “Girls Resist! A Guide to Activism, Leadership, and Starting a Revolution” by Kaelyn Rich (recommended for grades 7 and up) This handbook, full of great tips and indepth interviews with real teen activists, helps young readers put thought to action by effecting changes in the lives, communities and world around them.

For more information, events and resources, check out the library’s website at HCPLC.org.

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

More than a daycare, we are a preschool learning center

QUIT YOUR WAY Quitting tobacco isn’t easy. Finding help should be. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help you get started.

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TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Our Partners in Education:

The Super Bowl Champions Buccaneers! by Laura Cross, photos provided by Hillsborough County Public Schools

DEAR TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, Hi! It’s the Hillsborough County Public School District here, and we have a question. Can we be your number one fan, please? Your players and your organization have done so much for our schools for years, and then you go and win the Super Bowl the year Tampa hosts it—and the NFL pumps even more goodness into our schools! THANK YOU!

Let’s begin with all the ways you help our schools, students and staff throughout the year: ● You sponsor the Jr. Bucs Program in our elementary and middle schools, which provides our students with educational activities that infuse football skills into current physical education curriculum. ● You have donated FitnessGram software for 14 of our schools. This allows educators to set goals with students to meet individual fitness needs and teach health habits to students.

Now, we’ll move on to the past couple months. Wow. The donations and the opportunities you and the Super Bowl have afforded our students is immeasurable and will have lasting effects on our community: ● As part of its efforts to address the digital divide, the NFL, EVERFI 306 and Hillsborough Education Foundation donated $50,000 to assist students throughout our area. ● The NFL Alumni Association broke ground on a brandnew obstacle course across the street from Stewart Middle Magnet School. ● When a young man from Twin Lakes Elementary made his own jersey out of post-it notes, you knew his creativity needed to be rewarded. You surprised him at school with his very own autographed jersey! ● We haven’t even mentioned the joy you bring to our school community every week and how you provide some of the best role models our students could hope for.

● You donate school supplies to the schools that show the most school spirit on the Fridays before home games. #RaiseTheFlags

For these reasons and so many more, dear Buccaneers, we plead with you to officially crown Hillsborough County Public Schools your number one fan!

● You constantly provide free flags, trading cards and poster incentives for our students.

We will be sitting here, dressed head-to-toe in pewter and red, eagerly awaiting your response!

● You sponsor the annual Acts of Kindness Art Contest and support art education throughout our district.

Yours very gratefully,

● You celebrate student achievements by hosting a district-wide Field Day at One Buc Place each year.

Hillsborough County Public Schools, students and staff!

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

SPONSORED

Why Early Learning Matters on Every Level by The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County staff

Early learning should matter to everyone in Hillsborough County, not just to child care providers or families with young children. We all have a responsibility to advocate for equitable access to early learning for our youngest residents to ensure they’re given the tools they need for success in school and in life.

HERE’S WHAT A FEW OF OUR OWN EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (ELCHC) TEAM MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY ON THE CRUCIALITY OF EARLY LEARNING.

EARLY LEARNING MATTERS TO THE CHILD. From the time a new baby comes into the world, they begin to learn. They learn how to interact with the adults around them, how to communicate and how to move. The approximately 1,825 days from a child’s birth until they start kindergarten is a literal once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to impact a child’s future. Parents and families of children play a huge role in this period, but there is another reinforcement available to help lay this foundation: high-quality early learning programs. High-quality child care programs provide multiple benefits to the children they serve. These include social emotional advantages such as learning how to cooperate and get along with others, sharing, turn-taking and following directions. High-quality, play-based programs also instill an enthusiasm for learning through a child’s hands-on exploration and experiences as well as through carefully planned, teacher-directed activities. These types of experiences help children be better prepared for kindergarten as they already have foundational knowledge of the behavior expectations in a classroom setting and a natural curiosity and love for learning. High-quality early learning programs provide children the foundation of physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills that will help them become life-long learners. - Lorinda Gamson, ELCHC Director, Provider Relations

EARLY LEARNING MATTERS TO OUR COMMUNITY. We all know that a variety of factors determine success in life. But for some, success may be further from their reach depending on the impacts of socioeconomic and racial inequities that are present in our society. For our community, being better at early learning means more kids are emotionally and academically ready for kindergarten, which means better passing rates on the third grade Florida Standard Assessment, which means higher high school graduation rates. All of this helps our community to have a more skilled workforce, be more competitive in attracting jobs and capital investment and have fewer people entering the criminal justice system. Studies show that an investment in quality early learning has an estimated 13.7% internal rate of return. If the numbers aren’t convincing, imagine the infinite value of having just one more child having a chance to succeed. We should all be advocating for every child in our community to have access to early learning so they can be set up to live their best life in school and beyond. - Gordon L. Gillette, ELCHC CEO

EARLY LEARNING MATTERS TO THE FAMILY. Our community is made up of families from different places who behave uniquely and value and prioritize different things. That said, the pursuit of happiness as a family is a common thread most of us share. Ensuring that each new member of that family is provided, at a very early age, an enriching environment that prioritizes personal growth, affection, empathy, trust, confidence and health will directly improve the overall well-being of the family. Providing a child with a properly well-rounded early learning experience has proven to have lasting effects on that individual’s ability to be independent and contribute to their community and, more importantly, their family. As a board member of the ELCHC and a father of three, I have had the opportunity to understand the importance of early learning personally and professionally. As we are both working parents, all our children attended an early learning program prior to their first birthday. We truly believe the education and development attained during those early years have been critical to our children’s growth. Early learning has proven critical to establishing a life trajectory of success. The more our children grow up to be independent, confident, caring and hungry for education, the more they contribute to the strength of our families. - Luke Buzard, ELCHC board member and vice president of Pipeline Safety & Regulatory Affairs, TECO Peoples Gas

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

We Are Enrolling! Age 2 - 12th Grade

Schedule a tour! www.WeAreCDS.org

CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL Bearss Avenue Campus | 1st - 12th grade 1515 W. Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613 813.920.2288 Early Childhood Campus | Ages 2 - Kindergarten 12606 Casey Road, Tampa, FL 33618 813.963.2388

Fall Enrollment Now Open!

PreK3 – Grade 12

Learn more about the Academy at the Lakes experience by visiting our new website and see why You Matter Here.

academyatthelakes.org/admission 813-909-7919 MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

WILD KRATTS®: CREATURE POWER®! at the Glazer Children’s Museum by Kate White, director of marketing and communications at the Glazer Children's Museum, photos provided by the Glazer Children's Museum

My husband carries our 4-year-old on his shoulders while I try to keep up with her big sister who likes to run ahead on the trail to climb trees. On our hikes, we are usually too noisy to spot wildlife. But when we do, the conversation always turns to Creature Powers. “Mommy, did you know that ants can carry 50 times their own weight?” At the zoo, they compete to see who has the most animal knowledge. “Those lines on the cheetah’s face help ref lect the sun.” “Did you know that anteaters are nocturnal?” It’s official: My kids know more about animals than I do. Spending time outdoors and visiting zoos and aquariums has fostered our love of animals and the world around us. But my children’s extensive knowledge of animal facts comes from their favorite PBS Kids show, Wild Kratts®. They’re on a first name basis with the Kratt Brothers—in our house it’s simply Chris and Martin. I love the playful way the show engages children and sparks curiosity about animals and their habitats. It teaches kids to love and protect our planet and all the animals who live here. Imagine our excitement that the Glazer Children’s Museum is currently home to a special traveling exhibit based on the show. “Wild Kratts®: Creature Power®!” is an adventurous exhibit that invites kids and families to explore animal habitats from around the globe, discover incredible creature powers and go on a mission to foil the villains’ nefarious plans. It brings to life the STEM concepts from the show along with our favorite characters and creatures!

To brush up on my own animal knowledge—and impress my kids—I sat down with the Glazer Children’s Museum’s resident animal expert Professor William von Mylickson. You may know him from the museum’s social media. I asked the Professor his 10 favorite animal facts for kids, and he gave me some good ones: 1) The fastest animal on Earth is the peregrine falcon which can swoop at 200 miles per hour. 2) An ostrich’s eyes are bigger than its brains. 3) The platypus and echidna are the only mammals that lay eggs. 4) Butterf lies taste with their feet.

5) Giraffes only have to sleep for 2 hours a day. 6) The oldest animal ever was a Quahog clam named Ming who lived to be 507 years old. 7) Octopuses have three hearts.

8) Rhinoceros horns are made of keratin, the same as human hair and fingernails. Professor William von Mylickson is a beloved kid’s character developed by museum Playologist Bill Milec.

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9) Axolotls, known as Walking Fish, are actually amphibians that can regenerate their limbs. 10) Snakes smell the air with their tongues.

You can learn more about animals from Professor von Mylickson on the Glazer Children’s Museum’s virtual learning site, GCM@Home. Watch his playful videos about cheetahs, hedgehogs, giraffes and more at GlazerMuseum.org/GCMatHome. And keep your eyes peeled during your next visit to the Glazer Children’s Museum; he has been spotted walking around “Wild Kratts®: Creature Power®!” and sharing his love of animals with our guests.

Camp Imagination: June 7-July 30 At Camp Imagination, your little learners imagine, discover, and connect to the world around them. With imaginative weekly themes, there’s a camp for every kid! Register your kids to play with purpose and embrace curiosity this Summer at GlazerMuseum.org/camps

Weekly Themes: June 7-11 Outside In | June 14-18 Wild World | June 21-25 Time Travel June 28-July 2 Magical Tales | July 5-9 Autism-Friendly (AF) Make a Masterpiece July 12-16 AF Maker Mania | July 19-23 AF Expedition Unknown | MARCH July 26-30 Mad Science 31 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

SUMMER 2021 6 Weeks of Options June 14 - July 23

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

813.961.3087 corbettprep.com Bus Service Available

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WRITE How to Help Young ON: Writers Find Their Spark by Courtney Cairns Pastor, photos provided by Corbett Preparatory School of IDS

Corbett Prep seventh graders begin November as regular English students and end the month as novelists. Prekindergarten children dive into literacy by starring in a book their teachers write and read to them. Third and fourth graders host read-alouds of their original work before an audience of fuzzy, four-legged friends. Writing can unleash some students’ imaginations and provide them with an outlet for self-expression. Other students struggle to put pencil to paper. But with a fresh approach to the process, all students can benefit from developing writing skills, whether they are writing Oprah’s next book club pick or responding to prompts in class.

A solid writing foundation helps students become better communicators – important for school and the workforce. Writing practice develops organized thinking, improves reading ability and stokes the imagination. Writing makes “thinking visible,” according to the National Writing Project, and opens writers to new perspectives as they conduct research, solicit feedback and transform scattered thoughts into compelling messages. For new or reluctant writers, here are some strategies Corbett Prep teachers use to introduce students of all ages to writing and help them find their spark. Read, read and read some more: Good writers are readers. When you read to your child, go beyond the story itself so they can learn to appreciate books and writing. Preschool students are curious about how books work. How does the story get in the book? What kinds of jobs are involved in making a book? Corbett Prep’s PreK3 class kicks off its literacy unit with “We Are in a Book.” Teachers generate excitement about reading and writing by creating a personalized book starring the class, which leads to conversations about how to tell stories and who can write them (answer: anyone). Older students can build on these types of discussions, talking about what makes a novel a novel and what techniques keep them reading. Understanding what they enjoy and how an author plots a novel’s storyline can help them when they sit down to try it themselves. If it’s a challenge just to get your child reading, remember that reading takes place in many forms. Audiobooks and graphic novels

have as much value as chapter books. The chance to read with others also motivates students. Some Corbett Prep third and fourth graders meet on Zoom weekly after school for book club discussions, and sixth graders work together in small book circles to choose and discuss a novel for class. Book clubs can work at home, too, when parents or siblings agree to read the same stories. Relax your definition of writing: Lists, poems, songs, emails, notes – it’s all writing! Experiment with different formats to see what clicks with your children. They may enjoy passing notes to mom and dad. Or maybe they want to email grandma instead of writing a note by hand. Some kids like to create games, so have them write out the rules they make up as well. If your goal is writing practice, any of these forms are fine. Even students who are just learning to write and spell can tell great stories. Corbett Prep second-grade teacher Aimee Popalis helps her students take their writing to the next level through drawing. Students plot out their stories by illustrating the beginning, middle and end. Their pictures often include small details about settings and characters that students can incorporate into their writing. An unusual audience also makes writing fun. Teacher Ann Cashen captured the interest of third and fourth graders by soliciting pet stories. Students wrote animal adventures with the goal of creating a short book that they could read to an audience of pets. Families brought pets to school – dogs, cats, rabbits and, once, a horse! – and students rotated among their furry guests to share their stories. Just write. Corbett Prep’s seventh grade took on National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, a creative writing challenge to write a novel in one month. NaNoWriMo asks students to think about when they need their inner editors and when to let them go. Students set word count goals and learned to embrace their rough drafts. Regular freewriting without worrying about spelling and grammar gets creative juices f lowing, breaks through writers’ block and improves writing f luency. Students working on their novels can play with language, story and characters and take chances they might shy away from when writing for a grade. At home, give your children journals to pour out their thoughts privately. And remember, if your kids show you their journaling or fun writing, try to resist the urge to criticize or correct unless asked. The important part is cultivating an interest in writing. Perfection can wait. MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

your guide to Tampa Bay Area Featured listings

Berkeley Preparatory Summer Programs 4811 Kelly Road, Tampa 33615 813-885-1673; berkeleyprep.org/summer Berkeley has an enormous summer catalog of over 120 camps and classes on a beautiful 80-acre campus. There’s something for everyone at Berkeley Summer Programs: swim lessons, tech camps, fine arts, volleyball, baseball, football, LEGO, basketball, rock climbing, skateboard design, reading skills, lacrosse, tennis, chess, marine science, math review and so much more! *Online registration; half-day and full-day camps, early/ after care, and lunch options! Cost: prices vary per camp Dates: June 7 - July 30 Times: Times vary

Summer Camps

Camp Bayshore

CAMP IDS

3909 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa 33611 813-839-4297; bayshorechristianschool.org/ student-life/camp-bayshore.cfm

12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa 33618

Camp Bayshore is a fun, Christian-centered program for campers ages 3 through rising 6th grade. Children from all around the Tampa Bay area are provided an exciting and safe family atmosphere to learn, grow, play and make memories that last a lifetime.

Campers can try their hand at archery or Lego Robotics in the morning and dabble in painting or photography in the afternoon. More than 100 half- and full-day camps ensure everyone has a great time! Academic camps include math, science, reading, writing and engineering. Performing arts, music, recreation and sports camps last all summer. Chinese and Spanish language camps are also available. Sessions run weekly for six weeks from June 14-July 23. Free morning drop-off at 7:15 am. After-care (3-6 p.m.) and bus transportation are available for a fee. Open to all students entering PreK3-8. Located on Corbett Prep’s beautiful lakeside campus.

Cost: $225-$250/week plus a one-time non-refundable registration fee. Dates: June 1 - July 30, M-F *Registration opens March 1 Times: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ages: 3 years through rising 6th graders, Coed

Ages: 4-17, Coed and single sex camps

813-961-3087; corbettprep.com/campids

Cost: $120-$360/week Dates: 6 weeks, June 14 - July 23 Times: 8:30-11:30 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. Ages: PreK3-grade 8, Coed

Camp Imagination at the Glazer Children's Museum 110 W. Gasparilla Place, Tampa 33602 813-443-3861; glazermuseum.org/camps At Camp Imagination, your little learner will imagine, discover and connect to the world around them. With unique weekly themes, there’s a camp for every kid: from Wild World to Time Travel, Maker Mania, Magical Tales and more. Children need play now more than ever and the Glazer Children’s Museum’s play-based approach sparks imagination and curiosity. This inclusive camp even features select autism-friendly weeks with additional specially trained staff, a quiet space for campers who need a break and orientation so they know what to expect. Register your kids to play with purpose and embrace curiosity this Summer! Cost: $240/week before May 1, $265/week after May 1 *GCM Members save 15% Dates: June 7 - July 30 Ages: 5-10, Coed

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

History Adventure Camps

The Coder School CODE CAMPS

Delphi Academy of Florida Summer Camp

Tampa Bay History Center 801 Water St., Tampa 33602 813-228-0097; tampabayhistorycenter.org

New Tampa | 8632 Hunters Village Road, Tampa 33647 813-422-5566; newtampa.thecoderschool.com

1831 Drew St., Clearwater 33765 727-447-6385; delphifl.org

Unmask the myths behind pirates, learn the ins-and-outs of archeology or journey to three different periods in history with American Girls Felicity, Kirsten and Nanea at the Tampa Bay History Center. History Adventure Camps include in-gallery activities, hand-on learning, guest speakers and outdoor activities. Camps are offered with reduced capacities and social distancing protocols in place. Cost: $230 for History Center Members Dates: beginning June 7 Times: times vary Ages 7-11, Coed

Our camps provide coding lessons for kids as well as fun offline activities. Kids code throughout the week and then demo their week's creations on the last day of camp. Register online and use the code EARLY100 (for in-person camps) and EARLY50 (for online camps) at checkout!

Summer Camp is the perfect time to give Delphi a try. Most of our regular school year curriculum is available to students, but we spend a lot of our time during the weeks just having lots of summer fun. Summer at Delphi is available for students from the age of 2 through 17. With day trips and jampacked adventures, explorations in the sciences and arts, kids are definitely happy campers! We also have a half day “Get Ahead, Stay Ahead” academic booster for your high schooler. Come tour today and sign up for the fun.

Cost: $299-$499/week

Cost: $260/week

South Tampa | 1730 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33629 813-466-1411; southtampa.thecoderschool.com

Dates: June 1 - Aug. 2 Times: in-person 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; online 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. *early drop off and late pick up available.

Dates: June 14 - July 23 Times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ages: 2 to 17, Coed

Dunedin Fine Art Center Summer ART Academy 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin 34698 727-298-3322; dfac.org/kidscorner/summer-camp DFAC’s Summer Art Academy proudly offers over 30 years of summer art enrichment fun. Todd Still, director of youth education, is excited about heading up his 22nd year at one of the premier summer programs in the Tampa Bay area. Seven different art camps feature the best artists and art educators in the region, including multi-media experts with skills from painting to clay to drawing to dreamin’! Cost: $170-$215 Dates: Weekly sessions June 14 Aug. 6 Times: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. *before and aftercare available Ages: 4.5-14, Coed

Ages: 7-15, Coed

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

your guide to Tampa Bay Area Featured listings

Summer Camps

The James Museum Summer Art Camp

MOSI Summer Science Camps

150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 33701 727-892-4200 ext. 1010; thejamesmuseum.org/ summercamp

4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 34639 813-987-6000; mosi.org

Unleash your inner artist this summer at The James Museum. Our week-long summer day camps encourage children to get messy as they explore a variety of art-making processes. Inspired by our collection of paintings and sculptures, campers will bring their own ideas to life in our children’s art studio. Art camp offers opportunities for hands-on learning, creative thinking and collaboration. Cost: $95; $85 for members (per half-day session) Dates: Select weeks June 14 - July 30 Times: 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1-4:30 p.m. Ages: 6-11, Coed

MOSI’s Summer Science Camps bring science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) alive through hands-on experiments and building projects. From launching rockets, building robots and extracting DNA, we are about creating the experiences that expand interests and make dreams a reality. Doing real science with the tools and technologies used by industry professionals is just one way MOSI Summer Science Camps inspire our campers with a can-do attitude that will last a lifetime. Real science coupled with exciting experiments, simulations, explorations and inventions will help you discover the innovator within. Cost: Starting at $168/week Dates: June 1 - Aug. 6, M-F (except holiday weeks) Times: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., *extended care available: 7-9 a.m. $15 members/$20 non-members. 4-6 p.m. $15 members/$20 non-members Ages: For children who have completed K-8, Coed

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Patel Conservatory 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 33602 813-222-1040; patelconservatory.org At the Patel Conservatory, every student deserves the opportunity to discover their creative potential. Our summer programs provide training in dance, theater and music. Camps and classes vary by length, age and skill level. Patel Conservatory summer camps require active learning participation by campers and result in a performance. Cost: Varies *scholarships available Dates: June 1 - Aug. 6 Ages: 3 through adult, Coed

Summer at Shorecrest 5101 1st St. NE, St. Petersburg 33703 727-409-1668; shorecrest.org/summer Summer at Shorecrest offers affordable, educational and FUN summer programs for students in preschool-12th grade including Drones & Robotics, STEAM options, musical theatre training, specialty sports clinics, academic enrichment/college prep and so much more. Programs run June 7-Aug. 6. View the full catalog and register at www.shorecrest. org/summer. Cost: Varies by session, $125$550/week. Prices range from $125 for a 20-hour program to $350 for a 40-hour program (contact for travel camp pricing) Dates: June 7 - Aug. 6 Times: Full day and half day camps available Ages: Preschool-grade 12, Coed

Tampa Prep Summer Programs 727 W. Cass St., Tampa 33606 813-251-8481; tampaprep.org/summer Camp Terrapin is Tampa Prep’s well-known coeducational, sports and fine arts camp for students entering grades 1-8. Structured activities and theme days provide friendship and fun in downtown Tampa. Additional summer programs include a variety of sports camps and courses in robotics, academics and enrichment. This summertime extension of our award-winning day school program offers something for everyone. Cost: $175-$280 for camps and enrichment Dates: June 1 – July 23 Times: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. *before and after care provided weeks 6/7-7/23 Ages: Various camps, enrichment courses and or-credit courses are offered for students entering grades 1-12, Coed

Wakesurf Tampa Watersports Summer Camp 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor 34685 804-300-1683; wakesurftampabay.com Welcome to Wakesurf Tampa’s kids summer camps. Our trained staff will ensure your child has a rewarding summer learning a multitude of watersports during our 4-day camps Monday through Thursday. We accommodate all levels from beginner to advanced and ages 5 to 16 years old. Each child will receive personal oneon-one training each time they ride. Staff members and captains are CPR and First Aid-certified. Aside from constructive training in the water, we also allow campers to swim and tube, making it easy for your child to make irreplaceable summer memories. Cost: $495/week

YMCA Summer Camp

ZooTampa Summer Camps

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

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

Y Summer Camp offers children a day camp curriculum full of fun educational activities infused with the Y’s character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Campers experience a variety of activities including swimming, science, high ropes, outdoor education, nature encounters, horseback riding, canoeing, visual arts and more! The fun and unique experiences give Y campers an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime. In Y Summer Camp, kids are in a safe and welcoming environment where they can belong, build relationships, develop character and discover their potential.

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

Dates: May 31 - Aug. 12

Cost: Starting at $129/week (Tampa Y) and $95/week (Suncoast Y)

Ages: 5-16, Coed

Dates: begins June 1

Cost: Starting at $290 Dates: June 7-Aug. 6 Times: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages: Rising K-8, Coed

Times: times vary by location Ages: 6-15 (Tampa Y), 3-17 (Suncoast Y), Coed

CAMP

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

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Summer Camps are Important,

Especially this Year by Angie Koebel, director of Strategic Growth & Initiatives and summer camp coordinator at Admiral Farragut Academy, photo provided by Admiral Farragut Academy

After a long year of lockdowns, quarantines, online learning and reduced activities, our children need something to look forward to. It has been shown that children are likely to have worries, fears, anxieties and other signs of stress since schools are operating in different ways. Many children have had fewer opportunities to be with their peers—something that is vital for maintaining good mental well-being. Sending your child to summer camp offers that opportunity to be with friends and get that social support.

Additionally, some students have experienced a learning slide because of a lack of consistent instruction. While summer camps are not purely academic, it takes the hands-on and experiential learning experience to the next level, helping children keep skills sharp so that upon return to the classroom, they are ready to go. Summer camps also represent normalcy and allow children to be children. While Admiral Farragut Academy’s summer camps follow COVID-19 safety protocols necessary to protect campers and staff, they also focus on fun, friends and experiences that campers will remember for a lifetime.

HERE ARE SOME CAMPS THAT FARRAGUT WILL OFFER TO THE PUBLIC THIS SUMMER: LITTLE CAPTAINS

SPORTS CAMPS

● Each week, campers explore various themes through fun, creative and educational activities as well as boat rides, pool time and water slides on Farragut’s 40-acre waterfront campus. ● This year’s weekly themes are Save the Planet, Super Heroes, Jurassic Park, Abra-cadabra Magic, Bug World, Gross Science, Rainforest Cafe, Treasure Hunters, Shark Week and Wacky Water. ● Camp is led by Farragut faculty and their staff of counselors, counselors-in-training (CIT), and junior counselors (JC). ● Camp is open to rising kindergarten through eleventh graders. Students sixth grade and above can gain experience as a JC or CIT.

● Basketball: Two-week camp for rising third through eighth graders, led by Farragut Varsity Basketball Coach Julian Allen. ● Volleyball: Two separate evening clinics for grade 6-8 and 9-12 led by Farragut Varsity Volleyball Coach Kasey Reynolds.

SUMMER SIGNATURE SERIES (SSS) ● Boarding camp runs for five weeks and serves rising eighth through twelfth-grade students. ● The first four weeks of SSS will highlight and immerse the campers into one or two of Farragut’s signature programs including STEM, Leadership/ Sailing, Marine Science/Scuba and Aviation. During the fifth week, campers will explore the wonderful things that Florida has to offer, including our many springs, historic sites and local attractions. ● Campers will also complete a weekly team challenge based on a real-life issue. They will work with fellow team members to discover solutions while also developing a sense of community and skills associated with teamwork.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.FARRAGUT.ORG/SUMMER Admiral Farragut Academy is a K-12 private, college-prep, day and boarding school located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Summer camps TAM PA BAY H ISTORY CE NTE R

Campers get hands-on with history through games, crafts, activities, gallery time and guest speakers.

Swashbuckling Summer June 7 - 11 or July 5 - 9

New! Archaeology Camp featuring the new exhibit Tusks to Tails: A Fossil History of Florida.

June 14 - 18

American Girl©

June 21 - 25 or July 19 - 23 History Adventure Camps are created for children ages 7 to 11. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before care and after care available.

Register online at tampabayhistorycenter.org/camps or call 813.228.0097 For COVID-19 policies visit tampabayhistorycenter.org/camps Scholarships granted based on need and availability. *Cannot be combined with other discounts.

NEW EXHIBIT NOW OPEN

Tampa Riverwalk | 801 Water St., Tampa, FL Smithsonian Affiliate

@tampabayhistory MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

your guide to Tampa Bay Area

Summer Camps

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

Fun-loving kids ages 3 and up may choose from themed day camps, STEM, technology, sports and enrichment camps at the Academy of the Holy Names’ ever-popular Summer on Bayshore. From LEGO to lacrosse and cooking to cartooning, Summer on Bayshore has something for everyone. Complete session information and online registration are available at holynamestpa.org/summer. Full- and half-day weekly sessions run from June 7-July 30.

Cost: $150 (half day) to $325 (full-day specialty camps) Dates: June 7-July 30, weekly Ages: PreK3-grade 8, Coed

ALLIGATOR & WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTER (Summer Fun Activity) 12973 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach 33708 727-329-8751; kissagator.com

Our Center provides humane, professional care for pet surrenders that cannot be returned safely to the wild. The facility is home to a little over 200 animals including alligators, lizards, mammals, marine life and more. Our animal family comes to us from places such as the SPCA, wildlife rescues or individual owners who can no longer care for their pet.

Details: Adults $12, Seniors $10, Children $8 (2 and under free). Group rate of five or more all get in for $8 per guest. Open every day, all summer long!

ART CAMPS & WORKSHOPS AT THE MFA

*scholarships available.

255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg 33701 727-896-2667; mfastpete.org

Unleash your inner artist at the MFA's art camps and workshops. This July, the MFA is hosting THREE summer camps: two week-long art and science camps for grades 1-5 and one week-long art and empowerment workshop for female students in grades 6-9. Join us as we explore the world through art!

Cost: $190 for members; $250 for not-yet-members Dates/Times: July 12-16, July 19-23, July 26-30; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages: Grades 1-5, Coed; and 6-9, Female

BARRETT SCHOOL OF MUSIC SUMMER CAMPS Various Locations 813-285-5091; musicschoolintampa.com

Cost: $110-$200

This summer, the Barrett School of Music is offering camps for anyone and everyone. Whether your child is a passionate string player, a musical theater fanatic, or a music tech enthusiast, we have the camp for them. And if they're just getting started, our Brandon Music Camp will make for the perfect start to their musical journey. No matter the age or interest, the Barrett School of Music is your one-stop for musical summer fun.

Ages: 4-17, Coed

BAYSIDE SPORTS ACADEMY LIMITLESS SUMMER CAMP 4400 34th St. N., Suite E, St. Petersburg 33714 727-258-4981; baysidesportsacademy.org/camps

At Bayside's Limitless Summer Camp, we encourage children to love being active. Let your children enjoy a variety of camps this summer and have great experiences they will never forget! Early bird discount pricing is available. Attend eight full weeks, get all post-camp days FREE! Weekly and daily rates available.

Dates/Times: July 19-30, Times vary, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

*extended care available Cost: Starting at $45/half day up to $340/week Dates/Times: June 10Aug. 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages: 5-13 on or before Sept. 1, 2021, Coed

THE BEAT MUSIC ACADEMY

5956 54th Ave. N., Kenneth City 33709 727-266-2852; thebeatmusicacademy.com

Cost: $99-$699

The Beat Music Academy is a unique learning experience that aims to provide students with the foundations needed to become a successful DJ. Courses are put together and taught by local professional instructors for students of all ages. Classes are offered one-on-one and in groups.

Ages: All ages welcome

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Dates/Times: Enrollment by request

Unleash your inner artist and make friends this summer at The James Museum!

COLOR EXPLOSION June 14-18 Ages 6-8

UPCYCLED ART July 12-16 Ages 6-8

S.T.E.A.M. SPECTACULAR June 28-July 2 Ages 9-11

ART ADVENTURES July 26-30 Ages 9-11

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

We can’t wait to see you again this summer! Camp Terrapin (grades 1–8) Special Interest Camps (6 years to grade 12) • • • •

Robotics LEGOs Programming Cheer

• • • •

Rowing Volleyball Arts Chess

tampaprep.org/summer

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

Jr. Adventure Camp 5 - 9 year olds

Summer

Adventure Camp 10 - 15 year olds

will never be the

SAME! “Mom, I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” If you’ve ever heard your child say that, then we have an adventure for you! “Bored” is never heard at Soul Adventures, a summer camp for 10-15 year-olds. Imagine these experiences: • Rope courses • Kayaking • Paddle boarding • Fishing • Mountain biking • Snorkeling

Summer is coming, and Jr. Adventure Camp is the place to be. Join us for a summer of crazy games, fun field trips, awesome crafts and our annual food fight! Our weekly camps offer a fun and exciting alternative for summer. Energetic camp counselors will keep your child active during our fun-filled weeks. Campers will participate in activities such as rock climbing, bounce houses, sports, water games, crafts, and much, much more! Join us for a summer adventure! Soul Adventures is located at 129 North Belcher Rd, Clearwater.

Let the adventure begin

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Combine these exploits with a powerful daily devotion time, and you have the recipe for an adventure that might just last a lifetime.

www.souladventures.us

SPONSORED

Spring into STEAM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) by Janet White, MOSI Director of Education, photos provided by MOSI

The Force was definitely with MOSI when we hosted a safe and successful Star Wars Family Night in January. To continue to be a resource for our community in the areas of science, technology and innovation, we will host another Family Night March 6 about Crazy Contraptions from 6-8 p.m. You can build Rube Goldberg Machines and invent your own contraption as a team or explore the Saunders Planetarium and reward your efforts with some liquid nitrogen ice cream. MOSI is also hosting a family friendly FREE Skywatch March 20 at 8 p.m. (depending on the weather). Take a look through our telescopes and ask our MOSI astronomers any space questions. March is also the start of camp season. Never been to MOSI camp before? We are holding a Camp Open House on March 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so families can tour camp classrooms, meet MOSI educators and try out some hands-on experiments. You can even register to win a free week of summer camp.

WHY SHOULD YOU SEND YOUR CHILD TO MOSI CAMPS? Attending camp can spark a child’s interest in a STEAM topic. It gives kids a chance to explore, experiment, broaden their interests and see STEAM Careers. MOSI camps are hands-on, minds-on. The campers are having so much fun that they don’t even realize they are learning! There are so many themes to capture their interest: Minecraft, coding, Harry Potter, dinosaurs, cooking, sports, video games, super heroes, movie making, robotics, dissections and so much more. Campers will learn to problem solve, think critically, collaborate, be creative and think out of the box. Children are naturally curious and MOSI offers many ways to engage and foster that curiosity. MOSI offers hands-on activities that encourage your child to actively participate. Kids are encouraged to make observations, ask questions, build, experiment and code. This allows them the chance to make their own discoveries and provide them with real experiences that they are sure to remember. Hands-on, inquiry-based science helps to teach children strategies that will help them solve complex challenges in the future. Spring Break camp runs from March 1519. Summer camps run all ten weeks of summer, June 1 to Aug.6. Capacity is limited so be sure to register early! All of our camps and programs follow CDC guidelines to keep campers and staff safe. More information can be found at the MOSI website at www.mosi.org.

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section BEST HORSE CAMP AT WEST COAST MORGANS 17126 Boy Scout Road, Odessa 33556 813-920-9870; westcoastmorgans.com

Cost: $80-$100/day, $400-$500/week

WCM has adjusted the 2021 BEST Horse Camp to include social distancing, more riding and outside time, lots of disinfection and camper separation protocols to protect everyone as best as possible! Spaces are limited due to logistical changes but the camp experience will be amazing! Offering half and full days, single weeks and bulk weeks over summer and winter breaks, and family discounts! Riders of all levels can enjoy weekly themes, tons of hands-on horse activities, guest speakers and MORE!

Dates/Times: June 1 – Aug. 6, half and full day options, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages: 6+, Coed

BRICKS 4 KIDZ LEGO® SUMMER CAMPS 3713 W. Dale Ave., Tampa 33609 813-545-4282; bricks4kidz.com/florida-tampa

Cost: $125-$285, half and full day camps

Bricks 4 Kidz is back with a whole new summer of LEGO® camps. With over 50 different camps at several locations and brand new camp themes, we are sure to have an awesome camp your child will enjoy! Sign up today!

Dates/Times: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages: 4.5-12, Coed

CAMP DOVEWOOD

23221 101st Road, O’Brien 32071 386-209-1908 or 386-935-0863; campdovewood.org

Cost: $725-$1,225

Camp Dovewood celebrates 44 years of dynamic Christian camping for girls 7-17 in North Florida. We have an outstanding equestrian program with certified instructors: huntseat, rodeo, dressage, grooming, vet care and trail rides. We also offer swimming instruction, tennis, cheerleading, art, drama, archery, Bible, volleyball, softball, cooking, gymnastics, music and baton. ACA and CHA accredited.

Ages: 7-17, Girls Only

Dates/Times: June 6-July 17, 1-2 week sessions

CAMP INVENTION®

Turner/Bartels K-8 School, 9020 Imperial Oak Blvd., Tampa 33647 800-968-4332; invent.org/camp

Cost: $235

Spark your kid’s creativity and confidence with our new Camp Invention® program! At Turner/Bartels K-8 School the week of June 7, campers in grades K-6 will collaborate in hands-on activities exploring fun STEM concepts by taking apart their own microphone, exploring solar-powered crickets and more. Visit invent.org/local to secure your spot and save.

Ages: K-grade 6, Coed

Dates: June 7-10

CAMP OSPREY

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

Cost: $250-$525 Dates/Times: Day Camp M-F, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Overnight Camp Sun. 4 p.m. to Sat. 9:30 a.m. Ages: 7-15, Coed

CAMP WOODMONT

381 Moonlight Drive, Cloudland, GA 30731 423-472-6070; campwoodmont.com

Cost: $1,025/week or $1,595/2 weeks

Imagine a home away from home where your child feels secure, welcome and reassured—that’s Camp Woodmont! Just two-and-a-half hours from Atlanta, this ACA-accredited camp boasts two generations of family management. Overnight camp for boys & girls ages 6 to 14. Activities include archery, climbing, horseback riding, crafts, games, sports and more! Oneand two-week sessions available.

Dates/Times: May 30July 30, Overnight 1- and 2-week sessions Ages: 6-14, Coed

CANTERBURY SUMMER PROGRAMS

990 62nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg 33702 727-525-5419; canterburyflorida.org/summer Canterbury's Summer Programs will provide your camper with a variety of exciting options to promote adventure, a love of learning, and a playful spirit. Summer camp is not only a place where memories are made, but a place that will inspire your camper to grow intellectually, physically and socially.

Costs: Half day starting at $165; full day starting at $350 Dates: June 7-July 23 Ages: PreK4-grade 12, Coed

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

SPONSORED

Summer Fun AT THE YMCA by Kelli Biandudi, photos provided by the YMCA

Whether you have a little one or a teenager, the YMCA has a camp that will give your child a summer they will never forget! “We are looking forward to another terrific summer of camp,” says Bart Cape, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA vice president of operations. “We were able to safely serve over 12,000 campers in the summer of 2020 with our enhanced protocols and anticipate an even stronger summer this year.”

13-year-old Michael Rivera (in center dressed in black) had the best time in Y Summer Camp last year and can’t wait to return this summer. *Photo taken when Hillsborough County mask mandate excluded children in Summer Camp programs.

When schools switched to virtual learning due to COVID-19, Liva Rivera says she just wanted her son, Michael, 13, to get out of the house. “He was just home 24 hours a day and not really socializing, sitting in front of the TV playing video games,” Rivera says. “It was depressing. I just wanted him to get out of the house and be around people, so I didn’t have a whole lot of fear about it.” Despite camp looking a little different last summer, Rivera says it was the best experience of her son’s life. “He loved it so much he wanted to be there every single day of summer,” she says. “He came out of his shell and his confidence is through the roof. Everyone has a different perspective about all of this going on, but I felt like he was going to be just fine at the Y. And thankfully, he was.” Rivera says her son looks forward to returning this year. “We’re all hoping things are going to be a little bit more normal now with a lot of people starting to get the (coronavirus) vaccine, so I have no reservations about sending him back this summer,” she says. “It was an awesome experience, it really was.”

Like last summer, the Y plans on keeping extra precautions in place. Camp leaders and counselors have been trained on safety protocols based on recommendations from the American Camp Association, Centers for Disease and Control Prevention and local health officials. Camp starts June 1, 2021. “Some families missed the experience of summer camp for their children last summer and we are already starting to see elevated registrations as we enter into the early spring,” Bart says. “Camp is such an impactful and life-changing experience for children and it will be great to see our families again soon.” YMCA Summer Camp staff are experienced and ready for a safe, fun-filled summer adventure.

Fun themed activities like “Dinosaur Day” helped boost Michael Rivera’s confidence during Y Summer Camp.

REGISTER FOR CAMP: Register at Ys across Hillsborough and East Pasco counties here: www.tampaymca.org/programs/ camp/summer-camp Register at Ys in Pinellas, West Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties here: www.ymcasuncoast.org/summercamp

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Camp Bayshore A ministry of Bayshore Christian School

Campers 3 years old to rising 6th graders

SUMMER FUN AT CAMP BAYSHORE BAYSHORECHRISTIANSCHOOL.ORG (813) 839-4297 Ext. 300 3909 South MacDill Avenue Tampa, FL 33611

Registration Opens March 1st June 1st-July 30th

“Our family loves Camp Bayshore! My son feels safe and has the best time. He always shares about his exciting days. We are beyond grateful that Camp Bayshore is our second home every summer.” -Camp Bayshore Parent

ART & ARCHAEOLOGY WILD CREATIONS ART CAMP & EMPOWERMENT Dig up some history and travel back in WORKSHOP time with the exhibition Antioch Reclaimed, and learn about the art and science of archaeology. Discover how archaeologists piece together the past from Ancient Greece, to Mesoamerica, and even right here in Tampa Bay.

JULY 12–16 (grades 1-5)

ART & NATURE CAMP

Calling all nature enthusiasts! Dive into the environmentally-focused exhibition Skyway 20/21, and meet local artists inspired by the beauty of Tampa Bay. Learn about our unique environment, create your own nature artworks and enjoy a field trip to the new St. Pete Pier.

During this week rising 6th to 9th graders who identify as female learn about historical and contemporary female artists from the women of the MFA Curatorial staff. We’ll explore differents ways of selfexpression through mind, body and art.

JULY 26–30 (grades 6–9)

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

JULY 19–23 (grades 1–5)

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

SUMMER Largo Recreation, Parks & Arts

CAMPS 2021 LARGOCAMPS.COM

• FULL DAY • NATURE • AQUATICS • THEATRE • SPORTS • SPECIALTY

PL&AY

LEARN

@ LARGO REC

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for a great date night!

TampaBayDateNightGuide.com Your source for fun places to try and new activities to make your date night inspired!

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

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

At the Carrollwood Cultural Center, artistic expression, belting it out, busting a move and getting into character are all encouraged! Through art, music, dance and drama, campers ages 4-10 will explore a different theme each week, while campers ages 11-13 use the theme to create an original staged production. *We are offering a 15% Early Bird Discount for registrations received by April 30, 2021.

*extended care available Cost: ages 4-10: $90$230/week, ages 11-13: $260-$350/two weeks Dates/Times: M-F, May 31-Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. Ages: 4-13, Coed

CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP

1515 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa 33613 and 12606 Casey Road, Tampa 33618 813-920-2288; carrollwooddayschool.org/summer-programs Carrollwood Day School is pleased to offer both our regular day and enrichment camps this summer to age 3 through grade 8, starting June 1 and running through July 23. Additionally, CDS has created a new Educational Enrichment summer program offering the opportunity to help students get a head start for fall with mastery learning in language arts and math, research methods and forensic science.

Cost: $150-$250 Dates/Times: ages 3-6: June 1-July 16 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., grades 1-8: June 1-July 23 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ages: age 3-grade 8, Coed

CIRCLE C RANCH ACADEMY

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

Cost: Full-time $240, half day $180

We have Summer Camp and Summer VPK available with many activities! Camp activities include horseback riding, swimming, art, sports including archery, canteen snack hut, outdoor exploration and bounce house. Come join us for all the fun outdoors!

Dates/Times: June 1 – Aug. 2, Closed July 5, full day 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., half day 8 a.m. to noon Ages: 1-12, Coed

CITY OF LARGO SUMMER CAMPS 201 Highland Ave., Largo 33770 727-587-6720; largocamps.com

Cost: $25-$450 *limited scholarships available

Join us for City of Largo Summer Camps. From full day camps, to sports and specialty camps for PreK through high school, you’ll find the best options in Largo for your child this summer! Register today, as spots are sure to fill up. Visit LargoCamps.com for more information.

Dates/Times: June 1 Aug. 10, times vary from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: PreK to high school, Coed

CLEARWATER COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER 1001 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater 33767 727-517-7776; clearwatercommunitysailing.org

Cost: $178-$298

Clearwater Community Sailing Center is the place for kids to spend summer in the fresh air and on the water. We have sailing, windsurfing and paddling camps for all experience levels. Sign up and join the fun!

Ages: 5-17, Coed

Dates: June 14 – Aug. 6

EARTH IMMERSION SCUBA SUMMER CAMP

180th St., Live Oak 32060 352-641-0350; earthimmersion.com/scuba-diving-summer-camp.html

Cost: $1,850-$3,250/ session

Earth Immersion is a SCUBA, adventure and outdoor education camp for teens (13-17 years old) looking for an unmatched experience exploring North Florida's crystal-clear springs. Activities include earning SCUBA certifications, snorkeling, canoeing, hiking, fishing, tubing, community service hours and learning about freshwater/marine biology. We offer 7- or 13-day overnight programs.

Dates: June 20 - July 31, 7- or 13-day sessions Ages: 13-17, Coed

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

The Florida Academy of Performing Arts offers two types of camps. Music and More camps are weekly and let campers explore instruments, singing and art. Musical theatre camps meet for 2-3 weeks offering students an opportunity to sing, memorize lines, work on character development and perform in live shows.

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

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

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Learn Dj & Music production skills with The Beat Music Academy red By EZ Texting

Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Powe 50

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Camp Dovewood Celebrates 44 years of Dynamic Christian Camping Dovewood is an Awesome Interdenominational Christian Camp £or Girls in North Florida: Ages 7-17

Summer Fun!

mjpaa.com

Activities: Horseback Riding Instruction (Hunt Seat, Dressage, Western Pleasure, Rodeo Riding, Horse Shows, Overnight Trail Rides, Vet Care Seminar, Stable Management), Swimming Instruction, Water Ballet, Dance, Gymnastics, Cooking, Cheerleading, Baton, Archery, Drama, Art, Softball, River Rafting, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis, Board Games, Great Books, Christian Leadership (ages 15-17) and Bible Classes.

1st Session: 2 weeks Sun June 6th - Sat June 19th: $1,225 2nd Session: 1 week Sun June 20th - Sat June 26th: $725 3rd Session: 2 weeks Sun June 27th - Sat July 10th: $1,225 4th Session: 1 week Sun July 11th - Sat July 17th: $725

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MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section GIRLS WITH CONFIDENCE

Various locations: Lithia-Main Center, Riverview, Apollo Beach, Brandon, Tampa, Lutz 813-571-2002; girlswithconfidence.com

Cost: Half and full day, $149-$249 for early registration through March 31

Girls With Confidence offers several unique, creative and fun camps for girls in grades K-12. Every camp day we focus on a new “confidence building” theme where we have meaningful discussions, activities and games and work on creative art projects and crafts. We are confident your girls will LOVE our camps. Come check out our new center located in Lithia. We have a little petting farm with goats and chickens.

Dates/Times: June 1 Aug. 6, times vary from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ages: 4-14, girls only

HILLEL ACADEMY PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33612 813-963-2242; hillelacademytampa.com

Cost: $225-$275/week (8 weeks available)

Hillel’s preschool camp will be held in our brand new state-of-the-art Early Learning Center building. This includes a large multi-purpose room, teaching kitchen and 5,000-square-foot outdoor playground. During themed weeks, campers have fun while working towards their social-emotional developmental milestones with centers, water play, hands-on activities, outdoor time and individualized attention.

Dates/Times: June 9 – July 30 Ages: 1-4 years, Coed

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

Laser Ops is a 24,000-square-foot entertainment center featuring a game arcade with more than 60 games, virtual reality gaming, tactical laser tag, archery tag and Bazooka Ball. The venue also features a large sports bar and grill, including a full liquor bar. Laser Ops is great for friends and family fun.

Cost: Varies Summer-Hours: M-Th 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri. 4-11 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ages: All ages, Coed

LIFE ACADEMY INC.

6520 Richies Way, Apollo Beach 33572 813-641-1922; abkidscamp.com Life Academy emphasizes hands-on life skills lessons. Our programs and activities encourage critical thinking and problem solving. STEM, swimming, horse experience, canoeing, bike track, food forest, gardens, fishing, tennis, karate, sports, crafts, cooking and more. Campers utilize our 7-acre facility and go home sweaty, dirty and tired every day.

Cost: Registration $125, full-time campers $145/ week, drop in $175/week Dates/Times: May 30 Aug. 10, M-F 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Ages: 5-13, Coed

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.

Cost: $125-225 Dates/Times: June-Aug., M-F, 9 a.m. to noon, 3, or 4 p.m. Ages: 3+, Coed

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. Fulland 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.

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

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.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

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

Summer Camp 2021 WHEN: WHAT: WHERE: COST: CONTACT:

June 14 through July 30 | 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Monday-Friday All school age children, ages 5-11 St. Raphael’s Catholic Church | 1376 Snell Isle Blvd. NE $175 per week or $45 per day, per child for part time $50 registration fee per family bhaire@st-raphaels.com | 727-823-7969 or 727-709-0060

* * * * *

Daily scheduled educational activities Low staff to child ratio; experienced staff Grassy field for sports and water play Shaded & fenced in playground Gym for group activities, classrooms, kitchen, cafeteria and restrooms * Secure waterfront campus Be a part of our summer of colors at the ‘cool’ place for the ‘hot’ summer!

Be a Happy Camper DELPHI 2021 SUMMER CAMP

6 Weeks of Incredible Fun! June 14th - July 23rd, each week filled with age appropriate activities for: Preschool - Ages 2-3 • Lower School - Ages 4-8 Elementary School - Ages 8-12 • Middle & High School - Ages 13-17

727-447-6385 www.delphifl.org MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

WATERSPORTS SUMMER CAMPS

WAKEBOARDING WAKESURFING

TUBING SWIMMING

ENDLESS WAVES - ENDLESS FUN - ENDLESS MEMORIES PERSONAL ONE ON ONE TRAINING CERTIFIED CPR AND FIRST AID STAFF BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 6-16

PROFESSIONAL PICTURE ALBUM 2 TRAINED STAFF MEMBERS PER BOAT LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

WWW.WAKESURFTAMPABAY.COM 804-300-1683

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section 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: 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!

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

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.

Cost: $150-$175 Dates/Times: May 31 July 2, 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. Ages: 6-17, Coed

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.

Cost: $175.00 per week, no registration and free uniform Dates/Times: May 31Aug. 6, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: 5-15, Coed

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.

Cost: $2,050-$3,600 Dates/Times: Overnight, June 6 - Aug. 6 Ages: 8-17, Female

VIOLINS 4 JOY SUMMER VIOLIN CAMPS 1189 NE Cleveland St., Clearwater 33755 727-285-8535; violins4joy.com

Cost: $100-$225/week

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.

Ages: 5-14, Coed

Dates: June 7-11

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.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

Cost: $320-$395/week Dates: March 15-18, June 7-11 and June 14-18 Ages: 12-18, Coed

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

Cost: $150/week

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

Dates/Times: June 1 July 30, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (camp activities 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Ages: K-8, Coed

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/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. COARSE FACIAL FEATURES

COULD IT BE HUNTER SYNDROME? COARSE FACIAL FEATURES

RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS

VALVE DISEASE

Silas, age 2

ENLARGED LIVER/SPLEEN AND ABDOMINAL HERNIA

Silas, age 5

ABDOMINAL HERNIA

A rare combination of common childhood RESPIRATORY CARPAL TUNNEL ENLARGED VALVE SYMPTOMS complaints SYNDROME LIVER/SPLEEN could indicate DISEASE Hunter syndrome (MPS II), a progressive, genetic disease.

KYPHOSIS/ SCOLIOSIS

ENLARGED VALVE LIVER/SPLEEN ADENOIDECTOMY/ DISEASE AND ABDOMINAL HERNIA DUE ADENOTONSILLECTOMY TO CHRONIC INFECTION

SKELETAL SYMPTOMS

ENLARGED ENLARGED AND DEVELOPMENTAL LIVER/SPLEEN TONGUE DELAYS ABDOMINAL HERNIA

If you suspect Hunter syndrome, talk to your doctor and visit Hunterpatients.com

Visit hunterpatients.com or talk to your doctor for more information about Hunter syndrome DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS

RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS COARSE FACIAL CURLED FEATURES FINGERS

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

ABDOMINAL HERNIA

SPOT ENLARGED

LIVER/SPLEEN ABDOMINAL TYMPANOSTOMY HERNIA

ENLARGED

COARSE FACIAL OTITIS KYPHOSIS/ LIVER/SPLEEN Recurrent Ear FEATURES MEDIA SCOLIOSIS Infections

CURLED FINGERS

TYMPANOST

THE CARPAL TUNNEL SIGNS SYNDROME CURLED FINGERS

CARPAL TUNNEL ABDOMINAL ADENOIDECTOMY/ SYNDROME HERNIA ADENOTONSILLECTOMY DUE TO CHRONIC INFECTION

OTITI CURLE HEARIN MEDI FINGER LOSS

Abdominal Hernia

RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS SKELETAL KYPHOSIS/ SYMPTOMS HEARING SCOLIOSIS LOSS

Joint Stiffness

LIVER/SPLEEN ENLARGED ADENOIDECTOMY/ Enlarged Tonsils COARSE TONGUEFACIAL DUE ADENOTONSILLECTOMY FEATURES /Adenoids TO CHRONIC INFECTION

COARSE FACIAL VALVE Coarse Facial SKELETAL FEATURES DISEASE BEHAVIOURAL SURGICAL SYMPTOMS Features PROBLEMS PROCEDURES

RESPIRATORY ABDOMINAL KYPHOSIS/ ENLARGED SYMPTOMS HERNIA SCOLIOSIS DEVELOPMENT TONGUE DELAYS

RESPIRATORY

ENLARGED

CARPAL T SYNDR BEHAVIOUR HEARIN ABDOM PROBLEM LOSS HER

ENLARGED

Respiratory Symptoms

ENLAR CURLE ADENOIDE BEHAVIOU LIVER/S FINGER ADENOTONSILL PROBLEM TO CHRONIC

SKELETAL ENLARGED ©2020 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. 300 Shire Way, Lexington, MA 02421. SYMPTOMS LIVER/SPLEEN SYMPTOMS VALVE 1-800-828-2088.LIVER/SPLEEN All rights reserved. TAKEDA and the TAKEDA logo are trademarks or AND DEVELOPMENTAL SURGICAL DEVELOPMENT registered trademarks of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. US-NON-3000v1.0.0 01/21 DISEASE ABDOMINAL HERNIA DEVELOPMENT DELAYS DELAYS

PROCEDURES

DELAYS

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

OTITIS MEDIA TYMPANOS

CARPAL T ENLAR SYNDR TONG KYPH SCO

Reflections

In March of 2020, kids were thrilled when they found out spring break would last an extra couple of weeks, thanks to this new coronavirus that everyone was talking about. Twelve months have passed, and many kids have not stepped into a classroom since that day. For some of us, it’s been a year since we’ve eaten at a restaurant, hugged our parents or traveled on a plane. While the year-old COVID-19 pandemic may have exposed divisions in our society, in many ways, it’s also done the opposite. It’s shown us how creativity, compassion and a collective determination to do what’s best for our community can translate into an everyday heroism that allows us to overcome almost anything. We asked some community members to share their thoughts as we come up on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic.

MANNY LETO, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER One of the first “From the Collections” videos we produced was a 4-minute look at Tampa’s 19th-century Yellow Fever epidemic. Just a month earlier, on March 14, the History Center closed to the public as Tampa faced another epidemic: COVID-19. A late-evening phone call with our CEO the night prior was followed by a statement issued to the media from my office. With that came the end of what was projected to be the History Center’s busiest year since 2009, when we opened to the public along Tampa’s almost-completed Riverwalk. Like most museums, we pivoted quickly to online content. Our mission – “discovering, preserving and learning from our region’s past to inform our common future” – doesn’t stop at our front door (and doesn’t even require a front door, really), so video content replaced in-person lectures and field trips and our social media platforms and website replaced darkened galleries. The History Center is home to nearly 100,000 artifacts, many of which you’ll likely never see – black and white photographs of buildings that no longer exist, maps to places where people no longer travel, uniforms worn in forgotten wars. Our “From the Collections” series is designed to feature some of these items, including one that has always caught my eye: A “health certificate” issued by Dr. John Wall in 1888. The now-faded and fragile document permitted its owner to travel into Tampa amid what would become one of the city’s deadliest outbreaks of the “Yellow Death.” The city was under quarantine, and many residents had packed up and headed for higher ground. Issued 132 years ago, this thin and brittle slip of paper felt heavy in our hands as we carefully placed it in front of the camera, adjusted the bright lights, and prepared to face our new reality.

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

ADDISON DAVIS, SUPERINTENDENT, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS On our one-year anniversary of COVID-19, I can openly say that I have grown so much as an educator, civil leader, husband and father. While I was shutting down 240-plus schools within my first week on the job and transitioning to remote learning, I didn’t know that in a parallel perspective, I would be redefining educational practices for many years to come. Without a doubt, COVID-19 has advanced our way of work and exacerbated the realities surrounding the intellectual, social, emotional and digital divide. However, I am blown away with the fluidity of how our students, teachers, support professionals, leaders, board members and families have reacted during unprecedented times. Our employees have been nothing less than heroic, working tirelessly to provide high quality educational experiences for every student, in every classroom, every day. Collectively, we built the airplane while it is in the air. I am so proud of our community for trusting Hillsborough County Public Schools with our most precious assets: our students. Together, we will “Accelerate Hillsborough.”

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One Year of COVID-19:

KATE WHITE, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS AT GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Like all cultural attractions, the Glazer Children’s Museum has been impacted by the pandemic. But as I reflect on the last year, I’m focused on the positive. I think of how our amazing staff has risen to meet the needs of our community. From creating engaging virtual content to developing our new Family Play Projects, this team has shown flexibility in the face of uncertainty. I also think of how the families we serve have grown and evolved. We’ve seen more caregiver engagement and more time spent playing together, which deepens family connections. Play provides respite and helps children cope with stress. Playing at GCM has given the children in our community a sense of normalcy during a tumultuous year. Most of all, I feel proud that we have been able to provide a clean, safe and fun place for kids to just be kids.

JOSEPH A. COUCEIRO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ZOOTAMPA We were no exception to the challenges of 2020, but our purpose did not waver—in fact, it became even more important! We stayed focused on our responsibilities as a leading zoological institution: to provide our community with a safe place for families to connect with one another and with nature; to protect and preserve wildlife; and to provide an unwavering level of care to the animals that call ZooTampa home. After the closure, we reopened with a new “Get Wild Safely” plan and mindset. We remained focused on our mission, but with special precautions for the well-being of our employees, guests and animals to ensure that members of our community could experience the much-needed mental health benefits and comfort that being outdoors and connecting with nature provides. Despite the challenges, we learned and grew in 2020, and are proud of the perseverance our team demonstrated on behalf of our vision: to inspire everyone we touch to join us in taking action to protect and preserve wildlife.

BABETTE BAILEY, MSN RN CCRN, DIRECTOR OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL I try to focus on the positive, even amidst the challenges the pandemic brought the world, our community and our hospitals. While this past year has been tough, I continue to be amazed at how our team members across BayCare have risen to the occasion. Each of us had to learn about a new and very contagious virus. From doctors and nurses to the many departments that support our front line, we’ve had to think outside the box as new hurdles came our way. We adapted and we learned, and we lifted each other up in times of uncertainty. It has been a tough road to travel at times, but the outpouring of support we’ve received from our community has been amazing to see. It’s brought me a new perspective on life—and brought our community closer. As we continue to be challenged by this pandemic, I am confident that we will get through it together.

ALICE C. SANTANA, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE STRAZ CENTER It feels so weird to say that we are one year into this pandemic! Our lives at the Straz Center quickly changed when our theaters went dark to keep everyone safe. Looking back on this year, I am proud to say that we continued to keep the arts alive in new and unique ways through producing virtual content, hosting Patel Conservatory classes in hybrid settings and opening our outdoor Riverwalk Stage in a new socially distant way. I’ve also found a new appreciation for working from home, all while selfishly enjoying having my daughter e-learning here with me.

MARCH 2021 TampaBayParenting.com

THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP:

SPONSORED

How Anxiety Affects Kids and Teens by Luis Ortiz, M.D., pediatric sleep physician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your child’s life. Quality sleep can help protect children’s mental and physical health, quality of life and safety. During National Sleep Awareness Week this March, learn about the importance of sleep, how anxiety impacts it and warning signs that your child may be having sleep problems.

WHY IS SLEEP SO IMPORTANT?

Sleep is also involved in healing and repair of heart and blood vessels, hormonal regulation of weight and energy and modulation of the immune system. Over a lifetime, ongoing sleep deficiency is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP PROBLEMS? Difficulty going to sleep, frequent night awakenings, nightmares and sleep terrors are some of the symptoms of trouble sleeping at night. When a child does not sleep enough, they are more likely to feel tired and sluggish during the day, have difficulty focusing on their school work and potential problems getting along with others. Other symptoms may include: • • • •

Feeling angry and impulsive Mood swings Feeling sad, anxious or depressed, or lacking motivation Being irritable or emotional

TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021

HOW IS ANXIETY RELATED TO SLEEP? The COVID-19 pandemic has created new anxieties and caused inconsistent sleep schedules. Anxiety and sleep problems feed each other and create a cycle. If a child is anxious, they may not be able to fall asleep. Poor sleep means they are more likely to be anxious. Creating the best sleep environment and schedule is one way to reduce anxiety.

HOW CAN WE REDUCE ANXIETY-RELATED SLEEP PROBLEMS? Ensure a set bedtime and wake time, allowing the child to have an age-appropriate amount of time to sleep (i.e., a 10-year-old should get about 10 hours of sleep). Older kids may need less and younger kids need more sleep. Limit electronics an hour before bedtime. TV programs, video games and social media can result in anxiety by raising concerns regarding job security or life and death in family members, or

may contain fanciful scary content. Eliminate caffeine, as this can interfere with a child’s ability to go to sleep. Caffeine is found in teas, coffee and soda. A child with anxiety should be given an opportunity to express their concerns earlier during the day or before bed by talking to their parent and/or writing them down. Try deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation exercises before sleep. There are many apps available that help relax our brains.

SHOULD CHILDREN WITH ANXIETY TAKE MEDICATIONS TO HELP THEM GO TO SLEEP? Some children may benefit from medications, but this should be paired with a strict bedtime and wake time schedule, learning meditation and excellent sleep hygiene. Ideally, the child should be evaluated by a physician familiar with both medications as well as cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia first.

For more information about sleep issues or to schedule an appointment, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org/SleepClinic.

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While your kids are sleeping, their brains are preparing for the next day and forming new pathways to help them learn and remember information. Sleeps helps children pay attention better, make decisions and be creative. In studies evaluating the importance of sleep in kids, lack of sleep in children and teens is associated with increased symptoms of ADHD, anxiety and depression, as well as worse grades in school.

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March 2021

Articles inside

WHAT’S TRENDING ON

THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP: How anxiety

ONE YEAR AFTER COVID-19 CHANGED OUR

JOY OF CAMPING: Why summer camps are

WRITE ON: How to help young writers find

SPRING INTO STEM AT MOSI: From camps to

EARLY LEARNING MATTERS ON EVERY

SUMMER FUN AT THE YMCA: Find the per

WILD KRATTS! CREATURE POWER! Discover

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION: Read about the

TRIED AND TRUE: Staycation ideas at

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Visit

FRESH START: Tips from experts on

BACK TO THE BEACH: A day trip to

MOMS TO KNOW: Meet Farah Modi-Khan and

GOING NATIVE IN THE GARDEN

NOTEWORTHY: Highlights for March 2021

CHAMPIONING A CAUSE: How the