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Season of possibilities

There are hundreds of camp programs available to Tampa children this summer. We offer a list of choices to get your search started.

By Times Staff
Published April 6, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Related content Forget the video games: Plenty to do in Hillsborough For summer camps, some sticker shock Teens offered free summer workouts Camps in Pinellas County Did we miss your camp? Let us know

There are hundreds of camp programs available to Tampa children this summer, and we do not pretend to offer a comprehensive list. Nor do we endorse any of the camps listed here. We suggest that you use this directory as a source of alternatives and a general yardstick of the cost and variety of summer programs. Whether your child is a budding artist, an accomplished athlete or a future scientist, somebody has a camp for him - so long as you have the money and sign him up early.

Baseball Day Camp at USF

Address: Red McEwen Field for June 11-15, 18-22 and July 9-13. Two camps will be in Brandon at South Brandon Little League on July 16-20 and July 23-27.

Open to: Ages 7-18. 

Highlights:  Camps are designed to stress fundamentals on all aspects of the game as well as strategy, drills and team concepts. Campers are divided by age and ability for group and individualized instruction and games. Academics, recruiting procedures and drug/alcohol awareness will also be discussed, and when available, qualified guest speakers will make appearances.   The camps will be facilitated by the USF baseball coaching staff as well as players from the Bulls team.

Cost:  $180/week.

Contact: Greg Parris at gregory.parris@sdhc.k12.fl.us. 

Bell Shoals Baptist Church Summer Camp

Address: Camp Kulaqua, 23400 NW 212 Ave., High Springs, FL.

Open to: First through 12th grades.

Dates: June 25-29.

Highlights: A 15,000-square-foot wave pool, go carts, horseback riding, camp games, plus worship and teaching time with guest speakers.

Cost: $310 per student if registered in April; $325 per student beginning May 1.

Call: 689-4229, ext. 226, 323 or 223.

Bob Sierra YMCA

Address: 4029 Northdale Blvd.

Open to: Ages 5 to 15.

Dates: May 29-Aug 17.

Cost: $190-$185 week.

Highlights: Field trips, sports camp, gymnastics, arts and crafts, drama, and hip hop.

Call: (813) 962-3220.

On the Web: www.tampaymca.org.

Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center

Address: 405 Beverly Blvd., Brandon.

Open to: Post-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Dates: May 29 to Aug. 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Highlights: Tennis, gymnastics, dive camp, sewing, arts and crafts, volleyball, soccer, hockey, and weekly field trips.

Cost: $150 a week, includes lunch and a snack.

Call: 689-0908.

On the Web: www.mybsac.org.

Busch Gardens Adventure Camp

Address: 3000 E Busch Blvd.

Open to: Pre-K though college.

Dates: June 2 through Aug 24.

Cost: $40 to $1,950 a week.

Highlights: A variety of programs includes resident camps, group camps and day camps.

Call: (813) 987-5171.

On the Web: http://www.swbg-adventurecamps.com/adventure-camps/bgt/index.htm.

Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association

Address: 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon.

Open to: Children ages 7 to 12.

Dates: June 4 to July 23, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Highlights: Weekly art workshop called "Cruise around the world" focuses on art from a different region of the world.

Cost: $30 per week for members; $40 a week for nonmembers.

Call: 685-8888.

On the Web: www.centerplace brandon.com.

City of Tampa Joe Abrahams summer sports camps

Address: Wayne C. Papy Athletic Center, 6925 N Florida Ave.

Open to: Ages 6 to 12.

Dates: Nine one-week sessions, from June 4-Aug. 6.

Cost: $85 a week (multisession discounts available).

Highlights: One-week camps include gymnastics, cheering and tumbling, baseball, and team-building.

Call: 231-5272 or 231-5273.

On the Web: www.tampagov.net/dept_parks.

Cooking Camp for Kids 

Address:  Weekday Gourmet, 3605 Henderson Blvd., Tampa

Dates:  9-Noon on June 12, 16, 26, 30 and July 10

Cost: $65 per class.

Highlights: Kids will create an apron, cookie-in-a-jar, a prepared meal and learn about food and kitchen safety.

Call: 813-875-3663

On the Web: wdgourmet.com  

Curtain Call Performing Arts Theater

Address: 5253 Ehrlich Road.

Dates: June 4-Aug 3.

Open to: 6 and up.

Cost: $150 a week.

Highlights: "American Idol"-style salute show daily. In-house recording studio where students write, produce and record their own professional CDs. Also features a rock 'n' roll workshop.

Call: (813) 962-7538.

On the Web: www.curtaincallpat.com.

Flight Camp

Address: The Florida Air Museum's Education Department; 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland.

Open to: Day camp, 7 to 18; residential camp, 11-18.

Dates: Mid June to mid July

Cost: $600 a week to $650 a week for residential campers, depending on age; and $225 to $275 for day campers, depending on age.

Highlights: Campers learn about the parts of an airplane, aerodynamics, basic navigation, weather, preflight and flying aircraft.

Call: (863) 904-4073.

On the Web: www.FloridaAirMuseum.org.

Florida Aquarium AquaCamps

Address: 701 Channelside Drive.

Open to: Ages 3 through 15.

Dates: June 4-Aug. 17 (camps range from two days to two weeks).

Cost: $32 to $825 (discounts offered for members and enrollment in multiple camps).

Highlights: Swim with fish, dissect a shark and explore the habitats of water animals. Learn to snorkel, sail or parasail or get scuba certified.

Call: 273-4015.

On the Web: flaquarium.org.

Camp Frontier

Address: Masonic Park and Youth Camp, South Hillsborough County, U.S. 301, 3 miles south of State Road 674.

Open to: Overnight camp for ages 8 to 14 and for counselors-in-training from ages 15 to 17; and day camp for children ages 6 to 14.

Dates: Early June to mid August.

Cost: $1,450 for two-week sessions for overnighters; $275 a week for day campers.

Highlights: Traditional American summer camp involves a choice of more than 30 activities, including sports, horses, arts, dances, nature hikes.

Call: 672-0627.

On the Web: www.campfrontier.com.

Camp Genius at A+ Tutoring Center

Address: 5512 Lutz-Lake Fern Road.

Open to: Elementary through high school grade levels.

Dates: June 1 through Aug. 17.

Cost: $275-$830 a week.

Highlights: Math Maniac, Reading Wiz, Writing Expertand Introductory and Conversational Spanish.

Call: (813) 335-9435

On the Web: http://www.tutorwithus.com.

In The Breeze Ranch

Address: 7514 Gardner Road, Citrus Park

Open to: Ages 5 and up.

Dates: Any day schools are closed.

Cost: $70 a day and up.

Highlights: This is real working horse ranch on 300 acres. Highly structured instruction with certified teachers and guides.

Call: (813) 264-1919.

On the Web: http://www.inthebreezeranch.com/.

Camp IDS (Independent Day School)

Address: 12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa, 33618.

Open to: Pre-K through eighth grade.

Dates: June 11 to July 27.

Cost: $90-$500 a week.

Highlights: Photography, ceramics and Web design. Activities include karate, flag football and musical theater.

Call: (813) 961-3087.

On the Web: www.idsyes.com.

Interbay-Glover YMCA

Open to: Ages 5-15.

Dates: May 29-Aug. 17.

Cost: $165 per week ($120 for YMCA members; scholarships are available).

Highlights: Sports-intensive camps include swimming, rock climbing, soccer, flag football and field trips each week.

Call: Interbay-Glover, 839-0210; Central City, 229-9622.

On the Web: tampaymca.org.

The Italian Club

Address: 1731 E Seventh Ave.

Open to: Kids who have completed first through sixth grades.

Dates: June 19-23.

Cost: $75.

Highlights: Learn about Italian culture through music, dance, language, cooking, arts and crafts, including crochet, and folklore.

Call: 886-7595.

On the Web: http://www.italian-club.org.

Camp JCC at the Jewish Community Center

Address: 13009 Community Campus Drive, Citrus Park.

Open to: First- through 10th-graders as of Sept. 1, 2007.

Dates: June 4-July 27.

Cost: Ranges from $125 to $1,795 a week.

Highlights: Athletic activities include archery, canoeing and rock climbing; arts include jazz, dance, cooking and drama; academics include computers, Judaics and science.

Call: (813) 264-9000.

On the Web: jewishtampa.com.

Kids in the Garden

Address: Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd.

Open to: Completed kindergarten through sixth grades.

Dates: 8:30 a.m. to noon, June 11 - 15.

Cost: $35. Snacks and supplies provided.

Highlights: Learn about compost and water conservation and how to graft a tree so that it produces four varieties of fruit. Kids will plant cacti, make paper and decorate a gourd birdhouse, which they take home.

Call: 251-5059.

On the Web: tampagardenclub.com.

Lowry Park Zoo School

Address: 1101 W Sligh Ave.

Open to: Kids who have completed kindergarten through eighth grade.

Dates: May 29 through Aug. 17.

Cost: $145/child/week for members; $165/child/week for nonmembers.

Highlights: Explore the world of manatees, learn about solar cooking, and capture zoo animals with paper, paint and clay.

Call: (813) 935-8552, ext 232.

From Ruth Eckerd Hall: Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute

Address:  1111 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater

Open to:  Ages three to 18 from May 21-Aug. 10

Highlights: Themed dramatics camps are available, plus instruction in clowning, choir, musical theater, dance, jazz band.

Cost: $96 to $585 a week. 

Call:  727-791-7400.

McCormick Water Ski and Wakeboard School Kid's Kamp

Address: 6120 Muck Pond Road, Seffner.

Open to: Ages 8-17.

Dates: May-September.

Highlights: Skiers and wakeboarders of all levels will learn how to improve their techniques.

Cost: $675 per week with accommodation, $450 without; or $150 per day, $35 per lesson.

Call: 681-4441.

On the Web: www.skimccormick.com/kidskorner.htm.

MOSI 2007 Summer Science Camp

Address: 4801 E Fowler Ave., 33617.

Open to: Ages 2 through 17.

Dates: May 29 through Aug. 10.

Cost: $17-$1,079, from 2 days to a week.

Highlights: Web design, build all-terrain vehicle to compete in the Junkyard Olympics. Weeklong Residential Academy for ages 13 to 17.

Call: (813) 987-6000.

On the Web: http://www.campfun .org/.

New Tampa YMCA

Address: 16221 Compton Drive, Tampa 33647.

Open to: Ages 3-16.

Dates: May 29-Aug 17.

Cost: $72-$150 a week.

Highlights: Water polo, rock walls, lifeguard and triathlon training.

Call: (813) 866-9622.

On the Web: www.tampaymca.org.

NoHo Bistro

Address: 1714 N Armenia Ave.

Open to: Ages 5-17.

Dates: One-week sessions June 4-Aug. 10.

Cost: $220 for four evening classes or $250 for five morning classes.

Highlights: Create banana-nut pancakes, summer suppers, and learn table etiquette and creative garnishing. Older kids learn knife skills, how to roast and braise, sauces such as espagnole, veloute, bechamel, allemande and hollandaise.

Call: 514-0691.

On the Web: http://www.thenohobistro.com/.

Orbital Paintball Summer Camp

Address: U.S. 301, 3 miles north of Fowler Avenue, Thonotosassa.

Open to: Ages 10 and up.

Dates: June 25-29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Friday's overnight stay.

Cost: To be announced.

Highlights: Paintball marker safety, marker care, speedball basic and advanced techniques, scenario basic and advanced techniques, plus enjoy an overnight scenario Friday night.

Call: 789-8159.

On the Web: www.orbitalpaintball.com.

Patel Conservatory

Address: 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place,

Open to: First through 12th grades.

Dates: May 29-Aug. 10 (camps are one-week sessions).

Cost: $83 to $690.

Highlights: Write and perform an original script, play in a rock band, act in a TV commercial, tap dance or sing a Broadway song.

Call: 222 - 1002.

On the Web: patelconservatory.org.

Sidekicks Super Summer Martial Arts Camp

Address: 4350 Litha-Pinecrest Road; and in New Tampa at 10329 Cross Creek Blvd.

Open to: Ages 5 to 12.

Dates: End of May to the beginning of August, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $120 a week. No registration fee in April; in May, registration fee is $95. In April, participants can get free consultations and two free private classes.

Highlights: Confidence, character, focus, self-control and discipline for children.

Call: 661-2224.

On the Web: www.sidekicks-online.com.

Tampa Museum of Art

Address: 600 N Ashley Drive.

Open to: Ages 6 through 10.

Dates: June 11-July 27.

Cost: $175 per week for a half-day session; $275 per week for a full-day session (discounts for members).

Highlights: Sculpt, paint, draw and learn photography.

Call: 274-8130.

On the Web: http://www.tampagov.net/dept_museum/index.asp

click on education programs.

Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Sailing Camps

Address: 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd.

Open to: Students ages 7-17.

Dates: June-August.

Highlights: One-week classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, taught by certified instructors.

Cost: $200 per student per week. Scholarships available.

Call: (863) 712-0071.

On the Web: http://www.tampasailing.org/YouthSailing.html.

The Tampa Theatre

Address: 77 N Franklin St.

Open to: Those entering third through 12th grades.

Dates: Four one-week sessions June 11 and July 27.

Cost: $125.

Highlights: Create storyboards and scripts, shoot with digital still and movie cameras.

Call: 274-8286.

On the Web: tampatheatre.org.

TechPlayzone

Address: 13208 Boyette Road, Riverview.

Open to: Students who will be enrolled in kindergarten through seventh grade in the upcoming school year.

Dates: June-August.

Cost: $225 per week for a full day, $150 per week for a half day.

Highlights: Work with robots, computers, and fiber-optics.

Call: 453-8612.

On the Web: www.techplayzone.com/techplay/.

Camp Terrapin Tampa Preparatory School

Address: 727 W Cass St.

Open to: Those entering first through seventh grades.

Dates: Three sessions: June 11-22, June 25-July 6 and July 9-20.

Cost: $425 per session.

Highlights: Kickball, dodgeball, basketball, tag, hot potato and educational computer games. Movies, swimming and field trips. Sports camps for crew, tennis, boys' baseball, basketball, chess, golf, soccer and girls' volleyball.

Call: 251-8481.

On the Web: Under tab "On campus" at tampaprep.org.

[Last modified June 6, 2007, 08:56:32]