In the sun-soaked, alligator-infested, orange-juice-producing, roller-coaster-riding, flip-flop-wearing state of Florida, a bunch of brave and adventurous kids are turning the traditional tropical landscape on its head. They are swapping sand for ice, and palm trees for hockey sticks. Yes, you heard it right! Florida, the glorious land of the sun, has a troop of cool-as-cucumber kids, who play HOCKEY. Now, let me introduce you to our imaginary friend, Freddy the Flamingo. Freddy, with his long, bendy neck and pink feathers, is a flamingo who plays hockey. He stands on one leg and scores goals with the other, and he plays as the star goalie for the Florida Feathered Fury. He's probably the only flamingo you'll ever meet who prefers ice skates over flip-flops any day of the week! These Floridian kids are as unique as our friend Freddy. They slap shots in the sunshine and practice puck handling under palm trees. They race around the rink, faster than a gator down a slip-n-slide, turning the heat up on the ice. Their parents watch, sipping on cold drinks, and wondering where their beach-loving, sand-castle-building babies have gone. But, it's not all fun and games. These kids put in hard work. You should see their alarm clocks, ringing before the sun even thinks about waking up. And they might be the only Floridians who love when the temperature drops a bit. Because down in Florida, you don't need snow to have fun. All you need is a hockey stick, an ice rink, and a group of friends who don't mind falling on their butts every now and then. So next time you think of Florida, remember it's not just about beaches and oranges. It's also about a bunch of cool kids and a hockey-playing flamingo named Freddy!
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Nestled in 178 acres of lush woodland is a serene escape from the city, a place fondly known as Camp Swamp. This overnight Christian camp, located just two hours east of bustling Atlanta, has been serving as a peaceful retreat since 1992. We like to think of it as our own "little slice of heaven," offering a respite from the daily hustle and bustle, and inviting people to reconnect with nature and their spirituality. Our primary offering is a week-long summer camp, but we've expanded over the years to include more than just summer fun. As part of our mission to support families and churches, we now also host three family camps throughout the year, as well as four parent/child retreats. These events offer a chance for families to bond, parents to connect with their children, and individuals to grow in their faith. Moreover, our facilities are not exclusive to our organized events. Camp Swamp also offers rentals to schools, churches, universities, sports teams, and even business groups. Whether you're planning a camp, a retreat, or a team-building excursion, our serene setting and well-equipped facilities provide the ideal backdrop for an unforgettable experience.
Family-friendly events have also been part of the Hertz Arena experience, such as the annual Lee County Fair, Sesame Street Live, Disney Junior Holiday, Paw Patrol Live, Monster Jam, and more. Hertz Arena has come a long way since its opening in 1998. Since then, the arena has hosted over 300 events, featuring a variety of entertainment including concerts, sports, and family-friendly events. From the Boston Pops to Cirque du Soleil, the Harlem Globetrotters to Impractical Jokers, and Jeff Dunham to Jim Gaffigan, the arena has no shortage of amazing acts. Music fans have enjoyed performances from a plethora of top-tier artists including Cher, Elton John, Alabama, Alan Jackson, Bad Bunny, Barry Manilow, Bob Seger, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Def Leppard, Eric Church, Godsmack, Greta Van Fleet, Guns N’ Roses, Hank Williams Jr., Hillsong United, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marc Anthony, Miranda Lambert, Newsboys, Shinedown, Steve Miller Band, Sting, Stone Temple Pilots, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, and ZZ Top. Additionally, the arena has hosted a variety of family-friendly events such as the Lee County Fair, Sesame Street Live, Disney Junior Holiday, Paw Patrol Live, and Monster Jam. With such an impressive lineup, Hertz Arena is sure to continue to bring amazing entertainment to Southwest Florida for many years to come.