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  • ⭐Summer Camp Dates Set, OB STEM Progam, Flagler Buys 3,800 Acres To Conserve

⭐Summer Camp Dates Set, OB STEM Progam, Flagler Buys 3,800 Acres To Conserve

Issue #890

12 Apr

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🚸🚸Working parents with children between five and twelve now have a summer option worth bookmarking. Volusia County's Parks, Recreation and Culture Division has opened registration for its summer day camp program, running June 8 through July 24 across twelve locations in the county. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, which lines up neatly with a standard workday. Activities include indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, and field trips. The weekly rate is $90 plus a one-time $25 registration fee, with scholarship options available for qualifying families. Registration stays open through June 1 at tinyurl.com/volusiasummercamp. East Volusia locations include Holly Hill School, R.J. Longstreet Elementary in Daytona Beach, James Street Park in South Daytona, and Mary DeWees Park in Oak Hill.

Summer camp registration at a glance

  • Dates: June 8 – July 24, Monday through Friday

  • Ages: 5–12, hours 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

  • Cost: $90/week + $25 one-time registration fee

  • Scholarships available — email voucher to [email protected]

  • Register by June 1 at tinyurl.com/volusiasummercamp

✦

📚📚An Ormond Beach nonprofit has launched a program that may be the most delicious entry point into STEM education we've covered this year. Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. is rolling out the Chef Koochooloo curriculum at elementary schools, after-school programs, and community organizations — blending cooking with lessons in science, math, engineering, and global cultures. The idea is to reach students who typically sit outside the orbit of well-funded STEM initiatives, using food preparation as a way to make abstract concepts concrete and engaging. Scholarships and sponsored access are available for schools and nonprofits that want to bring the program in without the cost barrier. For more information, visit chefkoochooloo.com or culturalawarenessfund.com, or reach out to executive director William Sanchez directly at [email protected].

✦

🌴🌴🌳🌳Just north of the Volusia line, Flagler County closed Thursday on one of the more significant conservation purchases in the region's recent memory. The county acquired 3,800 acres west of Espanola for $6.05 million, with the majority of funding flowing through Florida's Wildlife Corridor Initiative — a state program backed by billions of dollars in legislative funding aimed at stitching together a connected ribbon of natural habitat across the peninsula. The newly designated Big Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve is a mix of wetlands and upland forest harboring endangered species including the wood stork, eastern black rail, eastern indigo snake, and a notable population of Florida black bear. Panthers, manatees, and flamingos all depend on the broader corridor the preserve now joins. Management plans will include prescribed burns, invasive species control, and evaluation for potential wetland mitigation use. It's the kind of purchase that tends to look smarter with every passing decade.

Sources
"Volusia County opens registration for summer camps" — Volusia County, April 2026
"Cultural Awareness Fund launches STEM learning program" — Ormond Observer, April 10, 2026
"3,800 Acres of Flagler Land Purchased for Conservation" — News Daytona Beach, April 2026

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📅Sunday, April 12, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

✡️ Cultural Festivals & Community

  • Jewish Heritage Festival

    • A fantastic, free community celebration! Presented by The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler, this full-day festival takes over the beautiful grounds of John D. Rockefeller's historic winter home. Enjoy live entertainment, cultural exhibits, traditional food vendors, and family-friendly activities right along the riverfront.

    • Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    • Location: The Casements (25 Riverside Dr)

    • Cost: Free admission

🌺 Nature & Relaxation

  • Sunday Stroll at OMAM Gardens

    • Enjoy a completely free, peaceful Sunday walk through the lush, tropical gardens at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. The gardens are shaded, quiet, and feature beautiful water elements and hidden sculptures—a perfect contrast to the busy festivals happening further south.

    • Time: Open all day from sunrise to sunset

    • Location: 78 E Granada Blvd

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Sunday Open-Play Pickleball @ Pictona

    • Wrap up your weekend on the courts! Pictona is the buzzing heart of Holly Hill on Sunday mornings. With 49 courts available, it is the perfect spot for open play. Grab a post-game lunch at their on-site restaurant, The Kitchen.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

🌳 Parks & Recreation

  • Sunday on the Halifax River

    • Looking for a free, quiet afternoon away from the festival crowds? Sunrise Park offers plenty of shade, picnic tables, and beautiful waterfront views for a relaxing weekend outing.

    • Time: Open sunrise to sunset

    • Location: Sunrise Park (1135 Riverside Dr)

📍 Daytona Beach

🎨 Major Festivals & Expos

  • 5th Annual Daytona Beach Arts Fest (Final Day)

    • It is the last day of this award-winning fine arts festival! Stroll along historic Beach Street to discover an inspiring collection of juried fine artists, artisans, and craft exhibitors showcasing original, handcrafted works. The event also features a vintage market, "The Book End," and live music throughout the festival.

    • Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    • Location: Riverfront Esplanade & Beach Street (Downtown Daytona Beach)

    • Cost: Free admission

📣 Major Sports & Competitions

  • NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship (Classic DI/DII)

    • The cheer and dance action continues! While the main championships wrapped up earlier in the weekend, the Ocean Center is hosting the Classic DI/DII competitions today. Catch more incredible, high-flying routines from talented athletes across the country.

    • Time: Competitions start at 7:00 AM

    • Location: Ocean Center (101 N Atlantic Ave)

📅 Monday, April 13, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🛍️ Markets & Local Shopping

  • Bloom Boldly Shopping Event

    • Support local, women-owned businesses! This spring vendor marketplace features unique shopping, networking, and community connection in a fun, high-energy setting.

    • Time: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM

    • Location: Anderson Price Memorial Building (42 N Beach St)

    • Cost: Free admission

🎨 Arts, Culture & Community

  • OMAM Volunteer Guild Meeting

    • Join a community of advocates, creatives, and garden-lovers. This meeting is open to anyone looking to learn more about the Ormond Memorial Art Museum Guild and how to get involved through the power of art and nature.

    • Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum (78 E Granada Blvd)

📚 Library & Education

  • La Hora del Cuento (Bilingual Storytime)

    • An interactive, bilingual literacy program designed for children ages 0-5 to learn the basic building blocks of literacy.

    • Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (Sandcastle Auditorium, 30 S Beach St)

  • Adult Coloring Session

    • Take an hour to release some creativity and de-stress. All materials are provided while supplies last.

    • Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (LaunchPad, 30 S Beach St)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Monday Open-Play Pickleball @ Pictona

    • Start your week on the courts! The 49-court facility is back to its standard open-play schedule to kick off the week. Drop in for a few games or head inside to the Osprey Room for indoor table games at the "Club Hub."

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

🌳 Parks & Recreation

  • Monday Afternoon at Sunrise Park

    • Enjoy a beautiful, relaxed Monday afternoon along the Halifax River. It's a great, quiet riverfront park to eat lunch, read a book, or watch the boats pass by as the new week starts.

    • Time: Open sunrise to sunset

    • Location: Sunrise Park (1135 Riverside Dr)

📍 Daytona Beach

🃏 Entertainment & Nightlife

  • Poker Tournament: Satellite Into Event 13 ($600 Main Event)

    • Test your skills at the tables! The Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club is hosting a satellite poker tournament to win a seat into their $600 Main Event.

    • Time: Starts at 3:10 PM

    • Location: Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club (960 S Williamson Blvd)

🤸 Community & Fitness

  • Active Classes at the Shores Community Center

    • Get your week moving! The Daytona Beach Shores Community Center has a packed Monday schedule of active events for locals:

      • Sittercise: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

      • Zumba Gold: 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

      • Euchre (Card Game): 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

      • Chair Volleyball: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

🏛️ Civic & Local Government

  • City of Daytona Beach Developer Initiated Meeting

    • Local city business is back in session. Residents are welcome to attend this public neighborhood meeting regarding upcoming local planning and development.

    • Time: 6:00 PM

    • Location: 137 Automall Circle, Daytona Beach

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