Category: Wesley Chapel

Every year, hundreds of children return to Independent Day School’s “Camp IDS” summer camps because of the program’s extensive selection, highly trained teacher-counselors, safe and nurturing environment — and because everyone has a great time!

Whether you’re a parent looking for something for your adventurous middle school student to do this summer, or you’re searching for a safe and nurturing environment for your three-year-old, the Independent Day School-Corbett Campus (IDS-CC)’s Camp IDS, located at IDS-CC (less than 25 minutes from most of New Tampa on Orange Grove Dr. in the North Tampa/South Carrollwood area), has more than 70 different options from which to choose for kids ages 3-18.

Preparing your three- or four-year-old for pre-kindergarten? How about “Bookworms in the Garden” or “Fun with Numbers?” Have a budding scientist? There’s “Junior Astronomy,” “Junior Scientists” and “CSI IDS” camps. Is there a future Broadway star in your family? Check out “That’s Entertainment!” And, when it comes to sports, Camp IDS offers everything from basketball to matball.

Divided into seven weekly sessions from June 11-July 27, Camp IDS offers full- and half-day camps in a broad array of fields – academics, communications and technology, performing & visual arts, recreation, sports and travel. “Camp IDS has been providing something for everyone from pre-kindergarten through high school for many years,” says IDS-CC’s Marie Massara, who co-directs the camp with Assistant Head of School Nick Rodriguez and middle school teacher Stephen Shoe.

While many campers participate in traditional sports camps such as soccer, volleyball and archery, children looking for something new can choose from camps in disc golf, filmography, Chinese kids’ games or earth-friendly art, just to name a few.

Fine arts camps in musical theatre, drama, band, dance, photography and painting complement other creative endeavors in cooking, newspaper reporting, broadcasting and computers.

A Wilderness Extreme camp for 5th-8th graders, for example, includes hiking, mountain biking, snorkeling, canoeing and inline skating. And an Adventure Camp for grades 3-5 takes children to a variety of attractions around the Tampa Bay area.

“Campers can strengthen reading, writing or math skills in the morning and then dance on stage or shoot hoops in the afternoon,” Rodriguez says. “They can paint, perform in a Broadway musical, build and launch model rockets, learn archery, cook, bake and so much more. We offer something for everyone.”

Shoe adds, “What’s been great about Camp IDS is that the children can choose what they really want to do. The wide selection of camps exposes children to new things that they might not normally know much about, and offers them an opportunity to expand their interests in a positive and supportive environment.”

For example, middle school thrill seekers can join IDS middle school teacher Tom Bronson on the roller coaster connoisseur’s dream trip, Adrenaline Camp.

Last year, participants rode roller coasters in five parks in five days, and this year, Bronson hopes to top that record. He also is conducting a SCUBA camp, so middle schoolers can earn their NAUI certification and then head to the Florida Keys for diving.

“The majority of children who come to Camp IDS have been here before,” says Massara. “They keep coming back because they feel safe, welcome, and they have a great time.”

“Our highly trained teachers and experienced camp counselors love what they do,” adds Shoe. “And that fun and positive attitude permeates the entire camp.”

Founded in 1968, IDS-CC is a fully accredited, nonsectarian private school with more than 500 students from PreK3 through the 8th grade. At IDS-CC, all children experience the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in a highly academic and nurturing environment focused on excellence and excitement in learning. IDS-CC has become recognized as an exemplary school with more than 6,500 visitors observing and learning from IDS-CC teachers.

For more information about IDS-CC (12015 Orange Grove Dr.) or its summer camps, visit IDSYes.com or call 961-3087 for a brochure or to take a personal tour.