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Array Of Camp Activities Offered To Stave Off Summer Doldrums

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 4, 2008

This year's Pasco County summer camp programs offer something for every child, regardless of age or interest. Whether a child wants to dance, draw or dribble a ball through the summer months, the camp schedule has something for them.

Summer camps come complete with a high-tech edge this summer at the Renaissance Academy in New Port Richey, where the Museum of Science & Industry Summer Science Camp will be offered for students ages 4 through eighth grade.

These camps promise "fun-filled experiences through discovery, invention and creation." Kids can design and construct catapults and castle walls, stage their own "CSI"-style mysteries and storybook plays, launch rockets, make music videos, relive medieval history through a role-play activity, whip up playful potions and concoctions, and explore an earthbound version of outer space.

"As our school emphasizes the arts and sciences, we thought the MOSI Summer Science Camp would be a nice complement to our theater and dance camps, as well as our Spanish camp," said Janine Walker Caffrey, founder and head of school at the Renaissance Academy. "Our families have been looking for opportunities like this."

The Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department will offer a range of day and nature camps throughout the county providing activities such as sports, swimming, games, field trips, arts and crafts, movies, talent performances, weekly themes and special events for the active child.

For those who prefer indoor fun this summer, the Pasco Arts Council will offer a variety of arts education classes. Children can brush up on their painting, drawing and pottery skills, and learn specialized skills such as puppet theatre, aboriginal art, cityscape mural, "Under the Sea" mural, journal-style storytelling, and "Off the Wall" drawing.

"The kids are having fun at the same time they're learning," said Ann Larsen, executive director of the Pasco Arts Council in Holiday.

Variety is a key component of the summer program at the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, with locations in Lacoochee and Port Richey. The club offers field trips to Ruth Eckerd Hall, swimming excursions at the New Port Richey Recreation Center, computers, bowling, sports and arts and crafts. The club is offering a comprehensive day camp session. Students could be reading or playing chess one minute, watching TV or playing air hockey the next.

Aside from these activities, participants will learn lessons about character and respect.

Variety is also emphasized in the Kids' Stuff summer program, hosted by Kids' Stuff Preschool, Kindergarten and Childcare in Land O' Lakes and open to ages 8 months to 11 years.

Participants will enjoy swimming at a public pool and trips to movies, bowling alleys and museums. Art and music enrichment will be offered, with campers presenting a musical play to friends and family members at the end of the summer.

In addition, guest speakers will visit the camp to talk about their careers and hobbies.

For the teen set, those who prefer a Hollywood/action adventure bent to their summer fun can visit the Elite Academy of Martial Arts in Land O' Lakes.

"They will be trained the same way that stunt doubles and choreographers are," said Elite instructor Paul Amato.

Amato studied under certified instructor Don Inosanto, who worked with industry legends Bruce and Brandon Lee.

The camp will offer a blended curriculum of eight martial arts, as well as screenings of popular martial arts movies.

A day camp that appeals to children of all ages is at Blackwood Studios in Dade City.

Voice, ballet, tap, jazz, acrobats and modern musical theater, drama and arts and crafts, are among the skills taught; the camp culminates with a full show performed for students' friends and family.

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