2019 Summer CAMP GUIDE tampabay.com/summerfun
Your Gui d e to Summe r Fun! TAMPA BAY TIMES SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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Prep 101
Don’t let summer camp season sneak up on you. Here are tips to make getting kids off to camp a breeze. By Virginia Pelley, Times correspondent
Of course you don’t want to rush a decision, but once you and your child have found the perfect camp, you should register sooner rather than later. Here’s why, and other tips to keep in mind.
REGISTRATION Popular camps can fill up fast, and early-bird discounts and scholarship application deadlines might crop up sooner than you think. A good rule of thumb is to give some thought to summer camp when kids start school or ,failing that, over the holiday break. Request brochures via email or phone from camps you have your eye on, and visit a few of their websites and fill out forms requesting registration information updates for the
upcoming summer programs to give you a jump on the selection process. If you haven’t signed kids up for camp yet for this summer, don’t panic – many parks and rec day camps won’t even start the registration process until April, and some even allow drop-ins for the day. Generally, the earlier you start researching, the more options you’ll have to choose from.
BUDGET Camp costs vary widely: Day camps offered by local parks and recreation departments can cost as little as $80 for the whole summer, while some residential programs could top $3,000 in weekly fees. Check out your options before assuming you can’t afford to send your child to camp. Also keep in mind that 93 percent of accredited camps offer financial aid, so ask which ones you might qualify for. Many camps also offer discounts for earlybird registration, discounts if parents are members of the organization offering the camp, discounts for multi-child families, discounts if your child is returning to the camp or alumni fee breaks if parents went to the camp as children. Be careful about nonrefundable deposits if you’re not sure your child will end up attending a particular camp. You stand to lose a few hundred bucks, depending on how much of a deposit a camp asks for and what their cancellation policies are, so be sure to ask about the cancellation policy before plunking down the deposit. Also, if you work during the day and your child goes to day camp, ask your tax preparer whether you qualify for the child and dependent tax credit. (There’s also information at IRS.gov.) You might be able to claim a tax credit of up to $1,050 for a
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child under 13, or $2,100 if you have two or more dependents attending day camp. Residential camps usually don’t qualify for this credit, and another catch is that the camp must report camp fees as taxable income (they likely do unless the camp is super-duper small and unlicensed, which you should avoid anyway).
WAIT-LISTING Many camps have a waiting list and move kids into registration from it when or if they receive cancellations. Whether it’s worth it really depends on how much you and your child are into a particular camp, but to keep kids from being disappointed if they can’t get in, have a backup camp in mind so he or she doesn’t wind up campless this summer. Make sure you understand a camp’s wait list requirements before opting to put your child on it. Some camps don’t ask for any money to wait-list kids, but others will ask for a deposit to put them on a list. Some camps even ask that parents submit the full payment for camp just to get on the wait list. Camps will refund this money if your child isn’t able to attend camp, however, unlike many registration deposits.
INSURANCE Camps typically require proof that campers have health insurance coverage, so make sure you take care of that when you register. You might also consider additional accident insurance specifically for kids away at camp, but it isn’t a necessity. Another type of insurance you might want is trip cancellation insurance, which is similar to what airlines offer If you’re concerned that you might have to cancel camp for your child, some camps offer cancellation insurance so you won’t lose your money.
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Camping out
Tips for weighing summer camp options and choosing the perfect one for your kids By Virginia Pelley, Times correspondent Sure, there are a dizzying number of camps to mull over, but you’ve got this! Here’s some expert advice to help you pick the best camp for your child.
Let kids’ personalities and comfort levels guide you
Picking the right camp requires careful consideration of who your child is. You might have played outside all summer long as a kid, but your child might prefer theater training, STEM classes or cooking courses. Will she be a quieter camper or a behavioral handful who might do better with a smaller kid-to-counselor ratio? Would he be happier with a number of activity options to choose from daily, or would a camp with more focus and structure be a better fit? Do they or she seem terrified at the idea of a three-week sleep-away camp or act like they can’t wait to go? Chronological age doesn’t matter as much as kids’ emotional maturity, notes Myra Pravda, RN, co-author of Off to Camp (offtocamp.com) and The Basics of Camp Nursing and one of the founders of the Association of Camp Nurses. Some kids might be ready at 7, while others might not be comfortable with residential camp until they’re in middle school or later. If your child is ready and excited to go to sleep-away camp, you might want to start them off on a more traditional camp rather than a specialized one so they can learn about camp and how to be away from home first, Pravda advises. Plus, many traditional camps offer a variety of activity options, so kids can get
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QUESTIONS FOR CAMP DIRECTORS
Be sure to ask camp directors these questions in your pre-registration interviews:
“How would you describe the camp culture?” It might sound likely to generate a canned marketing response, but how directors describe their camps in a couple of sentences tells you a lot about its philosophy, focus and atmosphere. Do they emphasize free expression or discipline, or excellence in sports performance? Consider whether the response suggests your child will feel at home there, because that’s ultimately more important than the activities a camp offers and its facilities. The counselors
and campers will have the biggest impact on a child’s experience at camp. “What is the camper-tocounselor ratio, and what is your staff retention rate?” Florida’s maximum staff-tochild ratio is 1:25; while national recommendations are between 1:8 and 1:15 for school-aged campers, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Camps should have more adults than CITs (counselors in training) running the show. The American Camp Association (ACA)
recommends that 80 percent of a camp’s staff be at least 18 years old. A good counselor return rate is generally 40 to 60 percent, and another good sign is when a good portion of the staff grew up attending the camp themselves. “How does the camp ensure the safety of campers?” Other good questions, Pravda points out, are “What is your emergency procedure, and what kind of safety training does your staff get?” Ask whether there are nurses or doctors on staff, how often they’re on site and what See QUESTIONS, on page 6
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a feel for an area of interest and decide if they want to go whole hog with it next year and attend a more focused camp. When kids are small, it’s best to not involve them in the decision-making process until you’ve narrowed your options down to three camps, suggests Alyssa Greenberger, regional camp expert for the Camp Experts & Teen Summers (campexperts .com). Little kids can be seduced by an online video and become myopic about a camp that might be unsuitable for whatever reason. “With regards to our teen programs, we believe teens should be involved if they’re looking to explore their passions before applying to college,” she says.
Connect with the camp Online research is a good initial tool, but it’s just the first step in choosing a camp. Internet marketing copy and slick promotional videos might not give you an accurate picture. Meet with the camp director if possible, Pravda suggests, via Skype if not in person. Some camp directors will even do home recruitment seminars for several families, where they answer questions and show slides of the camp for interested parents, she adds, so consider hosting one. An expert-level prep move is visiting a prospective camp when it’s in session the year before you’re thinking of registering your child, Greenberger says. Some experts recommend scheduling a tour during the week, when staff is less busy with other visiting parents than they are on weekends. Watch for kids wandering about unsupervised and observe whether the staff notices and seems able to keep campers engaged as much as possible. If an in-person visit isn’t feasible, call and talk to directors about whether your child would be successful at the camp. They should give you feedback about whether they think their camp is a good fit. Camp directors should have questions for you, too. Many camps require parents to fill out personality profiles to help directors learn about their kids. They might ask what kids are afraid of, what they’re excited about and what they hope to gain from camp, as well as whether they have learning or behavioral challenges. Good camps will often call parents after they receive responses to follow up, as well.
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From QUESTIONS, on page 4 procedures are in place if a camper needs to be taken to emergency facilities. You should also inquire about what kind of safety training counselors and CITs receive. Make sure you discuss a care plan with camp directors if your child takes medications regularly. Campers are usually not allowed to keep medications in their quarters, so organized and responsible health care procedures regarding camper meds are crucial. “Big camps are now having parents send medication to a third-party company that packages it for daily dosages and sends them to camp,” Pravda notes. Distributing medication to campers is tremendously time consuming for camp nurses, she explains, so many camps now want an outside company to prepackage it. Also ask how the camp deals with health insurance for your child. You might want to consult your insurance company, too. If parents’ insurance is out of state, emergency or other services for a child away at camp might not be covered.
“Is your camp accredited?” There are numerous high-quality camps that have not gone through the ACA accreditation process, but knowing that a camp is accredited can offer parents peace of mind in a number of important areas. The ACA requires camps to run criminal background checks on staff and uphold 300 standards for safety, hiring practices and facilities maintenance. (Visit Acacamps.org to learn more.) “If the camp isn’t accredited, ask why not?” Pravda suggests. “Ask if they meet those standards and how they hire staff.” “Can I see a typical day plan for campers?” Camp should be more than just a daylong free-for-all for children, and should be a mix of planned activities and activities of kids’ choosing with both indoor and outdoor time, the Florida Department of Children and Families recommends. “Will kids have adequate shade and shelter, even if camp activities are mainly outside?” Southeast summer heat is no joke, so kids should have access to adequate shade during their sessions.
Best.
Summer. Ever.
The ultimate guide to great summer camps in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties By Virginia Pelley, Times correspondent
It’s not an exaggeration to say that summer camp can change kids’ lives. Camp provides an amazing opportunity for children to develop skills, self-confidence and self-reliance while having fun and making new friends. Being on their own outside of the confines of school shows them they can solve problems and connect with others, which are crucial life skills. As exciting as choosing a great camp for your child is, however,
researching summer camps can feel like a second job. You ask around, probe Facebook friends and endlessly Google trying to figure out which camps are right for your child, not to mention which are actually happening this summer. But here’s some good news! We’ve done the work for you in our annual guide to some of the best summer camps in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Whether your child would prefer a classic, well-rounded camp experience or would
KIDS WHO LOVE THE CATWALK
YOUNG SCIENTISTS
For the third year, IMG Fashion Camp brings top models, influencers and industry professionals to Bradenton to teach campers the ins and outs of the fashion industry. The one-week program takes place at the end of June and teaches kids how to build a personal brand and create content. Last summer, visiting speakers included models Hailey Baldwin and Halima Aden, and fashion photographer Russell James. Campers 14 to 20 years old can attend sessions during the day or board at top-notch facilities on campus with a pool and sand volleyball court.imgacademy.com/FashionCamp-At-IMG-Academy
Kids probe hidden and fascinating secrets of the Tampa Bay estuary at Estuary EDventures Summer Camp in Tierra Verde. Six-to-5-year-olds explore native habitats and learn about marine ecology during boating and snorkeling trips with professional staff trained in first aid/CPR as their guides. Campers also collect unique species inhabiting the estuary. Weekly camp sessions are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but there is a mornings-only Sea Monkey Camp program for children 6 to 8 years old. Full scholarships are available, and Tampa Bay Watch members receive a $35 discount per child when they sign kids up early. See their website for a PDF camp brochure for parents, and contact Jordan Findley at Jordan@ tampabaywatch.org with questions. tampabaywatch.org
love to spend his or her summer perfecting a craft or skill, we’ve got you covered in our list of more than 50 summer camps organized by area of interest. Have fun choosing, and get kids ready to have the best summer of their lives! (Note: This list is not meant to be comprehensive, and camp programs are coed unless otherwise noted. Contact camp directors for up-to-date information.)
Teens get expert guidance in engineering and robotics at the Florida Advanced Technology Education Center (FLATE) Robotics Camp at Hillsborough Community College’s Brandon campus. Campers learn to apply 3-D modeling and printing in real-world manufacturing, hone programming skills and get hands-on instruction in robotics. FLATE also offers a girlsonly intro camp in early June. Check the website for other locations and other registration information. fL-ate.org/programs/summer-camps Building robots and extracting DNA are just two exciting, hands-on science activities grade-school kids take part
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in during MOSI Summer Science Camps. MOSI also partnered with Hillsborough Community College to offer the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Academy (tampatraining.com) for kids in middle school. MOSI members get discounts at registration, and scholarships are available. Campers need to bring their own unrefrigerated lunches. Call 813-987-6000 or email sciencecamp@mosi.org for info. mosi.org/ summer-camp
SPORTS FANATICS USF Soccer Camps in Tampa help girls and boys (campers are separated by gender) improve their ball control and technical skills in half-day training sessions with professional coaches. The full-day camps held at the University of South Florida campus accommodate all skill levels, and there’s a separate futsal (indoor soccer with five players per team) for 7-to-16-year-olds. A weeklong residential camp experience also is available with separate programs for kids and teens 10 to 18 years old. usfsoccercamps.com Northdale’s Extreme Youth Sports summer enrichment camp welcomes kids who are entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Kids participate in a broad range of indoor and outdoor activities, including martial arts, tumbling, hip-hop and cheerleading, soccer, math and science, the arts and much more. Camp coaches are certified teachers and some are former professional sports figures. Campers also take field trips to see movies, play video games and jump in a bounce house. Paying for weeks of camp in advance gets you a cheaper rate; or go with the higher but more flexible plan and pay by the week. extremeyouthsports.com/summer-camps-northdale-westchase If needed, golf clubs are provided to 6-to-18-year-old campers of all skill levels at Tampa’s First Tee Summer Golf Camp, offered by a nonprofit program branch of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA. Kids get golfing guidance as well as instruction in core values and leadership during weeklong sessions. Early drop-off and late pick up are available. See a sample day of camp activities, registration information and financial assistance criteria at thefirstteetampabay.org. Instructors are serious about sharpening kids’ offensive and defensive skills, fine-tuning their technique and helping them progress via mental and physical conditioning at IMG Academy Camps in Bradenton. Kids 10-to 18-years-old can immerse themselves during three-week or five-week intensive sessions in baseball, football, golf, soccer, tennis or lacrosse. Some programs are coed or separated into girls’ and boys’ sections; football and baseball programs are for boys only. imgacademy.com/youth-sports-camps, 800-872-6425 Strykerz KidFit Martial Arts Summer Camps in St. Pete and Clearwater boost kids’ confidence and self-respect while they learn valuable skills and get physically fit. Campers also learn relaxation techniques via classes in meditation and yoga in addition to traditional martial arts and soccer. Camp focuses on weekly themes such as Hapkido, Muay Thai; check their website for schedule. Kids also take field trips to the zoo, water parks and Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Pete. Parents can choose full or halfday sessions and after-care is available until 6:30 p.m. strykerzkidfit.com “Fly. Hit. Never Quit.” The Seminole Warhawks Youth Football Camp will be held this summer June 10 – 14. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The camp will take place at the Seminole High School football field. Price: $130. seminolewarhawksfootball.com
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GYMNASTS
SEAFARER
La Fleur’s Gymnastics Club’s Gym & Swim Summer Fun Camp in Tampa offers fun, flexible programs to help kids 4 to 12 years old stay active for the day, the week or all summer long. Campers who are 4 are only eligible for half days, but older children can spend the day improving gymnastics technique and form, honing ball skills, playing games and swimming (with parental permission) in an indoor heated pool. Drinks and snacks are provided and before- and after-care (until 6 p.m.) is available for $5 an hour. Teacher-to-student ratios are 8:1 for 5 to 12-yearolds; 6:1 for 4-year-olds; and 7:1 during pool time. lafleurstampa.com/camps
Pool and waterfront games are the focus at this camp for kids who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade in Clearwater. The Little Captains Summer Camp offered by Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg goes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and after-care is available until 5:30 p.m. Older campers can be junior camp counselors or counselors in training; kids in junior high can be junior counselors. Check the website for registration information and camp session themes, including pirate invasion and camp carnival. Admiral Farragut Academy also offers camps specifically for basketball and STEM, and a lacrosse program for boys. farragut.org
Kids as young as 3 (and who are fully potty trained) and as old as 18 can sign up for half or full days at Premier Gymnastics Club in Wesley Chapel. In addition to gymnastics training, kids get gym and trampoline time plus watch movies, play games and do arts and crafts. Campers are grouped by age and camp is organized around fun weekly themes such as Hawaiian Islands, Baby Shark and Slime. Full-day campers need to bring lunch. Ask about discounts for siblings and before- and after-care, which is available at additional cost. premiergymnasticsclub.com/summer-camp, 813-973-9920
Mornings are spent doing arts and crafts, playing outdoor games and learning new skills, and afternoons are devoted to fun in the pool at Camp Seal at Seal Swim School in Lutz. Campers 4 to 10 years old participate in a wide variety of fun activities including science experiments, archery and making Silly Putty in addition to swimming, which is taught by instructors certified in
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water safety. Camp Seal takes child safety seriously out of the water, too: Parents must present ID and sign children in and out each day with the camp director or supervisor. Camp runs from May 29 to Aug. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and before- and after-care is available. Kids can attend by the week or all summer long. sealswimschool.com/campseal/general-info Big adventure awaits at the Tarpon Springs-based Odyssey Expeditions Teen Summer SCUBA Educational Diving Marine Biology Camps. Teen Summer Educational SCUBA Diving Marine Biology Camps expedition in the British Virgin Islands group camps by age, co-ed two-week camp, no experience necessary, student participants are 13 to 25 years old but Odyssey arranges voyages by age, and groups friends and siblings together as well, upon request. See the website for details, including purchase and or rental requirements for the SCUBA programs and registration. odysseyexpeditions.com Little Mariners (5-to-7-year-olds) become more familiar with the water while learning about boating and dock safety, paddling and sailing; and older campers (5 to 17) explore the protected waters of Frenchmen’s Creek in Boca Ciega Bay and learn to kayak, canoe, sail, windsurf, wakeboard, water ski or saltwater fish at Eckerd College Summer Watersports Camp in St. Petersburg. Parents can choose half-day or full-day
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programs, and sessions are available from early June to early August. Kids receive a certification of completion at the end of this camp, which has been serving kids for more than 45 years. eckerd.edu/waterfront/camp Clearwater Community Sailing Center’s summer camp program offers beginners and more experienced sailors 8-to-17-yearsold top-notch sailing instruction during weeklong, full-day sessions divided by age and skill level. Halfday programs (choose morning or afternoons) are available for Little Puffs (5-to-7-year-olds), and in addition to sailing lessons, those who meet weight requirements can try windsurfing as well. Also available is “Camp Awesome,” a program specifically for 9-to-16-year-olds with highfunctioning Asperger’s and
autism. clearwatercommunitysailing.org/summer-campprogram, 727-517-7776
BUDDING MUSICIANS Pinellas County Summer Music Camps in Largo accommodate children from 5 to 12 whether they’re beginners with an interest in music or already have a chosen instrument and want to improve their skills. General music camp is a full-day program (or kids
can sign up for half-day sessions) in June to study drums, vocals, rock band or orchestra with seasoned musicians. See website for session requirements and registration information. pinellassummercamp.com Children 4 to 12 years old receive expert instruction in singing, keyboards, piano, drums, guitar and bass at Rockatar Music Academy & Studios’ Summer Music Camp in South Tampa and in Westchase. Kids 13 and older can attend the Summer Rock Band program. Camp is in session from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and parents can book kids by the week; programs take place from early June to early July. For more information, call 813-404-9194 or email michael@rockatar.com.rockataracademy.com/ summer-camp
EMPOWERMENT-FOCUSED
(GIRLS ONLY!)
A team of all female-identifying volunteers help girls 7 to 17 build self-confidence and community while rocking out with seasoned instructors at Girls Rock St. Pete summer camp. Girls work on songwriting and developing skills in their chosen instruments, and in addition to music lessons, they learn self-defense, yoga, zine creation, meditation and creative writing in a fun, supportive atmosphere. The camp runs from July 15 to July 19 with a showcase for parents on July 20. girlsrockstpete.org
Girls in fifth grade and up can zip line through pine trees behind the mangroves of St. Joseph Sound at Camp Wai Lani (which means “beautiful waters”), a 48-acre camp in Palm Harbor. Wai Lani is just one top-notch camp offered by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, which have summer programs for girls in first through 12th grades; check their website for specifics regarding each camp. Choose day camp or a residential program at ACA-accredited Camp Wai Lani, Camp Indian Echo in Hudson, Camp Wildwood in Wildwood (in Sumter County) and STEM Summer Day Camp at Camp Dorothy Thomas for half-week, full-week or two-week sessions. New this year is a two-week residential option. Girl Scout membership isn’t required; find a brochure online for further details, including information about add-on camp experiences, such as horseback riding and culinary arts camps. Parents can tour camps in winter and spring. gswcf.org/en/camps/summer-camp .html Girls work together to solve environmental problems in the world today, keep up their interest in reading and create lifelong friendships at Environmental Science S.M.A.R.T. Summer Camp offered by Girls Incorporated of Pinellas. Girls 5 to 18 are welcome and placed into age-appropriate activity groups. Summer Bridge Reading
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and Literacy Program materials, meals, snacks and field trips are included in camp fees. Camp runs from early June to early August and extended hours accommodate parents’ schedules from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. girlsinc-pinellas.org/s-c
THE ARTISTICALLY INCLINED New this year is a full-day camp experience for kids in fifth through ninth grades at Film Camp at Tampa Theatre, where young auteurs (in third grade through 12th) can learn about all aspects of digital filmmaking, from storyboarding and conceptualization to production and editing. Campers make their own short films in live-action camp or sign up for stopmotion animation filmmaking camp, where they’ll work with clay, LEGOs or other materials. All equipment is provided and campers will have a completed three-to-five-minute film at the end of their session. Visit the website for schedule and registration information and direct questions to Dawn@tampatheatre.org. tampatheatre.org/educationoutreach/film-camp The mission of Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center in St. Petersburg is to serve adults with disabilities, but the center also offers summer programs for 6-to-12-year olds of all abilities. Each week of Summer Art Around the World Youth Camp is assigned an inspiring theme, such as Madagascar, Australia and China that informs kids’ instruction in working with clay. Full-day sessions are limited to just 12 students and begin in early June and end in late
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July, and the Pinellas County School System provides lunch for campers. Note that Creative Clay moved to a new location: 1846 First Ave. S. creativeclay.org/summer-camp Glazer Children’s Museum Summer Camp Imagination provides an artistically and culturally enriching summer for children 5 to 10 years old. Divided into small groups by age, kids explore the world in fun weekly themes, such as world beat, which covers Brazilian Capoeira, Hawaiian ukulele songs and the Chinese dragon dance; camping and stargazing; dinosaurs; the science of cooking; and engineering and robotics. Camp runs from early June to early August and scholarships and after-care (until 6 p.m.) are available. glazermuseum.org/camps Camps offered by the Tampa Bay Area Writing Project ICE (Imaginative, Creative Explorers) and FIRE (Fiercely Imaginative and Remarkably Expressive) in Pasco County teach 8-to16-year-olds about the writing craft, revision and how to give and receive feedback in a challenging but fun, structured and supportive atmosphere. Two-week, all-day programs at several locations in Tampa
and St. Petersburg are available. Parents should be advised that the program is not for kids struggling with writing but rather for kids who love to write and want to develop their skills. The application process requires a writing sample. tbyouthwriters.com/i-c-e The Dunedin Fine Art Center Summer Camp immerses kids 4½ to 16 years old in camp programs focusing on specific interests, including musical theater, art of a variety of cultures and media, murals and iPad art creation. Age-appropriate themes such as dinosaurs, dragons, sharks and graffiti make learning and creation fun. Camp offerings are separated by age groups, so check the website schedule to see when your kids are eligible to attend. Several scholarships are available and kids can bring a lunch or purchase food and drinks at the Palm Café ($6.50 per day or $26 for the week). dfac.org/kids-corner/summer-camp The Patel Conservatory in downtown Tampa offers many excellent programs for children 3 to 17 years old who are interested in dance, theater or music. Kids of all skill levels can take jazz, tap and ballet; study theater, musical theater or technical theater production; and receive instruction in voice and in many musical instruments. Programs for junior high and high school students might require that kids have some performance experience, so contact the conservatory for registration requirements.
Campers can attend half days, full days, for one week or five, or even register for a residential intensive program. Longer camp sessions close with stage performances by students. strazcenter.org/Education-Outreach/ Patel-Conservatory
DANCE ENTHUSIASTS Contempo School of Dance Summer Camps in Lutz offers several themed sessions in dance instruction for kids from 3 to 17 years of age, including Nonstop Hip-Hop Camp, Ballet Intensive, Musical Theater Camp and Dance Sampler Camp, to name a few. Check the website for the schedule of weeklong camps grouping campers by age that take place in June and July. Camps are held in either mornings or afternoons; one for teens is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. contempodance.com Half days filled with creative movement, storytelling and crafts will spark a love for dance among 3-to-5-yearold “tiny dancers” at Dancebox Studio summer camp in Tampa. Dancebox has a separate program for 5-to7-year-olds from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and kids 7 and up can take summer dance intensives (in ballet, jazz and more) from 5 to 8 p.m. Sign kids up for one to three weeks for expert dance instruction in a supportive and inclusive environment. Call 813-515-7993 or email Corrine (corinne@danceboxtampa.com) for more information. danceboxtampa.com/summer-program
Lisa Schmiedeke offers summer dance camp at her award-winning Tampa studio, Ms. Lisa’s Dance, in separate sessions for 3-to-6-year-olds and 6-to-13-yearolds. Campers learn dance, tumbling and cheerleading skills from instructors certified in dance and acrobatics. Plus, they do arts and crafts and prepare snacks corresponding with fun weekly themes. Camp sessions have a 9:1 studentto-teacher ratio and after-care is available until 3 p.m. Campers should come fully potty trained, with ballet or gym shoes and with hair out of their faces. For more information, call 813-253-5472 or email mslisasdancestudio@gmail.com. mslisasdancestudio.com Princess Dance Camp attendees, who are 4 to 7, learn about ballet and jazz, enjoy storytelling and have tea parties in addition to dance instruction at Suncoast Dance Academy summer dance camps at Suncoast Gymnastics Academy in Odessa. Suncoast also offers a Disney-themed dance camp for 5-to-7-year-olds and a program of ballet, jazz and musical theater for children 8 and older. Instructors accommodate all skill levels and sessions are half days, from 9 a.m. to noon, for one week each. suncoastgymnastics.com
YOUNG THESPIANS There’s no better way to learn the ropes of theater production than on a professional stage with experienced instructors, which is what children and teens experience at Largo Theater Camp. Kids get a taste of the audition process in addition to acting,
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singing and dancing on stage. Campers more interested in backstage work can sign up for Technical Theatre Production Camp supporting Disney’s Aladdin Jr. and learn about lighting, staging and sound. Camp sessions are open to residents and nonresidents (at slightly higher rates) and scholarships are available, as is before- and after-care for additional fees. largoarts.com Kids who live for the stage will have a blast learning the fundamentals of singing, dancing and acting during Summer Stock at The Acting Studio in Lutz during twoweek-long, full-day camp sessions. The Acting Studio developed its program with R.A.I.S.E. (Relevant Arts Instruction Focused on SelfEsteem), making this theater camp an inclusive, confidence-building experience where they’ll blossom. Extensive before- and after-care from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. available; kids will need to bring a lunch and money for snacks. Call or email for registration information: 813-679-4810; theactingstudio@ hotmail.com. theactingstudiotampa.com/summer-programs Dress-Up Fridays and Kona Ice Thursdays are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of summer fun at Carrollwood Cultural Center Summer Camp in Tampa. Kids 4 to 13 explore dance, art, drama and music in accordance with weekly themes (such as superheroes and Medieval Mayhem), and campers 11 to 13 even work on a theater production together. Camps are full days throughout the summer, and free early drop-off and late pickup (until 5:30 p.m.) is available (parents need to register for
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after-care in advance, however, because space is limited). Note that 4-year-olds need to be fully potty trained in order to attend. See the website for early bird and member discounts. carrollwoodcenter.org
HISTORY BUFFS Certified teachers help kids probe the myths of pirates during the Tampa Bay History Center’s Swashbuckling Summer camp or explore American Girls of three different time periods in educational programs for children 7 to 11 years old. Campers play games indoors and outdoors (including water fun on Fridays at Cotanchobee Park), work on crafts, explore the gallery and learn from guest speakers in weeklong, full-day camps offered in June and July. Member discounts and after-care are available. tampabayhistorycenter.org/camps
ANIMAL LOVERS Seven-to-11-year-olds with a strong interest in nature will love learning about herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles, and wildlife ecology at camps in Tarpon Springs and St. Petersburg presented by George L. Heinrich of Heinrich Ecological Services. The Brooker Creek Preserve Camp helps kids develop an
appreciation for the natural world by providing expert guidance in the exploration of the ecosystems of the Weedon Island Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Weeklong sessions take place in June and July. brookercreekpreserve.org/summer-camps Operated by nonprofit Lowry Park Zoological Society, ZooTampa summer camps serve kids who have completed kindergarten through the eighth grade. Choose weeklong sessions with a specific learning focus, including art creation with upcycled materials, animal rescue and care from zookeepers and veterinarians and animal habitats. In addition, kids explore the Tree Top Trails, work on themed crafts and play games. Kids attend full days (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with lunch provided, and extended care until 6 p.m. is available for an additional fee. High school students who have completed ninth grade and are interested in working with children can enroll in a counselor-in-training program. Call 813-935-8552 ext. 268 or email Jamie.Elkington@lowryparkzoo.org for more information. zootampa.org/camps/ St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Summer Camps welcome kids as young as 3 (potty trained) to attend its Sprouts Camp and kids up to age 13 in other camps, grouped by age. Via interactive games, crafts and hands-on exploration, campers learn about conservation, ecosystems and Florida wildlife, including reptiles and amphibians, birds of prey in Raptor Camp in full-day camps. After-care is available until 5 p.m. stpeteparksrec.org/boyd-hill-camps .html
During full-day camp sessions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, kids in kindergarten through eighth grade go behind the scenes at the world-class theme park, interacting with many of the 12,000 animals of Busch Gardens and enjoying age-appropriate rides and activities. High school kids can sign up to be counselors-in-training. Choose themed camps such as zookeepers, where kids learn how to feed and care for the park’s wildlife; and thrill seekers, in which kids get up close and personal with roller coasters to see how they work and compete in challenges. Catered lunch and snacks provided; kids get a T-shirt, too. buschgardens.com, 813-884-4FUN (4386) Sea horses, pipefish and sea dragons are the featured animals of the Florida Aquarium’s 2019 AquaCamp. Campers 3 to 18 years old get comprehensive, fun and age-appropriate instruction in environmental science, learning about alligators, manatees, stingrays, birds and much more in this guided exploration of sand and sea. Campers go on exciting field trips and teens 12-to-15 are eligible for the SCUBA adventure camp. Camps are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and before- and after-care is available. Ask about member discounts and note that 3-and-4-year-olds need to be accompanied by an adult. Connect with the camp director during Parent Night May 8, and see site for details and a camp brochure. flaquarium.org/camps
“Tiny Tots,” or 4-to-6-year-olds, learn horsemanship during a short (Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon) but memorable camp session mid-June at Suncoast Stables and Riding Academy in Odessa. Campers 7 years old and older can ride and learn to care of horses during four weeks of full-day sessions. Owner and trainer Krystle Lee was voted Instructor of the Year by the Florida State High Point Program, and the facilities include several pastures and well-maintained barns. suncoaststable.com
ALL-AROUND ADVENTURERS Camp Frontier in Riverview is an ACA-accredited, traditional overnight camp for kids 7 to 17. Campers bunk in air-conditioned cabins and participate in standard summer camp fare, such as campfires, songs and talent shows but also can choose from 40 different activities – two in the morning and two in the afternoon – so they can explore a ton of different areas of interest. Kids still get their choice of additional activities even if they choose a specialized camp: Dance Camp, Culinary Arts Camp, Musical Theater Camp, Waterski and Wakeboard Camp or the Appalachian Trail Backpacking Program. Whether kids have a passion for photography, sailing or shooting BB guns, they’ll never be bored! campfrontier.com
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The Academy at the Lakes summer camps are a great, flexible option for multi-child families in Land O’Lakes. Children 3 to 17 can attend half- or full-day sessions for up to eight weeks of camps in a wide variety of specialties including STEM, archery, canoeing, basketball, arts and crafts, cooking and more. Highschool students can earn school credit for completing program courses. academyatthelakes.org/community/summer-camp Research-based learning programs inform Kiddie Academy’s CampVentures in Carrollwood. Children 5 to 12 years old develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while having fun participating in age-appropriate activities and trips. Enriching camp projects might include planting a garden, performing a play or playing sports. Kids can attend up to 11 weeks, Monday through Friday, for full or half days. Extended care is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Camp is limited to 25 campers. kiddieacademy.com Pasco County provides affordable day camps at parks all over the county including Dade City, Land O’Lakes, New Port Richey and Odessa. Children 5 to 13 years old (except for the New Port Richey location, where campers must be at least 7 to attend) have a great time playing sports, doing arts and crafts, watching movies, learning from guest speakers and attending special events. Camp is in session from June 10 to July 29. pascocountyfl.net Tampa Metropolitan YMCA offers solid, well-rounded camps for kids in first grade through high school at 11 locations in Tampa and East Pasco County. Kids can choose add-on experiences
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such as horseback riding, swim lessons, high ropes or visual arts in addition to traditional camp. Add-on offerings vary, so check website to find out what different locations offer. In addition, camp might include instruction in robotics, gymnastics, culinary arts and much more. Camp is weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and returning campers might be eligible for last year’s member or nonmember rates. See the website for a detailed online brochure. tampaymca.org/letscamp-signup Nonprofit Suncoast Waldorf School Summer Magic Camps in Palm Harbor boast an eclectic array of programs for kids as young as 3½ and up to 11 years old. Kids can learn how to grow and prepare healthy food, focus on theater arts, learn about the fiber arts or study woodcrafts and the ukulele as well as more standard camp fun such as bonfires, picnics and water play. Check the website for the options for 3-to-5-year olds and full-day camps for 6-to-11-year-olds. Call 727-7868311, email waldorf@suncoastwaldorf.org or register on the website. suncoastwaldorf .org/programs/summer-programs The day after school ends, the fun begins at the City of Tarpon Springs Recreation Division summer camps. Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade can attend all 10 weeks, by the week or even for the day, and camp starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. Parents can purchase activity cards for kids, which give them access to special
activities. Visit the city’s website for schedule; there are half-day sessions of ceramics camp and a kayaking camp as well. Kids can attend field trips at additional cost. ctsfl.us
RELIGIOUS-MINDED Pick from specialty or signature camps at Camp J at Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center in Tampa, where kids in kindergarten through eighth grade can exercise body and mind in a faith-based atmosphere. Day camp runs for eight weeks and offers kids a variety of activities including aquatics (including daily swim instruction), athletics, musical theater, arts & crafts, boating, fishing, zip lining, cooking and celebrating Shabbat. Themed camps focus on basketball, soccer, volleyball, Hogwarts, Top Chef and more. Campers enjoy field trips and optional overnights and extended hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., are available with additional fees. Kids of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome. Ask about discounted rates for JCC members, early bird registration and siblings as well as scholarships. bryanglazerfamilyjcc.com Hillsdale Christian Academy & Preschool’s Epic Camp Adventure in Tampa gives kids in kindergarten through grade school a well-rounded camp experience from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from early June to early July. Fun weekly themes such as treasure hunt, wild & wacky science and puppet adventures hint at exciting field trips including the sponge docks, Airheads and a primate sanctuary to name a few. (See a schedule of out-of-town trips on the website.) Campers also get STEM instruction, visit the library weekly, take part in hands-on science experiments, do crafts and play games. hillsdalebaptist.org
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Send them
Packing
Here’s what kids need to bring to camp. And what they should leave at home. By Virginia Pelley, Times correspondent Camp directors are the experts on what gear is required for their particular camps, so be sure to ask them what your children need to bring. You can also connect with other parents if the camp has a Facebook page, or post in a local parenting group about what to pack for camp. But here are some common camp packing needs: Your child’s health history Most camps ask parents to provide a health history of campers, which includes information about immunizations, allergies, medications they’re taking and any special dietary needs. Many will also request paperwork from your child’s last checkup and require kids to have seen a doctor for a checkup within the last six months. Most residential camps won’t let kids keep medications with them, so you need to make sure the camp’s nurse or health staff knows about your child’s dosages and refill needs. Send prescriptions to camp in their original packaging with dosage and refill instructions. If kids need asthma inhalers, you’ll need to discuss with the camp
director how to ensure children will have access to their inhalers when they need them.
Clothing Don’t send children to camp with fancy new clothes, as they’re likely to get dirty, lost or stolen. It’s also a good idea to label children’s belongings so they have a better chance of making it back home. Make sure shoes and sneakers are completely broken in before camp, or kids might be crippled with blisters the first few days. Ask whether there are laundry facilities at any residential camp. That will obviously be a major factor when figuring out how much clothing kids need to bring along. Ask about any special requirements, such as water shoes, which some camps offering water activities require. Generally, kids will need long pants in addition to shorts, particularly if equestrian adventures are on the agenda; a raincoat; umbrella; bathing suit; sweatshirt; jacket; socks (lots and lots of socks); sneakers and flip-flops.
Food Most residential camps ban storing food in bunks and will confiscate food mailed to campers. Make sure to ask how day camps deal with lunch; many ask that children bring their own lunches and snacks, but others might provide both or have a café on site where kids can purchase food and drinks. Also find out whether kids will have access to a refrigerator and microwave and whether glass containers are discouraged. • Sun protection such as sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, a hat and sunglasses • Insect repellent • Swim goggles or ear plugs if your child will spend a lot of time in the water • Compass • Flashlight: a rechargeable one or extra batteries if needed • Envelopes, addressed and stamped; stamps can get stuck together and ruined in humidity. • Water bottle
Residential camps should have a canteen where kids can purchase incidentals. Each camper has an account that you can put money into, a system that’s safer and less of a hassle than hiding money in their bunks. Also leave cherished, expensive jewelry and family heirlooms at home – no matter how cool Grandpa’s compass or baseball glove is – so the camp experience isn’t ruined by a theft or loss.
What not to bring: • Your child’s cellphone, iPad or tablet (unless required for an educational program) Most camps won’t let kids have their phones at camp. The kids might hate it at first, but most love the tech break. • Cash and valuables
Homesickness prevention Here’s what to do now to help kids keep homesickness at bay. By Virginia Pelley, Times correspondent Homesickness is quite common, but it’s also typically short-lived, says Myra Pravda, RN, co-author of Off to Camp and The Basics of Camp Nursing and one of the founders of the Association of Camp Nurses. To ease your child into camp and minimize his or her chances of homesickness, start preparing them for the experience while they’re still at home. “Stay upbeat about how much fun kids will have at camp rather than talk about how much you’ll miss them, which can make them feel anxious or guilty,” Pravda says. “And don’t reassure them they
can call if they’re homesick and you’ll come get them,” she warns. “That’s the biggest mistake parents make,” Pravda says. “You’re setting them up to be miserable rather than talking about what a great time they’re going to have. And most camps don’t let kids call home anyway.” What’s more helpful is learning as much as you can about the camp’s daily routine and talking with your child about what he or she can expect. What time do kids get up in the morning, when do they go to flag raising and when do they go to breakfast? Kids don’t realize that every meal at camp will be big and noisy like those in a school cafeteria so some kids miss quiet dinners with their parents. “Kids need to practice camp,” she says. “They need skills they haven’t thought about before.” At residential camp, for example, 6-or 7-year olds likely will have to make their own beds, maybe for the first time, and they might have bunk
chores they’re not used to. Help them get used to typical camp chores, and also go for walks at night – where it’s dark, not on the street – so kids can see what it’s like to walk in the dark with a flashlight.
It’s hard to ignore a letter saying, “I hate camp, come pick me up,” according to Pravda. “That’s when you call the camp director; they’ll check on your child and let you know if he or she is still having trouble adjusting.”
“In the woods, unlike at home, you don’t hear ambulances, you hear frogs,” Pravda points out. “It can be unsettling just being in a different atmosphere. Ask kids, ‘What do you hear that’s different?’”
In addition to stealth letters mailed while kids are still at home, parents can make camp more pleasant by mailing fun things they can’t get at camp, such as the newspaper sports page, comics and cute cards, Pravda says. If kids can check their email now and then, you can email photos of family members and pets.
Even something as small as picking out clothes to wear every day might be a bewildering new experience for a first-or second-grader, so it’s good to have them practice. You can also schedule a trial-run sleepover date at Grandma’s or another family member’s house to help them get used to sleeping away from home. Another thing to keep in mind is that kids will probably be overtired as well as overwhelmed for the first few days of camp. They probably didn’t sleep well the night before they came to camp, and now they’re in a new noisy place dealing with a ton of new stimuli and expectations. So it’s good to take that cranky first letter home with a grain of salt and not panic, Pravda says. “The mail at camp is very slow. I suggest parents send a letter to camp three days before kids leave,” she says. “Getting a letter from you when they first arrive that says, ‘I hope you’re enjoying camp! I can’t wait to hear how it is!’ can be comforting to kids.”
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Even adults can get homesick, as Pravda notes, describing how she experienced it while working as a nurse at residential camps. “I’d call my husband about it and he’d say, ‘Call me back in two days,’” she says. “Missing family, pets and friends is common; it’s okay to experience feelings like that, and you’ll usually feel better in a few days.” When camp is over, you can ask children, “Do you remember how you felt the first few days? Now how do you feel?” Pravda points out that most kids love camp after a week or so. “That’s the most important part of camp, learning that your child will be okay and can handle things on their own and make friends, “ she says. “Some degree of homesickness makes for a better adjusted camper, because they overcome it. At the end of camp, you can say, ‘Look at what you accomplished!’”
Get Campy!
Seven Camp Movie Classics
By Virginia Pelley, Times correspondent
Get kids in the spirit of summer camp and relive your own camp experiences by watching some fun movies set at sleep-away camps. WATCH WITH THE KIDS: Set in 1965 (but released in 2012), Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom is the story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love and run away from Camp Ivanhoe, which is on an island off the coast of New England. As a violent storm approaches, adult search parties (led by Bill Murray, Edward Norton and Bruce Willis) set out to bring them back to camp in this whimsical, visually stunning film. Lindsay Lohan stars in the fun 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, originally released in 1961. Twins separated at birth and each raised with one parent (Dad and Mom are played by Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson), one in California and one in London, are reunited at Camp Walden in Maine and forced to hang out together as a punishment. After camp, the twins switch places to meet their other parent and hatch a plan to get them back together. Cheesy but beloved among many who grew up in the 1990s, It Takes Two stars the Olsen twins during their cherubic heyday in a reimagining of The Prince and the Pauper. The twins discover each other at summer camp and trick one twin’s caseworker and the other twin’s father (Kirstie Alley and Steve Guttenberg) into pairing up. WATCH AFTER THE KIDS ARE IN BED: The cover art for 1979’s Meatballs makes it look like a run-of-the-mill, early ’80s sex comedy, but this Bill Murray-led film directed by Ivan Reitman has way more heart and laughs – and way less sex – than most (and it was actually rated PG, so it’s appropriate for older kids). Murray stars as head counselor Tripper, who takes a misfit camper under his wing and helps him train for Camp North Star’s big olympiad against nearby rich-kid camp, Camp Mohawk. A “what-not-to-do” guide for aspiring camp counselors, Wet Hot American Summer (2001) boasts an all-star cast – including Paul Rudd, Janeane Garofalo, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon and Amy Poehler – who clearly had a blast filming this farce set in 1981. It’s the last day for campers at Camp Firewood, and the kids are more or less in the way of the counselors’ more pressing romantic concerns. Kristy McNichol and Tatum O’Neil play the pawns in a camp bunk bet about which one of them can lose her virginity first in the classic 1980 coming-of-age film Little Darlings. Matt Dillon and Armand Assante play love interests unwittingly dragged into the drama, and a young Cynthia Nixon plays Sunshine, the camp hippie. One of the earliest and best known of the American teen slasher genre, Friday the 13th (1980) is a must for horror fans. See Jason pick off camp counselors (including one played by Kevin Bacon) one by one while they ready Camp Crystal Lake, nicknamed Camp Blood, for campers.
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