Attention, Parents! Check Out Carrollwood’s Summer Camp Guide

It’s hard to believe that Easter and Passover are right around the corner.  Before you know it, school will be out and camp will be very much in. 

If you’re debating which camp to send your kids to – and there are a lot of choices out there – Patch has compiled a comprehensive listing of area camps divided by category: Sports, Performing Arts, Adventure and General. 

SPORTS

Name:  Carrollwood Black Belt Academy Summer Camp

Address:  4125 Gunn Highway – Tampa, 33618  (Carrollwood)

Phone:  (813) 264-KICK (5425)

Specialty:  Tae Kwon Do classes plus activities and field trips such as bowling, arts & crafts, swimming, rock climbing, movies, putt-putt golf, and more.

Dates:  June 13th - August 19th

Ages:  Kindergarten - Middle School

Time:  7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Notes: “Develops the martial arts as a sports and an art”.  Cost is $99/week and field trips are a few dollars extra.

Name:  LaFleur’s Tampa

Contact:  tpalafleurs@aol.com

Address:  10205 Anderson Road, 33624

Phone:  (813) 264-5000

Specialty:  Gymnastics and swimming

Dates:  June 13 - August 19, but they are CLOSED the week of July 4th.

Ages:  Most students are in the 5-8 age range

Time:  Full day camp runs from 9am-3:30pm.  Half day sessions are either 9am-12pm or 12:30pm-3:30pm.  Both before care (8am-9am) and after care (3:30pm-6pm) are available for an additional fee.

Notes:  Camps have low student-to-teach ratios.  Drinks and snacks provided.  Friday is dollar pizza day. 

Name:  Jim Harte’s 31st Annual Marauder Soccer Camp (MSC)

Contact:  msccamp@aol.com

Address:  Held at the Carrollwood Cultural Center – 1335 Casey Road, 33618

Phone:  (727) 786-3589

Specialty:  Soccer, of course!

Dates:  Two sessions available, from July 18 – 22 and July 25 – 29

Ages:  7-15 years

Time:  8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Notes:  Founded in 1981, MSC is “the longest running soccer camp in the Tampa Bay area." Online enrollment available.  Multiple week, family and team discounts available.  Click here for a complete FAQ list including info on registration and required clothing & equipment.   

Name:  Extreme Youth Sports Camp

Address:  4920 Newkirk Drive, 33624

Phone:  813-817-KICK (5425) or 877-318-9620

Specialty:  karate, dance, additional sports (flag football, soccer, etc.), arts & crafts, monthly field trips, guest speakers, and more.  Continued education is also part of the curriculum; daily lesson plans include educational activities focusing on required reading, math, science and history.

Dates:  Camp begins June 13^, and runs through the entire summer

Ages:  4 and up

Time:  Full day programs run from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and half day sessions are 9am-12pm

Notes:  Weekly payments are accepted and their brand new game & media room includes flat screen plasma TV’s, Nintendo Wii’s and age appropriate movies. 

Name:  HorsePower for Kids, Inc.

Contact:  Armando Gort, Executive Director, 4dreams@horsepowerforkids.com

Address:  8005 S. Racetrack Road – Tampa, 33635

Phone:  (813) 855-8992

Specialty:  Horse riding and equine education

Dates:  June 13 – August 19

Ages:  6-16 years

Time:  Full day sessions run from 8:30am-6pm and partial day sessions are 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Notes:  Weekend Camps (Saturday and/or Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) are also available.

PERFORMING ARTS

Name:  Curtain Call Performing Arts Theater and Acting School’s Summer Camp Experience

Contact:  Steve Henry, Director, curtaincallpat@verizon.net

Address:  5253 Ehrlich Road, 33624

Phone:  (813) 962-7538

Specialty:  “An introduction to all aspects of the performing arts in a real off-Broadway style theater.”

Dates:  Weekly camps are scheduled for: June 20-24, July 4-8, July 18-22, and August 1-5.

Ages:  6 and up

Time:  8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Notes:  Topics/highlights include: method acting, recording your own CD, a faux ‘American Idol’ competition, voice and notation, professional stage makeup, video production, and more.

Name:  Act ‘n Artz Academy (no website)

Contact:  Randi Mitchell, JennSam@aol.com

Address:  Wellspring Church at 10701 Sheldon Road, 33626 (please note that the camp is not religiously affiliated in any way.)

Phone:  (813) 376-1399

Specialty:  Acting and arts & crafts; campers will prepare for their very own production.

Dates:  Two-week camp runs from June 20-24 and June 27-July 1

Ages:  Kindergarten - 7th grade

Time:  9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Notes:  Act ‘n Artz Academy is hosted by Ms. Lewis of Westchase Elementary and Mrs. Conrad of Carrollwood Day School.  Cost is $350 plus a one-time $45 material fee. 

Name:  Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy

Address:  15906 Mapledale Boulevard, 33624

Phone:  (813) 969-0240

Specialty:  Dancing and acting camps for boys and girls of all ages, including intensives are available for experienced students.

Dates:  On average, each camp is 1-2 weeks long.  Each camp has its own start date, beginning with June 13-17^.  Camps run through July 25-29

Ages:  3 and up

Time:  Varies per camp, but Mary Jo’s offers both free early drop off starting at 8 a.m., and free aftercare until 6 p.m.

Notes:  Camp themes include “Beauty and the Beast," “Toy Story," “Nick Jr.," “Broadway," and “Music Fun." Auditions may be required for some intensive programs.  Click here for page 1 and page 2 of the full-color brochure. 

Name:  Carrollwood Cultural Center Summer Camps

Address:  4537 Lowell Road, 33618 (Main Building) and 13345 Casey Road, 33618 (The Studio)

Phone:  (813) 269-1310

Specialty:  CCC has combined a multitude of topics with arts for a different theme each week.  Examples include: Math and the Arts, Science and the Arts, Technology and the Arts, Language and the Arts, and more. 

Dates:  Dates vary depending on the program, but all fall within June 13 – August 5

Ages:  4-12 years

Time:  Full day sessions run from 9am-4pm.  Half day sessions run from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1-4 p.m..  Extended care is available from 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. for an additional fee.

Notes:  Families enrolling multiple children are eligible for a 10 percent discount.  Contact Helen Michaelson regarding tuition assistance.  You can register three ways: online, via phone or in person. 

ADVENTURE

Name:  Busch Gardens Adventure Camp

Address:  10001 N. McKinley Drive – Tampa, FL

Phone:  (813) 248-2267

Specialty:  Animal interaction and care.  Choose from six-day Resident (sleepover) or Day camps. 

Dates:  Dates vary greatly depending on age and camp type

Ages:  Resident camps are for children grades 5 and higher; day camps accept preschoolers (‘Camp Busch Babies’) to 12^th graders (‘Counselors in Training’).

Time:  Camp Busch Babies runs from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.  All other day camps generally start at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. (though field trips to SeaWorld for some camps may extend the day).

Notes:  Looking to camp out as a family?  Busch Gardens offers Summer Nights Family Fun –a sleepover from 6pm-9am!

Name:  MOSI Summer Science Camp

Address:  4801 E. Fowler Avenue – Tampa, FL

Phone:  (813) 987-6000

Specialty:  Science, technology, engineering and math.  Camps include: Gifted & Talented, Science only, Technology & Engineering, Residential (week-long) and Travel.

Dates:  Dates vary depending on the program, but all fall within June 13 – August 19

Ages:  2 years – High School students.  Residential camps are for 11-17 years only.  Travel camps are open to those who have completed 4^th grade – 9^th graders. 

Time:  Full day camps are from 9am-4pm with extended care available starting at 7am and ending at 6:30pm.  Half day camps are from 9 a.m.-noon or 1 p.m-4 p.m.

Notes:  MOSI’s all-inclusive program  - taught by certified teachers and experienced science and technology educators – does not require additional fees or admissions.  Click here for the full catalog.   

Name:  Lowry Park Zoo 

Address:  1101 W. Sligh Avenue – Tampa, 33604

Phone:  (813) 935-8552 x268

Specialty:  Learn about nature, science and animals.  Itineraries include adventure camps, zoo hikes, classroom lessons, arts & crafts, animal feedings & shows.

Dates:  Camps run on a week-to-week basis from June 13 – August 19

Ages:  Kindergarten – 12^th grade

Time:  8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Extended Care is available from 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. and 4 - 6 p.m. for an additional fee.

Notes:  Online registration is available.  Prices range from $170 per week for members up to $350 for specialty camps for non member.  Click here for the printable color brochure.   

GENERAL

Name:  Bob Sierra Family YMCA

Address:  4029 Northdale Boulevard – Tampa, 33624

Phone:  (813) 962-3220

Specialty:  Full day camps include: day camp, gymnastics camp, extreme camp, Leaders in Training (L.I.T.), aquatic camp, and more.  Half-day specialty camps include: cooking, vertical adventure, biking, cheer/dance, magic, LEGO robotics, and several based on hit reality programs – “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Making the Band," and “The Apprentice” (“build your own company from the ground up!”).

Dates:  Dates vary depending on the program, but all fall within June 13 – August 19

Ages:  Programs are age-specific, but the range is from 3-15 years.

Time:  Full day camps are from 9am-4pm.  Half day camps are from either 8:30am-12:30pm or 2pm-6pm.  Extended care/supervision (7am-9am and 4pm-6:30pm) is available at no extra charge.

Notes:  Free breakfast and lunch available to all campers.  Click here for the full-color printable brochure:   

Name:  Carrollwood Day School Summer Camps

Address:  1515 W. Bearss Avenue – Tampa, FL

Phone:  (813) 920-2288

Specialty:  Ranges from athletic (Aikido, Patriot Soccer) to artistic (Art Around the World, Clay Animation) to scientific (CSI – Forensic Science for Kids) to educational (Heroes of Myth) to inspirational (Be a Star). 

Dates:  Dates vary depending on the program, but all fall within June 6 – August 4

Ages:  Programs are age-specific, ranging from 1^st-12^th grade

Time:  Times vary per program

Notes:  Camps are open to non-CDS students.  Non-CDS families are required to complete a mandatory Emergency Information Form, which must be notarized.  Click on the links for a complete description of all programs and online registration form. 

Name:  Academy at the Lakes Summer Camp

Address:  2331 Collier Parkway – Land O’ Lakes, 34639

Phone:  (813) 948-7600

Specialty:  Varies greatly.  Choose from dance, digital photography, scrapbooking, archery, video & broadcast production, American Girl Friend, books alive, junior reporter, pottery, wild & wacky science, and more.

Dates:  Dates vary depending on the program, but all fall within June 13–August 5

Ages:  3-14 years

Time:  Day sessions are 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.; morning sessions are 8:30 a.m.-11:30am (with extended care from 7:30-8:30am); afternoon sessions are noon until 3 p.m. (with extended care from 3-pm).

Notes:  Register by May 1 and receive a free T-shirt.

Name:  Summer at Tampa Day School

Address:  12606 Henderson Road, 33625

Phone:  (813) 269-2100

Specialty:  Choose from: Epic! Summer Camp (general camp with a different theme each week); Musical Theatre Summer Workshop; Lexis Learning Intensive Reading Program; or Comprehensive Tutoring.

Dates:  Dates vary depending on the program, but all fall within June 13 – August 5

Ages:  Kindergarten – 8^th grade

Time:  Epic! camp and musical theatre run from 9am-3pm, and Lexis is scheduled from 8:30am-12:30pm.  Before and after care options are available.  Tutoring sessions are scheduled at the convenience of the parent and child.

Notes:  Convenient online registration is available here.   

Name:  Summer Camp for Your Brain, sponsored by Rice Psychology Group

Contact:  info@RicePsychology.com

Address:  3802 Ehrlich Road, Suite 310, 33624

Phone:  (813) 969-3878

Specialty:  The "Brain Train” programs assists with attention, memory, concentration, focus, and patience. 

Dates:  Session one is June 20 until July 14, and session two is July 18 - August 11

Ages:  7-18 years

Time:  Three time options are available: 9 a.m. until noon, 1 until 3 p.m., 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Notes:  Dr. Wendy Rice is a New York trained licensed psychologist who has been practicing in Tampa for ten years.  Her program helps with ADD, ADHD and LD (learning differences).

Name:  Camp IDS – Independent Day School

Address:  12015 Orange Grove Drive

Phone:  (813) 961-3087

Website:  Specialty:  IDS offers a variety of camps: academic, communication & technology, performing arts, visual arts, recreation, and sports.  A Summer Institute for the Gifted and a travel camps are also available. 

Ages:  Pre-K3 – 12^th Grade

Time:  Full day camps run from 8:30am-3pm.  Morning sessions are 8:30am-11:30am, and afternoon sessions are 12pm-3pm.  Extended a.m. care (7:15am-8:15am) is available for free. Extended p.m. care (3-6 p.m.) is also available, for a fee of $12/day.

Notes:  Transportation is available for $30/week.  Breakfast, lunch and snacks can be purchased at Camps IDS Warriors Oasis Café.  Click here for the complete catalog, which includes a registration form.