Summer Camp Expo

More than 40 companies representing unique classes, outdoor adventure programs, sports leagues, and family-friendly destinations and attractions throughout Central Florida will showcase unique summer camp and adventure program opportunities for your family.

This free expo will feature exhibitors from more than 40 companies representing unique classes, outdoor adventure programs, sports leagues, special needs providers and family-friendly destinations and attractions throughout Central Florida. During the expo, attendees will:

• Receive exclusive camp discounts and travel deals
• Learn about unique destinations and experiences for all ages
• Interact one-on-one with camp counselors and destination representatives
• Enjoy live entertainment and kids’ activities
• Have fun while creating summer plans for your family

“We are excited to offer families the opportunity to explore unique destinations and experiences for children age three to 18, all under one roof,” says Sarah Bain, Orlando Sentinel Media Group events manager. “Expo guests will also find exclusive discounts, giveaways and travel deals while they enjoy live entertainment and kid-friendly activities. It’s truly the fastest and easiest way to choose the best summer options for your family.”

SeaWorld Summer Camp 2016. That’s my smiling camper!

While looking over the list of camp options available, I saw some favorites (like SeaWorld that my son LOVED last year), and some that I didn’t know about. Who knew you could send your kid to the University of Doglando?! There he or she can learn about animal care and training, while handling adoptable dogs.

Doglando has friendly, furry friends.

While we’re partial to experiences involving animals, there are sports activities, theater, science, music and so much more. Special Needs families will find camps that their kids will enjoy, too. There’s never been an easier way to compare summer camps in the Orlando area.

Come on out Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 10am – 4pm at Seminole Towne Center Mall, 200 Towne Center Cir, Sanford, FL. It’s located right off of I-4 Exit 101C.

Insider tip: Get there early! The first 50 families* will receive two tickets
to Medieval Times! Read full details on the Orlando Sentinel website.

Check out the full list of camps and read more at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/summercampexpo.

*After 10 am ET on 3/4/17 at the Orlando Sentinel Information Booth at the Summer Camp & Adventure Expo at Seminole Towne Center Mall. Full details here.

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MonsterJam Roars into Orlando THIS WEEK

Talk about exciting! Max-D jumped over three Monster Trucks!

Monster Jam will be in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl this week with free truck viewings in and around Central Florida on Thursday, January 21 (more details below). See and take pictures with the enormous trucks and meet the drivers before the beasts roar in to the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium on Saturday, January 23 for the Metro PCS, Budweiser, Circle K, & Your Southern Ford Dealers present MONSTER JAM® brought to you by BKT Tires!

We had an absolute blast last weekend at Monster Jam at Raymond James Stadium as guests of Feld Entertainment. If anyone had ever said I’d be a “Monster Jam mom” a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed them. YES, my 8-year-old and his dad have a blast, but each year I find myself as loud as everyone else in the stands. It really is a load of fun.

If you’ve not been before, here’s what to expect:

1. It’s LOUD. If you’re bringing children, or you’re sensitive to sound bring ear plugs or protective ear-wear (like these Monster Jam Tire Ear Muffs that are adorbs!). I wear them and I can still hear some of the roar, LOL.

2. It’s fun before the event, too. Party in the Pits is a pre-event event in and of itself! Meet the drivers, watch cool moto tricks, get autographs, visit vendors and more. You can get a FREE pit pass at participating Southern Ford Dealers while supplies last. Pit passes are also available for $10 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl box office day of show, or in advance online at ticektmaster.com or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Same Day event ticket along with pit pass required for entry.

3. The trucks are HUGE! With 66-inch-tall tires and weighing a minimum of 10,000 pounds, Monster Jam stars trucks called “MONSTERS” for a reason! Be sure to take photos of you and your little ones completely dwarfed by the sheer size of these beasts.

4. The excitement is palpable. From the doughnut competition, to the time trials to the freestyle competition, you can feel the energy in the air. With 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower in those trucks and speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, no wonder there’s a charge in the air!

Thursday, January 21, 2016 — Monster Trucks are on Display in Central Florida

Monster Energy®     12– 4p     Wal-Mart 3101 Princeton Ave. Orlando, FL 32808

Soldier Fortune®     3– 7p     Circle K – 700 S. Kirkman Rd. Orlando, FL 32825

Stone Crusher®     3– 7p     Gary Yeomans Ford & Lincoln—1420 N. Tomoka Farms Rd. Daytona Beach, FL 32124

Avenger®     3– 7p     Circle K—190 N. HWY 127 Clermont, FL 34711

Max-D®     3– 7p     MetroPCS—1453 Sand Lake Road Orlando, FL 32809

*Trucks listed above are subject to change.

Have fun with your kids before the event with this fun activity pack (click the image). My son loves doing mazes, and there are crafts, and a recipe, too.

Advance purchase SuperValue Tickets are ONLY $15.  $125 Total Access Pass / $45 Platinum / $35 Gold Sideline / $25 Corners.Tickets are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.com. All seats reserved. Subject to facility fee, plus convenience and handling charges. Don’t wait – buy tickets in advance as prices go up $5 more the week of show (Jan. 18-23). Get more show information at www.MonsterJam.com (click on “Tickets” and search for Orlando January 23). The Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium is located at 1610 W. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32805.

For more information on the Monster Jam, log onto www.MonsterJam.com. To follow Monster Jam on Facebook at Twitter, log on to Facebook.com/MJOnline and Twitter.com/MonsterJam.

Disclosure: Our family received tickets to Monster Jam in Tampa in exchange
for posting information about the Orlando show.

“Count” You In For Lunch with Sesame Street at Busch Gardens?

SeaWorld has its very special Spooktacular breakfast throughout October… But Busch Gardens has a Monster Mash Lunch. Only ONE. October 22, 2011.

Join the fun at Sesame Street Safari of Fun for the Spooktacular (um,  no wait, that one’s taken…) spooky fun lunch.

The Count will be making appearances at both SeaWorld AND Busch Gardens!

The special dine costs $22 for adults and $15 for children 3-9. Passholders don’t forget your 10% discount. Each family will get one 6 x 8 photo with The Count in addition to having a really great time. (Admission to the park is required, and not included.)

Make reservations at: SesameStreetSafariofFun.com and click on Dine with Elmo to book the Oct. 22 dine, or call 1-888-800-5447.

Half-Price Kids Tickets Through October 31, 2011 at SeaWorld

Nothing Spooky about this Friendly Witch!

Now through the end of October, kids get in for half-price at SeaWorld*. With each full-paid adult ticket, a child’s ticket (kids 3-9) can be purchased for half price and you both also get to enjoy the “second visit free” promotional with the discount. Additional children get $10 off their admission.  Just in time for SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular!

Guests enjoy trick-or-treating by the water side, and Halloween-themed shows throughout the park. Clyde and Seamore tend to go all out and street performers, like the Longshoremen, will make you laugh with their take on apple bobbing and pumpkin carving.

For an additional cost, families can dine with “The Count” from Sesame Street. This seasonal special is a lot of fun! Tasty breakfast, Elmo, fun for the whole family… what’s not to love? Click here for the link to purchase tickets. (Passholders don’t forget to log in to the main website to receive your discount.)

Kids can wear costumes, or not. The choice is up to them. Our 4-year-old insisted on a different costume EACH time we went last year. And as season passholders, that’s a lot of visits. (For the record, wearing a tee shirt with a baseball on it does, indeed, count as a ballplayer costume! Ha ha.)

Longshoremen Remove the "Pumpkin Guts."

Here’s a peek at the “Halloween Party” routine. I suggest when you see it live giving the stevedores some “room” to do the show. It is a splash zone. A pumpkin-spraying, arms-waving, guts flying good time.

Be sure to bring your camera as there are lots and lots of great shows, and whimsical sea creatures all around who are more than happy to take pictures with your little one. (And grownups, too!) Shamu, Opie Otter, Daisy Dolphin and the rest of the characters can also be seen out and about posing in their costumes. There are even some mermaids “swimming” about. I wonder what Shamu will be this year?!

I see something fishy at Spooktacular!

My favorite from last year was a little girl dressed as a jellyfish. What are your kids wearing? Any awesome marine-inspired costumes?

Tell me how you enjoyed Spooktacular last year. Anyone help Abby find her wand? Did you see the roller-blade-wearing sea weed? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear from you!

*Adult admission is $81.99 plus tax, and children’s half-off admission is $36.99 plus tax with each paid-adult ticket. Visit SeaWorldOrlando.com or call 1-888-800-5447 to purchase tickets.