Summer's coming soon, and that means CAMP!
(Disclaimer: I am a camp junkie. I was a camper at 2 different camps each summer growing up and a camp counselor at the Methodist camp in Leesburg for 2 summers and would have been a 3rd except I decided to stay at college for the summer. I would be at camp all summer long if I could. Nothing quite like it.)

Sorry.

Back on track.

Let's list any upcoming summer camps here that you hear of!

Here's info on said camp -- spaces are filling up already w/ several weeks full.

http://www.umsummercamp.org/FCUMC-Web/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=142

I'd like to hear from moms who have sent their children to camps, like the City's, or Rotary Sportsplex or others. My oldest is 10, and I'd like feedback from moms of kids his age who have had good camping experiences. Last year he went to Camp Kiwanis but I don't think he wants to do an all-week overnight this year, although I loved the variety of activities they had. My youngest is 7 so anything for that age woud also be great. Anyway, please share your camp-gems!

OPD taking apps for a summer program:

http://www.ocala.com/article/20080505/NEWS/512882166/13...s_for_summer_program

I have sent my daughter to two summer camps the past two summers. Last year she went to the YMCA summer camp and she loved it . They swam every day played sports indoors and out. The only thing I didn't care for was that they didn't have their own area. They where outside alot and she did get overheated. They where supposed to have their own building to use. Maybe they will this year. Over all though it was good. The year before last she went to the Ocala Parks and Recreation camp near Tuscawilla park. I was very unhappy with this summer camp and she will never go there again. You pay 60.00 a week for nothing more then two trips a week one to go swimming and some other place. Usually to a free movie. Most of the time they where in the building that had no air or outside during the hottest time of the day. Also the staff who have backround checks done which is good in this day of age do not really supervise the children. Many times I had gone to pick her up and they where all sitting and chatting while the kids where running all over. Its not a day camp but in the past few years Regal Cinema has shown free G and PG movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They are not new movies maybe a year or two old but it is something for them to do and its free.

My boys are huge fans of the Marty Smith sports camps held at CFCC. I believe they are for kids starting as young as 6 years old. There are two types of camps offered... a baseball camp and an all-sports camp. My boys attended the all-sports camp last year and had an incredible time... they do 5 sports every day (baseball, flag football, soccer, basketball and kickball), plus they swim, have movie time, and eat lunch (provided). Yes, they are absolutely exhausted when their heads hit their pillows each night, but they had such a fun day!!! Here is the link to the Marty Smith camps.... www.cfcccamps.com .

I just got this in an email from Marion County pertaining to camps, so I am passing it along...

Marion County Offers Summer Program for Youth

The Marion County Parks and Recreation Department will offer a six week summer recreation program at five area sites for youth in grades K-8. Program content will include a wide variety of activities such as arts and crafts, sport games, outdoor recreation, special theme events, guest programs and more. The program will be offered Monday – Thursday beginning June 16.

Program sites planned include:

Anthony Elementary
9501 NE Jacksonville Rd
7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
K-5

East Marion Elementary
14550 NE 14 Street Rd
7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
K-5

Greenway Elementary
207 Midway Rd
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
K-5

Ft McCoy Elementary
16160 NE Hwy 315
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
K-8

Wrigley Fields
405 E Hwy 316
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
K-8

The fee for the program is $15. Parents must complete a Registration and Child Emergency form. The program sites are limited to the first 100 participants, so early registration is encouraged.

For additional information, or to register, please contact the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department at 352-671-8560 or stop by our office located at 111 SE 25 Avenue in Ocala.

MORE CAMPS INFORMATION FROM A PRESS RELEASE:

4-H is now offering summer day camps for youth. These camps are open to the public (you don’t need to be a member of 4-H to participate). For more information or to register, contact the 4-H Office at 671-8413. Class size is limited, early registration is encouraged.

Water Wise Ambassador: June 9 - 13

Join us for a week of fun to learn about Florida’s water, a precious resource. You will enjoy learning creative ways to make every drop count. There will be lots of hands-on activities on the water cycle, ways to conserve water inside and outside the home, and how to prevent water pollution. This camp is being taught by Norma Samuel. Limited to the first 25 participants. Open to youth 8 to 12. Cost is $50.00 for current 4-H members and $75.00 for non 4-H members and includes all materials and supplies. Times are from 9am-3pm. Campers are asked to bring a brown bag lunch and snack daily. Deadline to sign up is Friday May 9.

4-H Sampler: June 23 - 27

Explore a little bit of everything 4-H has to offer! You will get a chance to try your hand at such activities as shooting sports, sewing, forestry, cooking, and animal science. The week will culminate with an overnight lock-in at the 4-H farm. This is a great camp to try if you are new to 4-H or have a friend who you would like to introduce to 4-H. Open to all youth 8 to 18. Youth who are not currently enrolled in 4-H will be required to do so before the start of camp. Limited to the first 25 participants. Open to all youth 8 to 18. Cost is $50.00 for current members, $75.00 for non 4-H members and includes all materials and supplies. Campers are asked to bring a brown bag lunch and snack daily. Times are from 9am-3pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and overnight from 9am Thursday to 9am Friday. Deadline to sign up is Friday May 23rd.

Crazy for Crafts: June 30 - July 3

Creativity is the name of the game for this camp! Participants will learn the art of sewing, beading, painting, and scrap booking (among other things) and will have at least one completed project to take home at the end of each day. Limited to the first 25 participants. Open to all youth 8 to 18. Cost is $50.00 for current members, $75.00 for non 4-H members and includes all materials and supplies. Campers are asked to bring a brown bag lunch and snack daily. Times are from 9am-3pm. Deadline to sign up is Friday, May 30.

Nutrition Florida Style: July 28 - August 1

Chef Nicky, the 4-H Nutrition Mascot, is on a new adventure! Come join him as he explores ways to use Florida agriculture products to keep him healthy. Campers will learn about a variety of foods produced in Florida, including fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and prepare tasty recipes. Limited to the first 20 participants. Open to youth 8 to 12. Cost is $50.00 for current members, $75.00 for non 4-H members and includes all materials and supplies. Campers are asked to bring a brown bag lunch and snack daily. Times are from 9am-3pm. Deadline to sign up is Friday June 20.

Hi, I wanted to put a note on here (this is the only place I've posted anything about this so this is not a mass ad or anything). I'd like to do a summer camp this year for beginner to somewhat beginner horseback riders if there is an interest. I'm a small farm with some great horses that love attention and are very child friendly. I try to make the hours as flexible as possible and as inexpensive as I can. I only take 4 riders per week (if I do multiple weeks is dependent on interest). You can email me at riffraff19@aol.com and you can visit our website at www.hometown.aol.com/riffraff19 and I'm located 3 miles west of I-75 off 40 or 27. Send me your date request and I'm thinking the hours would be 9a to 4p with early or late pickup being an extra fee and a base fee of $150 for a Mon- Fri week or $35 per day. We could also end the weeks with our horse shows we have here which right now are May 24, June 28, July 26. Just a suggestion, I have a cirriculum that I've fashioned from past camps if anyone would like to see that and maybe if there's enough interest, I'll add a page on the website for all the info. Thanx! Jan

Saw this add today

Balcony Gymnastics
June 9th-August 15th-10 wks
field-trips
Free registration w/ purchase of 3wks of Summer Camp

401-3663
www.balconysports.com

Special summer pilot program for kids with Autism and Other Related Disabilities

“Pilot Kids” are children between the ages of 5 and 12 living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities who will be “piloting” an inclusion project that is giving them the opportunity to participate in their community in existing summer camps along with their non-disabled peers, enjoying activities outside of their typical secluded environments. Through this program, both groups of children will be exposed to each other, in most cases probably for the first time ever. This is a unique opportunity for participants to gain valuable social skills and learn about their differences and similarities while new relationships are being formed.

This is the first year of the “Pilot Kids” Program. It will run for one-week (June 23 – 27) and accept thirty (30) children who will participate in the Ocala Recreation and Parks “Summer Blast” attending three (3) existing day camp locations – Ten (10) children per site. Camp hours will be from 9 – 3.

A Certified ESE teacher will serve as Program Director for all three sites. Six (6) Certified ESE paraprofessionals will serve as Site Supervisors, two per site, with the remaining staff consisting of interns from the University of Florida and Marion County high school community service volunteers. The ratio will be one (1) staff member per child, and staff will be instructed to use the “least to most” intervention approach in an effort to allow the children to develop a sense of independence and build natural relationships with their peers. Staff training is being provided by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD).

The three camps sites are: Camp Funtastic at the Tuscawilla Youth Center - 701 NE Sanchez Avenue – 629-8379 -- This camp is open to youth ages 5 to 11 years. The cost is $65 per child per week (which does not include field trips). “PILOT KIDS” cost is $25; Sunny Side Summer Day Camp at the Herbert Coleman Center in Jervey Gantt Park - 2001 SE 32nd Avenue – 629-8351 -- This camp is open to youth ages 5 – 9 years This is an intergenerational program with senior volunteers assisting with activities. The cost is $65 per child for the week plus field trip expenses. “PILOT KIDS” cost is $25; Center Adventures at the Discovery Science and Outdoor Center - 1211 SE 22nd Road – 401-3900 -- This camp is open to youth ages 8 – 12 and provides interactive science fun all summer long for the youngest science enthusiasts. Keep in mind that this camp is more “hands-on” and project oriented and may require participants to sit and focus for extended periods of time. Call DSOC for more information or email discovery@ocalafl.org Weekly cost is $115. “PILOT KIDS” cost is $45.

Criteria for acceptance: (1) Cognitive impairment and/or lack of communication and/or social skills as associated with Autistic-Like, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS); (2) Dual sensory impairment - i.e. hearing or vision loss plus cognitive disability, deaf-blindness; (3)
Be between the ages of 5 and 12 (5 years olds must have completed Kindergarten); (4) Must be Potty Trained; (5) Must have No Medical Needs; (6) No extreme behaviors - i.e. history of self-injurious behavior or injury to others, etc; (7) Must be familiar with structured environment (i.e. classroom); (8)
Should be able to follow some visual and/or verbal direction.

REQUIRED Parent Participation: The Autism and Other Disabilities Workgroup (AODW) will be hosting a “Behavior Roundtable” workgroup on June 23, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Our guest will be Adrienne Ascierto. Mrs. Ascierto has Autism Certification and is a Certified Behavior Analyst with Marion County Public Schools. Please note that parent participation in this “Roundtable” is mandatory for a child to be accepted into the “Pilot Kids” Summer Program.

Applications are being accepted until May 20th. Please call Sylvia Miller at 352-624-1360 for more information and an application.

The May edition of Ocala Style Magazine has a page (132) with about 15 different summer camp options for a variety of ages.

Would anyone happen to have any info on Xtreme Kids? Are there any others that offer part-time programs (2 days/wk)? Thanks so much!!

Hi all!

I'm enrolling my daughter in a youth program called Cheer Cubs Cheerleading this summer! She decided it's something new she wants to try and I like the program because it's once a week on Saturdays for ten weeks, the price is great for the amount of time she'll spend there, and it's not as costly as other programs. My daugther is always trying out new sports and I do encourage her to so she can find something she loves to do but sometimes it can be costly to find out that she doesn't like the sport at all, this program is going to introduce her to cheerleading during the summer and it's not competitive like the other programs we've looked in to in Ocala and the fees are a lot lower.

It's ten weeks long, registration is on June 7th at the Lillian Bryant Center from 11am until 2:30pm, classes start June 21st through August 23rd, it's every Saturday, the class times vary, and the price is $5 for registration and $10 per class, plus $35 for the uniform!

If you want more information feel free to send me a message!

Also if anyone knows of any swimming camps going on this summer, let me know!

I think this forum is so great, finally a place for us moms to share information about all the wonderful things going on throughout the year

quote:

Originally posted by shardy1567:
Would anyone happen to have any info on Xtreme Kids? Are there any others that offer part-time programs (2 days/wk)? Thanks so much!!

Hi Shardy1567!

I'm enrolling my daughter in a youth program called Cheer Cubs Cheerleading, it's a great program if you're child is wanting to take up cheerleading, it's not competitive, just kids having fun learning to cheer! Registration is on June 7th at the Lillian Bryant Center from 11am to 2:30pm, the classes will start June 21st and will run until August 23rd, there's different class times, and each is an hour long, the fee is $5 for registration and $10 each class, plus the uniform which is $35.

If you want to know more info feel free to send me a message