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4/06/2006

From Dolphin Cruises and Tranquil Turtle Walks to Surealism, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Has Everything Nature Has To Offer

School is out and summer has ended, which leaves parents searching for a way to
keep their children in a learning environment – especially during the annual
family vacation. Several attractions and accommodations in St.
Petersburg/Clearwater – Florida’s Beach have found a way to combine fun and
education for the summer. Half-day and overnight camps are very popular and
offer educational opportunities where kids have so much fun they don't even
realize they are learning.

Nearly 60 percent of family travelers in the United States use children’s services
offered on the road including special meals, supervised activities and baby-sitting,
according to the Travel Industry Association of America. Here’s a round up of
some of the special activities available for families this summer in St.
Petersburg/Clearwater:

Full press releases, hi-resolution photos and media links on all the offerings
can be found at: www.floridasbeach.com/departments/media/pressreleasekit/
Information for the public can be found at www.FloridasBeach.com

WHAT TO DO:

Salvador Dali Museum
1000 Third Street South St. Petersburg
727-823-3767 ext. 3036; www.salvadordalimuseum.org
Media Contact: Kathy White
A special interactive tour of the Dali Museum Galleries every Saturday at
9:45 a.m. is designed for families with children ages 6-12. The tour features
paintings selected to appeal to children and explain Dali’s life and work on a level
understandable to them. Special children’s games, hands-on activities and Dali-inspired
crafts are held afterward from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Activities are free with
paid admission.

For families who can’t make the scheduled tour or wish to explore at their
own pace, the museum has a new Surreal Family Guide. The guide helps families
learn about Surrealism, the use of double images and symbolism. Included in the
guide is a Surreal Treasure Hunt encouraging children to look for symbols prevalent in many of Dali’s works. Parents are encouraged to visit the “Tips”
section on the Dali Museum’s website prior to visiting with children,
www.salvadordalimuseum.org/visit/tips.html.

Largo Central Railroad
Largo Central Park
239-694-2043; www.lcrailroad.com
Largo Central Railroad features large-scale, live steam model trains. Free
public runs are held on the first full weekend of each month. Donations are
accepted. The 1.2-mile track through Largo Central Park features a tunnel, bridge
and numerous passing sidings.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 34630
727-441-1790; Fax 727-442-9466; www.cmaquarium.org ; Media Contact: Lorri Makela
Take a one-hour Turtle Walk along the beaches scouting for nests and learning about
endangered sea turtles from a marine biologist. Kids can also assist with feeding and training
dolphins in the aquarium’s “Day with a Dolphin” program.

Great Explorations
1925 4 th St. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
727-821-8992, ext 212; www.greatexplorations.org ; Media Contact: Angela West
Touch, move and interact with exhibits that educate and entertain. Explore water and its
importance at the Great Splash Exhibit. Learn about wind from model sailboat racing. Other
interactive exhibits include: Phenomenal Arts, Explore Galore, Exchange, Think Tank, Touch
Tunnel and Body Shop.

David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum.
1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, FL 34698
727-298-3322; www.dfac.org ;
The David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum is designed to make fine art fun for kids.
The 10,000 sq. ft. facility allows children to try their hand at cartoon-making, acting and stop-motion
animation in this “high touch” artistic environment.

St. Nicholas Boat Line
693 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, Fl 34689
727-942-6425; Media Contact: Theo Billiris
Cruise through the historic sponge docks and learn about the history of sponge diving, the
different types of sponges and watch a live sponge-diving demonstration.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, FL 33785
727-391-6211; Fax 727-399-2923; www.seabirdsanctuary.org ; Media Contact: Ralph Heath
Engage in a close-up tour of wild birds at the busiest wild bird hospital in the United
States. The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary rehabilitates more than 10,000 wild birds each year,
with 82 percent of all birds eventually being released.

SUMMER CAMPS AND SPECIALS:
Summer heats up with even more programs at area attractions and museums. Camps range from
½ day to a week. Here’s a roundup of typical area summer programs:

Clearwater Beach Kids Week. The Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual
week of preplanned, kid-friendly, fun events, which include a fishing contest on Pier 60, a kite
flying contest, a sand castle building contest, arts & crafts, a trip to the Clearwater Marine
Aquarium, splash party, cookouts, magic shows, a dolphin sighting cruise and more. For more
information, call 727-447-7600.

Summer Sailing and Windsurfing Camp. The Clearwater Community Sailing Center offers
beginners and advanced sailing and windsurfing camps. A Youth Adventure Camp is also
offered, and it includes sailing activities, fishing, crafts and field trips. For more information,
call 727-517-7776. www.clearwatersailing.org

Living History Summer Adventures. Heritage Village offers history camps for kids to
experience days gone by. Activities include dressing up in pioneer costumes for a day of
outdoor cooking, practicing long- forgotten crafts, like weaving a small rug or placemat, and
enjoying games and dances from another era. For more information, call 727-582-2426.
www.pinellascounty.org/heritage

Art Camp for Kids. The Dunedin Fine Arts Center offers a 10-week summer art camp for kids
with classes in (drawing/painting), 3D (sculpture/mixed media), clay, and musical theater. For
more information, call 727-298-3322. www.dfac.org

Dali Days at the Salvador Dali Museum. The Salvador Dali Museum offers a tour of the
museum’s visiting and permanent exhibitions. The tour, specifically designed for kids, is
followed by a breakfast with the docent and staff members. For more information, call 727-823-
3767 ext. 3026. www.salvadordalimuseum.org

Marine Science Summer Camp. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium features educational
summer camps for kids in grades K-12 that combine classroom instruction with hands-on
experience. Activities include snorkeling, wading in sub-tropical water and discovering marine
life. For more information, call 727-441-1790, ext. 232. www.cmaquarium.org

Summer with the Arts. Ruth Eckerd Hall offers performance classes in theater and movement,
as well as classes in creative dramatics, dance and music for kids of all ages. For more
information, call 727-712-2706. www.rutheckerdhall.com

Island Explorers. The Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center offers
adventure camps for kids. Learn about the habitat, wildlife and history of Weedon Island
Preserve while hiking, wading and canoeing around the island. For more information, call 727-
453-6504. http://www.pinellascounty.org/Environment

Archaeology Summer Camp. Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
offers “Exploring the Past” summer camps where participants will acquire the knowledge to
fulfill the Archaeology Merit Badge requirements for scouts. Highlights of the camp will include
archaeological field work, two off-site field trips, a visit to Weedon Island National Register site,
canoeing, pottery making, island exploration, and an atlatl (spear throwing) contest. For more
information, call 727-453-6500. www.weedonislandcenter.org

Families Exploring Nature Program. Moccasin Lake Nature Park in Clearwater hosts
environmental day camps where children work on projects with their siblings and parents. For
more information, call 727-462-6024.
www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/mlnp.asp

Summer Camp Creativity. The Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg offers an
informal and relaxed atmosphere for kids to explore the museum and create masterpieces of their
own. For more information, call 727-894-4638. www.fine-arts.org

Kid Pioneer Camp. The Boyd Hill Nature Park offers a pioneer camp with activities that
include butter-churning, goat milking, working in the blacksmith shop and more. Other camps
dealing with science, nature and the environment are also offered throughout the summer. For
more information, call 727-893-7326. www.stpete.org/rec/parks_pages/parksboydhill.htm

MORE THINGS TO DO
Dolphin Landings
4737 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
727-367-4488; www.dolphinlandings.com ; Media Contact: Captain Dan
Take a sailing cruise on Boca Ciega Bay. Captain Dan will take you on a two-hour boat
trip to spot dolphins and enjoy one of the area’s pristine waterways. Sunset sails, four-hour trips
to Shell Key Preserve and sailing lessons are also available.

Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise
25 Causeway Blvd. Slip #3, Clearwater, FL 33767
727-446-2587; www.pirateflorida.com ; Media Contact: Panama Pam (Wozencraft)
Captain Memo is a former life insurance agent who, with his wife (Panama Pam), left
their jobs in California to become Pirates of the Gulf of Mexico. The fun-filled family cruise
includes music, games and friendly pirates aboard their ship, the Pirates Ransom.
Beach.

Sea Screamer
Clearwater Municipal Marina, Slip #10, Clearwater Beach, FL 34630
727-447-7200 www.seascreamer.com ; Media Contact: Joyce Graves
Billed as the world’s largest speedboat, this 73-foot craft takes you on both a scenic
nature cruise and a thrilling ride of the Gulf of Mexico.

Clearwater’s Original Dolphin Encounter
P.O. Box 3563, Clearwater, FL 34630 (departs from the Clearwater Beach Marina).
727-442-7433 www.dolphinencounter.org ; Media Contact: Phil Henderson
A Clearwater tradition, the Dolphin Encounter offers a dolphin-sighting guarantee. Prices
and hours of operation vary.

Starlite Cruises
Starlite Majesty - 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL
Starlite Princess – 3400 Pasadena Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL
800-444-4814 or 727-462-2628; www.starlitecruises.com ; Media Contact: Jocie Rivera
Starlight Cruises offers a variety of marine adventures for families. Observe and touch
marine life or brace yourself for a high-speed dolphin watch cruise.

Sunset Celebration
P.O. Box 3595, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 (Clearwater Beach Pier 60)
727-449-1036; www.sunsetsatpier60.com ; Media Contact: Lisa Chandler
Grab a refreshing snack at the concession stand, play in the covered playground and
watch unique craftsman, artists and entertainers perform at “Sunsets at Pier 60.” Festivities
begin two hours prior to sunset and continue two hours after sunset.

Madeira Beach Mini Triathlon Race
Archibald Park 150 Avenue & Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, FL
(727) 825-1271; www.madbeachtriathlon.com
Kid’s Min Race on Saturday June 17. In the tradition of the Mad Beach Triathlon, a
triathlon race just for the kids, with awards, refreshments, prizes and fun all on beautiful Madeira Beach.

2nd Annual “Tri if you Dare” Kids Triathlon
Holland G. Mangum Recreation Complex
9100 113 th Street North, Seminole, Fl.
(727) 391-8345; www.myseminole.com/tri.htm
Join in the fun with a triathlon just for kids on June 25. Super Juniors: run .25 mile, bike .75
mile, swim 25 yards. Ages 7-10: Run .5 mile, bike 2.7 miles, swim 100 yards.Ages 11-15: run 1
mile, bike 4 miles, swim 150 yards.

WHERE TO STAY (accommodations featuring children’s programs)
Tradewinds Beach Resorts and Conference Centers
5500 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
800-360-4016; 727-562-1221; Media Contact: Kelly Grass-Prieto (813-318-9611)
www.tradewindsresort.com
Tradewinds hosts a year-round children’s program called KONK Club (Kids Only, No Kidding)
for kids between the ages of 4-11. Children participate in supervised activities in the morning
and the evening. Activities include: a hunt for RedBeard’s buried treasure, kids in the kitchen
with the chef, sandcastle sculpting and shark tooth hunts.

The Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa
3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
866-728-2206 or 727-360-1881, Media Contact: Sunny Ricks (850-668-2222)
www.doncesar.com
For vacationing families, the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa offers the Camp CeSar children’s
program. Camp CeSar entertains younger guests with hermit crab races, kids’ escapes and
Friday night pizza parties. The Don CeSar’s newly renovated children’s play area is a haven for
young ones participating in Camp CeSar. Teenagers have their own program with an amenity kit
catered just for teens.

Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
400 Mandalay Avenue
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
800-445-8667 or 727-461-3222, Media Contact: Joanna Patterson
www.hiltonclearwaterbeachresort.com
The Hilton Clearwater Fun Factory offers supervised camps for kids between the ages of 4
through 12. The program includes arts and crafts, swimming, outdoor activities, field trips and
boat excursions. A free gift is given to each child who attends camp, and a meal is included as
well.

Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach On Sand Key
1201 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
800-228-9290 or 727-596-1100; Media Contact: Diana Morin (407-682-2625)
www.clearwaterbeachmarriottsuites.com
The 220-suite Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key, Florida’s first and only all-suite
Marriott, opened in February 2004. The former Radisson Suite Resort on Sand Key has undergone a multi-million dollar re-branding and renovation, offering a one-of-a kind guest
“suite” experience overlooking Clearwater Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The 10-story, Marriott
Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key features Lisa’s Klubhouse for kids activities, named after
the resort’s talkative and colorful macaw, Lisa, who resides in the lobby. The recreation staff
plans daily activities and events for children age 4 -12, teens, adults and groups.

MEDIA CONTACT: James Raulerson, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB
800-822-6461 or 727-464-7223; Jamesr@FloridasBeach.com; www.FloridasBeach.com

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