FROM SURREALIST BOOK-MAKING TO DOLPHIN SLEEPOVERS,
FLORIDA’S BEACH HAS A VARIETY OF KIDS PROGRAMS
There are plenty of activities for all ages on Florida’s Beach, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, and area attractions and accommodations are ready to assist parents in keeping the younger crowd busy with days of fun-filled adventures along the beach. Here’s a round up of some of the activities for kids in the area year-round and especially in the summer:
727-562-1221; Media Contact: Kelly Grass Prieto, (813) 318-9611, [email protected]
www.tradewindsresorts.com
The Tradewinds Resorts feature a new eco-package, the “Turtle Tracker,” that includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a personalized Adopt-a-Turtle-Nest and a “Color Your Own Turtle T-Shirt.” The package was created to generate support and public awareness regarding the endangered Loggerhead sea turtle, a species that nests on area beaches between May and August. Each guest is provided the location of the adopted nest, the dates the eggs are deposited and hatched, photographs of the nest, hatchlings and mom Loggerhead. The “Turtle Tracker” package starts at $639 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Tradewinds Resorts also hosts a year-round children’s club called the K.O.N.K. Club (Kids Only No Kidding.) The KONK activities team implements a ‘Kids in Action’ program where 80 percent of the scheduled activities take place outdoors with kids competing in pool relays, beach Olympics, scavenger hunts and miniature golf; the other 20 percent of the time is spent making crafts or watching movies and eating pizza. The KONK Club staff takes children on educational walking tours teaching them about the wildlife, vegetation and the importance of beach preservation. The programs vary with the seasons and serve three age groups: 3-6, 7-12 and 13-17. Programs for teens include snorkeling excursions with certified divers in the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.
1201 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
727-596-1100, Media Contact: Francis Purvey
www.radissonsandkey.com
A full-time professional recreation staff supervises day and night programs for children age 4-12 in “Lisa’s Klubhouse,” built exclusively for the property’s children’s program. Each morning’s activities are free while afternoon participants incur a nominal fee. Planned activities include: “Create-a-T-Shirt,” “Kokomo-Kids’ Playtime,” “Cartoon Breakfast Party,” “Kids Bingo and Sundaes,” “Create-a-Sun-Visor,” and “Shell Craft.” The resort also offers “Kids Night Out” and “Sand Key Cinema” programs which allow children to enjoy organized nighttime activities while parents can dine on their own.
Westin Innisbrook Resort
36750 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor, FL 34684
727-942-2000, Media Contact: Ramona Hurley, x5977
www.westin-innisbrook.com
Located on 1,000 acres, the Westin Innisbrook has a year round children’s program called Camp Innisbrook. Designed for children ages 4-12, it provides half-day, full day and evening programs. Children participate in nature excursions, golf and tennis instructional clinics, swimming, assorted games, arts and crafts and luncheons run by qualified counselors. Select activities are offered for teenagers, including dances and pool parties and teens can take the resort shuttle to any area of the property to participate in a variety of recreational activities including biking, fishing, wildlife preserve excursions or relaxing at one of the six pools.
The Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa
3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
727-360-1881, Media Contact: Sunny Ricks, 850-668-2222
www.doncesar.com
The Kids Ltd. Program at the Don CeSar for ages 4-12 and includes such activities as hermit crab races, kid-crafted shell jewelry and T-shirt decorating. Nighttime pizza parties as well as day adventures to nearby miniature golf courses and museums are also included in the kids programs.
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
1160 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 34630
727-595-1611, Media Contact: Lisa Brock, 813-961-8388
www.beachsand.com
The Sheraton Sand Key presents its summer Kids Camp for children ages 5-12 from June through September, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include: beach combing for shells and sea treasures, games on the beach and in the pool and daily trips to local attractions. Indoor games, movies and arts and crafts are part of the fun during rainy days. Kids receive a T-shirt for participating as well as a lunch of pizza, hot dogs or surprise meals. Registration is located at the pool hut from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Cost for the day camp is $18 per child for the first day and each additional day is $15 per child.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
400 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
727-461-3222, Media Contact: Nancy Cimney
www.clearwaterbeachresort.com
The Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort recently launched a new children’s program called Fun Factory. Staff trained in the arts of “funology” and edu-tainment delight children ages 3-11 from the moment they arrive with Fun Factory check-in, Fun Packs and flexible Fun Factory itineraries. The camp runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Friday and/or Saturday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Activities include guided nature walks, talent shows, beach games including sandcastle contests and volleyball, and arts and crafts. The cost is $22 per child per session with free pool activities on Tuesday and Thursday.
Holiday Inn Sunspree, Clearwater Beach
715 South Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
727-447-9566, Media Contact: Claudia Huber
www.sunspreeresort.com
Children’s programs and activities are scheduled seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m in the children’s activities center, Perky’s Playhouse, with an on-site children’s activities director. Activities include arts and crafts, games and cooking. “Kids Night Out” on Wednesday and Saturday are available for $15 per child. There is also a gameroom/arcade located in the hotel as well as a playground outside and a children’s wading pool.
Summer heats up with even more programs at area attractions and museums. Here’s a roundup:
Marine Science Summer Camp: The Clearwater Marine Aquarium features Dolphin Super Sleepover for children ages 7-11. During the overnight session kids explore dolphin biology, social behavior and conservation with “Sunset Sam” the Aquarium’s resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. The Aquarium also offers a variety of educational and exciting opportunities for kids of all ages and abilities from June through August. The sessions run 3-4 hours for 5 days and include Critter Camp, Introductory Marine Biology and the Full Circle Camp for children with down’s syndrome. The price for camp activities ranges from $95 to $135. The registration for camp sessions is due by late April. For more information, call 727-441-1790, ext. 232, or go to www.cmaquarium.org
Dali Days For Kids at the Salvador Dali Museum: These week-long family workshops combine an adventure in Surrealist art with an eye toward the museum’s exhibition pieces. Participants create books and other pieces of artwork decorated with Surrealist images. The workshops also include a week of Surrealist activities that incorporate children’s own dreams and imagination into Dali’s philosophy. The workshop includes tours of the museum’s visiting and permanent exhibitions. Enrollment is $50 for museum members and $65 for non-members. The workshops are scheduled for June and July. For more information, call the Education Department at 727-823-3767 or email [email protected]. Access online at www.salvadordalimuseum.org
Kids Kayak Camp at Adventure Kayak Center: A four-day kayaking camp for ages 8 to 15. The camp is scheduled Monday through Thursday in June and July from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids will learn to paddle in the waters off the Dunedin Causeway and in the mouth of the Anclote River. To enroll in the program costs $190 per person and includes boat rental, life jacket, paddle, backrest, certified instruction and guide, and snacks and drinks. For more information, call 727-784-6357. The Adventure Kayak Center is located in Palm Harbor. Access online at www.adventure-kayaks.com
Catch the Weedon Island Fever: Kids in grades 4-6 participate in a week-long camp including such activities as marine science projects, archaeology, discovery walks and a floating classroom experience with guides from the Pier Aquarium and the St. Petersburg Museum of History. There are two camp sessions in the summer: one in mid-June and one in mid-July. Enrollment costs $150 per week. For more information, call 727-894-1052.
Families Exploring Nature Program: Moccasin Lake Nature Park in Clearwater hosts this program aimed at children 4-10 years of age. Children work on environmental projects with their siblings and parents. The projects include arts and crafts and help everyone learn about the environment. The program is scheduled for select evenings twice a month beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $4 for children. There is no charge to participate for siblings under the age of 3 and parents. For more information, call 727-462-6024.
Camp Creativity and Much More: The Museum of Fine Art in downtown St. Petersburg offers a variety of activities throughout the summer for children ages 3-16. Sessions range from working in mixed media to drama with the Museum’s performing artist-in-residence. All of the classes promote a hands-on approach to exploring creativity utilizing music, art history and even the classical architecture of the museum. Sessions run throughout June and July. For more information, contact 727-896-2667.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Wit Tuttell at
800-822-6461 or
727-464-7200