Keeping Up With The Kids

Accolades, Upcoming Announcements, & Local Activities for the Kids

Lemon Bay High School Theatre Department presents “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26 at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center, 2201 Placida Road. This moving musical, based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring songs from the Disney film, follows Quasimodo’s journey of love, acceptance, and courage in 15th-century Paris. Performances are April 24 and 25 at 6:30pm, and April 26 at 1:00pm and 6:30pm (Senior Celebration Night). Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for students and seniors (60+), and available at LBHSTheatre.net. Advance purchase is recommended. Pictured are students working on the set build for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Bring the whole family to Family Art Day, Saturday, April 26, 9:30am to noon at Creative Liberties Gallery, 927 N. Lime Avenue, Sarasota. Enjoy creating art together with Shelley Kishpaugh. Projects are suitable for all ages and skill levels. All supplies are included. This is a free program, made possible by generous funding from the Johnson Singer Arts & Education Fund. To learn more visit CreativeLiberties.net. Pictured is Artist Shelley Kishpaugh having fun with young artists during Family Art Day.

Alice in Wonderland
Venice Theatre presents “Alice in Wonderland” in its Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Avenue West, from now through Sunday, April 27. Alice Gerstenberg adapted this version of Lewis Carroll’s fantastical story which stars a multigenerational cast of children, teens, and adults playing the curious characters of Carroll’s wild imagination. Performances take place at 7:30pm Tuesdays through Saturdays and at 2pm on Sundays April 13 & 27. Regular tickets are $15 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, $22 for college students and educators, and $26 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at VeniceTheatre.org or by calling 941•488•1115.

Toddler Time
Bring your toddlers on Wednesdays from 10am-noon to play, socialize, and learn! This is a drop-in program located at Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park Recreation Center, 6961 San Casa Dr. There is a $2 fee per visit. For more information, go to CharlotteCountyFL.gov or call 941•681•3760.

Easter Egg-scursion Scavenger Hunt
Now through April 15, join Charlotte County Community Services for the annual Easter Egg-scursion scavenger hunt. Find nine painted eggs hidden across Charlotte County parks for a chance to win prizes. Pick up a clue sheet at any local recreation center or download it at tinyurl.com/easteregg-scursion25. Bonus entries for egg selfies emailed to Antwan.Allen@CharlotteCountyFL.gov—photos with the most likes on Facebook win extra entries. For details, call 941•627•1074.

Flashlight Egg Hunt
The Flashlight Egg Hunt kicks off on April 11, 8:15pm at the City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port. This thrilling hunt is designed for children ages 7 to 12. Eggs will be hidden in hay throughout the area, and the hunt is sure to go fast, so don’t be late! Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and a basket to collect their eggs. Children will be divided into three age groups: 7-8 years old; 9-10 years old; and 11-12 years old. To learn more, visit NorthPortFL.gov/EggHunt.

Egg-Cellent Easter Event
Charlotte County Community Services will host the Egg-Cellent Easter Event from 9am to noon, Saturday, April 12 at Harold Avenue Regional Park, 23400 Harold Avenue, Port Charlotte. The event will feature a bounce house, Easter-themed crafts and activities, and a photo op with Harpy the Easter Bunny. This is a free event for children of all ages. For more information, contact Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center at 941•627•1074.

Eggnormous Egg Hunt
On Saturday, April 12, 10am, the Eggnormous Egg Hunt will take place for children ages 3 to 9 at City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port. This free event promises to be a hopping good time for the whole family. The Easter bunny will lead the countdown for each age group, with staggered start times. Be sure to bring your basket to scoop up all the eggs you can find! Participants will be divided into three age groups: 3-4 years old; 5-6 years old; and 7-9 years old. In collaboration with the Loveland Center, an adaptive egg hunt will also be available for children with special needs. This section will feature sensory eggs and other accommodations to ensure a fun and accessible experience for everyone, with the option to hunt at a comfortable pace. To learn more, visit NorthPortFL.gov/EggHunt.

Easter Egg Hunt
Grace Community Church of Englewood, 278 S. Mango Street, is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 at 10am. Don’t forget your Easter basket and be ready for more fun and games! To learn more contact gcc.office@yahoo.com or 941•662•8859.
Easter Festival at Gulf Cove UMC
On Saturday, April 19, 11am to 1pm, at Gulf Cove United Methodist Church, 1100 South McCall Road, children up to age 12 are invited to attend an Easter Egg Hunt starting at 11:15am. Bring your own basket. After the egg hunt, explore the bounce house, games and crafts for kids. Free food will also be available. The church can be reached at 941•697•1747 or GulfCoveUMC@gmail.com.
Youth Art Exhibition Receiving
All area youth artists enrolled in any K-12 curriculum (including homeschool youth), are invited to submit artwork created during the 2024- 2025 school year. All media is welcome and submissions are free. Artwork drop off is Saturday, April 19 from 10am to 2pm, at the Englewood Art Center, 350 S. McCall Road. Entry forms (artist name, grade, artwork title, medium, etc) will be provided and completed the day of the drop off. There is a limit of three submissions per artist. EAC reserves the right to only display artwork that is well constructed, stable and finished. This exhibition serves to showcase the hard work and talent of area youth artists. The exhibition will be on display in the Loranger Gallery at the Englewood Art Center from Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, May 2. To learn more, visit EACRinglingCollege.org or call 941•474•5548.
Circus Magic with Chucko the All American Clown
Join the fun on Saturday, April 19 at 1pm at the Historic Venice Train Depot, 303 E. Venice Avenue, Venice. Enjoy free family entertainment while learning about Venice circus magic, history, mystery, and miracles—featuring Chucko the All-American Clown! This special event is part of Suncoast Remake Learning Days and offers an exciting mix of education and entertainment for all ages.
Art for All Ages
On Saturday, April 19, 2 to 4pm, at Port Charlotte Public Library, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte, celebrate art in its various forms including painting, instrument play, embroidery, paper crafts, and more. This is a free, hands-on activity for the whole family to enjoy inside and outside. Dress for a mess and meet local artists and hobbyists, make unique crafts, and discover new ways to express your creative self. To learn more visit CharlotteCountyFL.libcal.com.
Paper Electronics Workshop
Journey into the exciting world of paper circuits at Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street, 2 to 3pm on Saturday, April 19. In this one hour workshop discover the magic of how simple materials like copper tape, LED lights and paper can be used to create a circuit. Registration is required and limited to 16 children ages 6 to 16. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more or register, visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com or call 941•861•1110.
Mister G Live at the Van Wezel
On Saturday, April 19 from 5 to 6pm, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall welcomes Latin Grammy award-winning artist Mister G for a free family-friendly bilingual concert on the back lawn. Families are invited to sing, dance, and enjoy this engaging performance in both Spanish and English. Attendees will receive a copy of “Señorita Mariposa” (while supplies last). This event is part of Suncoast Remake Learning Days and is sponsored by the Patterson Foundation. For more information, visit VanWezel.org.
Storybook Read-A-Thon
On Tuesday, April 22, 4 to 5:30pm, at the Englewood Charlotte Library, 3460 N. Access Road, come dressed as your favorite storybook character, read a favorite book or try a new one, and enjoy a themed snack, craft, and more. To learn more visit CharlotteCountyFL.libcal.com or call 941•681•3743.
Dog Tales at the Library
On Wednesday, April 23, from 3:30 to 4:30pm, readers of all ages are invited to read to a therapy dog at Englewood Charlotte Library, 3460 N. Access Road. This fun and encouraging program helps build reading confidence in a relaxed setting. For more information call 941•681•3735.
The Trades at the Library
On Friday, April 25 from 11am to 1pm, Charlotte County Libraries & History presents “The Trades at the Library” at the Tringali Community Center, 3460 N. Access Road. This free program invites the public to explore career opportunities in the trades, including carpentry, electrical, construction, and more. Representatives from Charlotte Technical College, Southern Technical College, and various trade fields will share insights on training, apprenticeships, and business opportunities. For more information, contact Charles Meyer at 941•681•3787 or Charles.Meyer@CharlotteCountyFL.gov, or Angie McReynolds at 941•681•3738 or Angela.McReynolds@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
Summer Art Camps at Venice Community Center
Academy of Art presents Summer Art Camps for ages 5–12 at the Venice Community Center throughout June and July. Campers will explore drawing, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, charcoal, and more—guided by classical techniques, art history, and cultural themes. Each week features new lessons designed to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning. All supplies are included. For more information or to register, visit AcademyOfClassicalArts.com or call 941•413•0236.
Camp Lookout at Selby Gardens
Camp Lookout returns with three weekly sessions from June 9 to 27, 9am to 3pm daily (drop-off begins at 8:30am; pick-up by 3:15pm). Designed for nature-loving students entering grades 1 to 5, each week offers a new theme with hands-on activities and outdoor exploration. Join for one week or all three! Tuition is $230/week for Selby Gardens members, $250 for non-members. Space is limited to 30 campers per session. Need-based scholarships are available thanks to the Longboat Key Garden Club. For more information or to apply, email education@selby.org.
Summer Theater Workshop
Charlotte Players Kids OnStage Summer Theatre Workshop is Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 13 and Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, with shows Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21. This workshop is for grades 1 thru 12 and is located at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda. Call 941•255•1022 for registration and for more information.
Summer Camp Registration Open
Registration for Charlotte County traditional and specialty summer camps is now open. Traditional summer camp registration includes lunch, weekly field trips, swimming, guest speakers and various activities.  Specialty camp does not include lunch and parents and/or guardians must pack a snack, lunch, and a refillable water bottle. Traditional summer camp runs from 7:15am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Specialty camp runs 9am to 1pm, Monday through Friday. Discovery Camp (Grades K-2) is $100 weekly;  Explorer Camp (Grades 3-5) is $100 weekly;  Adventure Camp (Grades 6-8) is $105 weekly;  Specialty Camp- (open to grades K-8) is $85 weekly. Camp will be offered at the following locations:  Centennial Park Recreation Center, 1120 Centennial Blvd., Port Charlotte;  Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park Recreation Center, 6961 San Casa Drive, Tringali Park Community Center, Englewood (specialty camp); Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center,  23400 Harold Avenue, Port Charlotte; and  South County Regional Park Recreation Center, 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda. To register, call your local recreation center, visit CharlotteCountyFL.gov/Camp or email Leah Williams at Leah.Williams@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
Florida Elks Summer Camp
The Englewood Elks is sponsoring a youth camp from Sunday, July 6 to Saturday, July 12, in Umatilla, Florida. Children ages 9 to 13 are invited to attend. You do not need to be an Elk to attend. There is no charge for those campers signing up with the Englewood Elks Lodge and riding their bus to the camp. They have fifty spots available. To learn more or register, call Carolyn Sutherland at 248•568•7943. To learn more about the camp visit FloridaElks.org.
Youth Opera Camp
Kids eight and older can experience the magic of opera, both behind the scenes and on stage, by attending Sarasota Youth Opera’s summer camp, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. Designed for all skill levels, Youth Opera camp engages young people in all facets of opera. A typical day includes sessions in singing, acting, sets, props, wigs, physical comedy, make-up, and costumes, all led by industry singers, artists, directors, musicians, and technicians. All skill levels are welcome and there are no auditions. For ages 8 to 10, a two-week session will be held from 10am to 3pm, weekdays, June 9 to 20. Participants must be 8 or older by Dec. 31, 2025. Tuition is $350. For ages 11 and above, a three-week session will be held from 10am to 4pm, weekdays, June 9 to 27. Participants must be 11 or older by Dec. 31, 2025. Tuition is $525. Pre and post care is available. The cost for pre-care, 8:30 to 10am, is $25 per week. Post care, from 3 to 5pm, is $25 per week. Pre and post care is available at $40 per week. To be considered for tuition assistance, parents or guardians must fill out a series of questions. Decisions will be sent by email within five business days of application. To learn more or register, visit SarasotaOpera.org. or call 941•328•1329. Register by May 9 to secure a spot.
Bishop Museum Summer Camp
Explore, learn, create, investigate, craft, snack, and play at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th Street West, Bradenton, during weekly camp sessions that run from June 9 to August 1. This science camp uses galleries and exhibitions to help campers explore their world and discover new things. Each week has a different theme. This camp is for ages 7 to 11 and costs $300 per week. Camp runs from 9am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday. To learn more visit BishopScience.org or call 941•746•4131.
Art Center Sarasota Summer Camp
Art Center Sarasota is once again encouraging young children and teens to set their inner artists free at its summertime art camps. The 10 weekly sessions run June 2 to August 8. The programs target two different age groups: Creative Kids serves children, ages 6 to 9; Emerging Artists is for aspiring artists, ages 10 to 14. The camps are Mondays through Fridays, 9am to 3pm. Before- and after-care is offered. Fees are $275 per week for Art Center Sarasota members with a family membership; $350 per week for non-members. Scholarships are available to those eligible. Art supplies are included; participants will also receive a free art camp t-shirt. Art Center Sarasota is also looking for teens, 15 and over, to volunteer as teaching assistants. Volunteer hours count towards high school and Bright Futures and National Honor Society requirements. For more information about Art Center Sarasota’s summer art camp, weekly themes, scholarship eligibility and teen volunteer programs, visit ArtSarasota.org, call 941•365•2032 or email youtheducation@artsarasota.org.

Items appearing in this column are as accurate as possible. Please call the listed numbers for confirmation and further information. If you have an event or happening you would like to have considered for ‘Keeping Up with Kids,’ please send information and/or photo to The Englewood REVIEW, 370 W. Dearborn St., Suite B, Englewood, FL 34223, or email: englewoodreview@comcast.net.