At Parc Center for Disabilities, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. If your child isn't meeting developmental milestones, our dedicated team provides comprehensive assessments and on-site early intervention therapies— speech, physical, and occupational, ensuring that parents are actively engaged in their child's journey toward progress, every single day.
Smiles at people Follows objects with eyes
Rolls over Responds to own name
Walks with support Says basic words
Says several words Follows simple instructions
Speaks in sentences Turns pages in a book
Stands on one foot Counts to ten
Coos Holds head up
Sits without support Recognizes familiar faces
Points to objects Imitates gestures
Points to show interest
Walks alone
Plays with other children Climbs well
Tells a simple story Dresses independently
Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapies
On-site Transportation
Early Learning Coalition Funding Accepted
Language Rich Classrooms
Trauma Informed Care
Infant/Child CPR, Seizure Recognition & First Aid
Sensory Integration
Early Intervention Services
Age Appropriate Inclusive Practices
What’s Up in March? How about... Spring Training for Summer Camp!
OK, it’s March. So what does this mean to you and your family? Well, it means making sure you have something clean to wear that’s green. It means making sure you have enough hot wings for the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament. March is also the first month of spring, so spring cleaning chores will start showing up on the dreaded Honey Do List!
March is also “Irish American Month,” “Music in Our Schools Month,” “National Craft Month” and “National Frozen Food Month.” Ironically, March is also “National Nutrition Month” (which seems to be in direct conflict with “National Frozen Food Month,” but I digress), “National Peanut Month,” “National Women’s History Month,” “Red Cross Month” and “Social Workers Month.”
March is a boy’s name of old French origin, and the meaning of March is “borderland or frontier.” In Italy, “Le Marche” was a territory between two ancient kingdoms. In England,
the Marches of western England border Wales. “March,” as in “walk,” derives from a slightly different root. The name may also be used to signify the month of birth.
March is
also Get Ready For Summer Camp Month! What???
Summer Camp in March?
No, you didn’t read that wrong. Although summer seems eons away, it’s really much closer than you think. School lets out for summer on Thursday, May 28th and if you start thinking about what to do with the kids for the summer on May 29th, you’re gonna to be WAY TOO LATE!
So, right about now there is a good chance your kids are headed to a Spring Break Camp somewhere. If you don’t think spring break camp has anything to do with summer camp, then consider this. If you equate summer to a football season and Mom and Dad as the head coaches, then March is training
camp. It’s the time to evaluate your children’s camp needs.
Just because little Johnny loved soccer camp last year doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to do it again this summer. Of course, we all know how well eight year olds communicate their thoughts to mom and dad. So, you don’t want to find out the morning you are driving to the rec center to sign him up for soccer camp that he now hates soccer and wants to go to fishing camp instead.
Spring Break Camp is your exhibition game. So watch this week’s game closely to see if your child really will enjoy an extended period of time with a particular activity during summer vacation. It’s best to know that Johnny finds fishing boring the second day of Spring Break Camp before signing him up for an expensive four week Summer Camp and then having to sell that top end rod and reel on Craigslist!
SPRING BREAK CAMP!
Now, if your Spring Break Camp turns out to be a future Summer Camp winner, you can still try out a few new ideas during the off days of school in the coming months. Some facilities, like In the Breeze Horse Ranch (813264-1919) in Westchase, offer day camps throughout the year on days when school is closed. It’s a great way to try out different camp ideas to see what works best for your child this summer.
Art camps at the Morean Art Center (727-8227872) in St. Petersburg and Practically Pikasso (727-822-5204) in St. Petersburg are all offering summer camps, as well as those daily programs when school is closed throughout the year.
Do you have a jockosaur in your family? A jockosaur is a child that wants to play every sport on the planet! Off days after Spring Break are great times to offer a little bit of an alternative for just a day. An art camp at the Morean might strike a creative chord in your future NFL quarterback. Hard 2 Guard Basketball in Clearwater (727-6448779) and Morningside Recreation in Clearwater (727-562-4280) will also be running camps throughout the entire
summer.
The Humane Society (727797-7722 ) in Clearwater has a camp where kids learn about animal care, behavior, current events and animal careers. Girls Inc (727-544-6230) in Pinellas Park has Environmental Science SMART Summer Camps.
So, whether it’s sports, art, science, nature, or just general fun, there are loads of opportunities to enrich, educate and entertain your child.
So, why not try something new before the summer?
SPRING BREAK CAMP
Morningside Camps are the place to be!
This spring break is where children learn, grow, and make lifetime friends and memories. Between hands-on activities, creative adventures, and nonstop laughs, the kids stay busy, curious, and happily worn out.
Enjoy the spring break at Morningside and have a week filled with memories and fun!
For more information, call (727)562-4280 or email
Kelsey.Mccray@myclearwater.com
MARCH 16 - 20
7AM - 6PM GRADES 1-7 COST:
562-4280
WALK FOR EPILEPSY
Please join us for the upcoming 2026 Walk for Epilepsy Pinellas event! This event is held to increase awareness and support for children, teens, young adults with epilepsy and their families living in West Central Florida.
What happens at the Walk for Epilepsy? On Saturday, March 28th participants will meet at Lake Seminole Park next to Shelter 8. Lake Seminole Park is located at 10015 Park Blvd, Seminole, FL 33777. Look for the feather banners with the Epilepsy Services Foundation logo!
Make your way to the check-in table and then proceed to pick up your official 2026 Walk for Epilepsy t-shirt. There will be vendor tables you can visit, snacks you can pick up, and don’t forget to check out the raffle prize tent! Be sure to bring extra cash if you would like to take a chance at winning any of the raffle prizes!
Our Emcee, Scott Tavlin from Magic 94.9, will be there to get the crowd pumped up and Morris the Explorasaurus from St. Pete’s Great Explorations Children’s Museum will make the event
memorable for everyone! They will lead the crowd in some warm ups that you just have to experience!
Then we will all head out to do a one-mile Walk for Epilepsy! The walk begins and ends at the shelter in the event area next to Shelter 8 where raffle winners will be announced, and we can all congratulate each other on completing the 2026 Walk for Epilepsy Pinellas and celebrate our Epilepsy Warriors!!
Hope to see you there!
Sealed With a Kiss: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Welcomes Three Harbor Seals
CLEARWATER, FL
In February, Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomed three harbor seals, Scallop, Pharaoh and Ocean, marking both a brand new species and a newlyrenovated seal habitat for CMA, just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend! The arrival of harbor seals expands CMA’s animal care family and reinforces its mission to inspire human connection to marine life through meaningful, conservation-based stories.
The new harbor seal habitat is part of CMA’s broader plan to incorporate pinnipeds, marine mammals that have front and rear flippers, including harbor seals and California sea lions, into its overall animal care. The exhibit supports
CMA’s mission of rescue, rehabilitation, release and research, while broadening educational messaging beyond Florida to address marine conservation challenges not just in Florida, but around the world.
“It’s important to understand that rescue can take many forms and isn’t always limited to direct intervention in the ocean,” said Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “Some of the most meaningful rescue work happens through rehabilitation and long term care, that helps prevent harm before it occurs. Our mission of rescue, rehabilitation, release and research remains steady, and each part plays a vital role in protecting marine life.”
CMA hosted Sips & Seals at Sunset on February 13th, to introduce the seals to the public with an evening of sunset views and full aquarium admission. CMA’s animal care team offered an inside look at the seals’ behavior and the care that goes into welcoming these new residents. Dean Geyer, the South African singer/songwriter and actor known for “Glee” and “Australian Idol,” performed in a special concert that night, as well.
The harbor seals were welcomed from the Miami Seaquarium. The three seals are considered non-releasable to the wild, as they were born under managed care and do not possess the life skills necessary to survive in their natural
environment. The move was approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Here is a closer look at the new harbor seals:
Scallop, 10, uses all aspects of her habitat on land and in water. With large round eyes and a rounded body, Scallop prefers to eat underwater and skillfully uses her sensitive whiskers, known as vibrissae.
Pharaoh, 10, is darker in coloration with distinctive light mottling and “eyebrow” markings. She prefers relaxing in the pool and is known affectionately as the group’s “Ice Queen” for her love of ice enrichment.
Ocean, 12, is the largest of the three females. Lighter in color with smaller
eyes, Ocean is also the most vocal, using front-flipper movements to communicate.
In summer 2026, CMA plans to welcome additional pinnipeds, sea lions, who will move into a new Sea Lion Habitat currently in development and scheduled to open this summer. The refurbished habitat is being funded by a $6 million grant from the Tourism Development Council, approved by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.
Harbor seals (phoca vitulina) are found across coastal waters of Alaska, New England, the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and West Coast of the United States, as well as the northern coasts of Europe and Asia. They typically live 20–30 years in the wild and can live up to 50 years under human care. Adults can reach up to 300 pounds and measure five
to six feet long. Each seal has a unique pattern of spots, much like a fingerprint, and is easily identified by its rounded heads, V-shaped nostrils, large eyes, lack of external ear flaps and distinctive claws used for grooming, gripping, and efficient movement on land and in water.
Pinnipeds face threats including pollution, toxins, habitat loss, vessel strikes, harassment and prey loss due to over fishing. While harbor seals are currently listed as a species of Least Concern overall, some populations are endangered in certain regions, making education and conservation awareness critical.
With the addition of harbor seals, Clearwater Marine Aquarium continues to evolve as a trusted source for marine conservation, inspiring guests to care about the health of oceans.
2026 MARINE SCIENCE SUMMER CAMPS
Ages 5-18 • June 1 - August 7
Make a splash this summer with Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Marine Science Summer Camps! Where education meets real-world exploration!
Each week-long camp is packed with hands-on activities, exciting animal encounters and unforgettable experiences designed to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates. Campers will explore Florida’s coastal ecosystems through activities that may include snorkeling in seagrass beds, kayaking through estuaries and discovering marine life in its natural habitat - all depending on camp theme and age group. Campers will also get to know our resident animals while learning about marine biology, conservation and animal care.
Morning & Afternoon Camps for Ages 5-11
Full Day & 1/2 Day Camps for Ages 12-18
• Camps are fun, educational and unforgettable! • 727.441.1790 x2270
camps@cmaquarium.org
Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers educational camps throughout the summer. Campers will enjoy creative classroom activities and have fun learning about marine life in the aquarium and out on the water.
