HCC Offers Specialized, 6-Week Summer Camp Programs for Kids

Specialist camps this summer at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) are set to attract that budding Brad Pitt, Donna Karen, Monet, Florence Nightingale or Christiaan Barnard.

Aspiring young actors, fashion designers, painters, nurses and doctors are invited to sign up for one of the five, six-week summer camps on tap this summer.

The camps are for children ages 7-12 and cost $120 a week, with a one-time $20 registration fee.

Camps will be held at the HCC Collaboration Studio, 1602 North 15th Street, at 5th Avenue in Ybor City.

Campers will need to bring their own lunch.

Each program runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with drop-off times from 7:30-9 a.m. and pick-up times from 4-5:30 p.m.

“We have done camps before but nothing this unique,” said Brian England, HCC’s director of lifelong learning and continuing education. "Ours are for kids who are looking for something a little different."

England, who oversees the camps, added:  “You have to be a little unique in this industry of kid’s camps today.

Spots are available at all the camps but organizers would like families to register at least one week before the start of their chosen camp.

The camps are scheduled for:

• June 13-17 / Performing Arts/Dance Camp / Children will participate in an intensive performing arts camp run by HCC instructors. The daily schedule includes classes in directing, acting, music composition, choreography, dance and more.
• June 20-24 / Healthcare Camp / A camp for those thinking about a career in medicine. Each camper will receive a pair of scrubs and a stethoscope to use while learning about heart sounds, lung sounds, and anatomy of the heart, CPR, first aid, and nutrition. Campers will interact with healthcare professionals, including massage therapists, nurses, EKG technicians, phlebotomists, physicians and nurses.
• June 27-July 1 and July 5-8 / Chess Camp / Designed to teach children how to play or improve their chess game. Each session will include a teaching class that, while very beginner friendly, will challenge the more experienced player. Campers will be exposed to basic- to-advanced chess instruction with media-based interactive activities. There will be a bughouse and blitz tournament at the end of the camp. Each camper will receive a T-shirt, chess certificate and chess set.
• July 11-15 / Fashion Design Camp / From embellishing clothing and handbags to jeans and jewelry, youngsters will experience the life of a fashionista. With guidance from a local designer, children will learn to turn creative ideas into one- of a-kind creations. Whether they are creating jewelry or using colors to mix and match clothing, children will have something to show when the week is over.
• July 18-22 / Mixed Media Art/Photo Camp / Offers hands-on experience in a number of different mediums under the direction of an experienced artist and professional photographer. Children will create works of art with exposure to a wide variety of media, including drawing, fiber-art, photography, collage, and jewelry assembly.

Register at the program web site or contact Brian England at 813-259-6528. Email: bengland@hccfl.edu.