Why Maycember In Tampa Bay Feels So Intense

Does this time of year feel incredibly chaotic for you? Welcome to Maycember. And Maycember in Tampa Bay feels especially crazy. Why is this the case?

Well, first off, maybe Maycember is a new term for you. It’s the insanity of December without the holidays, of course. This time of  year comes along with all the end of the school year activity, planning for camps and summer vacations. I’ve dropped some balls lately amidst the Maycember madness. You’re not alone if your feeling it.

It feels even more intense in the Tampa Bay area for a couple of reasons. First off, May is the month where the shroud of heat settles around our area. Summer is on the horizon and the May weather ushers it in. With the added heat, do you feel even more exhausted. You’ve already got your monster to-do list, end-of-school year parties to plan, gifts to buy, notes to write, camps to sign up for…It’s endless. And then the temperatures in the nineties add a layer of fatigue.

Another reason Maycember feels intense in Tampa Bay is because of the abundance of options. It’s a good thing to have so many places to visit, beaches to enjoy, and activities to sign up for. But it can become overwhelming. Want to go enjoy a day at Museum of Science and Industry? How about the Glazer Children's Museum? There are plenty of beach-related things you can do, as well. And with Tampa Bay being a hotspot, you might be preparing for guests to come visit, in addition to planning vacations for yourself.

How can we overcome the stressful feelings of Maycember. Three pieces of advice. Having lots of option and lots of plans isn’t the worst thing. It feels good to be busy, so keep it in perspective. Second thing to remember is a “no” to one activity is a big “yes” to another. In other words, set boundaries. And finally, take time to enjoy the moment (or many moments). Maycember will be over before we know it. I promise you'll get through Maycember in Tampa Bay.

Summer is almost here, don't let your kids waste away their vacation at home! We know it's hard to juggle working and making sure your little ones stay educated and entertained all summer. That's why we've made a list of the best 13 Tampa summer camps for kids of all ages.

From sports camps to STEM programs and field trip opportunities, Tampa Bay has so many summer camps to choose from. So we've made it easier for you to narrow down your choices by providing our favorites and we've got all the dates, times, ages, and rates listed right here.

Summer camps can be such an enriching experience for kids. They provide opportunities for children to learn new skills, make new friends, build self-confidence, and learn about independence. How do you choose the right one? Well, you want to make sure that it offers something your child is interested in.

It can be risky to sign them up for an expensive 5-6 week camp for a new experience they might lose interest in quickly. Then it becomes a fight to get your kid out the door during summer to a camp they hate. So if your kid loves soccer, maybe they can join a different sports summer camp to learn new skills that can ultimately help them with their main interests. But they might not have any interest whatsoever in an arts or STEM camp.

We get how expensive summer camps can be, so we also tried narrowing down our search to find the most affordable Tampa summer camps that still offer lots of fun activities.

Whichever camp you decide, register your kid as soon as possible. Some camps give discounts for early registration and you don't want summer vacation to sneak up on you. See a full list of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco camps here.

Pin Chasers day camp is catered to beginners and more advanced bowlers alike. BONUS: bowling camps keep kids active while staying inside safe from the heat and storms of summer. Camp includes: A FREE bowling ball, pin water bottle, and t-shirt for each child, daily snacks and lunch, bowling and competitions, indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, and other activities, arcade games and camp party.

Ages: 5 through 15
Where? Pin Chasers Midtown, East Pasco, or Veterans
When? June 3rd – July 26th (see specific dates below), 9:00 am through 3:30 pm
How much? $239
Early drop-off (7:30 am) and/or late pick-up (6:00 pm) are available for a flat rate of $30.

Register here

These themed art camps focus on the exploration of art material through hands-on guided learning.

Ages: K-5th grade
Where: Mitchell Elementary, 205 S Bungalow Park Ave, Tampa, FL 33609
How much: $139.99 per camper per session. $25 non refundable deposit to hold spot
When: June 3 - June 6th, June 10 -13th, June 17 -20th
Registration deadline: May 15, 2024

Register here

Come face to face with amazing wild animals, take on the newest thrill ride- Iron Gwazi- and learn what is takes to be a Zookeeper at a Busch Gardens Summer Camp, choose between day camps or resident camps.

Ages: Kindergareen-8th grade.
When: Select dates May-August, 2024
How much: $169-339. Prices vary for ages and the type of camp (Zoo-keeper, thrill seekers, water activites, etc)
Where: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612

Register here 

Your kids will love the hands-on STEAM activities at MOSI camp! Camp hours are 9 am – 4 pm. Extended hours are available from 7 am – 9 am and/or 4 pm – 6 pm for an additional fee.

When: May- August 2024
Ages: Kindergarten to 12th Grade
Where: 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida, United States, 33617
How much: Ranges from $132/week to $289/week

Become a MOSI Member today and save 25% on camp fees.

Register here

The Tampa YMCA Summer Camps are now ACA Accredited! This means the Tampa Y camps underwent a thorough review of our operations by the American Camp Association (ACA).

When: May – August, 2024
Ages: 6-14
Where: 16221 Compton Dr., Tampa, FL 33647
How Much: Ranges from camp type - $252 (non members)/$195
Prices vary based on membership, type and date of camps.

Register here

Kids can enjoy 7 weeks of fun with games, sports, arts and crafts, movies, guest speakers, field trips, and more!

When: June 10-July 26 (no camp July 4 & 5)
Ages: 5-13
Where: Pasco Middle School, J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, Land O' Lakes Recreation Complex, Veterans Memorial Park, Wesley Chapel District Park
How much: $325.00 per camper

Register here

ALM Sports Summer Camp is coming to Sky Zone this summer. They have activities such as swimming, Movies, Field Trips & MORE

Ages:5 - 14
Where: 10137 E Adamo Dr, Ste 800B, Tampa, FL, 33619
When: June 3rd - August 9

Register here 

Bricks 4 Kidz is back with a whole new summer of LEGO® camps. All of their camps are week-long camps that have full day and half day options. Pricing and discounts vary depending on location, length of camp, and when you register. 

Ages: 4.5 – 12 years old.
Where: Multiple locations
When: May 31 – August 13, 2022 (Varies by location) See all summer camp locations. 
How much: $160 – $260, Half and Full Day Camps

Register here

Led by our experienced and dynamic staff, this camp features daily field trips, along with a wide variety of exciting, hands-on activities, including sports, art, science, clubs and much more!

Ages: 5 and older
When:May 28 - August 9, 2024 (No camp week of July 4th)
Where:13303 W. Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33635
How much: Single half day $40/Full week $200. Single full day $80/full week $250

Register here

All summer camp registrations include a Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Pass used weekly during summer camp.

Ages: 3rd - 8th grade
When: May 29 - August 2
Where: 1511 US 301 South Tampa, FL
How much: Registration $150/ Weekly $150 (Early registration gets $50 off, ends 4/15)

Register here

This camp offers acting, arts & crafts, games, singing, drums, musical theatre, beginner guitar, ukulele, and other fun activities.

Ages: 5 - 17
When: June 3rd - August 2nd / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: 402 Oakfield Dr., Brandon, FL, 33511
How much: $230 full day camp; $160 half day camp; $55 daily drop in rate

Register here

Your young chef will enjoy our fun, hands-on Culinary Camps while learning skills to last a lifetime: Cooking!

Ages: 8 and up
When: May 28 - August 5th (no camp week of July 4) 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: 13936 W Hillsborough ave Tampa, FL, 33635
How much: $250-$300/week

Register here

Science-themed AquaCamps feature hands-on learning, animal encounters and so much more.

Ages: 3-14
When: May 28 – August 2, 2024. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL, 33602
How much: $160-$365 (Varies per summer program/age)

Register here.