Community Corner
Brandon Parent's Guide to Summer Camp Offerings
Enrollment is under way for summer camp programs. Here's a selection of choices in Hillsborough County, including offerings in the Greater Brandon area.
Summer is on the horizon and with it comes a variety of camp options for the young people in your family. From sports focused programs to ones with an emphasis on performing arts, youth will have ample opportunities for enrichment even when the last school bell rings.
Here's a sampling of summer camp options in Hillsborough County:
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Location: At 11 participating Tampa Bay area YMCA locations. Click here for a list.
Type of camp: Sports/Art/Dance/Character Building
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Cost: $135 Weekly for youth who are YMCA members and $185 for non-members.
When: June 10-Aug. 16; daily from 9a.m.-4p.m. with extended care available.
Registration Dates: Register online at your participating location.
Details: The YMCA offers camp programs for preschoolers through high schoolers. Registration includes the ability to select a program that best suits your child's interest and needs from activities like swimming lessons to fairytale camp.
For more information call: 813-224-9622.
Name: Busch Gardens Summer Day Camp
Location: Park is located at 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa, Fla.
Type of camp: Animal Care/Science/Exploring
Cost: $270 per week.
When: Dates vary but most run from early June through mid August.
Registration Dates: Register online.
Details: More than a dozen specialty camps are offered at Busch Gardens for kindergartners through high school seniors. Topics include animal research, geography and a back-stage look at the park's operations. Campers can chose their program based on age and interest.
For more information call: 1-877-BGT-CAMP.
Location: 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa Fla.
Type of camp: Education, Arts and Play
Cost: Weekly - $110 half day/$220 full day.
When: June 10-Aug. 16 from 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m. Extended care available.
Registration Details: Registration information online.
Details:Campers ages 3-9 will spend their days exploring science, doing arts and crafts, games, taking walking field trips, listening to guest presenters and having play time throughout the museum.
For more information call: 813-443-3861.
Name: Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo School Summer Camp
Location: Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Avenue Tampa, Fla.
Type of camp: Nature/Science/Animals
Cost: From $170 to $225 per week.
When: June 10-Aug. 16; daily from 9a.m.-4p.m. with extended care available.
Registration Details: Register online.
Details: Campers will enjoy daily encounters with animals, education and hiking while participating in specialized programs that are grade specific. Camp is headquartered at the zoo's 17,400 square foot classroom facility.
For more information call: 813-935-8552 ext. 268.
Name: Hillsborough County Summer Camps
Location: Hillsborough County Recreation Centers and Parks.
Type of camp: Recreation/Arts and Crafts/Drama/Life Skills
Cost: $76 per two-week session; $120 specialty nature camps, per two-week session; $50 Bakas Equestrian camp, per day; $38 Camp Sparks per week
When: June 17 – Aug. 9; 8a.m.-5p.m.
Registration Details: Register online.
Details: More than 15 different programs are available for campers aged 5-17 at several of the county's participating recreation centers and parks.
For more information call: 813-635-3500.
Name: City of Tampa Summer Camps
Location: Recreation Center locations in the City of Tampa including New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.
Type of camp: Traditional day camps, teen camps and nature camps.
Cost: $76 Traditional day camps, per two-week session; $120 Specialty Nature camps, per two-week session; $50 Bakas Equestrian camp, per day; $38 Camp Sparks per week.
When: June 10-Aug. 16.
Registration Details: Register online.
Details: Campers can take part in a wide variety of age-appropriate classes from sports to fine arts.
For more information call: 813-274-8615.
Name: Florida Aquarium Summer Camps
Location: Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive Tampa, Fla.
Type of camp: Camp for ages 3-15 years old focused on marine life, environmental science and social skills.
Cost: $275 members, $340 non-members.
When: June 10-Aug. 16; daily from 9a.m.-4p.m. with extended care available.
Registration Dates: Register online.
Details: Campers ages 4-15 can take part in a variety of camp programs that include live animal encounters, group play and Scuba instruction for older campers.
For more information call: 813-273-4015.
Name: MOSI Summer Science Camp
Location: Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI),4801 E. Fowler Avenue Tampa, Fl. 33617
Type of camp: Science and Technology
Cost:Program Fee: $279 weekly for MOSI members; $209 for non-members.
When: June 10-Aug. 16; Extended care from 7a.m.– 9 a.m. or 4p.m. – 6:30p.m. Extended care available.
Registration Details: Register online a week before camp begins.
Details: Kindergartners through high school campers can mix and match grade-specific classes per week for the entire camp focused on science, technology, engineering and math. A STEM Certificate of Achievement is awarded or completing the camp.
For more information call: 813-987-6000.
Name: History Adventures Summer Camp
Location: Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St, Tampa, FL 33602
Type of camp: History/Adventure/Arts and Crafts
Cost: $135 for TBHC members (family level or higher); $150 for non-members
When: June 17-Aug. 9; daily from 9a.m.-5p.m. with extended care available.
Registration Details: Download registration forms.
Details: Campers in grades 3-6 will learn about history through hands-on activities, gallery tours, and interactions with historians, including field trips.
For more information call: 813-855-0662
Brandon Summer Camps
Name: Kids R Kids Summer Camp
Type of camp: Academics, Studio Arts, Technology
Cost: $136 a week
Where: Kids R Kids Learning Academy, 5815 Kids Crossing Drive in Lithia and 4321 Lynx Paw Trail in Valrico.
When: June 10-Aug.16. daily from 6a.m.-6:30p.m.
Registration Details: Visit location to register.
Details: Campers who are kindergarten aged-12 years old can take part in one of 5 unique camp programs which focus on technology, studio arts, science culture and the environment. Field trips and pool time are also a part of this summer camp experience.
For more information call: 813-855-0662.
Name: Brandon Sports and Aquatic Camp
Type of camp: Sports, Aquatics, Games
Cost: $130 per week for full day camp
Where: Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, 405 Beverly Blvd. Brandon, Fla.
When: June 10-Aug. 16 daily from 7a.m.-6:30p.m.
Details for registration: Registration information online.
Details: Campers from age 4-13 years old will learn about water safety, marine science, swimming techniques and enjoy a variety of field trips.
For more information call: 813-443-5067.
Name: Robotics Camp at Hillsborough Community College
Type of Camp: Technology, robotics, science and math.
Cost: $150 per week.
Where: Hillsborough County Community College, Brandon Campus, 10414 Columbus Dr. Brandon, Fl.
When: June 17 (orientation just for girls); June 24 (general first day) - July 26.
Details for registration: Registration information online.
Details: This National Science Foundation Center for Excellence program incorporates STEM education where middle-school through high schoolers are exposed to the math, science and technology behind robotics. Campers will also be exposed to drafting software and problem solving using engineering.
For more information call: 813-655-6505.
Name: Extreme Youth Sports
Type of camp: Sports
Cost: $180 for members, $240 for non-members
Where: 13498 US Highway 301 S Riverview, Fla.
When: Weekly sessions from June 25-Aug. 24
Deadline for registration: Registration information online.
Details: A variety of sports focused programming for children ages 4-13 including karate, dance, cheerleading, flag-football, golf and baseball plus more.
For more information call: 813-817-5425.
Do you know of any great summer camps in the Brandon area? Tell us in the comments.
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