Summer of Stars Shines the Brightest!
By Sylvia Arias, Administrative Assistant to Director of Cultural and Human Services Dept

As the city of Sunny Isles Beach continues to grow exponentially, so do our programs. This year, the Cultural & Human Services Department offered 4 different summer camp options for residents and neighbors, all of which were a HOT item on the kids’ “must-do” list.

Camp Tot-Lot was offered for 10 weeks, to children ages 3 and 4. For many campers, this was their first opportunity to interact with other children and all campers enjoyed a variety of activities, including art, music, yoga, and sports. Our camp counselors, Charlene Burkes and Laura Arzumanova, worked closely with the campers to help them have an educational and enjoyable summer.

Photos of Summer Camp 2006

Camp SIB successfully completed another summer with Camp Director, Michele Sabb, running the show! Campers went swimming twice a week at Florida International University (North Campus) and went on various trips, including Miami Metro Zoo, Game Works, Strike Miami, Miami Heat Summer Jam, and many more! Campers also participated in fun-filled activities at camp, including a flight demonstration, learning to decorate (and eat!) cupcakes, and many other craft projects.

Camp Adventure was offered for the second summer this year, to campers ages 11 to 15. This camp offers more age appropriate excursions, such as paintball, rock wall climbing, Rapids Water Park, and many more! Campers enjoy three field trips each week, along with other exciting activities at camp, such as foil art, t-shirt design, and face painting.

To celebrate the many friendships and bonds created throughout the summer, all three camps organized and participated in the end of summer “Talent Show Case” on Thursday, August 3rd. Family, friends, and neighbors met at St. Mary Magdalen Church and enjoyed special acts and performances by participants from all three camps. Camp Tot-Lot performed several pieces with the help of their counselors and Maria Lovero, their music teacher. Each group from Camp SIB performed a piece, including a Grease medley, and excerpts from High School Musical. Camp Adventure participated with a dance number as well. For the end of the show, all the campers and staff joined together on the stage for a final farewell with a performance of their camp favorite, “Cha Cha Slide”.

Our specialized program, Junior Lifeguard Camp, has continued to be a huge success. Headed up by Lead Lifeguards, William Pfeiffer and Justin Broman, the participants enjoy a week of fun in the sun, learning about what it takes to save a life, and still finding time to enjoy games and water play. Each session of Junior Lifeguard camp is closed with a special “initiation” ceremony, which includes, water balloons, shaving cream, and tons of fun!

You can check with any camper, and I guarantee that they will be counting down the days until next summer. Maybe it’s because they can’t wait to get out of school, but we like to think that it’s because they cannot wait to get back to summer camp!

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