THE ARTS CENTER, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-7872). The Arts Center offers summer art camps in one-week sessions for ages 5-15, and these camps cover ceramics, painting, jewelry making, photography, scrapbooking and printmaking. Weeklong sessions run June 6-Aug. 5, and cost between $25 per session and $130 per weeklong camp. For adults and families, there are also studio workshops in all the listed media and more. Call for a brochure or more info about any programs. www.theartscenter.org.
BIG CAT RESCUE, 12802 Easy St., Tampa (813-920-4130). Kids can learn about zoo keeping and how to take care of the sanctuary's big cats at Conservation Camp. Other diversions include arts and crafts, games and movies. Sessions run June 20-July 28. Class size is limited; cost is $160.50. www.bigcatrescue.com.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TAMPA BAY, Day camp activities include field trips, indoor game rooms, swimming lessons, computer labs, arts and crafts, and athletics. Participants must be members of a Boys & Girls Club, and prices vary from club to club. Camps run May 31-July 29. Call 813-875-5962 or your local club for more information. www.bgctampa.org.
BUSCH GARDENS ZOO CAMP, 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa (877-BGT-CAMP). Busch Gardens, one of North America's largest amusement parks and zoos, has day camps for kids from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, plus weekend and resident camps for grades four through adult. The camps emphasize the animal aspect of Busch Gardens, with hands-on encounters and conservation activities. Camps take place June 6-July 29. Day camp fees start at $200. Season pass holders receive a discount. www.buschgardens.org.
CAMP ART EXPRESS, The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs (727-712-5226). This camp – for ages 7-12 – offers classes in an array of art media, including clay, jewelry, and paper. Weeklong sessions run July 11-15 and July 18-22. Classes start at $45 (museum members receive $15 discount). Call for more information.
CAMP CRISTINA, a YMCA camp, 9840 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview (813-677-8400. Children ages 6 and above can enjoy horseback riding, rock climbing, canoeing, drama and shooting sports (BB gun riflery and archery). There are also one-week Leaders in Training programs for ages 13-18 (May 31-July 25) or two-week sessions (May 30-June 10 and July 11-July 22). Transportation is offered from YMCAs in Carrollwood, New Tampa, Seffner, Valrico, South Tampa and West Tampa, and is included in fees ranging from $150 to $285.
CENTRE FOR GIRLS, 105 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa (813-231-3404). Run by the Centre for Women, this camp is open to Hillsborough County girls ages 10 to 18 and includes cooking, aerobics and fitness classes, a computer lab and field trips. May 27 to Aug. 3. Members only – call for more information and prices.
CITY OF CLEARWATER CAMPS, The City of Clearwater Recreation Department offers a variety of camps for students throughout the summer. Camps focus on sports, arts, theater, music and water activities. Camp sizes are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to Clearwater residents. Camps take place at various recreation centers. Prices vary. Call 727-562-4800, ext. 6. www.clearwater-fl.com.
CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG CAMPS, (727-893-7441). St. Petersburg offers several Playcamps for kids entering grades 1-8, and Teen Camps for grades 7-9. The city also offers a therapeutic Playcamp session for disabled children (for more info, call 727-893-7899). Fee assistance is available for eligible St. Petersburg residents; camps are held at participating centers. Call for session information and location. www.stpete.org.
CITY OF TAMPA CAMPS, 1420 N. Tampa St., Tampa (813-274-8615). Tampa presents a packed schedule of programs for students ages 5-17 that include swim lessons, arts and crafts, team sports, field trips and special events. There's also a one-week art camp, a one-week basketball camp, tennis camps and supervised activities at area pools and beaches. Themes include art, team sports, tennis, fishing, ecology and snorkeling. Camps run May 31-June 29. The cost is $75 per child. Space is limited. www.tampagov.net/parksandrec.
FINE ARTS CAMPS' SUMMER INSTITUTE, Tampa Day School, 12606 Henderson Road, (813-269-2100). A four-week program offering dance, theater, music, visual arts and arts across culture for students entering grades 2-6. June 6-July 1. Camp costs $500. Extended day care is available. www.fineartscamps.com.
FLORIDA AQUARIUM AQUACAMPS, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa (813-367-4087). The Aquarium's AquaCamps ensure that learning is fun. On-site camps include interactive activities, crafts and detailed Aquarium tours. Aquatots and Aquakids are cool programs for toddlers and kids ages 5-6 (fees begin at $25 for members). There are also a variety of day camps, including Treasure Hunters, Mangrove Rap and Making Waves (fees begin at $175 for members). Field trip camps cover animal rehabilitation, kayaking, sailing, fishing, scuba diving and more (fees begin at $220 for members). Ages: preschool through high school. Camps take place May 31-July 29. www.flaquarium.org.
GULF COAST MUSEUM OF ART, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo (727-518-6833). The museum collaborates with St. Pete College to host the College For Kids program, with classes in art, language, sports, computers and math. Camps run June 6-July 15. Prices start at $75 per week. Visit www.spcollege.edu or call for brochure.
GREAT EXPLORATIONS: THE HANDS-ON MUSEUM, 1925 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-821-8992). Great Explorations has camps for ages 5-10. Different weeklong camps explore various art and science themes through hands-on activities. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 30-July. Camps start at $200 for nonmembers (15 percent discount for three weeks).
HERITAGE VILLAGE, 11909 125th St. N., Largo (727-582-2123). Kids 5-11 can enjoy Summer Living History Adventure, offering the chance for them to live like a pioneer. Activities include spinning cotton, churning butter and playing vintage games. Weeklong sessions run July 12-July 23. Call for prices. www.pinellascounty.org/heritage.
HYDE PARK CRAFT STUDIO, 702 S. Albany St., Tampa (813-259-1687). This summer art camp for kids 8-11 explores various media and techniques, from making wearable art to building and flying a kite. Field trips are included. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11-15; $75.
INSIGHT STUDIO, 1906 N. Armenia Ave., Studio 305 (813-390-3422). Children 8 to 17 are invited to come and familiarize themselves with the art of photography. All supplies are included. Weeklong sessions begin June 6; hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and cost $150. Call for more information.
LARGO RECREATION & PARKS SUMMER CAMPS, at various sites in Largo (727-518-3016). Largo Recreation & Parks offers weeklong summer camps and sports camps for preschoolers through 17-year-olds. Prices vary. www.largo.com.
LOWRY PARK ZOO, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa (813-935-8552, xt. 232). The zoo offers nine weeks worth of camps for kindergarten through eighth grade with themes that include African Adventures, Safari Time and Junior Zookeeper. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 30-July 25. $145 per week members/$170 per week nonmembers. www.lowryparkzoo.com.
MARCIA P. HOFFMAN PERFORMING ARTS INSTITUTE, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater (727-712-2706). Ruth Eckerd Hall's arts education institute offers a variety of classes for ages 3-18 in one- through four-week sessions. Areas of instruction include visual arts, dance and creative dramatics. Classes are designed to encourage creativity, imagination, self-expression and exploration of the performing arts. Each class ends with a showcase performance. Prices range from $88 to $600. www.rutheckerdhall.net.
MOSI SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS, Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-987-6000). MOSI easily offers more of a variety of summer camps than anyone else in the Bay area, with programs for kids and adults. Activities start May 31 and run throughout the summer. Fees vary and discounts apply for MOSI members. Space is limited. www.mosi.org.
NATURE CAMP SERIES, Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater (727-462-6024). Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department present Science Safari, a series of five-day camps that include exploration of Moccasin Lake Park, games, crafts, and activities aimed at introducing children to nature and science. Camps for ages 6-11 run May 23-July 29. Each camp is $135, with a $45 discount for Participant Cardholders.
NATURE'S CLASSROOM, 13100 Verges Road, Thonotosassa (813-987-6940). The environmental studies center offers weeklong camps to Hillsborough County children entering grades 5 to 8. Activities include programs on outdoor survival, native flora and fauna, and photography. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. June 6-July 1. Camps are $80 each. Call for details.
PATEL CONSERVATORY, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-222-1002). Chill out with the Patel Conservatory's offering of summer programs, including a pre-school arts sampler, a ballet camp, rock school and musical theater. Programs run June 6-July 15. Prices Vary. www.patelconservatory.org.
THE PIER AQUARIUM, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-895-7437). This year, the Pier offers Catch Weeden Island Fever, a weeklong summer camp for children entering fourth, fifth or sixth grade. The first session runs June 27-July 1; the second, July 11-15. Sessions cost $150. Call to register. Limited space available.
ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE CREATIVE WRITING CAMP, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater (727-791-2609 or 727-791-2695). This program is free and is open to SPC students as well as high school juniors and seniors. June 3-22. www.spcollege.edu.
ST. PETERSBURG YMCA CAMP, 5555 68th Lane N., St. Petersburg, (727-541-5951). Camps are open to the public for ages 5-16. Costs vary and scholarships are available to low-income families. Activities include field trips, arts and crafts, and athletics. May 23-July 29. Call for prices and times.
TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa (813-274-8277). The museum offers weeklong, full and half-day art camps covering a wide range of artistic subjects, often related to current exhibits. For ages 6-13. Full day camps run 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; half day camps run 8:30 a.m.-noon, or 1:30 p.m.-5 p.m. June 6-July 22. Costs vary (members receive a discount). Call for details. www.tampagov.net/dept_museum/.
TAMPA THEATRE, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa (813-274-8287). The Kids Make Movies camp shows students how to create movies on Mac computers with I-Movie and Garage Band programs using footage they shoot with film and digital cameras. The 9 a.m.-noon session is for students entering grades 3-5; the 1-4 p.m. session is for those entering grades 6-8. June 13-17 and June 20-24. Cost is $125. www.tampatheatre.org.
TAMPA YMCA CAMP, Central City YMCA, 110 E. Palm Ave., Tampa (813-229-9622). Camp programs provide full-day activities for ages 5-12; for teenagers, Future Stars Camp provides full-day activities for ages 13-18. May 31-Aug. 3. Costs vary and scholarships are available to low-income families.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-974-2014). USF offers dozens of impressive summer programs and camps in a variety of subjects, including sports and science. There's also Summperplay, an interdisciplinary three-week program for students of the arts; courses cover theater, dance, web design, photography and fine arts, music, story writing and an introduction to Spanish through the arts. Camps occur May 31-Aug. 7. Summerplay sessions are open to ages 8-17, with prices ranging from $300 to $475. www.usf.edu/ur/summer.
This article appears in May 12-18, 2005.