Summer camps offer plenty of options for kids

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to think about what the kids are going to do all day! How about signing them up for summer camp? We put together a list of some of the bigger summer camps, activities and programs in the Tampa Bay area. Whether your child is passionate about the arts, sciences, wildlife or sports, there are plenty of activities out there to keep him or her busy this summer.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Aqua Camps at the Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive, Tampa 33602

Information: (813) 273-4015; www.flaquarium.org

The Florida Aquarium offers AquaCamps for grades Pre-K-8 and a special SCUBA Camp for kids ages 12-15. Full-day on-location and travel camps are available with activities focusing on marine science adventures, including kayaking, sailing, fishing, snorkeling and caving. Camps run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with age ranges running 3 to 6, 6 to 9, 10 to 14 and 12 to 15.

Big Cat Summer Camp
12802 Easy St., Tampa, FL 33625

Information: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/edu/summer_camp.htm

To register: Beth Kamhi, (813) 323-3265, or e-mail education@bigcatrescue.org

Children 8 to 15 years can explore the great outdoors with interactive learning that includes diet preparation, scavenger hunts and keeper demonstrations of feedings and behavioral training with the cats. Campers meet and interact with lions, tigers, leopards and many other felines. Camp sessions run July 22-24 or Aug. 5-7.

Busch Gardens Adventure Camp
10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa

Information and/or to register: www.buschgardens.org or 1-877-248-2267

Campers can make new friends, visit with exotic animals and learn about their place in the environment, plunge down water slides, ride roller-coasters and participate in hands-on activities. This year features eight new camps, including resident, day, sleepover and group camps. Prices and schedules vary with each camp or program.

Carrollwood Cultural Center Summer Camp
4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, FL 33618

Information: (813) 920-2288 or www.carrollwoodcenter.org

The Carrollwood Cultural Center Summer Camp offers multi-day camps and one-day workshops. Camps run June 14 through Aug. 6.

City of Tampa Parks and Recreation

www.tampagov.net/dept_parks_and_recreation

This traditional nine-week summer day camp is available at 21 community/activity centers located throughout the city. There also are several one-week special interest camps with a particular concentration, including art, aquatics and sports.

Fine Art Photo Summer Camp for Kids
InSight Studio, 1906 N. Armenia Ave., Studio 305, Tampa, FL 33607

Information: (813) 390-3422 or insight305@yahoo.com

Hands-on experience in how to use a camera, composition, natural lighting, how to create interesting images, working in a darkroom and field trips into urban landscapes. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; weekly cost is $165 (includes all needed supplies).

Lowry Park Zoo Summer Camps
1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa

Information: (813) 935-8552, ext. 268, or http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/_education/camps_and_classes.html

Zoo School is headquarters for 100 weeklong camps for students in K-12. Kids and teens can learn about nature, science and the animal kingdom while hiking through the zoo, exploring behind-the-scenes and cooling off in the zoo's water play areas. Adventure camps include animal encounters, keeper talks, educational shows, games, crafts and more.

MOSI Summer Science Camp
4801 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa

Information and/or registration: www.campfun.org or call (813) 987-6000 or 1-800-995-6674

A wide variety of camps for budding scientists, artists, engineers and computer game designers.

The Patel Conservatory - Summer Camp
David A. Straz Center Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, FL 33602

Information: (813) 222-1002 or www.patelconservatory.org

More than 40 camps in the performing arts, including music, theater, dance, film, on-camera acting and vocal arts. Programs are for pre-K to adult; tuition varies. Programs include rock 'n' roll, on-camera acting, summer play, film, musical theater, vocal arts, violin and cello. Limited courses offer hip-hop dance, tap dance, creative drama, digital video boot camp, songwriting, rock school, group piano, and ballroom dance. Camp runs June 8 through Aug. 21.

Tampa Bay History Center
801 Old Water St., Tampa, FL 33602

Information: (813) 675-8985 or www.tampabayhistorycenter.org

A different adventure every week for five weeks: Archeology Adventures, Tampa's Urban Treasures, Let's Play, Pioneer Life and Museum Mysteries. Each weeklong camp runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $150 for nonmembers and $135 for members.

Tampa Creative Camps
Hyde Park Village, 742 S. Village Circle, Tampa, FL 33606

Information: (813) 410-5682; www.tampacreativecamps.com

Performing arts summer camp features theater, music, dance, video production and magic. Activities include writing, directing and acting on film, learning magic tricks, field trips to community arts events, outdoor activities and guest performances. At the end, campers will perform in a stage production open to the public.

Tampa Museum of Art
120 Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602

Information: Laura Cook at (813) 421-8373 or www.tampamuseum.org. State-certified art instructors lead children in art activities inspired by the museum's current exhibitions and permanent collection. Each day's lesson includes visits to the museum's galleries to experience current exhibitions. Students will work with a variety of media each week as they complete projects specifically tailored to each session's theme.

Photocamp
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

200 N. Tampa St., Suite 130, Tampa, FL 33602

Information: (813) 221-2222; www.FMOPA.org

Photocamp teaches photography within the arts using practical skills, self-discipline, confidence, creativity and critical thinking. One artistic work from each camper will be displayed during the 10th annual Members' Show, Aug. 3 through Sept. 4. Photocamp is held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily and has two sessions: June 21-25 and July 12-16. The cost is $125 to members and $175 for nonmembers.

Tampa Theatre Film Camp
Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602

Call (813) 274-5510; http://www.tampatheatre.org/summercamp.php

Students will create live-action and stop-motion animated movies on Mac computers using programs like I-Movie and Garage Band and footage they shoot with digital cameras. Each student will premiere his or her film on Tampa Theatre's big screen and receive a copy on DVD. The cost is $165.

YMCA of Tampa Bay
Many locations throughout Hillsborough County

Information: (813) 224-9622; www.tampaymca.com

Campers can choose from a range of full-day, half-day and specialty camps, including sports, gymnastics and aquatics. A new outdoor adventure camp will be held in Riverview. Families can take advantage of the 10 percent sibling discount and also receive a $50 YMCA program voucher when purchasing five or more weeks of camp.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Tampa Bay Rays Baseball and Softball Camp
Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg

Information: (727) 825-3306; www.tampabay.rays.mlb.com

Kids 6 to 13 will learn the fundamentals of the game through professional, structured teaching and personal attention. Camps, which run from 9 a.m. to noon, will include guest speakers, hitting clinics and softball camps with the opportunity to practice with the pros.

American Stage Summer Camps
St. Petersburg College, 244 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg

Information: (727) 823-1600, ext. 201; www.americanstage.org

Students 5 through 17 can express their creativity through performance, with a focus on ensemble-building and self-discovery. A variety of camps are available, all under the guidance of professional artists.

Camp meets 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. All are $150 per week except "Making Marvelous Musicals Camp," which is $500 for four weeks.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg

Information: www.stpete.org/boyd/daycamps.asp or (727) 893-7326

Camps for kids with a passion for nature and the outdoors include Jungle Boogie, Herpetology, Wildlife Ecology, Pioneer, Young Naturalist and Summer Nature Day.

City of St. Petersburg Summer Playcamp and Teen Camp

Information: www.stpete.org/recreation/kidscare.asp.

Recreation centers throughout St. Petersburg offer daily camps for children entering grades one through eight.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Information: Call (727) 441-1790, ext. 222; www.seewinter.com/kids-teachers/camps

Themes include Critter Camp, Fish Tails, Marine Neighbors, Eco Explorers, Animal Encounter, Animal Care and Training Camp.

Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute
Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater

Call (727) 712-2706; www.hoffmanperformingarts.org

Summer arts program features more than 40 classes for ages 3 to 18. All themed classes are literacy-based and students receive a book related to their class experience.

Morean Arts Center
719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Information: (727) 822-7872; moreanartscenter.org

Art camp features a variety of classes and activities, including glass classes, clay camps, expressive weaving, claymation, puppet playhouse and more. Camp weeks begin June 14 for ages 5 through 15.

Summer Camp Is Surreal
Salvador Dali Museum

1000 Third St. S., St. Petersburg

Information: (727) 823-3767; www.salvadordalimuseum.org

A Junior Docent summer camp is offered to students 8 through 13, led by Pinellas County visual arts teachers and the museum's education staff. Students learn about Surrealism, Dali and the collection and participate in surreal-inspired activities. The cost is $150 for members, $200 for nonmembers.

Great Explorations Children's Museum
1925 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg

Information: (727) 821-8992; www.greatex.org

Theater, science and education skills are the focus of camps that include: Schools Out Camp, Easy Come Easy Go Summer and Weekly Art Science and Cultural Camps. Camps begin June 10 and run through Aug. 23.

City of Largo Summer Camps

Information: (727) 518-3125; www.largocamps.com

The City of Largo offers a variety of programs for preschoolers through teens.

Dunedin Fine Art Center 2010 Art Camps
1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin

Information: (727) 298-3322; www.dfac.org/tbp

Camps for kids and teens include Mini-Masters, Sizzlin' Summer, Musical Theatre, Mural Madness, and Art Squad. Activities are daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with up to 10 weekly sessions. Parents can register by downloading an application online and mailing or faxing the completed form to the center.

Summer's Here Art Camp
Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, St. Petersburg College, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs

Information: (727) 712-5226; www.spcollege.edu/museum

Art camp runs July 12 through 23 for ages 6 to 13. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; cost is $150 per week. Check the Web site for more information to be announced.

POLK COUNTY

Polk Museum of Art
800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland

Information: (863) 688-5423; www.polkmuseumofart.org

Kids 5 through 13 can get creative at five sessions from June 14 through August 6. Each session is two weeks long. Sessions include drawing, painting, photography, ceramics and computer graphics.