Mini crafters convene at Bob Gardner Park for summer camp

By Lesley Dwyer
| 2:55 p.m. June 12, 2025

East County
Neighbors

Christina Mulligan’s Mini Crafters Summer Camp was so popular last year, it was moved from James L. Patton Community Park to Bob Gardner Community Park to accommodate more campers.

Mini Crafters is a four-week camp held in June. Each week brings a new theme. Campers were making bedazzling crowns June 12 for Superhero and Princess Week.

Mulligan is a teacher at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. She ran a similar camp program in New York before moving to Lakewood Ranch two years ago, so she reached out to Lakewood Ranch Community Activities to see if they’d be interested in the program.

“It’s a perfect bridge for those getting ready to go to kindergarten or preschool,” Mulligan said.

In addition to crafts, the camp offers sing-a-longs and storytimes.

Solera’s Bonnie Kenna moved from Palm Coast to Lakewood Ranch last summer. She immediately enrolled her now 4-year-old son Jack in the camp.

“He loved it,” she said. “He made so many friends, and Christina is the best teacher ever. She was made to do stuff like this.”

While most campers are ages 2-6, Mulligan said kids up to 8 years old have enrolled and enjoyed the camp.

Star Farms' Cooper Roy, 4, is front and center during storytime and enjoying every word.

Pat Napolitano hugs her 1-year-old grandson Patrick Litton. She just moved from Orlando to Lakewood Ranch to help out with her grandchildren and couldn't be happier.

Lakewood Ranch's Bonnie Kenna and Robin Roy are former neighbors who now catch up at Bob Gardner Park while their kids are occupied with the Mini Crafters Summer Camp.

Rebecca Reuzicka, 3, moved to Lakewood Ranch from Hollywood, California.

The mini crafters prepare to take off like a rocket.

Jack Kenna, 4, emphatically touches his nose during "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," and Cooper Roy, 4, cracks up.

Star Farms' Callaway Roy, 2, takes a break from all the activities in her mom's lap.

Christina Mulligan is pretending to go to sleep to play along with song lyrics. The Mini Crafters Summer Camp includes crafts, music and storytime.

East County's Brooklyn Hittle, 4, shows off the craft of the day — a bedazzled crown.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.