It won’t be long until school will be out and area youngsters will be looking for some FUN things to do. Park Districts in area communities are planning a great variety of programs. Most of them offer early registration for their own residents; however, many of them accept kids from other nearby communities when space is available. Non-resident rates apply at most of the parks, except for Largo, which also accepts Pinellas Park residents at the resident rate. Several parks offer recreation cards that provide reduced rates or are required for participation.
Registration is already under way for many of the area park Summer Camps. It will continue until available space is filled. Many of the programs need teen volunteers to assist the camp counselors. Details are available on the individual city websites.
Both Safety Harbor and Oldsmar have been named as “Playful Cities USA” by “KaBOOM” magazine, but all of our area’s cities offer great programs for youngsters to be able to enjoy their summers to the fullest. Virtually all of the cities in the area have programs designed to make summers fun for their younger residents.
‘Let’s Play!’ Is Largo’s Theme
This year’s theme in the Largo Parks is “Let’s Play!” Their program includes over 60 full and half-day summer camps for preschool, elementary, middle school and teenage youngsters. Choose from a variety of full day camps, sport camps, specialty camps, theater and dance camps as well as pre-camp days.
Early registration took place in March at the Highland Recreation Complex and the Southwest Recreation Complex, but additional registrations continues throughout the summer for special interest and half-day camps. It’s possible to mix and match summer camps and locations to plan a fun and exciting summer. Camp information can be found in the Play Magazine that is available at all Largo recreation facilities, Largo City Hall or Largo Public Library.
For more information, including available camp scholarships, visit www.LargoCamps.com, or call Highland at 727-518-3016 or Southwest at 727-518-3125.
Safety Harbor Summer Camp Is REAL Fun!
Safety Harbor will have both part day and full day camps for children ages 4 to 18 this summer. Full day camps will run from Monday, June10, through Friday, August 16. PlayCamp is for children entering 1-4 grades, Camp 56 for those entering 5-6 grades, and teen Camp for those entering 7-8 grades. The Day Camp rate is $100 per week. Residents must purchase a non-resident seasonal card for $40 per child.
Safety Harbor Part Day Camps feature a seemingly endless variety of activities as kids can spend their vacations learning to cook, kayak, paint, play a variety of sports and more. Camps range from Wee Camps for children ages 4-6 to Teen Adventure Camp and everything in between. Costs vary for these camps. Although registration began in mid-March, new registrations will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis.
To find your recipe for REAL Fun, visit SafetyHarborCamps.com or call the Community Center at 727-724-1530.
Oldsmar Registration Begins in April
Most of the Summer Camp program in the City of Oldsmar involves full-day camps. Registration for residents begins April 15, while Non-Residents may register beginning April 29. The Summer Camp Program is for youngsters from 5-12 years of age and will take place at the Cypress Forest Recreation Center. Registration is closed after June 3.
Sessions will run from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at a cost to those with rec cards of $700 per child for the full 10 weeks and $375 per child for five weeks. An additional registration fee of $25 per child and proof of residence, Non-residents may purchase a six-month non-resident rec card for $69.55 to be eligible to pay resident camp fees. Without this card, non-residents pay $1050 per child for 10 weeks and $562.50 for 5 weeks.
Kids will participate in active games, arts and crafts, sports, field trips, city excursions and more, with each week having a different theme. Campers will attend “Nature Kyle’s” educational presentations each week. Kyle Riefler will also have a summer Fishing Camp at Bicentennial Park this year that will cover all aspects of fishing for youngsters from 8 to 12 years of age and an Outdoor Camp at Mobbly Bayou Park. Dates have not yet been announced. For more details on all the Oldsmar Summer Camp Programs contact Cypress Forest Rec Center or visit www.myoldsmar.com.
Clearwater Camps Build Character
Clearwater residents entering grades 1-8 are eligible to participate in the Summer Camp 2012 program in Clearwater. Ten weekly sessions are planned to run from June 10 through August 16. Cost per session is $75 Play Pass/$100 Recreation Card/ $125 no card. Registration began in March and will continue during normal center hours until camps are full.
Camp locations are Countryside Recreation Center, Long Center, Moccasin Lake Science and Nature Camp (Grades 1-6) and Ross Norton Recreation and Aquatic Complex. Additional details can be found at the various camp locations or on the City of Clearwater website. Residents must present two proofs of residency. Camp services are also available for non-residents at an increased cost.
St. Petersburg Offers Summer Camps
With the theme “Creative, Memorable and Affordable Fun,” St. Petersburg’s Leisure Services Department is offering Summer Camps at all of the city’s parks that offer after-school programs and/or school holiday programs for youngsters. Participants must have an ADVANTAGE membership card to be eligible to participate.
The ten-week summer program begins June 10 and runs until August 16 at a cost of $650 for the entire camp period. Playcamp is planned for kids in grades 1-6, and Teen Camp is available for kids in grades 6-8. The Early Learning Coalition offers fee assistance for St. Petersburg residents.
Tarpon Springs Summer Camps Sell Out Quickly
Tarpon Springs is offering an eight-week summer camp from June 10 to August 2, from 7:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. for only $400. There are two camps available. One is known as the “Shooters” for kids from grades 1-5. The second is called the “Sharks” for kids from grades 6-8. Many field trips are planned during the eight week program, some free and others with a small fee.
Some of the trips are Air Heads, a scavenger hunt with lunch at the Sponge Docks; Buccaneer Bay, beach days and much-much more. Camps are held in an air-conditioned gym and other rooms at the Community Center.
“We sold out last year, so sign up early if you want a spot for your child,” recommends Daniela Smyth, Camp Director. You can call 727-942-5628, ext. 5, for more information.
Dunedin Summer Camps Include Varied Programs
Dunedin’s Park and Recreation Department will offer a number of full-time and part-time camps this summer. “Quest for Adventure” Registration opens April 4 and continues until the camps are full, according to Terry Trudell, Parks and Recreation Superintendent.
Weekly full-day camps will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Supervision is available before and after camp hours for an additional charge. Camps range from a pre-kindergarten Learn and Play Camp to the iPlay Camp for Fun for 5 to 11-year-olds and Teen Camp for those from 11 to 14 years of age. Also offered will be Hammock Day Camp (available in three separate two-week sessions) and Nature Center in Hammock Park with nine different theme weeks.
Several special camps will be available, including Bagpipe, Baseball, Sailing, Golf, Skating, Tennis, Theater and Chef John’s 15th Annual Summer Camp in the Kitchen. Fees for these camps vary, with those having Recreation ID cards given a reduced rate. Some scholarships are available to assist with camp expenses for those who need them.
Registrations are being accepted at the Dunedin Community Center on Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday registrations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to noon. Online Registration is available at www.DunedinGov.com for youngsters with a Recreation Card and Emergency/Identification form on file. Information is available by calling 727-812-4530.
