Parents dropped by information booths to learn about all sorts of summer options for their kids at the second annual Family Friendly Summer Camp Expo on March 24.
While parents found out more about potential summer camps and activities for their kids, the kids took advantage of the event, too.
Children could get an Easter egg from the Easter bunny, pick up treats at various booths, or try their hand at games or crafts, as they made their way around the expo.
Kids seemed to be having fun, jumping around in a bounce house, bopping around inside giant plastic balls, going for a ride down an inflatable slide or playing in a ball pit.
There was also a mobile gaming van that seemed to be attracting a sizable share of attention.
Glenn Paulsen was there, too, making balloons in all sorts of shapes, fulfilling requests, as families entered the expo, at Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
Parents attending the event said they found it useful.
Linda Colozza, who lives in New Tampa, was there with her three children, 6-year-old Christian, 8-year-old Emma and 10-year-old Nicolas.
“I really need to find a camp. It’s the first year that I’m working. I’ve always been a stay-at-home mom,” Colozza said.
She came to the expo because it seemed like a convenient way to find out about a lot of possible options.
“I find this is a great tool for parents who need to find the information, in one place,” Colozza said. “Otherwise, I’d be on the computer all day trying to find out about location, pricing (of summer camps).”
Monica Dromgoole, of Wesley Chapel, was there with her 8-year-old son, Slade.
She said her son has attended summer camp before, but she wanted to branch out and learn about other potential options.
Miriam Cook, founder of Family Friendly Tampa Bay, organized the expo. She said the goal was to give parents a way to get the information they need to make the best decisions for their families, while also giving exhibitors a chance to share information about their services.
Cook estimated there were about 1,500 people at the event, and she said she received lots of positive feedback, both from parents and from exhibitors.
Published March 28, 2018
