Every kids loves summer vacation for, among other things, the three-month break from school, homework and everything else that cuts into fun time.
There are plenty of kid-centric activities in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World that are getting ready to start up, and you parents have plenty of time to get your young ones registered. The Plant City Times & Observer is here to help you find whatever it is you’re looking for around town.
CAMP INVENTION
When: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., June 15 to 19
Where: John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road
Cost: $230 per camper; CampInvention.org, or 1 (800) 968-4332
Info: The STEM-centric summer camp challenges students to use their brainpower to create, innovate and work together. The camp is open to all young minds from kindergarten through the sixth grade, and is headed by Walden Lake Elementary teacher Paul Coletti.
Contact: Paul Coletti, (813) 951-6266 or pacman1988@hotmail.com.
YMCA SUMMER CAMP: BE YOUR OWN SUPERHERO
When: June 8 to August 21
Where: 1507 YMCA Place
Cost: Costs vary based on program and YMCA membership, which is not required to enroll in a camp. For more information, and to register online, visit TampaYMCA.org/plantcity.
Info: The traditional summer day camp, for ages 5 to 12, has campers completing educational and team-based activities to learn core values, and also includes some fun time in the pool. The sports camp, for ages 5 to 12, offers specialized training in games such as football, baseball, soccer and volleyball. The leaders in training (L.I.T.) Camp, for ages 13 to 16, teaches teens how to work better in teams, use leadership skills and prepare for the real world while mentoring younger campers.
2015 SUMMER CHEERLEADING CLINIC
When: July 21 and 22
Where: 1 Raider Place
Cost: $70 per camp; Karen Snapp, karen.snapp@sdhc.k12.fl.us or (813) 757-9370; Registration forms at PlantCityGov.com/DocumentCenter/View/19962
Info: Kids ages 4 to 13 can learn the stunts of the cheerleading trade with Plant City High head coach Karen Snapp at the high school gymnasium. All campers are asked to wear a t-shirt, shorts and sneakers, and something to keep hair out of the face. No jewelry is allowed. Campers are also required to bring their own water bottle and lunch.
2015 SUMMER SOCCER CAMP
When: July 19 to 24
Where: Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2602 E. Cherry St., June; Ellis-Methvin Park soccer fields, 2401 E. Cherry St., July/August
Cost: $125 per player per camp; FCPlantCity.com/2014-Soccer-Camps
Info: Soccer players age 8 to 18 can develop their game with help from FC Plant City. Local athlete Omar Castro, who now plays for Bundesliga club Eintracht Braunschweig, will be back in town June 8 to 12 to host his annual Soccer Challenge Camp. Soccer veteran Ziggy Zigante’s goalkeeper and shooting camp will be held from July 19 to 24. Closing out the summer will be the technique/skills camp, with FCPC Technical Director Greg Petersen, held from August 17 to 21. The August camp is also open for children as young as 4.
2015 SUMMER BASKETBALL CLINIC
When: June 15 to 18
Where: 1 Raider Place
Cost: $115 per camper; William Teeden, (813) 967-7551; Wilt Wilkerson, (813) 944-8727.
Info: Young ballers, age 6 to 14, are welcome at the Plant City High gymnasium if they want to fine-tune their skills and get some more buckets. The school’s boys and girls head coaches, William Teeden and Wilt Wilkerson, are hosting the clinic from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
P.C. REC & PARKS YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMS
Where: Planteen Rec Center, 301 Dort St.; MLK Rec Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.
When: June 8 to August 14
Cost: $300 (MLK) and $400 (Planteen) per camper; payment plans are available. Contact Jason Hargrove, (813) 659-4256 (Planteen); Lillie Brown, (813) 757-9196 (MLK).
Info: The Plant City Recreation & Parks Dept. is hosting several youth summer programs at the Planteen and the Martin Luther King recreation centers for any child who has completed kindergarten. Each program runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for 10 weeks. The Planteen rec center will host campers aged 6 to 15, while the MLK Center will host campers aged 5 to 11. In addition to indoor and outdoor activities, both camps will feature trips to the Lowry Park Zoo, Wet ’n’ Wild and Fun Spot. Transportation, along with camp shirts, will be provided.
SENSHI DO KAI STREET FIGHTER SUMMER CAMP
Where: 2909 James L. Redman Parkway
When: June 8 to August 21
Cost: $55 per session; (813) 754-4128 or SenshiDoKaimma.com
Info: Inspired by the popular “Street Fighter” video game series, Senshi Do Kai MMA’s summer camp will promote its “Bully-Proof” program and teach campers self-defense skills and bullying prevention advice. There will be breaks in between the five-day camps, and includes trips to Legoland, Dinosaur World, SeaWorld and more.
MIKE GOTTMAN YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP
Where: 4748 Cougar Path
When: June 8 to 11; DurantCougarsFootball.com or Facebook.com/DurantCougarsFootball
Cost: $125 per person; pre-registration will be held at 8 a.m. June 6, at the school gymnasium, and the coaches will also accept on-site registrations June 8.
Info: Durant High head football coach Mike Gottman hosts an annual summer skills and drills camp at the high school’s practice field. Gottman’s camp caters to everyone from fifth graders to incoming freshmen. The camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TURKEY CREEK STABLES HORSE CAMP
When: Beginning June 8
Where: 5534 Turkey Creek Road.
Cost: $150 per week or $50 per day; (813) 737-1312 or TurkeyCreekStables.net.
Info: You don’t have to be a kid to learn how to ride and care for a horse this summer. Turkey Creek Stables’ summer camp is open to anyone 7 and older. Campers can choose their own horse and learn the ins and outs of horseback riding and more. All campers must bring their own lunch on most days, but the stables will have a hot dog cookout for the campers and staff every Friday. Campers may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m., with first ride starting at 9 a.m., and they must be picked up by 6 p.m. Riders must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Anyone under age 16 must wear a helmet when riding in Edward Medard Park.
SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH
VBS & YOUTH WILD WEEK
When: June 21 to 25
Where: Shiloh Baptist Church Worship Center, 905 W. Terrace Drive
ADULT VBS
When: 6 to 9 p.m., June 21 to 25
Where: Shiloh Baptist Church Family Life Center, 905 W. Terrace Drive
LONE OAK BAPTIST CHURCH
YOUTH CAMP
When: July 13 to 17
Where: Lone Oak Baptist Church, 3001 Lone Oak Road
VBS
When: July 20 to 25
Where: Lone Oak Baptist Church, 3001 Lone Oak Road
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PLANT CITY
SURF CAMP
When: June 7 to 12
Where: Cocoa Beach
HOPEWELL BAPTIST CHURCH
VBS
When: June 15 to 19.
Where: Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 C.R. 39 S.
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
VBS
When: July 26 to 30
Where: Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Road
PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
VBS
When: July 19 to 23
Where: Parkway Baptist Church, 4305 James L. Redman Parkway
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PLANT CITY
VBS
When: June 22 to 26
Where: First Baptist Church of Plant City, 501 N. Palmer St.
CENTRIKID CAMP
When: June 29 to July 3.
Where: First Baptist Church of Plant City, 501 N. Palmer St.
MFUGE SUMMER CAMP
When: July 6 to 10
Where: First Baptist Church of Plant City, 501 N. Palmer St.
CHURCH ON THE ROCK
VBS
When: July 13 to 17
Where: Church on the Rock, 301 E. Alsobrook St.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DOVER
CENTRIKID SUMMER CAMP
When: June 22 to 26
Where: First Baptist Church of Dover, 3223 N. Gallagher Road, Dover
YOUTH SUMMER CAMP
When: July 5 to 11
Where: First Baptist Church of Dover, 3223 N. Gallagher Road, Dover
VBS
When: July 12 to 16
Where: First Baptist Church of Dover, 3223 N. Gallagher Road, Dover